Cuenca & Guayaquil Tours
As the drama of Ecuador’s Andean spine ends, lofty volcanoes make way for the misty grasslands and rugged lakes of the paramo. Open plains break up quaint towns and the fertile valleys and lowland forest welcome visitors as though from the pages of a fairy-tale. The chief urban areas here, Guayaquil and Cuenca, form the gateways to more magical climbs from the Galapagos to the Ingapirca ruins.
Hiking trails through this mystical landscape, as well as the fascinating Inca ruins at Ingapirca, can be reached from nearby Cuenca, a pleasant town famed for its colourful flower market and traditional panama hats.
Further west, the vibrant coastal city of Guayaquil forms the gateway to the Galapagos. Having recently undergone a complete revival, Guayaquil’s waterfront malecón makes for a pleasant stroll with its gardens, museums, galleries and shopping centres, and is the beating heart of this bustling metropolis. Colourful barrios rise up on the hillside creating a toy-box like feel and this fun and infectious energy extends right through the city’s parks and plazas to the restaurants and bars which make up its lively nightlife scene.
Hotel del Parque
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Hotel del Parque is set within a meticulously restored 19th Century building in the heart of Guayaquil's tropical Parque Historico. A short drive from Guayaquil airport, Hotel del Parque is a perfect stopover on route to the Galapagos Islands.
Hacienda la Danesa
Nr Guayaquil, Southern Ecuador
Located in the coastal region of Ecuador, around an hour's drive from Guayaquil, Hacienda La Danesa is a beautiful family-run property which offers relaxation and plenty of activities amongst beautiful tropical grounds; a perfect end to an Ecuador trip.
Hotel Cruz del Vado
Cuenca, Ecuador
Hotel Cruz del Vado sits in a beautiful converted 1930s mansion in a smart neighbourhood of Cuenca, a charming riverside city in the south of Ecuador. The luxurious hotel features distinguished works of art by local artists and boasts just 26 rooms.