Artesa La Abuela Café

Ecuador Experience

Be the first to write a review

All content by World Expeditions

7 days (Quito)

Destinations visited: Ecuador, Quito, World

Grading:

Adventure touring level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

from
USD$1,760

Book now

A jam packed itinerary featuring the highlights of Ecuador

This jam packed trip is an ideal introduction to Ecuador and also a perfect accompaniment to any Galapagos cruise. This fast paced 'mini trip' incorporates Quito's colonial architecture, the pulsating Indian markets of Otavalo, the volcanic spine of Ecuador and Cotopaxi National Park, the famous Devil's Nose Train, the ruins at Ingapirca and the colonial town of Cuenca.

Highlights

Quito colonial architecture
Explore Inca ruins of Ingapirca
Fascinating wildlife and landscapes
Cotopaxi National Park
Indian markets of Otavalo
Devils Nose train

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Quito, city tour

On arrival in Quito we will be met and transferred to the group hotel. This afternoon we will take a tour of this fascinating city. There are features of interest in both the new and old parts of the town. Our tour may include San Agustin Monastery, Independence Plaza, La Compania Church and a view of Quito from Panecillo Hill. In the evening, you are free to sample some of the wonderful local seafood or grilled meats in one of the city's many fine restaurants.

Day 2 To Otavalo market

We will drive north through beautiful Andean countryside to the famous market town of Otavalo. The markets here date from pre-Incan times when people came from jungle areas to trade their produce with those of the highlands. This is still the case today, as well as offering many crafts and wares for tourists. It is considered by many to be one of the best markets for textiles and crafts in South America. Time permitting we hope to have the opportunity to visit the surrounding area around Otavalo. The main market day is Saturday; but Wednesday, Friday and Sunday are also good. Overnight hotel in Otavalo.

Day 3 To Cotopaxi National Park

This morning, we will head south past Quito towards the foot of Cotopaxi volcano. Nestled in the foothills of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, our hacienda accommodation provides the perfect setting for those wishing to enjoy this unique countryside (3500-4000m approx). This afternoon and tomorrow morning, we shall have the opportunity to visit Cotopaxi National Park, or simply relax and enjoy the historic hacienda with its pretty gardens and eucalyptus grove.

Day 4 In Cotopaxi National Park. Transfer to Riobamba.

This morning we will visit Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon, we will be transferred south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. This route offers great views of various volcanoes, including Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Sangay and Altar. Overnight hacienda in Riobamba.

Day 5 'Devils Nose' train & Inca ruins at Ingapirca

After an early breakfast we will be transferred to Alausi, where we will take the best portion of the infamous Devils Nose Train journey to Sibambe. This short section gives the railway its name with a series of ‘hair raising’ switchbacks that negotiate the descent down to the lowlands. This was one of the great train journeys of the world and a fantastic piece of engineering with a maximum gradient of 5.5%. The track originally climbed from Duran on the coast to its highest point at 3700m. It has recently been re-constructed to once again be Ecuador’s pride and joy. Our transportation will be waiting in Alausi to take us to Ecuador’s most significant Inca site of Ingapirca at 3160m. Though famed as a classic Inca site, Ingapirca, actually translates to “Wall of the Incas”, but is thought to be sacred to the Canari Indians prior to the Inca’s. Ingapirca was strategically positioned on the main ancient highway from Quito to Cusco and soldiers would have settled here to maintain order in this region. From Ingapirca we will then be transferred to our hotel in Cuenca. Please note that the Devil’s Nose Train does not operate on Monday's or due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, and if it does not operate, it is important to understand that the only alternative is to drive instead.

Day 6 In Cuenca, transfer to Guayaquil

Morning tour of Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador and situated in a fertile valley in the southern highlands of Ecuador. Perhaps because of its isolation, Cuenca has kept its old-world architectural charm and its colonial ambience, with its cobbled streets and many buildings of interest. Many visitors consider it to be the most beautiful city in the country, as well as the centre of arts and crafts, such as jewellery making and ceramics. This afternoon we will drive 5 hours to Guayaquil. Overnight hotel.

Day 7 Trip concludes in Guayaquil

Transfer to the airport in Guayaquil to Quito or the Galapagos.

Additional Information

Inclusions

6 breakfasts
3 star hotels and haciendas
Experienced bilingual driver/guide
Private transport throughout
Devils Nose train journey
Entrance fees

Summary

6 nights hotels/hacienda

Trip Main Activities

Day Walking
Adventure Touring

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

from
USD$1,760

Book now

Traveller reviews for Ecuador Experience (0)

To write a review sign in, register or

Recommend

Add your experience Your experience “ ”
Say more…
Write your review Your review

Tags

Good for…

Not good for…

Photo Upload

Add a photo

Note: when you submit posts to our site (including images), you’re giving us permission to reuse your material elsewhere and also to pass it to others for use. Full website terms here.

Why we recommend World Expeditions

Pioneers in responsible travel.
No local payments.
True adventures in every sense.
Expert guides and support.
Quality facilities and transport.

Customer care

World Expeditions is a global company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada, all staffed with experienced adventure travellers.

Contact World Expeditions customer service