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Moving to Ecuador Tour ItineraryIntroduction to Ecuador Real EstateCourse and TourQuito/Cotacachi/Otavalo: July 30th – Aug. 5, 2009Beach Extension: Aug. 5 – Aug. 7, 2009Cuenca Extension: Aug. 8 – Aug. 9, 2009But more than that, Ecuador appeals hugely to anyone seeking a safe, sane alternative to the rat race existence that often accompanies life in so-called first-world or “developed” countries. Join Pro-Ecuador for an Ecuador travel adventure that will not only please your eye, but satisfy your mind’s desire for knowledge and your heart’s desire for fulfillment. This tour is tailor-made for the savvy traveler or for the raw beginner! Learn all you need to know about moving to Ecuador or living in Ecuador while at the same time seeing four of the country’s finest areas. Pro-Ecuador has assembled the itinerary and the experts. We’ve taken care of all the details. All you have to do is relax and enjoy. And prepare to create a new life in Ecuador. Day 1, Thursday, July 30th —Arrival in Quito. Most flights arrive in Quito in the evening. You will be picked up at the airport and transported to a local hotel.  For those who arrive early enough, we will dine together and get acquainted at Café Mosaico, a small Quito restaurant with breath-taking views of the city. Frommer's Review reports that Café Mosaico is, “Much more than a cafe and more like an elite gathering place, Mosaico is perhaps the most spectacular eatery in Ecuador.” We encourage you to arrive a day early to rest and acclimate. If you do, we will arrange reservations and airport pickup. Day 2, Friday, July 31st—After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our Ecuador travel adventure with a jaunt into the tropical forests of Mindo, a bird lover’s paradise. While there we tour Arboretto, a unique 50-acre ecological resort tree-house community bordered by a conservation area of more than 800 acres of forest.  Dinner and overnight accommodations are at El Crater, a small hotel, restaurant and art gallery perched on a ridge of the Pululahua Volcano, one of the most unusual landscapes in the world. The Pululahua, an active volcano with the only inhabited crater in the world, is a physical and energetic planetary center, known locally as the earth’s navel. Linda's women's book club met at this hotel and were awed by its beauty and art. Our last tour group was absolutely dazzled by the luxury, the views, and the fine food. Day 3, Saturday, Aug. 1st---Our destination today is Otavalo’s famous Saturday market day, the largest indigenous market in South America. You’ll find a vast array of crafts, paintings, textiles, even fine art. On the way to Otavalo, the Pro-Ecuador staff will share insider information and colorful stories about Ecuador during a “Life in Ecuador” presentation. We will also discuss import/export possibilities being considered by many people moving to Ecuador. Shop til you drop, imbibing the market’s local flavor and lunch at a delightful restaurant overlooking Plaza de Ponchos. In the afternoon, we check into Casa Sol, a fairy-tale adobe hotel built into the scenic hillside above the tiny town of Peguche, known for its waterfall, weavings and textiles.  We visit Cotacachi
properties for sale in the
afternoon. If
moving to or investing in Ecuador is on your mind, you will be amazed at
the great selection of town houses, condos,
houses and land
available in this area. Cotacachi is rapidly becoming the primary ex-pat location in Ecuador. Affordable housing, low cost of living and spring-like climate year around are attracting people from many walks of life.  In the evening we dine at La Mirage’s exquisite 5-star restaurant with a Chateaux and Relais designation, where peacocks strut and hand-painted cherubs and hummingbirds adorn the luxurious dining rooms. Yes, a town of 8,000 people has a 5-star resort spa! This may be the ultimate Ecuador food experience. Day 4, Sunday, Aug. 2nd---Breakfast at Casa Sol and a morning lecture on the Ecuador real estate purchasing process. During this Ecuador travel adventure, our staff will strive to answer any questions you may have about moving to Ecuador and living in Ecuador. We drive to Cotacachi’s indigenous produce market for a glimpse of the area’s abundant fruits and vegetables. The quality of Ecuador food is one of the prime reasons people move to Ecuador.  Then we view more real estate in the Cotacachi area. Afternoon pastimes: shop on Cotacachi’s famous leather street, enjoy a leisurely walk to the sacred Peguche waterfall or, if you prefer, shop in Peguche’s craft and weaving area. Day 5, Monday, Aug. 3th—Monday is a leisurely day to solidly sink into the Cotacachi/Otavalo/Ibarra area. We are leaving the plan open for this day to allow tour participants to have an input into things they want to see. We can revisit any properties that you may want to explore in greater detail, or if you are ready, we can even sign contracts! Other options may be a visit to the famous wood carvers town of San Antonio de Ibarra, a visit to "White City” of Ibarra to taste the delicious helado de paila, some of the best ice cream in the world, or perhaps, if enough want to do so, a visit to the hot springs at Chachimbiro. In the evening, some special entertainment by an indigenous youth group. A day to relax and enjoy the beautiful Ecuadorian Andes, and literally bask in the unique culture. Day 6, Tuesday, August 4th---Drive to Quito, with lunch at a quaint restaurant. By now, some of you may already be planning your move to Ecuador, so we will meet with Ecuador Legal services owner and staff to learn more about residency visas and shipping your belongings. The afternoon brings us to a walking tour of Old Town, with its steep cobbled streets, delightful shops and magnificent cathedrals..  For those ending their tour with us, our farewell dinner includes an
Ecuadorian serenade of live music
at a
famous Quito restaurant. This grand finale is
always a hit with
our guests, and a delightful way to close out your magnificent Ecuador
adventure. After your final night in Quito, you depart for home Wednesday, August 5th. Airport transport is provided. All inclusive Price for this portion of the trip, $1,295 per person. $149 single supplement. (one person to a room) 2-Day, 2-Night Manta Beach Extension:Day 7, Wednesday, August 5th – A morning flight to the popular beach city of Manta. View condos in Manta and lunch on seafood at a seaside restaurant. We enjoy a short drive to San Clemente, a newly-developing area with great beach front, to see ocean-front condos. A special treat is a visit with one of the first expat families to live in the Crucita community, a tiny village on the ocean. They will regale you with tales of adventure and challenge as the family sought to create a new life in Ecuador. View a Crucita hillside development that overlooks the ocean. Overnight at Las Piedras in Bahia, right on the beach, with dinner at Puerto Amistad, the local yacht Club. Day 8, Thursday, August 6th—After looking at properties in Bahia de Caracaz, we cross the river to Canoa for lunch at the "Surf Shack" and more real estate showings. The Surf Shack reputedly has the best hamburger on the coast. If time allows, we can also see properties for sale between the towns of Bahia and Manta. Overnight in Manta.  Day
9,
Friday, August 7th--Morning
drive to Ayampe Beach to view the Eco
Ecuador Living housing and condo
development about an hour south of Manta. This first-class ecological development, partly owned by Pro-Ecuador.com, is designed with a focus on community and restoration of the original rain forest. Along the way, we will visit some individual houses for sale. Evening flight back to Quito for departure and end of the beach tour. Friday dinner and hotel are on your own if you are ending your Ecuador travel with Pro-Ecuador. Those who have evening flights will be assisted to the airport. Price for Beach Extension: $579 per person, $45 single supplement. 2-Day, 1-Night Cuenca ExtensionDay 10, Saturday, August 8th—Those opting for our Cuenca extension leave on a morning flight from Quito to Cuenca. Cuenca, often named one of the best cities to live in Latin America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site. This small city is a magnet for foreign investors and retirees, with its well-preserved historic district, scenic rivers, art, and architecture reminiscent of it Spanish namesake.A private and very informative city tour led by our favorite English-speaking guide includes a fascinating visit to the market, (the medicinal plants section is astounding) the historic district and an art museum. The afternoon will be devoted to viewing properties.  Construction in Cuenca is excellent, with attention to detail and fine craftsmen in such areas as cabinetry and kitchen design. Expats are finding the well-constructed high-rise condos a true bargain. A recent client moving to Ecuador said his 4,000 sq. ft. penthouse condo purchase in Cuenca far surpassed a similar unit he saw in Panama for three times the price.  We continue our moving to Ecuador education
with
an evening meeting and
dinner with specialists in the Cuenca real estate industry. You can ask any final questions to facilitate your moving to Ecuador adventure. . Tonight’s hotel is the lovely Hotel Victoria, a beautiful restored building near the Tomebama River, or perhaps the Duran, a hot springs delight on the edge of town. Day 11, Sunday, August 9th--Morning Ecuador travel tour of Cuenca’s picturesque countryside, visiting one of the local indigenous crafts markets. Those interested may also have to opportunity to revisit any real estate offerings that warrent a second look. We fly back to Quito in the afternoon for flights home at the end of our tour. You will be well prepared for moving to Ecuador. You are on your own for any remaining hotels, meals and transportation. Price for Cuenca Extension: $459 per person, $25 single supplement. Attend all three and save: Price for all three segments: $2,195 per person, single supplement add $195. Price includes all hotels, transfers, meals and in-country transportation except where designated. DISCLAIMER—This itinerary is tentative only. The schedule is generally set, but specific items, hotels and schedules may change depending upon the interests of the group as people sign up, availability and country conditions. This tour is operated by Ecuador Development Group, Inc., in conjunction with Leisure Time LLC, Texas, and Eagle and Condor Internacional, CIA. Ltda., an Ecuadorian Company, owner of Pro-Ecuador.com. Another in a series of Moving to Ecuador travel tours. |
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