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Arts and Crafts of America
offered by supplier M15945 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 10
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 16
people
Destination(s):
Ecuador
Panama
Specialty Categories:
Crafts Tours
Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 1000 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2000 US Dollar (USD)
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During the colonial period Ecuadorian artisans became artist and reached levels equal and sometimes higher than the greatest masters of Renaissance. Ceramics were discovered here, the alloy of gold and platinum was developed at la Tolita two thousand years before the appearance of the Incas and our textile industry supported the Spanish kingdom economy during 300 years. Have you heard about the Panama hats? They are made in Ecuador.
In our Itinerary, clients will see artisans making: Bread dough figurines, pullovers, tapestries, hammocks, textiles, leather goods, naive paintings, traditional Indian clothing and ornaments, back strap looms, candies, woodcarvings, 18/24 karat gold jewelry, panama huts, ikat scarves, balsa wood crafts, ceramics, Vicuña and Alpaca sweaters and much more.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer in. Our crew will be waiting for you outside customs and will provide all assistance to make you arrival in Ecuador a smooth an enjoyable experience. Swissôtel and Full Buffet Breakfast.
Day 2: Site Lecture on Hispanic Art and Architecture and Capilla del Hombre (8 hrs.). It is a Site lecture on Hispanic art of the first UNESCO cultural heritage site to admire Flemish school paintings, Spanish style sculptures and monuments of the best architects of the Italian Renaissance – Baroque period. Program includes (1550), the masterpiece of the baroque La Compañía (1605) and San Francisco (1535) the biggest religious art museum of Latin America and as contrast we end up the day at Capilla del Hombre, the bleeding heart of America and priority project for world culture (Sr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, General Secretary of UNESCO). Swissôtel, Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner (Lunch en route).
Day 3: Quito – Otavalo – Peguche – Agato – Ilumán. Right after leaving Quito we start by visiting a "bread dough" figurines artisan. These figures are part of the tradition of the day of the dead. Continue north to Otavalo, which was during colonial times the main wool mills in America. We will see the pedal looms and hopefully the last back strap loom in Ecuador. We can also visit a press wool hut factory and even a real shaman. Monasterio de Cusín Manor accommodations and all meals.
Day 4: Visit the handcraft centers of Cotacachi, San Antonio, Zuleta. A loop around Holly Imbabura volcano, will take us through endless cornfields into Zuleta, manor of Galo Plaza former president of Ecuador and Secretary of OAS. Here we will meet the hand embroidery ladies, they make colorful tablecloths and other home ornaments. Next stop will be at San Antonio the wood carving center of Ecuador. We can see artisans working furniture and statuary on cedar, walnut and orange. We will also visit the village of Cotacachi where fine leather gods are made. Depending on the day of the week, we can also visit the Otavalo institute of anthropology to learn a bit more about the area. Monasterio de Cusín Manor accommodations and all meals.
Day 5: Otavalo – Quito/ Anthropology – Gold museum. We leave early in the morning to reach the archaeological site of Cochasquí. This is a pre-Inca pyramid complex and site museum. We will learn about pre-Columbian Andean cultures and it solar religion: a typical lunch based on the famous potatoes soup will be served, once in Quito. We visit the collection that displays from the arrowheads of "El Inga" (10.000 AC) up to the Inca vessels (from 1.437 to 1.534 DC).
The museum shows cultures such as La Tolita (500 AC until 500 BC), who molded ceramics in sea sand with strong mythological motives among those, they emphasized the puma. All the gold and platinum in the museum belong to this culture. We will be able also to appreciate the finest carvings in colorful painted wood by the Quiteño School of Arts dating from XVI century to the XVIII century, as well as canvas of the most important Latin America painters of the contemporary age. Swissôtel, Full Buffet Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6: Equatorial Roots – Designers choice. In Ecuador is a must to pay a visit to the Equatorial line monument and ethnic museum to learn about all the groups that live in Ecuador and the crafts they make, a few meters north, on the right spot, we will also visit solar theme park to experience in our bodies what is it like to be in the middle of the world. Back in Quito we will pay a visit to a couple famous designers to see their job displayed at the finest galleries of Quito. Swissôtel, Full Buffet Breakfast and Gala Dinner at San Diego de Alcalá Abbey (1625 BC).
Day 7: Quito – Cuenca by plane/ Artisans City Tour. We fly to the south of Ecuador that is another very interesting handcraft center. In the afternoon we will have a visit of the city, paying special attention to the artisan works shops of ceramics, iron, and straw baskets. Lunch at classic Villa Rosa. Mansion Alcazar with Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 8: The Panama huts of Alberto Pulla and Jewelry of Chordeleg. The visit of the day is the workshop of Alberto Pulla, probably the best Panama hut maker in the Andes. His work is published at the most famous magazines like Vogue, Condé Nast and Spiegel. In the afternoon we will learn about Ikat scarves and the 18-karat gold jewelries of Chordeleg and the Ciadap artisans' museum. Lunch at Parador Turístico de Gualaceo. Mansion Alcazar with Diner and Breakfast.
Day 9: Cuenca – Guayaquil – Parque Historico. One of our features is the drive over the Andes into the Coast. Landscapes are spectacular and will reveal the diversity of Ecuador. The visit of the day is Parque Historico in Guayaquil. A sort of museum/ botanical garden to learn about the people of the coast, its traditions and a special mention is paid to the golden ages of Cacao exports. This is out Tropical – "Banana Republic" showcase. Lunch en Route. Oro Verde Guayaquil. Farewell dinner and full buffet Breakfast.
Day 10: Transfer out.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Panama
Crafts Tours
Cultural Journey
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