10 Day Kaleidoscope of Ecuador with Andes Mountains & Amazon

10 days
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3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
2 Guayaquil, 2 Cuenca, 1 Riobamba, 2 Amazon, 2 Quito
From$2,099
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • In the old center of Guayaquil, visit Seminario Park, with its colonial atmosphere Enjoy a tour, demonstration and chocolate tasting at a cocoa plantation Learn about the cultivation of orchids in the small town of Gualaceo Discover the charm of Cuenca, a city located high in the Andean Mountains Marvel at the impressive stone foundations of Ingapirca Ruins, believed to have been used for religious purposes Spend two nights at an Amazon Lodge discovering the area's flora and fauna Visit a Quechua community interpretation center in the riverside village of Ahuano Visit Colonial Quito and walk through its cobblestone streets Excursion to the Middle of the World Monument †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

What's this trip about?

    2 Guayaquil, 2 Cuenca, 1 Riobamba, 2 Amazon, 2 Quito

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • South America

Attractions

  • Cuenca
  • Guayaquil
  • Quito

Trip includes

    • Flights Miami-Guayaquil, Quito-MiamiSome departure dates may be offered from an alternate nearby airport. Check flight itinerary options when booking. Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 9 nights accommodations
    • 2 nights Guayaquil 2 nights Cuenca 1 night Riobamba 2 nights Punta Ahuano (Amazon) 2 nights Quito Hotel taxes, fees & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates† 20 meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout Services of English-speaking local guides Entrance fees per itinerary

Itinerary

This 10 day "on-the go" program features the highlights of Ecuador in an active itinerary which includes several walking tours as well as some early starts and long days.

DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Ecuador
Depart on your flight to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador and the country's main port. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure in this energetic city with its lovely parks, botanical gardens and historic districts Overnight: Guayaquil

DAY 2, Tuesday - Guayaquil City Tour
This morning after an orientation meeting, begin your tour of Guayaquil at Seminario Park, famous for its many green iguanas living within the trees and ornate gardens. Then, view the contrasting architecture of the city's Neo-Gothic Cathedral, Moorish clock tower, La Ro...
DAY 3, Wednesday - Chocolate Tasting & Cuenca
Travel today from Guayaquil to Cuenca, one of the country's most beautiful cities. En route, stop at a Cocoa (Cacao) Plantation for a tour and demonstration of the process that begins after the beans are picked from the cocoa trees. Ecuador is a major producer of cacao w...
DAY 4, Thursday - Orchid Nursery and Colonial Cuenca
Today, in the small town of Gualaceo, attend a weaving and dying demonstration that will teach you about traditional textiles. Next, visit an orchid nursery and meet with one of the orchid growers that produces and exports thousands of orchids annually. Learn about the c...
DAY 5, Friday - Ingapirca Ruins, Riobamba
An adventurous day! Drive from Cuenca to the small town of Ingapirca, or "Inca Wall" in Kichwa, where Ecuador's most important pre-Columbian ruins can be found. Marvel at the impressive stone foundations, believed to have been used for religious purposes. Stroll the grou...
DAY 6, Saturday - Devil's Cauldron Waterfall, Amazon Lodge
This morning, visit the powerful Devil's Cauldron (El Pailon del Diablo)* one of Ecuador's most striking waterfalls, hidden in the Ecuadorian rainforest. After a box lunch, travel to Ahuano. Along the way, stop for a fascinating visit at a local Quechua community interpr...
DAY 7, Sunday - Private Nature Reserve Hike
This morning, after a canoe ride you can hike in the Misicocha Private Nature Reserve for approximately two hours while viewing the beautiful flora and fauna up-close. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest ecosystem, so be sure to keep an eye out for the innumerab...
DAY 8, Monday - San Isidro Lodge, Hummingbird Park, Quito
Depart the Amazon this morning by canoe. Then, continue by motor coach to the picturesque San Isidro Lodge, a paradise for hummingbird lovers and photographers. Walk along the scenic trails, stopping to see over 14 different species of hummingbirds. After lunch, head tow...
DAY 9, Tuesday - Quito City Tour, Middle of the World Monument
Discover Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved in Latin America, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin at Independence Plaza, flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace. C...
DAY 10, Wednesday - Depart Ecuador
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 10 and will require a transfer on Day 9. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time Meals: Breakfast

▲ Due to ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,099
Price per day$210
Last Updated: 2/23/2024
Start Date
End Date
Land Only
Land + Air Travel
Availability
06 May 2024
16 May 2024
$1,649
$2,249
20 May 2024
30 May 2024
$1,649
$2,249
10 Jun 2024
20 Jun 2024
$1,649
$3,299
17 Jun 2024
27 Jun 2024
$1,649
$3,299
15 Jul 2024
25 Jul 2024
$1,499
$2,249
05 Aug 2024
15 Aug 2024
$1,499
$2,399
19 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024
$1,499
$2,399
02 Sep 2024
12 Sep 2024
$1,649
$2,149
09 Sep 2024
19 Sep 2024
$1,649
$2,149
16 Sep 2024
26 Sep 2024
$1,649
$2,149

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Gate 1 Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Other Gate 1 Travel Reviews

D

DS

Jan 2024

Provided byGate 1 Travel

Gate 1 cares about money and not customer satisfaction or safety

We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however ...

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NBR

Dec 2023

Written on

THE ABSOLUTE WORST

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent. We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish. The flight that we paid extra...

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Joyce Toler

Dec 2023

Written on

Poor customer service

It has been about 7.5 years since I traveled with Gate 1 Travel. In the past, customer service was exceptionally great! Now I am appauded with the unprofessional and...

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Tour Operator

Gate 1 Travel

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Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

Company Background & Highlights

Mission: To deliver More of the World for Less by developing quality, affordable vacations for North Americans. To provide exemplary service to our customers and to earn their loyalty. To respect our partners. To invest in our employees, providing a safe and comfortable work environment. To know and understand our products and destinations. To constantly innovate and be a leader in technology.

Founded in 1981 with 3 employees; now with over 200 employees worldwide

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

Overseas Offices: Hungary, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, Argentina, Indonesia, Great Britain, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

Product Types

Escorted Tours - Group Tours

Small Group Tours

European River Cruises

Escorted Bus Tour/Sea Cruise Combinations

Independent City Stays

Independent Fly & Drive Packages

Multi-Destination Rail Packages

Customized Vacations (Vacation Builder)

Custom Groups and Individuals

Group Air

 

Target Consumer Market

Gate 1 Travel's target market is a traveler seeking high quality, affordable travel ranging from a superior tourist class to moderate deluxe class level of accommodations with the highest level of service.

Financial Security

Gate 1 Travel is backed by the largest, most well-respected financial institutions and insurance providers, guaranteeing the greatest level of financial security to every passenger. Gate 1 welcomes your inquiries of any of those independent offices.

Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

Additionally , Gate 1 is required to participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, requiring them to post $1 million in security, held by USTOA, in the unlikely event of bankruptcy or insolvency.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included:Optional tours and gratuities.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
Butterfly Farm & Balsa Wood Carving Demonstration Today, visit the nearby Butterfly Farm, just a 15 minute walk from the lodge. The farm houses and serves as the mating ground to many butterfly species found in the surrounding jungle, including the brilliant blue morpho butterfly. Observe how these beautiful creatures are fed, raised and undergo metamorphosis. Enter the "winged room" where you will be surrounded by hundreds of exquisite colored butterflies flying around. After, walk for another 15 minutes and visit an indigenous handicraft workshop, before returning to your lodge. Approximate tour duration is 1.5 hours. *Optionals "Cacao Farm and AmaZOOnico Rescue Center", "Butterfly Farm and Balsa Wood Demonstration", and "Canopy Adventure Park" operate at the same time and should not be booked together. OnDay : 7 Price : $12 Canopy Adventure Park Take a 15 minute drive and then hike 30 minutes through the rainforest to get to the Canopy Adventure Park that is located near the Pangayacu River. The Canopy Adventure Park is a ropes course or "parcour". You’ll find yourself whizzing under the foliage and over the jungle floor in no time with the help of experienced guides. There are two circuits, each with increasing level of difficulty. It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity as you will be walking some distance through the forest. For some, this activity may be considered very strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not choosing this optional tour. Minimum age is 8 years old and minimum height is 3' 3" (1 meter) Approximate tour duration is 2 hours. *Optionals "Cacao Farm and AmaZOOnico Rescue Center", "Butterfly Farm and Balsa Wood Demonstration", and "Canopy Adventure Park" operate at the same time and should not be booked together. OnDay : 7 Price : $19 Cacao Farm & AmaZOOnico Rescue Center Take a 25 minute canoe ride on the Arajuno River to visit a cacao farm, where you watch the process of obtaining chocolate from the seeds of the cacao fruit. Try your hand at grinding the roasted cacao beans in order to obtain the paste from which chocolate is made. At the end of the demonstration, taste a delicious cacao spread on toast or, a cup of hot chocolate. After, get back on your canoe and ride downriver to visit the AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue Center. The AmaZOOnico serves to rescue and care for the Amazonian animals who were injured, mistreated and illegally-trafficked. Take a guided tour of the center and watch rare species of animals in their natural habitat. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours. *Optionals "Cacao Farm and AmaZOOnico Rescue Center", "Butterfly Farm and Balsa Wood Demonstration", and "Canopy Adventure Park" operate at the same time and should not be booked together. OnDay : 7 Price : $15
Additional Information

Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Trip ID
gate1-EC-10DKALEC-PKG-24

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