Ecuador – Gardens & Flowers Tour 2013

January 11th – 20th, 2013

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS JUST THE SHORT VERSION OF THE TOUR. THE FULL LONG DAY BY DAY WILL BE PUT UP LATER THIS YEAR. But all the DETAILS ARE HERE TO MAKE YOUR DECISION AND THE REGISTRATION FORM IS HERE AS WELL. FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT donna@icangarden.com  and I would be happy to answer your queries on it.

Like a bud slowly and gently unfolding, discover each treasure one by one and find out why Ecuador’s unique flower landscape has propelled it into its enviable position as one of the world’s most important flower producers and exporters. Horticultural magazines now classify the country of Ecuador as a "hidden jewel" and a "must see" due to its spectacular climatic diversity, creating wholly different growing seasons and microclimates. This truly incredible experience offers an opportunity to learn the most modern floricultural techniques being practiced, including visits to plantations and areas where others seldom visit. www.GardeningTours.com  has entered into exclusive agreements with 3 major floral producers to include extensive visits to these plantations that are otherwise closed to tourists. I have put this tour up twice now and both times it has sold out…don’t miss it this time! For a recap of the 2010 tour click here http://www.icangarden.com/pix/jpgs/Ecuador2010/Slideshow-Ecuador/index-new.html 

‘Even though i knew the itinerary beforehand, there were plenty pleasant surprises that showed up along the way! The private growers were excellent hosts, including their delectable lunches! This trip allowed me an inside look at a beautiful country and its proud and lovely people, that you would normally not get when traveling on your own.’ Tineke, 2010 tour

‘I’m still in recovery mode, and living on the high of such a fabulous trip. Every day was a new adventure!!! The flowers and the trips to the plantation were an obvious highlight, but the travel and the cultural exposure was also very well done. Peter was wonderful, but so were all the city and tour guides, as well as the plantation operators who welcomed us so warmly, and were so willing to share their knowledge and passion with us.’ Deb, 2010 tour

We will visit, on this tour, 3 very different and very distinctive cities each offering different climatic zones and growing conditions and of course plant material.

Jan 11, 2013 Upon your arrival at Quito’s International Airport, our guide will meet and greet you and then escort you to your hotel

Jan 12 Otavalo – South America’s Largest Indigenous Market – Shop, Shop, Shop!!
Enjoy your first breakfast in Ecuador and get ready for the journey to Otavalo. In Otavalo you visit South America’s largest indigenous market, you have plenty of time to stroll around the market and buy your souvenirs. Don’t forget to bargain! The province of Imbabura is located in northern Ecuador, a picturesque land of lakes, majestic sierras and terraced farmlands and is home to the Otavalo Indians, industrious and enterprising people, who offer their products at the famous outdoor market. Here you will find ponchos, embroidered blouses and shirts (extremely well priced), ceramics, wall hangings, native jewelry and more plus fruit, vegetables and just about anything else you can think of! Our Lunch will be in a beautiful colonial hacienda. In the afternoon return to Quito where you have free time for the rest of the day.

Jan 13 Pakakuna – South America’s Largest Private Gardens – it is Gorgeous!
After your buffet Breakfast you depart for a visit to Pakakuna Gardens situated 20km east of Quito at a lower elevation with a considerably warmer climate. Pakakuna Gardens are considered South America’s largest, private gardens. The gardens have more than 500 species of plants and flowers from all over the world and thanks to the excellent climate; they are in bloom almost all the time. Pakakuna Gardens is an important catalyst in the development of the region, enabling job creation and enhancing the tourist appeal of the area. The Pakakuna Foundation, a non-profit organization, will be in charge of administering the operational aspect of the project. Pakakuna Gardens sets new standards for the protection and conservation of the environment. Here we are in for a very special treat as we will also enjoy Lunch before our return to Quito in the afternoon.

Jan 14 Quito Botanical Gardens - and Colonial Old Town Visit
Quito is considered one of Latin America’s most charming cities and we start our city tour with an early morning visit to Quito’s beautiful Botanical Gardens. Our guided walk will introduce us to the large orchid collection and many other varieties and plant species from the Ecuadorian Coast, Amazon Rainforest, the Andes and other parts of the world. This will give you a wonderful overview of the richness and diversity of the flora in Ecuador. Lunch then…

You visit Quito’s colonial old town (declared a UNESCO Heritage Site) where you walk on cobble-stoned streets and visit the most important plazas, monasteries and churches. Then we cross the Equator Line at the “Middle of the World” about 20km north of Quito. You can literally stand with one foot on each side of the equator. The Intiñan Museum is located on the Equator-Line where you are invited to do various “Equator Experiments”. In the afternoon you return to your hotel where you have free time for the rest of the day.

Jan 15 Bellaflor High End Cut Flower & Rose Plantation – Guided Visit with the Owner!
One of the many highlights of this tour includes a visit to one of the world's leading Rose Plantations, near Quito. Experience the vast differences in rose types and the extensive range of varieties and colors available on the plantation where they are bred and cultivated. See roses in sizes, colors, and growth patterns never viewed previously. A visit to this rose plantation is something very special, because it is not open to the public. Bellaflor, one of Ecuador’s top-notch flower plantations. Your Guide at Bellaflor - Hans-Peter Hug, is the owner and creator of the plantation and one of Ecuador’s the largest flower exporters. He will introduce you to his flowers (not just roses) and also about international flower commerce such as flower farming technologies, bouquet production and exportation of cut flowers. They are part of Rain Forest Alliance and Fair Labor Practices. We will also enjoy Lunch here before returning to Quito where you have time to refresh before you leave for dinner at the super special and very posh Teatrum Restaurant in Quito’s old town.

Jan 16 Flight to Cuenca, Visit Ecuagenera – It’s All About Orchids!
Enjoy Breakfast at your hotel before you are escorted to the Airport for your flight to Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city. At Cuenca’s airport a tour bus is waiting to transfer us to Ecuagenera, South America’s largest orchid farm. At Ecuagenera the owners welcome you and give you a short introduction about Orchid growing and care before you are invited to a guided tour of the plantation. You will see orchids that are still hidden away by the owner/breeder as they are not ready for market yet. There are many photo opportunities here.

Ecuagenera has founded a private school located just outside of the town of Gualaceo. The school is called the Liceo Particular Bilingüe Nuevo Mundo, which roughly translates to The New World Institute. Within Ecuador, there is a great need for the expansion and improvement of available educational services. A further goal of The Institute and one of the driving reasons for its founding, is to offer a high quality education to everyone, regardless of the affluence or cultural ‘status’ of their parents. Classes are given to students ranging from pre-school (about age four), through the completion of high school, or collegio, as it is known here (about age seventeen). Instruction takes place in 21 classrooms, each with the capacity for 30 students. That means when full, they are teaching 630 students.

You enjoy lunch at Ecuagenera before you continue a journey exploring the surroundings of Cuenca.

Jan 17 Cuenca and the Real Panama Hats – then Over the Andes to Guayaquil
Cuenca is an attractive colonial town that you will discover this morning. Many of Cuenca’s most significant landmarks lie within the colonial part of the city. Cuenca, also a UNESCO Heritage Site, has many historical places of interest, such as the Panama Hat factory which you will also visit. At midday, you leave Cuenca and transfer to Guayaquil. Just before our journey crosses the western Andes range at 4000 meters above sea level, you will enjoy Lunch. While the journey goes on to Guayaquil that is at sea level, you will pass by all of Ecuador’s Eco zones. You will reach Guayaquil in the evening, where you will check-into your hotel and then we meet for dinner.

Jan 18 Come and See the Magic of Magic-Flowers Tropical Flowers Plantation
The journey takes about an hour to Magic-Flowers, Ecuador’s leading tropical flower farm. Put on those rubber galoshes (that we will buy from the market in Cuenca if you don’t own any) for you will be impressed by the diversity of tropical flowers and shrubs that you will see during your detailed guided tour of the plantation and prep area for all the tropical cut flowers… and believe me it is detailed, you will become one with the towering palms and heliconia!. Magic-Flowers is Rainforest Alliance Certified. At the plantation, you will receive a lovely box lunch before you return to Guayaquil. During the afternoon, you will have free time in the city. In the evening you are invited to a very peaceful and relaxing River Cruise on the Guayas River and later to a nice dinner in one of Guayaquil’s best restaurants.

Jan 19 Guayaquil – Tropical City Walking Tour and Beautiful Historical Park
After your breakfast, you start the Guayaquil City Tour. Guayaquil is a modern, tropical city with a gorgeous strolling waterfront to the wide Guayas River. The visit of this tropical city and its gardens will be another highlight of this tour. Light Lunch. In the afternoon, you visit the Historical Park that has a wildlife park area and exhibits a typical cacao hacienda from the Guayaquil region. In the evening we enjoy our early farewell meal together then return to our hotel where we prepare for departure tomorrow.

Jan 20 Departure from Guayaquil
Breakfast and departure to airport for home.

** this tour starts in Quito and ends in Guayaquil

Hotels on this Tour:
Mercure Alameda Quito 5 nights
Hotel El Dorado Cuenca 1 night
Hotel Hampton Inn Guayaquil 3 nights

Not included:

• International flights to Ecuador (flight to Quito and out of Guayaquil)

• Additional Hotel nights – pre and post can be arranged, please advise.

• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

• Drinks with meals. (Mineral water is served with the meals without charge)

• Rubber Boots for the visit of Magic Flowers (Obligatory!). The rubber boots can be bought in Cuenca before we leave to Guayaquil.

• Personal Expenses and Tips to hotel staff

click on the above buttons for the compete tour day by day itinerary or the registration forms

(requires Adobe Acrobat)

ECUADOR’S FLOWERING PLANTS—BLOOMING BEAUTY BEYOND BELIEF

January 11th – 20th , 2013

LAND only $2,995.00 CDN p/p sharing
SINGLE Supplement $650.00 CDN

See Highlights Box for all inclusions on this tour.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel | Journeys of Discovery Exclusive Travel Agent on this Tour

Do not book air until you have been advised that the tour is a go. If Carlson Wagonlit Travel is booking you as an air/land package then they will look after this for you.

Email: donna@icangarden.com
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