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Save $200 PP on Gate 1 Ecuador Tours

May 9, 2008 on 11:33 am | In Adventure Travel, Ecuador, Outdoors, South America |

One-Week Tours Feature Mountains or Sea, from $759

In these budget-conscious times, South America offers some of the best values for vacationers. Gate 1 is making a cost-effective destination even more attractive, by offering a savings of $200 or more per person on select tours to Ecuador, if booked prior to June 30. Prices begin at $759 land only for a 7-day “Ecuador Explorer” tour to Quito and through the Andes to Guayaquil; or at $1,599 land only for a 6-day Ecuador & Galapagos Islands journey, if booked before June 30.

Air and Land packages from Miami and affordable air add-ons from other cities are available. 7 Day Ecuador Explorer Land only: from $759 if booked before June 30; from $959 thereafter Air-inclusive: from $1,249 if booked before June 30, $1,449 thereafter This overland tour takes in the towering Andes Mountains to the Pacific Coast beginning with a tour of the capital city, Quito, and its 16th-century colonial section.

The following day is devoted to the “Avenue of the Volcanoes,” one of the world’s most scenic roads (and a part of the Pan American Highway), stopping at the towns of Salasaca and La Quinta de Juan Leon Mera before arriving at the mountain city of Riobamba for a city tour and overnight. Heading southward, the tour visits the ruins at Ingapirca, one of the Inca’s northernmost fortress temple complexes, followed by sightseeing and two nights in Cuenca, known for its authentic “Panama hats.”

The tour concludes with a drive through El Cajas National Park en route to Guayaquil, for a city tour and final overnight. Departures are scheduled through December 25, 2008. Depending on departure date, land-only prices start at $759 for October 23 departure when booked before June 30 or $959 when booked July 1 or later.

Air-land packages Miami-Quito/Guayaquil-Miami start at $1,049 for October 23 departure booked before June 30; $1,449 thereafter. Other departure dates are available for an additional fee. Low cost add-on fares are available from cities nationwide. Price includes: six nights accommodation (2 nights Quito and Cuenca; one night each Riobamba and Guayaquil); eight meals; sightseeing; and services of a tour manager. Air-inclusive departures provide air fare and airport transfers. Optional tours begin at $35 for a half-day to Gualaceo and Chordeleg, where travelers can see nearly 4,000 species of orchids, and shop for hand-woven goods. Airport taxes and security fees of $57.52 and Ecuador departure tax of $40.80 is additional. 6 Day Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Land only: from $1,599 if booked before June 30; from $1,799 if booked after June 30

Air-inclusive: from $2,069 if booked prior to June 30, $2,269 thereafter Following an overnight in Guayaquil Gate 1 travelers fly to the Galapagos Islands for three nights at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel and travel to Rancho Primicias reserve on Santa Cruz, to see the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat; North Seymour Island, to see land and marine iguanas and to view a vast variety of Galapagos’ birds, including blue-footed boobies, lava gulls and frigate birds; and Plaza Island, home to Opuntia cacti and other seasonal vegetation.

A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a breeding and rearing center for the endangered giant tortoises, rounds out the itinerary prior to returning to Guayaquil for the final overnight. Tour price includes intra-Ecuador flights, five nights accommodation (two in Guayaquil; three in the Galapagos); all transfers; 11 meals; English-speaking guides; and all shore excursions.

Departures are scheduled from June 7-December 20, 2008, and start at $1,399 for hotel and cruise on June 7 and October departures if booked before June 30, or $1,799 if booked thereafter. Air-land packages Miami-Guayaquil-Miami start at $1,869 for June 7 departures booked before June 30, or from $2,269 for bookings made after that date. Low-cost add-on fares are available from cities nationwide. Price does not include $100 admission to Galapagos National Park; $10 Galapagos Transit Control Card; or airport taxes/ security fees of $57.52 and Ecuador departure tax ranging from $10-$27.15. Gate 1 Travel is located at 455 Maryland Drive, Ft. Washington, PA 19034. For more information, phone 1-800-682-3333, visit www.gate1travel.com

To sign up for Gate 1 Travel’s “The Deal” e-mailings, featuring the very best travel deals, visit http://www.gate1travel.com/thedeal  As a member of the United States tour Operators Association, Gate 1 Travel protects consumers’ payments through the USTOA $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan.