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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 info@experiential.travel 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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