$1,149 (Per person based on double occupancy)

$1,399 (Single room, must be 18 years old)

Please let us know if you do not have a traveling partner and you want us helping you find another person of the same gender to share a room with to save $250. 

To reserve a seat for this tour you must pay a $250 non-refundable deposit per person. Remaining balance is due latest May 3rd. 2023, if the remaining balance is not received on that day, the reservation will be considered cancelled with loss of the deposit. Reservations for this tour made after May 3rd. 2023 must be paid in full at time of reservation. (If seats are still available)

The following is included in the price:             

• 8 nights' accommodations at a 2-3 Star comfortable hotel
• 7 Breakfasts at the hotels
• 7 Lunches
• Sightseeing & Activities every day (except for the two traveling days)
• All local transportation w. private van
• Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the world) entrance fee
• Museo Templo del Sol entrance fee
• TelefériQo (Quito Cable Car) entrance fee
• Basilica of the National Vow (Church) entrance fee
• Cotopaxi National Park entrance fee
• Quilotoa Laguna entrance fee                                                                           
• Saint Martin Zoo entrance fee
• La Casa del Arbol (Treehouse Swing) fee
• Cable car over Baños Canyon entrance fee 
• El Pailon Del Diablo Waterfalls entrance fee
• Laguna Azul entrance fee
• Amazonian River Basin Boat Ride
• Amazoologi Wildlife Rescue Center entrance fee
• Kichwa Indigenous Indian Community visit
• Hummingbird Viewing entrance fee
• Papallata Hot Springs entrance fee                                                                       
• All taxes and fees

Not included in price:

• Airfare roundtrip from NYC (On Jan 5. you can find flights for about $550-600)
• Any meals and snacks not mentioned above ($100 - $200)
• Any insurance
• Any bags you have to check in ($35 each way)
• Optional Columpio Fantasias De Volar - Giant Swing ($10) 
• Optional Hot Springs in Baños  ($4-8) 
• Optional Mule ride at Quilotoa Lake ($10)                       
• Gratuities for your guides/driver (Tipping your tour guide is left to your discretion)

We will meet either in Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) at 10 pm or at our Hotel in Quito at 11 pm on the first day Sat. June 10th. Terra Premium Hostal Boutique Baquedano.  E6-05 y Juan León Mera, 170143 Quito. The Flight is NOT included in the tour price.

If you wish to travel with your tour coordinator from LGA airport, you will find the flights that you need to purchase below. You will most likely get the best price if you email Sheldon from Kayak at sheldon.c@kayak.chatdeal.com and copy and paste this email:

(Please understand that he is only able to hold a lower price for a few days, please compare the price with other flights that you might want to take instead)

The itinerary for the flights that your tour coordinator from NYC will be flying:

----------Transit Time: 2h 48m--------

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----------Transit Time: 2h 57m--------

Quito

We will start our tour flying in to Ecuador’s capital Quito, at an elevation of 9,350 ft above sea level, it is the second highest capital city in the world, and the closest to the equator. Quito is located in the northern highlands of Ecuador in the Andes Mountains. Quito is flanked by volcanoes, some of them snow-capped, and visible from the city on a clear day.

The historic center of Quito is one of the largest and the least-altered best-preserved in the Americas. You will find many cobblestone street and beautiful colonial buildings. In 1978 Quito and Kraków, Poland, were the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO.

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo

The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City), contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and also contain the Museo Etnográfico Mitad del Mundo, Ethnographic Museum Middle of the Earth, a museum about the indigenous people ethnography of Ecuador. Don't miss the opportunity of standing with one foot in each hemisphere! 

The 98 ft tall monument was constructed between 1979 and 1982 to replace an older, smaller monument built by the Government of Ecuador in 1936. It is made of iron and concrete and covered with cut and polished andesite stone. The older monument was moved 4 miles to a small town near there called Calacalí.

Intiñan Solar Museum

This museum is a private attraction, proudly advertises itself as the home of the “true” equator even if modern GPS tests come back with mixed results. You will receive a guided tour and see exhibitions of Ecuadoran culture, and tour guides and visitors demonstrate tricks which are supposedly possible only on the Equator, such as water flowing both counterclockwise or clockwise down a drain due to Coriolis effect, balancing eggs on end, or weakening of muscles due to latitude. Some are clearly parlor tricks, but others are at the very least appreciable demonstrations of physics.

Basilica of the National Vow

This is the biggest Neogothic Church in South America. The Basilica is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and under the supervision of French architect, Emilio Tarlier, it was to be designed after the famous Notre Dame of Paris and the Cathedral of Burgos in Spain. The Basilica is 460 ft long, and its two towers 377 ft tall, making it South America’s highest neogothic church.

The construction of the church started in 1890s and it is not finished yet, even it was opened officially by the Pope John Pope II in 1985. You will find stone carvings on the outside representing animals from Ecuador.

The Basilica of the National Vow can be seen from almost anywhere in downtown Quito, with its towering presence overlooking the capital and is considered one of the most outstanding in all of Latin America.

The visit to this church will be either guided or self-guided and if you feel like it you will also have the option of walking/climb up one of the towers and see the amazing view of the city. When visiting churches, monasteries, and shrines, women should not wear shorts or miniskirts.

Virgin of El Panecillo

(in Spanish: Virgen de El Panecillo), is a monument in Quito, Ecuador. It is located on the top of the hill of El Panecillo, a loaf-shaped hill in the heart of the city and serves as a backdrop to the historic center of Quito.

With a total height of 135 ft (41 meters) including the base, it is the highest statue in Ecuador and one of the highest in South America (taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro). It's also the tallest aluminum statue in the world.

Designed and built by the Spanish sculptor Agustín de la Herrán Matorras, the statue is made from 7,400 pieces of aluminum, with each piece clearly numbered. The statue was then disassembled, shipped to Ecuador, and assembled again on top of the base. The statue was finished in 1975. We will drive up and see the magnificent view from the statue.

TelefériQo

You will experience one of the highest aerial gondola lifts in the world, rising from 10,226 ft to 12,943 ft. Running from the edge of Quito’s city center up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma. The ascent takes about twenty minutes.

The TelefériQo opened in 2005. It is both a tourist attraction, and a gateway to hike to the summit of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano. Due to the increased altitude and the wind on the mountain it is cooler than the city.

Many photo opportunities and observation points await you at the top of the lift. Additionally, there is a public restroom, a small cafe, and a few shops. You will also find a few swings, which are a very popular attraction in Ecuador.

Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve

Reserva Geobotánica Pululahuais a protected area around the Pululahua Volcano north of Quito. This sites most notable feature is the crater which is one of only two volcanic craters inhabited in the world. The land here is extremely fertile because it is volcanic soil and is used to cultivate crops which sustain the population that lives in the crater and also sold for profit. We will view the crater from a beautiful viewpoint.

Artisan Market

We will be visiting a local artisan market, here you can stroll down narrow aisles while browsing the market's abundant stalls. With leather goods, such as wallets, bags, and belts, and clothing ranging from traditional to international, you'll find plenty of tempting goods on display. Don't be afraid to act like a local and put your haggling skills to the test.

Cotopaxi

We will visit Cotopaxi which is an active stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains. It is the second highest summit in Ecuador, reaching a height of 19,347 ft. It is one of the world's highest volcanoes. On a clear day, Cotopaxi is clearly visible on the skyline from Quito. It is part of the chain of volcanoes around the Pacific plate known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. It has one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world, which starts at the height of 16,400 ft. At its base it has a width of about 14 miles and its summit has a 2,620 ft × 1,800 ft wide crater which is 820 ft deep.

Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times, resulting in the creation of numerous valleys formed by mudflows around the volcano. We will explore some of the unique landscapes surrounding the volcano.

Quilotoa Lake

Quilotoa is a water-filled crater lake and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The crater’s diameter is 2 miles wide and was formed by the collapse of this volcano following a catastrophic eruption about 600 years ago. This last eruption followed a dormancy period of 14,000 years and is known as the 1280 Plinian eruption. The lake is 820 ft deep and has a greenish color as a result of dissolved minerals.

At an elevation of around 12,467 to 12,795 feet, the lake is tucked within a rugged countryside in an area of the Andes mountains still home to many indigenous peoples, who make their living farming on the land much as they have for thousands of years. You’ll see their homes and patches of farmland dotting the hillsides and meet them on the trails nearby, usually wearing traditional Andean clothing and often herding sheep with a llama or two. 

You can stay and enjoy the view at the rim of the crater, or hike down to the lake. It is a half-hour hike down from a viewpoint and 1- to 2-hour hike back up the 918 feet vertical ascent. You can also rent a mule and ride down and up the crater, this will be at your own cost. (2020 rate was $10)

Baños

We will visit the town of Baños de Agua Santa (commonly referred to as Baños) and the surrounding area, here you can enjoy fantastic nature, the Tungurahua volcano, beautiful mountains, waterfalls, extreme sports, mineral-rich hot springs and is also known for its production of taffy made from cane sugar. This fantastic destination is the gateway to the Amazon Region of the country.

The Swing at the End of the World

We will visit arguably the most famous treehouses in the world, the Casa del Arbol is home to the Swing at the End of the World. Perched on the edge of a mountain, here, you can hold the ropes as you swing over the mouth of the cliff.

The Casa del Arbol itself was also originally built as a seismic monitoring watchtower for the nearby volcano, Tungurahua, which is active. Some years after it was built, the Swing at the End of the world was hung from its branches, overlooking the beautiful Ecuadorian Valley.

The man who built the watchtower and lived on the hill was a grandfather, the story tells that he built the swing in an effort to encourage his grandchildren to visit him high up on the hill. The swing gained worldwide attention when a video of one of the children swinging over the drop went viral.

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Columpio Fantasias De Volar - Giant Swing

If the swing at the End of the World wasn’t enough excitement for you, we will take you to Columpio Fantasias De Volar (Swing Fantasies of Flying). As mention earlier, Ecuador is a country that likes swings a lot, and of all the swings in the country, this is the grand daddy of them all.

This is a mega extreme swing, with more than 230 ft of pendulum and with incredible views of the city of Baños. This swing is an extra cost of $10/person. (not included in the tour price, price is per April 2021) And if you don’t have the guts for this adventure, you can still enjoy the magnificent views.

At the giant swing, they also have a glass platform that you can walk out on for an additional fee.

Baños Valley Cable Car

We will also indulge ourself in an exciting cable car across a valley with spectacular views and to get really close to a magnificent waterfall. The car will stop for a brief moment in the middle of the canyon for you to take photos.

Zoologico de San Martin    

We will explore this wildlife park, most of the animals are native Ecuadorian species. Dedicated to the conservation of local animals and the rescue of wild creatures often improperly kept as house pets. Explore the large enclosures in the charming zoo, opened in the early 1990s, and view many species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and fish. See the majestic Andean condor, the endangered spectacled bear, tapirs, capybaras, the Galapagos tortoise, as well as numerous other native species.  The zoo is located in a beautiful scenic area on the edge of Rio Pastaza gorge.

Kichwa Community.

Ecuador’s Amazon Region is home to many indigenous, some of them live in deliberate isolation, eschewing all contact with the modern world. Some other tribes do have contact with the modern world and welcomes travelers to learn more about their ways of life, customs, and traditions. One of those tribes are the Kichwa people. The Kichwa indigenous community is the most populous ethnic group in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. They are mostly farmers and supplement their diet with traditional hunting practices and food purchased from outside markets. They are quite adept with the use of medicinal plants and fruit trees along with the planting and harvesting of yucca (manioc), banana, coffee and cocoa.

Due to increased exposure to modern culture over the last several decades, fewer Kichwa’s use traditional dress in favor of western-style clothes. Most working age men and youth speak Spanish fluently in addition to Kichwa, whereas elders and women frequently have only basic Spanish skills and communicate primarily in Kichwa.

Though sometimes tourism is stated as a source of cultural erosion, most people with intimate exposure to the population claim that the growth of tourism in the region instead has rekindled interest in preserving traditional ways in life. Demonstrating the ways of their elders and ancestors to foreign travelers tends to generate tremendous self-pride and motivation to the younger generations to preserve their way of life. You will learn about their culture and way of living, and you might even get a chance of getting a cleansing from a traditional Shaman. (A spiritual healer)

Laguna Azul Waysa Yaku

Also called Blue Lagoon, because of the blue-green color of its more than 6 pools formed by natural rocks. The water that descends from the mountain is refreshing, flows into the waters of the Jatun Yaku river.

It is beautifully located surrounding by rain forest you can go for a refreshing swim, and they usually have local concession stands where you can buy snacks including roasted corn and a local delicacy roasted bark worms (Chontacuros).

Papallacta Hot Springs

High in the lush cloud forest of the Andes mountains are a small town called Papallacta. Here we will visit a hot spring resort that has a series of hot spring pools surrounded by cow grassed mountain slopes, hummingbirds, and tropical flowers.

You will find a series of pools with water of varying temperatures and unlike most natural hot pools, there is little to no sulfur smell around the pools. You will have amble time to soak in the pools and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. 

Tour End

Our tour will end at Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) on Sun June 18th at 4:15 am, if you are booking a later flight than the American Airlines #932 at 6:39 am, you can take an Uber or a taxi from the hotel (Check out time 12 noon), it is about 12 minutes’ drive to the airport.

                              PRACTICAL INFO

Accommodation

We will stay in 4 different comfortable 2-3-star hotels during the whole trip, you will always have a private bathroom and all places will have free Wifi.

Guides

You will have one English speaking tour leader joining you from the airport in NYC and in Ecuador you will have additional local English/Spanish speaking tour guide.  

Food and Water 

Eating local is a big part of traveling and provides an important insight into local ways of life. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom you eat, we have chosen not to include all meals. This will also give you more budgeting flexibility. South American food is delicious, nutritious and varied and most places there usually are quite a few options of restaurants to choose from, but sometimes we will be in more rural areas where options will be more limited. Photo here is a typical Ecuadorian lunch. To avoid any getting sick from eating food, it is advised that you only eat cooked food.  

Fruits and vegetables are safe to eat in Ecuador, but it’s important to remember that water isn’t safe to drink, and fruits and vegetables can make you sick if they were washed with contaminated water. If you buy fruit, wash it yourself with purified water, and make sure to carefully peel the skin. The same goes for vegetables. Do not eat salad from a restaurant, unless the restaurant explicitly states that they wash their raw vegetables in decontaminated water. It is always a good idea to bring an antacid (like Tums) with you. 

Do not drink the tap water anywhere in Ecuador. Only drink bottled or boiled water or soft drinks.

Be careful of fruit juices – they’re often diluted with water. They can also be mixed with milk, which may be unpasteurized. Ice cubes are typically made from tap water, so make sure to ask for your drink without ice.

Food Included in price

Day 1: None

Day 2: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9: None

Ecuador is in general a lot cheaper than the US when it comes to buying food. Calculate with $100 - $200 for meals not included. Dependent on your eating habits, could be a bit less or a bit more.

Weather

Since Ecuador is situated along the earth’s equator, the temperature is fairly consistent throughout the year, but does vary by region. Higher-elevation areas like Quito and Cotopaxi volcano can get chilly, so you’ll want to pack warmer clothes. Quito has an average daily temperature of 70 degrees during the day and about 50 at night. The Amazon region will be the warmest part of our tour here we can expect temperature around the mid 80’s.

Spending Money

You need to bring enough money to cover meals not included in the price ($100 - $200), drinks, tips, incidentals and souvenirs. Ecuador is more of a cash society than the US. Ecuador uses the US dollar as currency and the country tends to be less expensive than the US. If you decide to pay on a local market with a $20, you can count on that they won’t have change, so it is always a good idea to bring a lot of single dollar bills. 

Altitude

Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world. With an altitude of 9,350 ft above sea level, Only La Paz in Bolivia is at higher elevation. This mean that the views are stunning, but the altitude can also cause some headaches – literally! – as the higher up you are, the less oxygen goes to your lungs with every breath. But most likely you will probably experience nothing worse than some shortness of breath, though a few people also suffer headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Staying hydrated is one of the most important acclimatization tips. Your body in the elevation works harder; it needs more water because it also uses more water. If you’re a smoker, consider taking a break from the cigarettes during your time in Quito and other places that we will visit with similar elevations.

Another way to fight altitude sickness is by enjoying a diet rich in carbs. We are not talking about chips; the best strategy is to eat some light meals that contain carbs and add plenty of fruit and green vegetables.

There are some medicine’s that can used to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve) is one of them, and there are some medicine’s that can prevent you getting altitude sickness as well. In Ecuador there is medicine called Diamox or Glaucomed, that helps fight the symptoms of altitude sickness. Don’t forget to consult with your doctor about these medicines before traveling to Ecuador.

Visa

If you are a US citizen, you will not be required to apply for and acquire a visa beforehand. Once you enter the country, you will be granted a free 90-day tourist visa. Ecuador requires that all travelers entering the country have a passport that are valid for up to six months from the date that you are flying back home again. This is very important, otherwise you will not be allowed to enter the country.  We recommend that you also bring copies of all your important documents, and maybe even email them to you self.  

Electricity/Plugs

Ecuador uses the same electricity 110 volts, 60 cycles AC as in the US, and plugs/outlets are also the same.

Vaccines

The CDC does recommend some vaccines for the areas that we will be visiting in Ecuador. CDC strongly recommends that you are up to date with your Covid-19 vaccine. For the specific areas that we will be doing activities in the CDC also recommend a vaccine for Yellow Fever, but only recommend mosquito avoidance for Malaria, but not necessary taking medicine. Please consult with your doctor before leaving and please take your time and read more about the CDC’s recommendations here:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ecuador

Travel Health Insurance

We do require that you have a travel health insurance for this tour, to cover for medical emergencies. Cancellation/interruption insurance is optional. Check if your regular health insurance cover out of country, if so then you don’t need to purchase a separate insurance unless you want Cancellationor/interruption to be covered as well. We can recommend www.insuremytrip.com or www.squaremouth.com (Hines Tours is not affiliated with this site in any form) here you should be able to find a travel medical health insurance for 9 days in Ecuador for about $25-35.

Security and Safety

While Ecuador is a relatively safe country, it never hurt to keep a careful eye on your belongings. Like many countries, pickpocketing and other petty crimes can be a problem, particularly in large cities such as Quito. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet worn close to your body or a money belt while traveling, for the safe keeping of your passport, credit cards, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - Wearing jewelry and expensive watches will only attract attention. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room, if available use safety deposit boxes. You are solely responsible for your own valuables. We also recommend that you keep your cash in several different places on yourself. A lot of pickpocketing happens on public transportation, one good thing is that we will only be traveling in a private vehicle during the whole trip. But extra caution is advice when visiting markets etc.

The U.S. government does warn against visiting the northern region of Ecuador towards the Columbian border, we will NOT be visiting this region.

Ecuador Suggested Packing List 

BAGS: We recommend that you only bring a carry-on bag (Please check size restrictions with your airline) and one personal item which has to fit underneath the seat in front of you. (We highly recommend that as a personal item you bring a backpack you can use for our day tours (Please check size restrictions with your airline). Since we have limited space in our transportation vehicle, we suggest that you don’t bring more than that. If you feel the need to bring a bag to check in (up to 50 pounds) you will most likely have to pay an extra fee each way. For your carry-on bag, please make sure that any liquids containers are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 ml)

DOCUMENTS

□  A valid passport, must be valid for 6 months after the return date

□  Health Insurance papers/card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan)

□  Copies of any prescriptions (Make sure prescriptions include generic names. Bring prescriptions for medicines, eye glasses/contacts, and other medical supplies)

CLOTHES

     Dress in layers, we will probably experience temperatures from 45 to 85 degrees. 

□   Underclothes and socks

□   T-shirts

□   Sweaters

□   Light / Fall Jacket

□   Hiking Pants

□   Shorts

□   Swimsuit + Flip Flops

□   Hiking Boots / Sneakers with good traction

□   Rain Gear

□   Hat

ELECTRONICS

□   Phone and charger

□   Camera, charger and maybe extra memory & Battery

MEDICATION

□   Allergy medicine if needed

□   Pain relievers

□   Motion sickness medicine if needed

□   Altitude sickness medicine

□   Anti diarrhea medicine

□   Mild laxative

□   Any prescribed medication

□   Small first aid kit, could include: hydrocortisone cream, Antifungal and Antibacterial ointments, Antiseptic wound cleanser, Aloe gel for sunburns, Anti-itch gel for insect bites, Band-aids/Bandages, Disposable gloves, Scissors and safety pins, Cotton swabs, Tweezers and Eye drops

TOILETRIES

□   Toothbrush and Toothpaste

□   Travel-sized lotion, shampoo, and body wash

□   Contact lens case and solution

□   Hand Sanitizer

MISCELLANEOUS

□   Insect repellant

□   Sunglasses and Sun Screen

□   Ear plugs

□   Towel

□   Cash and Credit Card

MULTI DAY FLYING TOURS Cancellation Fees (Per Person)

30 days or more before departure - Loss of deposit

15 – 29 days before departure - 50% of tour price

14 days or less before departure - No refund or tour credit.