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Itinerary:
Day 01: Mitad del Mundo - Pululahua
Today we will drive from Quito 25 km northward to Mitad del Mundo (literally middle of the world) where the Equatorial Line Monument is located. The monument reminds the Frensh-Spanisch expedition from 1763-1744, which, under the leadership of Charles de la Condamine, determined the position of the equator. Here you can stand with one foot on the Northern and with the other one on the Southern hemisphere. We will visit the adjacent park with leisure facilities, which feature a typical Spanish style colonial village and an ethnological museum. Following we will visit the Museo de Sol where you will get to know a lot about the culture and the knowledge of the Incas. After your visit at Mitad del Mundo you will drive to the nearby-protected area "Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua", which is situated in the crater of the extinct volcano of the same name. While hiking through the crater you can admire the beauty of the original fauna and the numerous colibries and butterfly species. In the evening we will return to Quito. B/L/-
Day 02: Pasochoa - Cuello de Luna
We pick you up from your hotel and drive to the extinct volcano "Pasochoa" (4.200 m). This mountain is a heavily eroded volcano, which is located 30km south of Quito. In its crater you will see one of the latest endemic Andean forests. It is an easy ascent and it takes approximately 4 hours to reach the summit. This climb is very good acclimatisation training. In the late afternoon, we will drive to the homely and comfortable Acclimatization centre Alberge Cuello de Luna, where we will have dinner near the fireplace and overnight. B/L/D
Day 03: Laguna of Quilotoa - Alberge Cuello de Luna
During our 6-hour roundtrip in car we will see the region of Chugchilan, which is one of the most impressing places of Ecuador. We begin in direction south to Zumbuahua. It is a small, colloured village with 40 families. 10 km north lays the blue and green glimmering volcano lagoon of Quilotoa. This lake is one of the most beautiful volcano lakes in the Ecuadorian Andes. From the crater you can see the different snow toped volcanoes far-off. After a short excursion we drive through Chugchilan and Sigchos and come back to Cuello de Luna. During this drive we make stops and you have the possibility to see the original villages and the great landscape that contains a lot of orchids and birds. The night we spend again in the Cuello de Luna. B/L/D
Day 04: Cotopaxi National Park - Hosteria Abraspungo
At 10 o'clock we go to El Chasqui from where we drive to the Cotopaxi National Park. Afterwards a short stop at the museum for nature to watch the flora and fauna of the park. After 3 hours we reach the car park on 4.600 m. From here we walk about 1 hour to the "Jose-Rivas-Refuge" at 4.800 m. After lunch we hike to the glaciers for a short walk and afterwards we come back to the parking lot and drive away to the South. Late afternoon we reach the Hosteria Abraspungo near to Riobamba where we lodge tonight. Dinner and accommodation. B/L/D
Day 05: Train Adventure - Ingapirca - Cuenca
After an early breakfast we will drive to the train station in Riobamba to board the train for a scenic ride down the Devil's Nose to Alausí. After the train ride we will continue by car to Ingapirca to visit the famous ruins. The name Ingapirca means in the Quechua language "stonewall of the Incas". We will see the fine stonework and characteristic trapezoidal niches and doorways. Following we drive in about 2 hours to Cuenca (picnic lunch will be served en-route). Arrival in Cuenca for dinner and overnight in the Mansion Alcazar. B/L/-
Day 06: Cuenca city Tour
Visit of the city of Cuenca. The third largest city Ecuador's offers you fantastic possibilities to admire great colonial and republican architecture, archaeological and ethnographical sites, sacred art museums and markets. We will take lunch in one of the restaurants typical for this region. B/L/-
Day 07: Cajas Nationalpark - Cuenca
We will drive to the Cajas Nationalpark, which is situated 15 km west of Cuenca. In this recreation area there are about 200 lagoons spread at altitudes between 3.150 m and 4.450 m. The lakes are connected by small rivers, which crystal-clear waters flow into the Pacific as well as into the Atlantic Ocean. After a hike through the highlands we return to Cuenca. In the Afternoon you flight back to Quito over the Avenue of the Volcanoes. With good weather we will have a spectacular view of the snow-covered volcanoes. Transfer to your hotel in Quito. B/L/-
Price 2006: USD 1.132.-per Person
In the price included:
All transfers in private transportation, accommodation in the above mentioned Hotels or similar and in the Haciendas based on double rooms according to the itinerary, domestic flight Cuenca - Quito, meals included in the Itinerary, National Park entrance fees and Museums entrance fees, English speaking guide
Not included in the price: Single accommodation, alcoholic beverages, tips, personal items and travel insurance, international airport tax USD 25.-
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Travelling through the Andean Highlands - 7 Day Tour: 
