Introduction to Ecuador Tour
Part 2
10 Days / 9 nights Part 2: 25th April – 4th May 2009
Cuenca - Vilcabamba – Pacific coast including: Guayaquil, Montanita,
Pto Lopez & Manta

Join Juan Heredia (www.terradiversa.com), John Walker and Dixie Davey (www.retire-in-ecuador.com), expats from Australia now living in Cuenca on this fun-filled introductory tour of Ecuador. 

Ecuador is one of the smallest South American countries and it is by far one of the most privileged in the world. It is home to over 10% of the world’s biodiversity, even though is only has 0.02% of the global land mass. It is divided in four distinct regions that range from:

• the diversity of the Amazonia to
• the wonder of the Andes, to
• the ecological beaches of the pacific coast to
• The enchanted Galapagos Islands (not included this tour).

And of course you cannot miss the cultural wealth.

All this makes Ecuador the perfect place to visit. We invite you to explore these fascinating worlds and have an authentic experience with us on this introductory tour.

In addition to seeing the great sites, we will be providing information on investment in Ecuador and other opportunities like import/export, as well as the simple things like everyday shopping tips. The bus will be a mobile education centre.

Summary of Intinerary

Day  1 -  Saturday -  April 25th – Guayaquil - Cuenca
Day  2 -  Sunday – Cuenca – Lunch at a Hacienda and meet with expats from Cuenca
Day  3 -  Monday – Cuenca – Free Day
Day  4 -  Tuesday – Loja/Vilcabamba
Day  5 -  Wednesday - Vilcabamba
Day  6 -  Thursday - Guayaquil
Day  7 -  Friday - Montanita
Day  8 -  Saturday – Ayampe/Puerto Lopez
Day  9 -  Sunday - Manta
Day 10- Monday – May 4th – Guayaquil – End of Tour

Great Value at US$120.00 per day per person

ITINERARY IN DETAIL

Day 1 – Saturday April 25th – 2009 - Cuenca, the hidden jewel of the Andes

Pick up in Guayaquil and drive to Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and is a “World Heritage Site”.  Cuenca is a gloriously unspoilt colonial town.  If you look into many of the courtyards you can see houses as they were in the Spanish colonial days.

The city is famous for its Churches, museums, art galleries, colonial architecture and its parks. We will start the day with a city tour and after lunch visit two very interesting museums.  Culturas Aborígenes (archeology and history of Ecuadorian cultures) and  Monasterio de las Conceptas (religious art and history of a cloister from the 1500s). 

Day 2 – Sunday April 26th – 2009 - Hacienda Totorillas

A half hour drive from Cuenca, we reach Totorillas, a charming farm in an amazing natural spot, located in the area known as the mountains of Tarqui. Here we will spend an enjoyable fun countryside day, walking around the farm trails and witnessing the daily life in a local farm, where owners raise guinea pigs, produce farm eggs and milk, besides growing some local crops like corn, potatoes among others. Horse riding tours are the specialty of this farm.  Enjoy a wonderful barbecue lunch and enjoy speaking with other expats from Cuenca who will also be our special guests.

Day 3 – Monday April 27th - Free day in Cuenca

Today you are free to experience Cuenca for yourselves.  We will be around should you require help in looking at real estate or any other areas of interest. Please let us know in advance if you have specific preferences in regards to properties you may wish to view.

Day 4 – Tuesday April 28th – Loja/Vilcabamba

We drive south to “The Valley of Longevity”, Vilcabamba. We will be stopping along the way to visit the Indigenous village of Saraguro and the city of Loja. Once we reach Vilcabamba we will be staying at the Madre Tierra owned by Dr. Carol Sue Rosin who works with the oldest people in the area. They are introducing their organic medicinal herb and plant garden at the Madre Tierra.

Day 5 – Wednesday April 29th – Vilcabamba

Use this day to unwind and relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.  Meet some local expats in the town square, or you may like to ask us about any property opportunities in the area.  Or you may want to spend the day indulging in yourself. (Treatments are not included)

Totally relax, heal, and renew in the quiet tranquil Madre Tierra Spa with the most wonderful treatments on Mother Earth (half price for hotel guests), in a magical cave-like peaceful tropical setting:

• Full Body Massages
• Reflexology
• Facials
• Hair and Scalp treatments
• Hot deep earth organic Vilcabamba Clay baths
• Steam baths
• Sea salt and Exfoliation rubs
• Foot massages
• Hand and arm massages
• Neck and back massages
• Reiki
• Colonics
• Waxing
• Exercise
• Jacuzzi in our tropical setting … and more …

Day 6 – Thursday April 30th – Vilcabamba to Guayaquil

This is quite a long journey and depending on our time once we arrive in Guayaquil we may be able to do a short city tour. The tour finishes in Guayaquil on Day 19, so more time will be available to look around then. We are sure that by this time the group will know each other. The time will be well spent learning more from the tour leaders, and each other.

 
Accommodation will be at the Grand Hotel – Guayaquil

Day 7 – Friday May 1st - Guayaquil – Olon – Montanita

Today we will be passing through Olon on our way to Montanita.  Along the coast there are some fantastic homes which are mainly country homes used by those who live in Guayaquil.

Montanita Ecuador is not just one of the best surf spots in South America it’s a really laid back, fun town with young girls and guys from all the over the world. There are also many older people enjoying the spot. It really does have something for everyone.  Montanita seems to party all night long so we shall be staying a little out of town. We will travel into the town for dinner and sample the ambience.

Along the coast you will find that many of the Hostels/Hotels are owned by expats. 

Day 8 – Saturday May 2nd - Around Ayampe & Puerto Lopez

Just a short drive from Montanita is Ayampe where we shall have a look at some beautiful beachside properties for sale (one 30 acre property is owned by a Cuenca resident). Then we head off to Puerto Lopez.   Enjoy the wide bay dotted with fishing boats and backed by green hills.  In the morning, you can watch fishermen bring in and clean their catches, and in the afternoon see them cleaning and repairing their nets and boats.

Day 9 – Sunday May 3rd - Puerto Lopez – Manta

Manta is the most populous city in the province, the fifth most populous in the country and, economically, the third most important city of Ecuador. Its main economic activity is tuna fishing.

Manta has some of South America’s most breathtaking beaches and was selected as the site of the sixth South American Windsurfing Championship.  It is renowned for its diving and sport fishing.

Day 10 – Monday May 4th - Manta Return to Guayaquil

We head back to Guayaquil and this is then the end of our tour.  You may want to book your flight for the same day/evening or stay a night in Guayaquil, or even make plans to revisit your favourite location on the tour.  Accommodation and/or other transport, if required, are at your own expense. 

Summary of Tour Details

Inclusive in this trip:

• All accommodation as mentioned at superior hotels and hosterias (double basis)
• All breakfasts, and mostly all lunches (except on free days)
• Private bus transport (minimum of 12 maximum of 20 passengers)
• Bilingual guide
• Entrance fees to Visitor sites.

Tour does not include:

• Flights into and out of Ecuador
• Evening meals are at your own expense (this is your free time to “escape” from the group or have early nights if you want to).
• Alcoholic and other beverages
• Spa, massage or any other treatments at Papallacta & Madre Tierra
• Accommodation for 19th of February in Guayaquil

Price:

$120 per day per person for double/twin share room (Total US$2280.00)
A 20% surcharge will be added to those wishing to have a single room.

Contacts:

Dixie Davey:
Email: dixie.davey@becomingyounger.com
Cell: +593 9 852 8472
Skype: “dixie_cea”

Juan Heredia
Email: juan@terradiversa.com
Office: 593 7 282 3782
Cell:  +593 9 816 2620
Skype: “terradiversa1”

See others offers:

Introduction to Ecuador Part 1
Active Galapagos 7 days
Southern Haciendas