Ecuador’s wide variety of landscapes, its pre-Colombian cultural heritage and, most importantly, its assortment of people from different ethnic groups, make the country a fascinating treasure to be explored. Discover it, by following the trails of human beings’ first artistic creations and contemporary expression of art and crafts.

The earliest fragments of pottery found in Ecuador are 6900 years old. Throughout history, coastal, highland and Amazon cultures have come and gone, leaving their traces and telling their history through their crafts. Objects of both daily and sacred use continue to be made even today using traditional techniques. The varying shapes and designs are symbols of their evolving cultures and of their mystical and cosmic view of life.

Enchanted Expeditions offers a 13 day trip that features the artistic traditions in Ecuador. The trip takes us first to the Northern highlands and the province of Imbabura. Then we drive Southward passing by green mountains, patch worked with corn fields, and the stark majestic snow capped volcanoes that reach out to the crystal sky. We visit the Cotopaxi volcano and Quilotoa crater lake area and finally arrive in Cuenca; a beautiful colonial city known as a crafts and arts centre, both traditional and modern. In Cuenca we will be welcomed into the homes and workshops of artisan families who are pleased to share their skills and experience with us. While in the countryside we will become acquainted with the shapes, designs and techniques of Indian traditions. In Quito and Cuenca we will have the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas and insight face to face with Ecuadorian artists as they show us their personal interpretation of traditional motifs in modern art. The towns we visit also give us the opportunity to relax, stroll through the cobbled streets of their colonial centres and visit some of the local museums. The pleasure of urban nightlife will add to our trip.

Enchanted Expeditions is offering this special departure which includes a Quito city tour, a visit to Cotopaxi National Park (home of the worlds highest active volcano), the colourful Saquisili market, the exciting Devil’s Nose train ride, 4 days of trekking which concludes at the Ingapirca Incan ruins, the World Heritage city of Cuenca, and to top if off we end our tour at the relaxing Papallacta thermal hot springs and spa. A cruise around the Galapagos Islands can be added to this tour.

Start Date: May 15 2012 / End Date: May 25 2012

ITINERARY

May 15 – Arrival in Quito and transfer to accommodation at Patio Andaluz, which is situated in the old historical part of Quito.

May 16 – Quito City Tour and Equatorial line. Overnight at Patio Andaluz. Notes: Breakfast and Lunch included

May 17 –Breakfast at 5:30am, leave at 6am for Saquisili animal market. Spend one and a half hours at the market; also shop for fresh fruit to take on trek. From here drive to Cotopaxi National Park for a one hour acclimatization hike around Limpiopungo Lake. Depending on the group’s interest and the weather we continue hiking (about 2 hours) towards the Tambopaxi for our lunch stop; or we drive up to 4600 meters and walk up to 4800 meters to the Cotopaxi refuge. If the weather is good the view is stunning of the surrounding mountains; one can get very close to the glacier. Descent and stop at Tambopaxi for lunch. Drive to Hacienda Abraspungo, which is on the outskirts of Riobamba. Notes: Breakfast and Dinner included

May 18 –  Breakfast at 5:30am, leave at 6am sharp for a 8am train ride departing from Alausi, to travel the “devil’s nose” switchback portion Alausi/Sibambe/Alausi. Drive to Achupallas (1 to ½ hr. drive) to meet local staff, have box lunch while equipment is stored onto the pack animals. We trek for about two hours to Cuchicoral and set camp for the nights. Notes: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner included

May 19 – Today we trek for approximately 4 hours to “Tres Cruces”. We will pass hilly countryside on the way up to the lagoon where we are going to set camp.  For those that are up to it, they can do side hikes to the Inca trail viewing points.  Notes: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner included

May 20 – Cross the mountainous pass (4200 meters/13700 ft) and follow the ancient “road” to Lake Culebrillas to the ruins of Paredones (4-6 hours of trekking.) Pitch camp near the quarry from which the Incas mined Diorite, the igneous stone used in the construction of Ingapirca. Notes: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner included

May 21 – Conclude our trek at the ruins of Ingapirca (about 3 hours of trekking). Exploration of ruins, visit the on-site museum and later continue journey to the City of Cuenca for overnight at Santa Lucia colonial hotel. Notes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

May 22 – Morning City tour of Cuenca and afternoon flight back to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, direct drive to the thermal springs of Papallacta, which are located in the cloud forest. Overnight at Termas de Papallacta. Notes: Only transportation, no guide services provided / Breakfast and Dinner included

May 23 – Free day at Papallacta to enjoy the hot springs and its surroundings. There are self-guided hikes of 1-3 hours duration in the area of the hot springs. Overnight again in Papallacta. Notes: Breakfast and Dinner included

May 24 – Spend the morning at Termas Papallacta and transportation service back to Quito around midday. Afternoon free to enjoy the old city. Accommodation at Patio Andaluz. Notes: Breakfast included

May 25 – Transfer to the Quito airport for international flight. Notes: Breakfast included / optional extension on a Galapagos cruise.

Price: For a group size 4 the per person rate will be US$ 2076.80, based on double occupancy accommodation. Please contact us about rates for other group sizes.

The above mentioned rates for services on Mainland Ecuador include: English speaking guide and private transportation, accommodation in double rooms (2-person tents during the trek), meals as stated above, entrance fees to churches, museums, National Parks, community fees etc, domestic flight Cuenca to Quito. Rates do not include: meals not mentioned in above itinerary, drinks, tips and personal expenses.

Book this tour now!

Two hours South of Quito sits the town of Saquisilí with one of the most colorful and complete Indian markets in Ecuador; it is also one of the largest and most authentic indigenous markets in Ecuador.

Every Thursday hundreds of indigenous people from the mountains prepare to make the journey towards Saquisilí where they gather for market day. They arrive in the early hours of the morning, sometimes while it is still dark, and set up their stalls to showcase the variety of products they have come to sell. The whole town is converted into a vibrant market where one can walk through the central plaza and shop for handicrafts of all kinds.

The market vendors will sell everything from pots and pans, to pigs and goats, and colourful handicrafts. The market is well known for its animal market. Food stalls will sell a variety of local specialties, while the local butcher slaughters pigs, cattle and sheep to sell off piece by piece. The market, as with many of the markets in Ecuador, is a chance for locals to socialize and an opportunity to wear their finest.

Enjoy this truly authentic market set amongst the stunning and spectacular Andean mountains. Not only is it a great opportunity to find some beautiful local crafts and taste the local cuisine, but also a chance to see and experience the culture traditions of the indigenous communities of this area of Ecuador. Setting foot in this market is like stepping into another world!

Enchanted Expeditions offers tours to Saquisili market. In the morning guests have the opportunity to stroll through the market and shop products of all kinds. Afterwards they will be taken to have lunch at La Cienega, a 300-year-old restored hacienda, now a beautiful country inn. After lunch guests are free to explore the gardens of the hacienda, or stroll along the country lanes. Contact us for more information!

Dear clients and friends,

As per the latest communication  from TAME airline, regarding new regulations being enforced by local authorities, the current government subsidy for fuel used on aircrafts will be eliminated.

Consequently, domestic airlines informed the local operators that they will be substantially increasing the airfares for flights within Ecuador mainland and to the Galapagos Islands.

We have checked the possibility of issuing tickets for clients already booked and paid for at the current rates so as to minimize impact on total costs of tours but the answer from the airline is that they are updating their fares and they will be published in the following couple of days. The airlines are yet to advise us if the tickets already issued will incur an extra charge.

We will be sending further updates as soon as we receive revised air fares and exact date of enforcement of this new regulation.

Please keep this information into consideration when booking clients for future services as everyone should be warned about this new disposition.

Sincerely,

Enchanted Expeditions.

Enchanted Expeditions, a leader in authentic Ecuadorian travel, combines world-class spas and healing hot springs while relaxing at glamorous hacienda accommodations.

A five-day / four-night program priced at $2,368 double includes all meals and accommodations (except in Quito), horseback riding and personal tours of, among others, the Andean Condor breeding center.

“Most people come to Ecuador looking for adventure but we are now offering luxury trips that visit authentic Ecuadorian estates,” said Judy Carvalhal, the founder of Enchanted Expeditions. “With this itinerary we hope to give discerning travelers a glimpse into Ecuador’s rich and colorful past while also celebrating today’s contemporary service, cuisine and comfort.”

The tour begins at Cotopaxi National Park two hours south of Quito, home to the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi (19,348 ft). It continues to the 15^th century San Agustin de Callo, a luxuriously furnished farmhouse built on the site of an important Inca palace that is one of the two most important archaeological sites in Ecuador.

Next day the journey moves to the northern province of Imbabura for two nights at Hacienda Zuleta, a 19-room, 4,000-acre working ranch in the Andes owned by the family of former Ecuadorian President Galo Plaza Lasso. Host Fernando Polanco takes visitors hiking to Condor Huasi where Andean Condors are being reintroduced into the wild. Guests can also ride pure bred horses raised at this hacienda that also produces dairy products, grains and organic vegetables.

The last evening is at the 23-room La Mirage Garden Hotel and Spa, the only Relais & Chateaux member property in Ecuador and built on the grounds of a 200-year-old hacienda.

Contact Enchanted Expeditions for more information!

The valley of Vilcabamba is located in Loja, Ecuador´s most southerly province on the Peruvian border.  In Quechua, the ancient Inca language that is still widely spoken today, the word “vilca” translates as “sacred” and “bamba” translates as “valley”; Sacred Valley. The valley, at 1500 m, lies in hill country where the peaks generally only rise to 3500 m.  In place of snowcapped mountains, the area offers lush vegetation and a mild, warm climate as well as a highly varied animal population. The sights, sounds and aromas in this highland environment equate those of the teeming jungle but without the humidity.

Aside from its untouched natural beauty, the Vilcabamba Valley is known for the large number of native people who live well past the age of 100, and thus has been studied by many scientists over time. These studies have looked at several environmental and social aspects such as geography, climate, water and soil in the hope of discovering the key to the longevity and lack of disease of it’s inhabitants. Some notable studies have found that the balance of minerals and high content of minerals in the water are partly responsable for this phenomenon. Other important factors that contribute to the longevity of the people are the stable climate, the clean and pure air, the naturally high levels of negative ions in the air and water, the youthful and active lifestyles of Vilcabamba’s residents, the lack of illness, the fertile soil, and the total absence of industry.

Although there have been some disputes about the longevity of Vilcabamba’s residents, especially due to the lack of accurate birth records; it is nonetheless a remarkable and breathtaking place. The serenity of this valley, the constant blue sky, the crisp and fresh air, the lush vegetarion, and the towering mountains will all contribute to one’s well-being.

The Podocarpus National Park is one of the nighlights in the area and is categorized as a megadiverse zone with a high level of endemic species. The park is know for its interesting range of flora and fauna; along with its waterfalls and over 100 glacial lagoons. Other highlights of the Vilcabamba valley are the scenic walks and treks, horseback riding, and bird / wildlife watching.

Trips to Vilcabamba are desgined for the conscious and socially responsable traveler. This is a special place and we would like it to stay that way. Please contact us if you would like more information about tours to Vilcabamba.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Hello and welcome to our re-designed website!

We gave a lot of thought on how to make the site effective. First, talked with friends, partners and most important, our clients about what makes a website an effective resource. Then, we worked with designers in Ecuador to actualize our ideas.

Some of the changes you may notice:

1. Complete versions of the site are now available in both English and Spanish:

• English: http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com
• Spanish: http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/index_sp.html

2. We’ve posted many of the featured itineraries with details. We hope this provides a good sense of how your trip will unfold. Please give a ring or send us an email so that we can share all of the information with you.

3. Along with the new site, we are excited to announce two new tours!

• Tulipe Archeological Site: Visits to Tulipe ruins and the Tulipe Interpretation Centre Link: http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/english/special_interest/special_interest.html
• Gastronomic Tour: Deigned to experience the flavours and gastronomic secrets of Ecuador Link: http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/english/andean/nature.html

We hope that you enjoy the redesigned site as much as we do! As always –please contact us if we can be helpful in any manner. We love opportunities to communicate with our clients directly.

On behalf on everyone from Enchanted Expeditions, thanks for coming – and I hope that we see you soon!

Jonathan Angermeyer

Web Sales Manager

info@enchantedexpeditions.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Enchanted Expeditions is proud to announce a new gastronomic tour through Ecuador, with a possible extension to the Galapagos Islands aboard one of our yachts.

The biological mega-diversity of Ecuador transcends its many ethnic groups and their traditional cooking styles. Ecuador is a small country but culturally and geographically remarkably varied. We straddle the equator from East to West with the Andean mountain range North to South. This has produced a land that is both tropical and temperate where bananas, yuca, mangoes, papayas grow not far from apples, pears, artichokes, and endless varieties of corn and potatoes.

We invite you to join us on trip around this small country enjoying all the different dishes and cooking methods from the different regions, from the yuca and fish of the jungle, to the llapingachos and quinoa soup of the highlands, to the encodado dishes from the coast. This is just a taste! All the while getting to meet the people who create these dishes and their customs, offering a true insight to the culture of Ecuador’s people.

For those who are only left with a taste in their mouth, may continue on to the Galapagos Islands for a week aboard one of our vessels where you will have the opportunity to savour all the dishes from the various regions of Ecuador. The grand summary of it all! Please contact us for more information!

Sincerely,
Enchanted Expeditions