The colonial city of Cuenca

Day 1: Cuenca City tour
In the morning you will fly from Guayaquil or Quito to Cuenca. Cuenca is considered as both the cultural metropolis and the arts and crafts centre of Ecuador. The city and its surrounding countryside are fantastic places to buy ceramics, embroidery, leather goods and woven baskets.

On arrival you will be picked up from the airport and taken to the Hotel El Dorado. After a short break you will start with a visit of the Panama hat factory for which the city is famous (NB it is not opened on Sundays). Afterwards you will explore the colonial part of the city where you will encounter historic churches, many art and craft shops and a colourful flower market. Set amongst beautiful old colonial houses, the area has a charming atmosphere, for which UNESCO declared Cuenca as World Heritage Site in 1999.

At midday you will feast on local cuisine in a typical town restaurant, after which you will have a pleasant stroll along the river to aid digestion! Your evening meal will be served at the hotel. Overnight in the Hotel El Dorado. B/L/D

Day 2: Cuenca – Guayaquil
After breakfast you will visit the Museo del Banco Central. It houses the ethnographical museum, Inca ceramic art, old city photos as well as changing art exhibitions. The building is right next to the ruins of the Pumapungo Palace which can also be visited. The museum is not open on Sundays, when instead the Museo de la Cuidad will be visited; this museum houses an interesting collection of ethnographical, colonial and pre-colombian exhibits.
In the afternoon you will be taken to the airport and from there you fly back to Guayaquil or Quito. End of services. B/L/-

NB: No return flights on Saturdays

B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner

Prices 2009
With minimum 2 people:     USD 386.- per person
With 1 person:                  USD 656.-
             
Single supplement USD 40.-

Included in the price:
All transfers, flights Guayaquil (or Quito ) – Cuenca – Guayaquil ( or Quito ), all activities and excursions mentioned in the program, accommodation in the mentioned hotels or hotels of the same category (double room with private bath), all meals mentioned in the program, English-speaking guide, entrance fees

Not included in the price:
International flight, beverages, international airport tax, personal expenses, tips, travel insurance