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Fundación Scalecia Galapagos
Think Globally, Educate Locally.
The children of the world are the hope for its future. We believe in education as one of the principal tools to ensure sustainability in the long term. The Scalesia Foundation is the only non-governmental institution that is investing 100% of its efforts in EDUCATION on the Islands.
Latin Excursions is an important contributor of Fundación Scalecia please visit our foundation's friends page
Northern Andes (3 Days)
This adventure tour takes you to the Northern Andes Highlands and is perfect for those looking for more Ecuador, before or after a visit to The Galapagos. Begin the adventure with a relaxing two night stay at a hacienda in the Andes outside Quito, experiencing the local culture and traditions. For small groups, couples or families, this trip is the perfect mix of outdoor activity, cultural exploration and natural history. It’s an exciting way to experience the varied cultures and landscapes Ecuador has to offer. Throughout experience flawless service from bilingual professional guides, drivers, hosts and Latin Excursions staff as we help you plan your trip from start to finish.
Extend your trip:
Central & Southern Andes, Galapagos Islands, Amazon Rain Forest, or Peru to visit Machu Picchu.
Highlights:
- Stay in historic haciendas
- Dine on traditional Ecuadorian cuisine at family-friendly restaurants
- Explore vibrant indigenous markets
- Ideal for families
- Tailor made experiences
Itinerary Overview:
| DAY | DESTINATION | ACTIVITIES |
| 1 | Northern Andes, Otavalo indigenous market | Just 1 ½ hours north of Quito lies the lush volcanic highlands. This land is rich in friendly and colorfully attired indigenous people, historic working haciendas, and towering volcanoes with verdant slopes. On weekdays we may visit a roses green house. Our destination is the Otavalo Indian craft market. As we pass into the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. Our first stop is the Otavalo market, famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries. We will arrive at the hacienda in the afternoon, and start exploring its grounds. Accommodation at selected hacienda. B, L, D |
| 2 | Hacienda exploration | Today we will explore the hacienda grounds and visit its surrounding indigenous communities. Activities may include horseback riding (extra fee), biking (extra fee) or simply hiking among the beautiful scenery of an agricultural area. Haciendas in colonial times were the backbone of the country’s economy, with large territories as property of the same family, generation after generation, who developed a close relationship with the local inhabitants, creating a unique “hacienda culture”. The center of this relationship was the hacienda house, built around the 16th century it still maintains a special old time ambiance. We will be able to visit indigenous communities and learn about their agricultural life style and how they combine their daily duties with their love for arts and crafts. Accommodation at selected hacienda. B, L, D |
| 3 | Northern Andes and Quito | This morning we will continue exploring the area according to our personal interests, perhaps this is a good time to try and learn horseback riding or just hike towards one of the mountains in the surroundings, discover a lake, a condor recuperation center, a birds of prey demonstration, discover what is behind a wall or a hill, or simply relax and walk around the hacienda house enjoying its old time ambiance or reading in a secluded part of the garden, for a short time feel like you are living in past centuries without the interference of modern artifacts. After lunch we will return to Quito. Accommodation at selected hotel. B, L |
Hotels in Quito:
| CATEGORY | COLONIAL AREA | MODERN AREA |
| Luxury | Casa Gangotena, plaza view | Hilton, La Pinta Executive Suite Premium |
| Deluxe | Patio Andaluz, standard room | Mercure, deluxe suite |
Haciendas:
| CATEGORY | HACIENDA |
| Luxury | Zuleta, junior suite |
| Deluxe | Cusin, standard room |
2012 rates per/person, starting with 2 guests
| CATEGORY | AREA | IN DOUBLE ROOM | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
| Luxury | Colonial | $ 1,816 | $ 304 |
| Modern | $ 1,679 | $ 167 | |
| Deluxe | Colonial | $1,143 | $ 257 |
| Modern | $ 1,116 | $ 251 | |
| Final rate depends on total number of guests in the group | |||
| Rates might increase on special holidays | |||