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EcuadorandGalapagos
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EcuadorandGalapagos
Quito-SantaCruzIsland7Days/6Nights
DateofIssue:01February2019
ClickheretoviewyourDigitalItinerary
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IntroductionExperienceatasteofmagicalEcuadorandthegloriousGalapagos,onthisgrand7-dayitinerary.EcuadorboastsvariedlandscapesandterritoriesbetweentheAndes,theAmazon,beautifulcoastsandofcourse:theGalapagosislands.
Yourjourneybeginsinthesecondhighestcapitalandmostsceniccityintheworld,Quito.ThisbustlingcapitalofEcuadorissteepedinarichculturalhistoryperfectlyjuxtaposedwithacontemporaryambiance.Historicallyfascinating,theiconicOldTown,aUNESCOWorldHeritageSite,showcasesanastoundingarrayofmonumentsandcolonialarchitecture,allbuiltontheruinsofanIncancity.Bustlingmarketsgivewaytoaflourishingcommercialcentre,whiletranquilneighbourhoodsofferinsightintotheeverydaylifeofitsinhabitants.
Thenextlegofyouradventuretakesyoutoameccafornatureenthusiast,Situated972kilometres(604miles)westofthemainland.MadefamousbyCharlesDarwinwhostudiedtheisland’sfantasticarrayofspecies,whichultimatelycontributedtohistheoryofevolution,theisland’sendemicfaunaandfloraareasfascinatingtodayastheywerein1835.Theislands’moonlikelandscapes,interspersedwithruggedvegetation,certainlycreateanetherealatmosphere,yettheyarehaventoaflourishingpopulationofmarineiguanas,sealions,gianttortoisesandanexceptionalarrayofbirdssuchasthebluefootedboobie,frigatebirdandflightlesscormorant.
HIGHLIGHTSOFTHEITINERARY:
• PrivateexplorationsinQuito• Chocolatetastingandcookingclassledbyaresidentgourmetchef• AcloseencounterwiththewildlifeofGalapagosIslands• SpecialistguidesduringyourIslandvisits• Amazingphotographicopportunities• Combinationoflodgestayandexplorationbyyacht.
MAKETHEMOSTOFYOURADVENTURE:
• ExtendyourstaybyaddingAmazonorCloudforest
SPECIALLYCREATEDFOR:
• Photographicenthusiasts• Travellerswithapassionforwildlifeandbiology• Travellerslookingforaluxuriousadventureexperience• Naturelovers
KeyB&B:BedandBreakfastFB+:Dinner,Bed,Breakfast,LunchandActivitiesDaily
Start Accommodation Destination Basis Duration
Day1 PlazaGrandeHotel Quito B&B 2Nights
Day3 PikaiaLodge SantaCruzIsland FB+ 4Nights
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PriceUSD10,848perpersonsharing.
Totalprogram:USD21,696
Validfortraveldatesuntil20DEC2019
Included• Allnightsofaccommodationmentionedintheprogram• Privatetransportationinthebestavailablevehiclesineachcity• PrivateEnglishspeakinglocalguideinQuito.• NaturalistEnglishspeakingguideinGalapagosinsharingbasis• Mealsasindicatedintheprogram• Dailyexcursionsaccordingtotheitineraryinsharingbasis• PrivatetransfersinGalapagosuponarrivalanddeparture• EntranceticketstoenterinGalapagosandallsitesmentionedintheitinerary.• MigratoryCard• VIPLoungein/outBaltraairport• Taxesincluded,whereapplicable• AirticketsQuito/Galápagos/Quito
Excluded• Earlycheckinorlatecheck-outcharges• Itemsofpersonalnaturelikelaundry,phonecalls,etc.• Anyvideo/stillcamerafeeduringthetrip• TippingQuito,• DrinksinQuito• Excessofbaggage,• Insurance
Day1PlazaGrandeHotel,Quito
QuitoEverythingaboutQuito–fromitssettingalongtheslopesofPichinchavolcanotoitshavingthebestpreserved,leastalteredhistoriccentreinLatinAmerica–makesitacapitalcityworthvisiting.(The‘oldtown’asthecentreisknownwasdeclaredaUNESCOWorldHeritageSitein1978.)Strollalongitsnarrowstreetsandenjoythebuskers,vendorsandlocalsgoingabouttheireverydaybusiness.VisitthemonasteriesofSanFranciscoandSantaDomingo,theChurchandJesuitCollegeofLaCompañia,theCathedralofQuitoorthehillofElPanecillowhereyoucanviewthe45mhighstatueoftheVirginMary.MariscalSucreoffersatasteofmodernQuitowithitstrendybars,restaurantsandnightlife.
DayItineraryUponarrivalatQuitoAirport,youwillbewelcomedbyyourEnglish-speakingguide,andtransferredtoyourhotel.ThelandonwhichTheBoutiqueHotelPlazaGrandeHotelresidesbelongstoprestigiousandaristocraticfamilies,whodecidedtobuildthefirstluxuryhotelinthecity.Thelegendarybuilding,amarvelofeclecticarchitecturebroke
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themouldofcolonialhouses.BoastingauniquelocationinthemainplazaofthehistoriccentreofQuito,breathtakingviewsrevealtheGovernmentPalace,Cathedral,ancientdomesofoldchurches,thePanecilloandtheTownHall.
SituatedinacircleofAndeanpeaks,Quitoistheworld’ssecondhighestcapital,witharguablyoneofthefinestsettingsintheworld.OriginallyestablishedbytheQuitutribeinthefirstmillennium,QuitowasanimportantpartoftheIncaEmpire,beforebeingdestroyedandre-foundedbySpanishconquistadorSebastiándeBenalcázarin1534.Thecolonialcentre-declaredaWorldHeritageSitebyUNESCOin1978-isoneofthelargestandbestpreservedinLatinAmerica.Itishometoexcellentmuseums,churchesandartgalleries..
Transfers
Overnight:PlazaGrandeHotel TheHotelPlazaGrandesitsinthePlazaDeLaIndependencia,infrontoftheCathedralChurchandthePresidentialPalace.ThelocationoftheHotelPlazaGrandeisuniqueasit’sveryclosetotheiconicbuildingsofcolonialLatinAmerica.
HotelPlazaGrandehas15suitesfurnishedwithfinewoodsandfollowingpatternsofSpanishcolonialtimes.Thesuitescombineatasteofvintagetimeswithminimaldetailandmodern5-staramenities.The2hotelrestaurantsservegourmetcuisineaswellasEcuadoriandishes.DinersattheLaBelleEpoquecanenjoyaliveoperashowwhileadmiringtheoldcityviewsfromthebalcony.AnddinersattheCaféPlazaGrandegettoenjoythesoundsofanEcuadoriansoulguitarduoshow.
BasisBed&Breakfast
Day2PlazaGrandeHotel,Quito
DayItineraryToday,yourcitytourbeginsdowntown,passingthroughthemodernsectionofQuitotowardsthecity'shistoricdistrict.SitinIndependenceSquare,flankedbythePresidentialPalace,theCathedral,theArchbishop'sPalaceandtheCityHall.StrollpastElSagrarioChurchandmarvelattheexquisitestonefacadeofLaCompañíaChurch.Visitthe
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
MariscalSucreInternationalAirport[UIO]
PlazaGrandeHotel Transfer
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SanFranciscoChurch,builtovertheruinsofanIncaPalaceinthe16thcentury.RideuptheroadtothePanecilloortheItchimbiahillsforabreathtakingviewofQuito.YourprivateguidewillenlightenyouonthehistoryofQuito.
Duringthistour,savouradeliciouschocolatetastinginGaleriaEcuador,whereyouwilllearnhowtocultivatecacaoplants,andtheprocessoftransformingthecacaoplantintochocolate.Playaninteractivegame,wherekidsandadultscanpracticehowtosowandcultivatecacao.Youwillbeprovidedwithcookingimplementstopreparechocolatetruffles,andavarietyofdelectableingredientsincludingcinnamon,saltfromCuzco,chocolatenibs,peanuts,almonds,cacao,sugar,etc.Aguidespecialisinginchocolatewillteachyouhowtopreparetheseingredients,andinjustafewminutes,youwillberelishingscrumptiousself-madetruffles.
Afterthistastyactivity,youwillbedriventotheCaféPlazaGrandewhereyouwillparticipateinaCookingClasswiththeopportunitytocreatetwotypicalEcuadoriandishes.Aprofessionalchefwillbeyourteacherduringthisactivity,andhewillshowyouhowtoprepare"ceviche"andthefamous"heladodePaila"(anice-creammadewithfreshtypicalpulpfruits,consideredoneofthemosticonicfoodsofEcuador).TheChefwillguideyouandonceyourcevicheisready,youwillcontinuewiththepreparationofthedessert.Thenitwillbetimetositdownandenjoyyourdeliciouslunch.
Afterwards,youwillvisittheEquatorialMonument,builtasatributetotheFrenchscientistswhodeterminedtheshapeoftheearthinthe1700's.VisittheEthnographicMuseuminsidethemonument,wherethecolourfulwayoflifeofthedifferentethnicgroupsofEcuadorisondisplay.ThereisalsotheIntiñaninteractivemuseumthatrevealsthedifferenttheoriesaroundtheIncas.
Activities
QuitoEverythingaboutQuito–fromitssettingalongtheslopesofPichinchavolcanotoitshavingthebestpreserved,leastalteredhistoriccentreinLatinAmerica–makesitacapitalcityworthvisiting.(The‘oldtown’asthecentreisknownwasdeclaredaUNESCOWorldHeritageSitein1978.)Strollalongitsnarrowstreetsandenjoythebuskers,vendorsandlocalsgoingabouttheireverydaybusiness.VisitthemonasteriesofSanFranciscoandSantaDomingo,theChurchandJesuitCollegeofLaCompañia,theCathedralofQuitoorthehillofElPanecillowhereyoucanviewthe45mhighstatueoftheVirginMary.MariscalSucreoffersatasteofmodernQuitowithitstrendybars,restaurantsandnightlife.
Explorationwithprivateguideofthecity,visitingthehighlightsofthehistoricaldistrictofthecityofQuito,ChocolatemakingandtastinginGaleriaEcuador,Cookingclass,VisittoEquatorialMonument,themiddleoftheworld
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BasisBed&Breakfast
Day3PikaiaLodge,SantaCruzIsland
SantaCruzIslandTheislandofSantaCruz(Indefatigable)ishometoPuertoAyora,thelargestandmostdevelopedtownintheGalapagos.Whilemanyvisitorsusethisislandasmerelyaspringboardforthemoreremotesurroundingislands,thosewhodigalittledeeperwilldiscoverthatthisislandhasplentytooffer.Withnumerousvisitorsites,easilyaccessiblebeachesandremotehighlandsintheinterior,SantaCruzmakesanexcellentbaseforadventurousactivities.ThemostpopularattractionsisundoubtedlytheCharlesDarwinStationwhichoffersanimpressiveturtlebreedingareaandinterestinginformationabouttheconservationoftheuniquebiosphereoftheGalapagos.Don’tmisstheopportunitytoswimorsnorkelatoneoftheisland’smagnificentbeacheswhereyouwillfindwhitesandandturquoisewatersaswellasanabundanceoffascinatingwildlifeincluding:pelicans,blue-footedboobiesandmarineiguanas.
DayItineraryAfterbreakfast,youwillbetransferredtotheairportinQuitoforyourflighttotheGalapagosIslands.
OnceinBaltraAirport,youwillhaveaccesstotheVIPLounge,andaPikaiarepresentativewillmeetyou.CruisethroughtheItabacaChannel,foraseven-minuteferrycrossingtoSantaCruzIsland,followedbya50-minuteprivatescenictriptoPikaiaLodge.
Perchedontopoftwoextinctvolcaniccraters,PikaiaLodgeoffersoneofthemostspectacularviewpointsintheGalapagos.
Followingcheck-inatthelodge,lunchwillbeservedattheirEvolutionRestaurantoronthePoolTerrace.
Intheafternoon,youwillhavethechancetorelaxandfamiliarizeyourselfwiththelodgesurroundings.Enjoyarangeofactivitiesatyourownpaceandleisure,includingwalking,jogging,cyclingtrails,oraswiminthepool.Itisverycommontoencountertheproperty’sgiantresidenttortoise.
Youwillbebriefedonthefollowingdays’activitiesintheDNAbar,whileenjoyingcomplimentarywelcomecocktails.
FlightInformationDate Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
Scheduled MariscalSucreInternationalAirport[UIO]
JoseJoaquindeOlmedoInternationalAirport[GYE]
Scheduled JoseJoaquindeOlmedoInternationalAirport[GYE]
BaltraAirport[GPS]
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Transfers
Overnight:PikaiaLodge LocatedinSantaCruz,Ecuador,PikaiaLodgeisperfectforthephysicallyactiveandadventuroustraveller,whoseeksclosecontactwiththeuniquenaturalwondersoftheGalapagos.
Roomsatthelodgerangefromterraceroomstosuites,eachfeaturingairconditioning,privatebathroom,safe,minibar,andTV.
GuestscanenjoydiningattheonsiteEvolutionRestaurantwhichoffersanunrivalledviewoftheinfinityedgepoolandthepristineGalapagosNationalParkwithmistcoveredvolcaniccones.Lodgeamenitiesincludetwolounges,aspa,bar,andwinecellar.
BasisFullBoardandActivitiesDrinks(LocalBrands)Included
Day4PikaiaLodge,SantaCruzIsland
DayItineraryTaketothewateronayachtcruise,onboardtheM/YPikaiaI,whereaprivatecabinhasbeenassignedtoyou.Enjoyadeliciousbreakfastonboardtheyacht,anduponarrivalontheisland,getadventurouswithhikingorsnorkellingactivitiesuntilmidday.RelishalunchbuffetoftraditionalEcuadorianfoodastheyachtsailstoNorthSeymourforanafternoonexploration.
TheislandofNorthSeymourisfascinatingforfloraandfauna,withabundantbirdlifesuchasblue-footedboobies,coloniesoffrigatebirds,andothersmarinespecies.Watchcoloniesofsealionsfrolicinthedeep,spothammerheadsharks,marineturtles,landandmarineiguanas,andtheendemicbeautiesoftheendangeredPaloSanto(HolyWood)dryforest.
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
PlazaGrandeHotel MariscalSucreInternationalAirport[UIO]
Transfer
BaltraAirport[GPS] PikaiaLodge Transfer
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AtBachasBeach,walkalongpristinewhitesandybeaches,separatedbyoutcropsoflavarocks.Enjoytheopportunitytoviewpacificgreenseaturtles,flamingos,lavagulls,andredSallylightfootcrabs.Ifyoulikeyoucanenjoyaswimandsnorkel.
Twohoursbeforesunset,theyachtwillsetsailforPikaiaLodge.Whilesailing,youcanrest,shower,orfreshenupintheairconditionedprivatecabins,soakintheJacuzzi,watchaGalapagosdocumentary,joinadiscussionwithguides,sunbathe,orlookoutfordolphins.
Activities
LasBachasBeachInadditiontoitsinvitingcrystalwatersthatlurevisitorstoswimamongsttheseaturtles,BachasBeachalsoofferssightingsofflamingoandmigratorybirds.
NorthSeymourIslandDespiteitssmallsize,NorthSeymourIsland,intheGalapagosarchipelago,iscertainlyworthavisitforitsastonishingabundanceofwildlife.Visitorstotheislandaretypicallytreatedtothesightofsealionsridingwavesallthewayintoshore,marineiguanasbaskinginthesunandflocksofpelicansandswallowtailedgullsfeedingjustoffthecoast.TheislandisalsorenownedasanaturalhavenforsomeofthemostsoughtafterresidentsintheGalapagosIslands,theBlue-FootedBoobie.Duringmatingseason,theislandisanidealplacetowitnesstheintriguingmatingritualsforwhichthesebirdsarefamous.Must-seesiteincludeBachasBeachwhereyoucanenjoysomeexcellentsnorkellingandtheisland’slagoonwhereyouarelikelytowitnessflocksoffeedingflamingos.WithitsextraordinaryprofusionofwildlifeandcloseproximitytoSantaCruz,NorthSeymourislandmakesanidealdestinationforanadventurousdaytour.
BasisFullBoardandActivitiesDrinks(LocalBrands)Included
Day5PikaiaLodge,SantaCruzIsland
LasBachasBeach
Afull-dayyachtexplorationtoNorthSeymourandBachasBeachIslands
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DayItineraryEnjoyanearlybreakfast,andthenembarkonamorningexplorationprogram.Eachmorningactivityisplannedaccordingtosatelliteweatherimageryandtidalcharts.Youwilljoinagroupofmaximum16peopleforthelandtour,andtwoorthreeactivitieswillbechosenfromthelistbelow.
• LosGemelosSinkholes&ScalesiaForest• GianttortoisesfarminRanchoChatoII• VolcaniccratersandgianttortoisesatCerroMesa• Lavatunnels• TortugaBayBeach• CharlesDarwinScientificResearchCentre• GarrapateroBeach
Ifyoupreferyoucanrelaxandenjoyyourdayatthelodge.Mountainbikes,helmets,snorkellingequipment,andwetsuitsareavailablewithoutextrachargeatthefrontdeskoronboardtheyacht.(Earlypre-bookingisrecommended.)
LunchwillbeservedatPikaiaLodge,andintheafternoontherewillbefurtherexcursions.
Activities
BasisFullBoardandActivitiesDrinks(LocalBrands)Included
Day6PikaiaLodge,SantaCruzIsland
DayItineraryStartthedayearlyatthecoffeestationatthePikaiaLodgereception,beforea50-minutetransfertotheport.BoardtheM/YPikaiaI,andsailthroughtheIthabacaChanneltoBartoloméIslandwhileenjoyingbreakfast.
BartoloméIslandisthemostrecognized,mostvisited,andmostphotographedofalltheGalapagosIslands.ItismostnotablyfamousforPinnacleRock,atoweringspear-headedobeliskjuttingoutoftheocean–perhapsthebestknownlandmarkthroughouttheentireGalapagosNationalPark.
Youneedtoclimbmorethan300stairstothesummitofBartolomé;hereyoucanfindsomeofthemostbeautifullandscapesintheentirearchipelagoincludingpinkandwhitesandbeaches.Diveintothedeepforanunforgettablesnorkellingexperience,completewithGalapagospenguins,perhapswhitetipandGalapagossharks,rays,multitudesofsealions,akaleidoscopeoftropicalfish,andgreenseaturtles.
BuffetlunchwillbeonboardM/YPikaiaIandintheafternoonyouwillvisitSullivanBay,asiteofgreatgeologicalinterest.Locatedonthesouth-eastsideofSantiagoIsland,originallynamedJamesIsland,theareaiscoveredbysolidifiedandwaveshapedlavaflows.
Enjoyawalkherefindingpocketsofgreentreesinthevolcanicrocksurrounds,anduniquevegetation.
Choiceofoneortwohalf-dayexplorationsledbyPikaiaGuides
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Conservationworkoverthelastdecade,hasrehabilitatedmuchofthevegetation,andmanyofthenativespecies.
TheSullivanBay’sfamouslavaisknownasPanoehoe,whichisHawaiianforstring.Itgetsthisnamefromthestringorropeshapesformedbythecooledlavaeruptions.
HeadbacktoPikaiaLodgewheredinnerwillbeservedatEvolutionRestaurant.
Activities
BartoloméIslandAsoneoftheworld’sforemostdestinationsforwildlife-viewing,thisvolcanicisletintheGalápagosIslandsgroupmakesanidealstompinggroundforavidnatureenthusiasts.CharlesDarwinwasfamouslyinspiredtowritehisseminalwork,‘TheOriginofSpecies’,afterwitnessingtheveritabletreasuretroveofnaturalwondersexhibitedonthisextraordinaryarchipelago.Darwinwassointriguedbytheuniquelandscapes,colourfulrockformationsandexoticwildlifeoftheseislandsthathenamedoneofitsmostunusualisletsafterhisclosefriendandfellownaturist,SirBartholomewJamesSulivan.Today,BartholomewIslandisnolessfascinatingthatiswasin1835whenDarwinfirstarrived.VisitorstypicallyswimandsnorkelaroundtheiconicPinnacleRockwheretheyaretreatedtoanimpressivenaturalworldofpenguins,marineturtles,white-tippedreefsharks,andothermarinecreatures,manyofwhicharefoundnowhereelseonearth.
SullivanBaySullivanBayissituatedonthebeautifulislandofGalapagos.ThemajesticvolcanicsitewasnamedafterBartholomewJamesSullivanwhowasthefirstlieutenantonHMSBeaglethatbroughtthefamousCharlesDarwintotheGalapagosIslands.Thelandscapeismadeupoferodedscorialavaconeswhichwereswallowedupbypahoehoelavaflowandisconsideredoneofthefinestintheworld.Thelavaflowisover170yearsold.Pioneerplantsarecolonisingonthedarkrocksandlavamakingwayforotherplantspecies.
BasisFullBoardandActivitiesDrinks(LocalBrands)Included
Day7EndofItinerary
Afull-dayyachtexplorationtoBartoloméIslandandSullivanBay
SullivanBay
BartoloméIsland
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DayItineraryYouradventurecomestoanend,andafterbreakfastyourcheck-outtimeandtransferwillbearrangedaccordingtoyourflight.YouwillbedriventoBaltraIslandAirportandassistedwithcheck-inforyourreturnflighttoGuayaquil.RelaxintheVIPloungependingyourflightdeparture.
UponarrivalatGuayaquilAirportfromGalapagosIslandsyouwillbemetbyanEnglish-speakingguide,whowillassistyouwithyourinternationalflightconnection.
FlightInformation
Transfers
UrgentContactNumbers
ServiceProviderDirectory
Date Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
Scheduled BaltraAirport[GPS] JoseJoaquindeOlmedoInternationalAirport[GYE]
Scheduled JoseJoaquindeOlmedoInternationalAirport[GYE]
MariscalSucreInternationalAirport[UIO]
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
PikaiaLodge BaltraAirport[GPS] Transfer
CompanyName Telephone EmailAddress ContactPerson
ExperientialTravel +61418325812 [email protected] NevilleJones
ServiceProvider Ref.Number Telephone Address
PikaiaLodge BarrioElCamotea100mdeCerroMesaSantaCruzIslandGalápagos,Ecuador
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TravelInformationTheinformationinthisdocumentisprovidedbytheoperatorsandotherparties.Itmaynotaccuratelyreflectyourexperience.
NeighbouringColombiaandPeru,Ecuadorisarelativelysmallcountrythatneverthelessoffersanenticingarrayofsceniclandscapes,diversewildlifespeciesandinterestingcities.DenseAmazonrainforest,toweringAndeanmountainpeaks,palm-fringedPacificCoastbeachesandfascinatinghistoricalsitesareallpartandparcelofEcuador’sprolificcharms.TheformerIncatownofCuencaisthenation’sthird-largestcityandaUnescoWorldHeritageSite.Thisalluringcity,withitscobbledstreets,beautifularchitectureandphotogenicplazas,boastsahugevarietyofmuseumsandartgalleries.ThevibrantcapitalcityofQuitoisalsoworthavisit.ArguablythemostdazzlingjewelinEcuador’scrownistheGalapagosArchipelagointhePacific,about1000kilometreswestofthemainland.Theirmagnificent,pristinelandscapesandprolificwildlife,whichinspiredCharlesDarwin,havemadethisclusterofislandsaworld-famoustraveldestination.
BankingandCurrencyCurrency
USDollar(USD;symbolUS$)=100cents.NotesareindenominationsofUS$100,50,20,10,5,2and1.CoinsareindenominationsofUS$1and50,25,10,5and1cents.SomecoinsareusualUScentsandsomeareEcuadoreancentavos.Theyhavethesamevalue.
Therearenorestrictionsontheimportorexportoflocalorforeigncurrency.However,amountsexceedingUS$10,000mustbedeclared.
Foreigncurrenciescanbeexchangedatbanksandatcasasdecambio(exchangehouses),thelatterbeinggenerallythebestoption.ItmaybedifficulttoexchangemoneyintheOriente.Therateofcommissionvariesbetween1to4%,soitisworthshoppingaround.
Banking
Bankinghours:GenerallyMon-Fri0830-1600/1700andSaturdaymornings.
Majorcredit/debitcardsareacceptedinmostbusinesses.ATMsareavailableatmostbanksinurbanareas.OntheGalápagosIslands,currentlyonlyMastercardisaccepted.
ATMsareavailableatmostbanksinurbanareas.Notethatdirtyortornnoteswillnotbeaccepted.Trytokeepcashinsmallerdenominations;shopkeeperstendtorefuse$50and$100billsasforgeriesofthesenotesarecommon.
Traveller'schequesaregenerallyacceptedinthelargercitiesandcanbeexchangedintocurrencyatmostbanksandcasasdecambio.
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Travel,TransportandGettingAroundEcuadorisasmallcountryandinternalflighttimesareusuallylessthanonehour,makingairtravelaquickandeasywaytogetaround.MostflightsoperateoutofQuitoalthoughGuayaquilalsohasdirectservicestomaincentressuchasCuenca,LojaandGalapagos.TAME(EQ)(www.tame.com.ec)fliesfrequentlybetweenGuayaquil,Quitoandotherdestinationsthroughoutthecountry.TheairlinehasrecentlylauncheddirectflightsfromQuitotoTena,cuttingoutthe5hourbusjourneybeweendestinations.Anumberofsmallairlinesservethecoastandeasternpartofthecountry.Flyingistheusualmodeoftransportforintercitytravel.
GalapagosIslands:TherearedailyflightstotheGalapagosIslandsonnationalairlinesfrombothQuitoandGuayaquil;notethatairfarestoGalapagosaremuchhigherthantoanyotherdomesticdestination,althoughtherearediscountfaresonofferforEcuadoriannationalsandresidentsofGalapagos.Thereisalsoanationalparkadmissioncharge,payableincashonly.Ifyoudon’thaveaticketthereistheoptiontogoalongtotheairportandjoinawaitinglistfortheflightaspeoplefrequentlydon’tturnup.
CarsaredrivenontherighthandsideoftheroadinEcuador.ThePanamericanaorPan-AmericanHighwayislargelyingoodcondition;therearestillplentyofpotholesinplacesthoughandsomeroadsaremoreakintoroughtracks.Roadsinthehighlandscanbeespeciallybadduetotheweatherandcracksorholesherecanbesizeable.
Anextensivenetworkofroadsspreadsoutfromthemainnorth-southaxisofthePan-AmericanHighway.Thereisalackofroadmarkingsandsignage,sodrivingatnightisparticularlybestavoided.
Sincegettingaroundbypublictransportissoeasy,fewpeoplerentcarsinEcuador.NonethelessthereareinternationalandlocalcarhirecompaniesoperatinginEcuador,withcitiessuchasQuito,GuayaquilandCuencatheplacestoarrangepick-upanddropoff.Itmaybedifficulttohireavehicleinsmallertownsandeveninmaincitiesyoushouldarrangeyourvehiclehireinadvance.4-wheeldriveisnecessaryforsomeareas.
Driversneedtobeatleast25yearsoldandhaveamajorcreditcardforthedeposit.Somecompanieswillhirecarstothoseaged21-25butthesurchargesaremuchhigher.Checkforexistingdamageandmakesurethecarcomeswithasparetyreandajack.Drivecarefully,makesurethecarisalwayssecureandcheckwhatthecarrentalinsurancepolicycovers.
Thenationalspeedlimitis100kph(63mph)onhighwaysandaround50kph(30mph)inurbanareas,unlessotherwiseindicated.Therearestrongpenaltiesforeventhemostminordrivingoffences.AnInternationalDrivingPermitisnotrequired,butinsuranceis.
Taxisarewidelyavailable,particularlyinlargercitiesandtowns.Farestendtobelowbutshouldbenegotiatedinadvance.TaxisaremeteredinQuito,butrarelyelsewhere.Taxismaybehiredforawholeday.Driversdonotexpecttips.Alllicensedtaxishavearegistrationnumberprominentlydisplayed.
Increasinglypopular,cyclingisagood,ifsomewhatstrenuouswayofseeingEcuador.MountainbikesarerecommendedandyoushouldideallybringyourownasbikehireservicesarescarceoutsideofQuito.Bringyourownsparestoo.Bikescanalsobetakenonbuses,canoesandalmosteveryothertypeoftransportifyoufindyou’verunoutofenergy.OrganisedbiketoursinEcuadortendtobeonedaytrips,andmostlydownhill,havingbeenferriedtothetopofthedescentinacarbythecompanyyoubookwith.
Ecuador’sbusandcoachserviceisextensiveandaffordable.Takingabuscanbeanexhilarating,excitingwaytoseethecountryalthoughitcanalsobecrampedandscarytoogiventherecklessnesswithwhichsomedriverstacklecornersandovertake.Thereareanumberofdifferentcompaniesthroughoutthecountryandservicestoalmostanywherethatyoumightwanttogo.Someofthemostestablishedhavetheirownbusstationsseparatefromthe
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mainterminals(terminalterrestres)andoperateair-conditioned,comfortablebuses,idealforlongerdistancejourneys.
FrequentlandslidesandlackoffundingaresomeofthecausesofEcuador’srailwaysystembecomingalmostcompletelyredundant.TheEmpresadeNacionalFerrocarrilesdelEstado(EcuadorStateRailways)runsthefamousNarizdelDiablo(Devil'sNose),whichmakesaspectacularmountaindescentonitsroutebetweenRiobamba(tel:(03)961909)andSibambe.TheonlyotherserviceofnoteistheweekendexcursionfromQuitotoElBoliche,nearCotopaxi.TicketsfortheDevil’sNoseridecanbeboughtadayinadvance.ReservationsfortheBolicheservicearenotnecessary.Peopletendtorideontheroofofthetrainforthemostexhilaratingexperience.
Ecuador'srockycoastlinemakescoast-hoppinganinefficientandevendangerousmeansoftransportforvisitors.SeveralnavigableriversfloweastwardsintotheAmazonbasin.Dugoutcanoes,whichcarryuptoabout25people,arewidelyusedasameansoftransportinroadlessareas,particularlyintheOrientejunglesandinthenorthwestcoastalregions.Touristboats,luxurycruisers,convertedfishingboatsandhiredyachtscanallbeusedtotravelbetweentheGalápagosIslands.
Food,DrinkandCuisineAdviceItisadvisabletodrinkonlybottledorsterilisedwaterinEcuador.Avoidunpasteuriseddairyproducts.Onlyeatwell-cookedmeatandfish.Vegetablesshouldbecookedandfruitpeeled.
EcuadoriandinnertablesareblessedwithsomeofthefinestproduceinSouthAmerica;atestamenttothecountry’sfertilesoil,variedtypographyandwildlydifferentclimates.
TherearethreemainregionsinEcuador,eachwithitsownstyleofcooking:highlandcuisinerevolvesaroundwarm,heartydishessuchasroastguineapigandlocro,asoupofpotato,cheese,cornandavocado;coastalcuisineisdominatedbyseafood;andOrientedinnertablestypicallyfeaturerice,banana,yucca(atypeofmaniocroot)andfish,includingpiranha.Mostfoodisn’tspicy,butisinevitablyaccompaniedbyabowlofaji,ahotpeppersaucefortheboldtoaddattheirperil.
ClimateandWeatherEcuadorhasahighlychangeableclimate,whichmeansthatitcanbevariableatanytime.Generallythough,intheSierra,thereislittlevariationbydayorbyseason,withchangesoccurringasyouclimbordescendinstead.ThecoastalandAmazonianlowlandshaveawetequatorialclimate,butthehigheryouclimbthecolderitgets.
RainfallisprimarilyaffectedbyproximitytotheeasternorwesternslopesoftheAndes;inthewest,JunetoSeptemberaredrierwithOctobertoMaytypicallywetter;intheeasttheoppositeistruewithOctobertoFebruarydrierandMarchtoSeptembermuchwetter.Thereisalsoavariationintheamountofrainfallasyoujourneynorthtosouth,withthesouthernhighlandsmuchdrierthanthelandscapesinthenorth.Thecoastcanbeenjoyedallyearround,althoughitiscoolerbetweenJuneandNovember,whenaseamistknownasgaruasetsin.JanuarytoMayareconsistentlythehottestandrainiestmonthshere.TheGalapagosarealsoaffectedbygaruabetweenMayandDecember;JanuarytoAprilherearethehottestmonths,withheavybutbriefrainfallalsopossible.IntheOrienteyoucanbeaffectedbyrainfallatanytime,butitiswettestfromMarchtoSeptember.Mostcitiesarelocatedinacomfortablesubtropicalzone.Takingallofthisintoaccount,Ecuador’shighseasonisJunetoearlySeptember.
ClothingandDressRecommendationsLightweightnaturalfabrics;rainwearinsubtropicalareas.Warmerclothesareneededinuplandareas.Makesurethatyouhavegood-quality,well-brokenbootswithplentyofanklesupportfortrekkingorwalkingonuneventerrain.
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ElectricityandPlugStandardsElectricalsockets(outlets)inEcuadorareverysimilartotheelectricaloutletsfoundintheUnitedStatesandCanada,andifyourappliancehasaNorthAmericanplug,it'spossiblethatyouwon'tneedanyadapteratallinordertopluginthere.However,therearetwopotentiallyveryimportantphysicaldifferencesthatmayneedtobeaddressedwithanadapter:groundingand/orpolarization.Ifyourplughasoneorboth,andthesocketdoesn't,thentheplugmaynotphysicallybeabletofitintothesocketwithoutanadapter.
InthecaseofaNorthAmericanapplianceplug,groundingisaccomplishedbythethird,roundpinbeneathandbelowthetwoverticalbladesontheplug.Polarizationisaccomplishedbytheleftverticalbladebeingtallerthantheright,sothattheplugcan'tbeinsertedupsidedown.U.S.andCanadiansocketsarerequiredtobebothgroundedandpolarized.ButinCentralandSouthAmerica,theCaribbean,JapanandotherareaswhichuseU.S.stylesockets,groundingandpolarizationoftenarenotrequired,andinfact,themajorityofsocketsinmanyoftheseareasdonotacceptthetallerbladeand/orthethirdgroundingpin.ThiswillpreventaNorthAmericanapplianceplugfrombeingabletoplugintothesesockets,iftheplugiseithergroundedorpolarized.
Electricalsockets(outlets)inEcuadorusuallysupplyelectricityatbetween110and120voltsAC.Ifyou'replugginginaU.S.orCanadian120voltappliance,oranappliancethatiscompatiblewithmultiplevoltages,thenanadapterisallyouneed.
Buttravelplugadaptersdonotchangethevoltage,sotheelectricitycomingthroughtheadapterwillstillbethesame110-120voltsthesocketissupplying.Ifyourapplianceisfromanotherpartoftheworld,anditisbuiltonlyfor220-240voltelectricity,oraJapaneseappliancebuiltfor100volts,thenatravelplugadapterbyitselfwon'tbesufficient.Thevoltagewillhavetobechangedfrom110-120voltsatthesocket,towhatevervoltageyourappliancerequires.Thisisaccomplishedwithavoltagetransformer.
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