ARCHAEOLOGY

ECUADOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURE (10 days)

Day 1. - Transfer In airport/hotel. Free day for personal activities. Overnight at a tourist class hotel.

Day 2. - Breakfast. In the morning we will visit the very famous archaeological museum at Central Bank, that has a complete collection of more than 7,000 pieces representing 11,000 years of culture. Lunch. In the afternoon we will go to the Middle of the World in order to visit "Rumicucho", at 25 miles from Quito, where this pre-Inca fortress has been lately excavated. Return to Quito for overnight.

Day 3. - Breakfast. Today we will visit the very interesting archaeological site of "Cochasqui", to see the pre-Inca pyramids built by the Quitu-Cara tribe. Lunch. In the afternoon we will go to Cayambe to visit its archaeological site. Return to Quito for overnight.

Day 4. - Breakfast. Today we will drive to the South of Quito in order to visit The Inca Ruins located at San Agustin del Cayo; then we will continue to the Cotopaxi National Park to visit the Inca Ruins located inside the Park. Lunch. In the afternoon we will continue with our trip to Riobamba. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5. - Breakfast. After 3 ½ hours drive south of Riobamba we will arrive to "Ingapirca" which is the most important and best-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. This interesting site with its intriguing elliptical temple, finely masoned walls and terracing is well worth a visit. Inca Huayna Capac constructed Ingapirca in the 15th century. Tomebamba was his favorite place for residence and Ingapirca. Lunch. In the afternoon we'll go to Cuenca for dinner and overnight.

Day 6. - Breakfast. Full day visit to Paredones archaeological site. This is one most impressive trip, as we have to drive and hike through paramo areas. According to many people this ruins can easily rival Machu Picchu. Lunch. Return to Cuenca for dinner and overnight.

Day 7. - Breakfast. After a short visit of this delightful city of red-tile roofs and cobble stone flowerlined streets, we'll go to the airport to take our flight to Guayaquil. Arrival to Guayaquil where we will take our car to the Machalilla National Park. Lunch. In the afternoon we'll visit the archaeological museum of Salango. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8. - Breakfast. Full day visit to the Archaeological site of Agua Blanca in order to see the lately excavations of the area. Lunch. Late afternoon we'll drive to Manta for dinner and overnight.

Day 9. - Breakfast. Early morning transfer to the airport to take our flight back to Quito. Assistance and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 10. - Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the international flight or extension program.