The south and southwest of Ecuador: a real insider tip

Day 1 (Friday)
Cuenca / Gualaceo / Chordeleg / Cuenca

Morning city tour through the colonial Andean city of Cuenca, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Cuenca, the "secret capital", is a cultural center and famous for its traditional handicrafts and ceramics. Afternoon excursion to Gualaceo and Chordeleg, two colonial villages in a picturesque setting. Ornate and colorful knitwear is made in Gualaceo and is famous all over the country. In the beautiful Hacienda Uzhupud you can enjoy the landscape with a coffee break. Dinner and overnight in Cuenca. F / - / -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 (Saturday)
Cuenca / El Cajas / Loja

After breakfast drive to the "El Cajas" national park. This highland reserve is best known for its approx. 240 trout-rich lagoons in a beautiful landscape. You continue south on a very attractive route to Loja, where you spend the night. F / - / -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 (Sunday)
Loja / Research Station "ECSF" / Vilcabamba

The international research station "San Francisco" is located on the edge of the Podocarpus National Park with its tropical cloud forests and lagoon-rich Páramo areas. FCSF). The population receives concrete help, for example, through environmental education work in schools and the establishment of organic-ecological gardens in which traditional useful and medicinal plants are grown for the local market.
Visit the station where you will also have lunch.
We continue to Vilcabamba in the "Valley of the Centenarians". Due to the mild and stable climate, people in this region are said to have a particularly high life expectancy! Overnight in the Vilcabamba region. F / - / -

 

 

 

 

Day 4 (Monday)
Vilcabamba / Zaruma / Machala

In the morning, continue via Portovelo to the enchanting gold mining town of Zaruma with its beautiful old wooden houses and a small gold museum that you will visit. After lunch with good local coffee, continue to the coastal town of Machala, where you will spend the night. There is no suitable accommodation option in the Zaruma region, therefore accommodation in the coastal metropolis of Machala. F / - / -

 

 

Day 5 (Tuesday)

Machala / Puyango / Guayaquil

Drive to Puyango, the "petrified forest" in the border area with Peru. Puyango is an approx. 2.700 ha dry tropical forest, in which one encounters primeval petrified Ceiba tree trunks and fossil prints. This paleontological sensation is also documented in a small museum.
Then it goes on a very impressive route along the coast through extensive banana plantations (Ecuador is the number 1 banana export worldwide!) To Guayaquil, the pulsating economic metropolis and port city. In the afternoon there is a short city tour with the most important highlights such as the "Parque Histórico Guayaquil" and the city's showpiece, the impressive harbor promenade "Malecón 2000". Rest of the day at free disposal. Optional: Evening boat trip on the Rio Guayas with snack & live music (bookable on site). Overnight in Guayaquil.

 

Day 6 (Wednesday)
Guayaquil

In the course of the morning the transfer to the airport takes place. Return flight home or start of the booked connection program, e.g. Galápagos. F / - / -

Return flight to Europe (with arrival the next day) or start of the booked connection program!

Note:
Participation is not suitable for children under 7 years of age. 1-2 children (7 up to and including 11 years of age) as 3rd and 4th person in their parents' room (without additional bed) 50% discount. 

Important note: 
The change of the itinerary and the meal plan as well as the rebooking of the accommodations within the same category is possible at any time - without reducing the scope of services. With the travel documents you will receive a list of the finally reserved hotels with addresses. Travel dates for exclusive tours with 2-4 people as well as for special groups are possible every Friday with the start of travel in Cuenca, depending on the availability of the services.
More information on request. 

 

Important note: 
This trip has been completely redesigned and leads to a region that is only just being opened up for tourism. Some of the hotels are simple, but the fantastic impressions of this trip make you forget about sacrificing comfort.

 

 

Included in the tour price:

• Overnight stays in hotels or haciendas of the typical middle class / in Guayaquil first class in the booked room category (shower / toilet), optionally in Cuenca and Guayaquil first / luxury class hotels (hotel category B
• Catering according to the meal plan
  
• Excursions in comfortable, customary coaches
  
• All transfers
  
• English or German speaking local tour guide
  
• Entrance fees to museums
  
• Legally prescribed customer money protection
  

Not included in the tour price:

• Transatlantic flight as well as national flights, El Cajas National Park fee and Ecuadorian departure fee
• possibly short-term fees
• Tips to local guides and hotel staff
• Extra orders that go beyond the scope of the planned meals
• Drinks