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Ancient Cultures Tour (14 days)14 days duration
Your Experience Tour starts on arrival into Quito, the Capital of Ecuador, where you will be met and taken to your city hotel for two nights.
Quito is located in a fertile valley 2,816 metres above sea level, surrounded by snow capped volcanoes. Founded in 1534, this picturesque Colonial City has been declared by UNESCO part of the Cultural Heritage of Mankind due to its outstanding styles and beauty in its architecture (Baroque, Spanish, Flemish, Moorish and pre-Columbian). This city also has a special touch - the warmth and hospitality that only "Quitenos" can offer!
This morning you will be taken on a tour of Quito. The tour covers Quito's two most important sectors: the old Colonial section and the modern part. You begin with a drive through the elegant residential areas to the Camino de Orellana, passing by the Legislative Palace and then crossing to the Colonial area. From there you will visit the famous churches of San Francisco, La Compania and San Augustine. You will also visit the Middle of the World Monument, marking the equator. (BL)
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven by private vehicle into the Andes for your journey to the picturesque town of Banos. Enroute, and if the wather is clear, you will have views of Cotapaxi, the world's highest active volcano. On arrival in Banos you will be taken to your hotel for two nights.
Banos is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the Andes at a height of 1,800 metres. Its population is only 16,000 and it is a favourite holiday spot for Ecuadorians. (BL)
This morning you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of "beautiful Banos", as it is known. This will include much of the picturesque landscape for which the town is well known. You will be taken by cable car up to the Banos Tarabita for spectacular views of the surrounding area. You will also visit the Rio Verde (Green River), which is famous for its crystalline green waters and waterfalls. The most spectacular falls are El Pailon del Diablo (the Devil's Cauldron).
This afternoon is at leisure to further enjoy Banos. It is an easy town to explore and has much to offer the visitor. You may wish to walk into the countryside, take an optional excursion or just relax in the local hot thermal springs, reportedly possessing miraculous healing properties! (BL)
This morning you will depart Banos and be driven to the town of Riobamba, where you stay tonight. This afternoon you are taken on a tour of Colonial Riobamba. (BL)
Today you will be transferred to Riobamba Train Station for the "Devil's Nose Train" journey through the Andes. This train trip is a highlight in itself, taking you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Ecuador.
Later in the day you will stop to visit Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important Inca ruins. Ingapirca is to Ecuador what Machu Picchu is to Peru, albeit on a less grand scale. Its central structure, faced in fine Inca stonework, is a large platform which was probably used as a solar observatory. Interestingly, the lenghth of the platform is exactly three times the diameter of its semicircular ends. It is thought that this may have been connected with Inca worship of the sun in the morning, at midday and in the afternoon. On arrival into Cuenca, you will be taken to your hotel for a most enjoyable two-night stay. (BL)
This morning you will be taken on a leisurely Cuenca city tour, which will include the Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas and a number of other important historical buildnings. This afternoon you will be taken to visit a Panama Hat factory on the outskirts of the city.
Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, but has a population of only about 300,000 people. It is a relatively safe, relaxed city to explore and is a centre for students of Spanish. The fast flowing Tomebamba River comes down from the Andes through the older part of Cuenca and many Spanish Colonial buildings sit high above it. Here, on most sunny days, you can see local Indians washing their brightly coloured clothes in the river. (BL)
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and depart Cuenca for Peru. You leave the Sierra (highlands) and head down towards the coast. You leave Ecuador when you cross the International Bridge at Huaquillas and enter Peru at Aguas Verdes. You then travel on to Tumbes, the most northern of Peruvian towns and a centre for rice and banana cultivation. You continue on to a beautiful coastal resort hotel at Punta Sal Grande. Here you will stay for two relaxing nights. (BL)
Today is at leisure to enjoy this quiet resort town and its 3 kilometres of beaches. (B)
This morning you will be collected from your resort hotel for your full day journey to Chiclayo, a centre of unparalleled Peruvian archaeological and ethnographic heritage. You will pass by Sullana and Piura and after luch you will stop to visit Catacaos, a small town famous for its leather goods, gold and silver jewellry and wooden artifacts. You will then continue on to Chiclayo, arriving at your hotel late in the afternoon. (BL)
This morning after breakfast you will be driven a short distance to Lambayeque City. Here you will have a comprehensive tour of the Bruning Archeological Museum, which specialises in the Mochica, Sican and Chimu Cultures. The museum also houses the magnificent treasures from the tomb of the Lord of Sipan. You will also visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, which resembles a flattened pyramid formed by five prisms held together by leaning planes. Each prism bears a replica of the banners found in the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan.
Later today you will be driven south to Huanchaco, via Trujillo, arriving at your hotel for a two-night stay. (B)
This morning you will be taken to visit the famous archeological ruins of Chan Chan - the largest adobe mud brick city in the world! The original city covered an area of 28 square kilometres and still contains the remains of palaces, temples, streets, houses and canals.
You will then be driven south of Trujillo to visit the huge Sol and Luna Huaca (Sun & Moon Pyramids) site. After lunch you will have a Trujillo City Tour. (B)
Today is at leisure in Huanchaco. Tonight you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel for tonight. (B)
Your tour ends today when you check out of your hotel. There are good connections for flights home or alternatively, you can continue with the next Experience Tour. (B)
Inca Tours does not own any of the hotels, lodges or service providers utilised in making up the tours. As a result Inca Tours is only acting as an agent for the operators and as such does not accept responsibility for any negligence, omissions, errors or differences in standard experienced by passengers when utilising the operators' products or services. Please Note: for full booking terms and conditions please see the back of our booking form.
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