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Arrival to Quito. Transportation provided to Hotel. Accommodations at the Hotel. Welcome cocktail.
Breakfast is provided at the hotel. You will move down to the historic part of the city. Your sightseeing tour will start at the Plaza San Francisco, with its church and monastery. The church is the oldest religious building constructed in South America begun by the Spanish conquerors in 1534 and finished 70 years later. You will move then by foot through the narrow, cobbled streets and passing the oldest hospital of Ecuador, San Juan de Dios, arrive by way of La Ronda street at the Plaza Santo Domingo with its church and monastery. You will continue the walk to the Plaza Independencia passing the Museum Casa de Sucre, colonial house where Marshal Sucre, the hero of Ecuadorian Independence and the most trusted of Simon Bolivar’s general lived and the old Banco Central Building. The Plaza Independencia with its cathedral and the presidential palace is the heart of the old, colonial center.
Two blocks away is the convent and church of San Agustin, which was begun to be built in 1583. On August 10th of 1809 Ecuador’s declaration of Independence was signed there, which lasted only 24 days. Here we end our walking tour and drive on to the Casa de Cultura to the new modern part of the city. In the afternoon, lunch will be provided.
After, you will visit Mitad del Mundo, the Equator Line Monument, where you may take the famous pictures standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and with the other one on the Southern Hemisphere. You will visit the small ethnic museum located inside the pyramid-shaped building of the monument. From the balcony we also have splendid views to the surrounding areas. Afterwards you will visit the interesting Solar Museum and the French Pavillion. At the end of the day you will be transported to the hotel and dinner will be served there.
The word Banos means "baths" and as the name indicates the highlight is the numerous hot spring baths in the area. Today you will have the opportunity to tour the hot springs and walk and observe the market of this picturesque town, or you could go for a hike into the nearby hillsides, walking along farmers' donkey trails through fields or corn, passion-fruit and various other local products. You will also visit the Basilica dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water, who is credited with performing many miracles in the Banos area. Accommodations and dinner will be provided at the hotel.
Breakfast is served at he hotel. You will depart from Baños and you will arrive at the Patate river within 30 minutes. There your guide will give you basic instructions on security and paddling techniques for canoeing. Lunch will be provided. Accommodations and dinner are provided at the hotel.
We depart from Banos arriving at the Topo River within one hour.Your guide will explain to you safety procedures and paddling techniques. Later, lunch will be served. Accommodations and dinner are provided at the hotel.
After a breakfast you will be visiting Baños city. At the city you will have the opportunity to observe traditional handicrafts and take a refreshing shower in the thermal waters. In the afternoon, you will return to Quito. Lunch will be provided during the trip. You will be transferred to the hotel.
Breakfast is provided at the hotel. Transportation to the airport is provided.
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