Best of Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

Make your own way to the airport for your international flight to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Enjoy inflight meals and services. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Quito is the largest colonial town in the Americas and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will see extensive architecture ranging from modern skyscrapers to colonial churches.




Overnight in Quito

After breakfast, you will enjoy a fully guided city tour of Quito. The tour begins visiting Quito`s downtown, one of the biggest and best-preserved colonial centers in South America. Our first visit will be Independence Square or “Plaza Grande”, surrounded by important historical buildings, followed by a visit to the iconic La Compañia de Jesus church, which dates to the 17th century and is considered one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America. Among these attractions, other must-see highlights are The San Francisco Church and Monastery, built a few months after the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century and the Virgen of the Panecillo, an enormous statue built atop the Panecillo hill overlooking all of Quito, a truly unique view. After our visit to Quitos historic district, our journey continues toward the Middle of the World and a drive of about 30 km (18.6 mi) north of Quito, where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. First, we will visit the main monument built in honor of the French scientific expedition that arrived in Ecuador in the 18th century, and we will also visit the correct location of the equator line at the Inti Ñan Museum. After the visit we will return to Quito.




Overnight in Quito

Today, you will depart Quito and drive north to the mainly indigenous town of Otavalo driving north towards Imbabura, also known as the Lake Province, while enjoying an exciting trip by tasting exotic fruit in the Guayllabamba valley. Cross the Equatorial Line in Cayambe, where on a clear day, it is possible to admire its majestic snow-capped volcano (5,790 m. / 18,996 ft), the world´s highest point crossed by the equator. This is an ideal spot to try Cayambes famous salt biscuits with leaf cheese, this regions traditional snack. At the base of Imbabura volcano, you will be able to enjoy the picturesque view of Ecuador's largest lake - San Pablo. When we arrive in the town of Otavalo, it will be time to visit its world-famous Indigenous Market, the largest in South America. Here is where vendors proudly offer a stunning variety of weavings such as the famous ponchos, among other textiles like rugs, mittens, and scarves. This market is like a rainbow due to the colors of the textiles exhibited. Without a doubt, it is an ideal place to find handicrafts, jewelry, and other artisanal craftwork. Our trip will continue by visiting the small town of Cotacachi, which is well known for its hand- crafted leather products. Methods of tanning, stretching and molding the leather skins have been passed down through the generations and perfected into an art. In the afternoon drive to Papallacta.




Overnight in Papallacta

This morning you will travel the same route which was taken by Francisco de Orellana on his way to explore the legendary “El Dorado”, in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, towards the moors of the Eastern Mountain range. During this trip, you will see a radical change in scenery due to the changing altitude. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape at 3,300 m above sea level, you will discover the Papallacta Hot Springs, where you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hot waters.




Overnight in Papallacta

This day after the lunch we will continue to Misahualli is an interesting tourist place in Ecuador located in the Amazon region of the Napo Province. Enjoy nature, adventure and gastronomy. The road will end at Punta Ahuano, a tiny port town on the northern bank of the Napo River, where canoes will await you for a short ride downstream to your lodge. Enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail and unwind in the beautiful gardens full of jungle plants and flowers before enjoying a delicious dinner, accompanied by the nightly sounds of the Amazon Jungle.




Overnight in the Amazon

We begin the day with an early breakfast. Walking through primary and secondary forest trails, we observe distinct species of birds and insects as well as a great variety of trees and medicinal plants. The guides explain how such plants are used not only in medicine, but also in construction and other local activities. Along the trails, there are several opportunities to up the adventure factor, with hanging bridges and vines for swinging from tree to tree like Tarzan. We go on to experience the true adventure of explorers past, building and navigating a raft! On a small river island our guide shows us how to bind balsa logs together with rope to form a ‘vessel, so those who wish can float down the Napo for about an hour, en route back to La Casa del Suizo. The duration of this visit is around 4 hours. Lunch at La Casa del Suizo, followed by “The Island”: a one-hour walk around a totally flat river island where we can spot a great variety of plants and insects. Later we visit the Mariposario (Butterfly House) where we witness the awesome life-cycles of butterflies.




Overnight in the Amazon

After breakfast we depart for the trip up the mountains and continue to Baños. We will visit Baños, which is a small city is located in a valley with waterfalls and hot springs. One of the main attractions is the Tungurahua volcano and a variety of adventure sports. Baños waterfall route is one of the best natural attractions in Ecuador. Along a 20-kilometre stretch of the Pastaza River, there are over eleven waterfalls all worthy of seeing. The first waterfall we will see directly on the Pastaza River is the Agoyan Waterfall. This double waterfall is certainly impressive, but the best part is definitely the cable car that carries you over the top. Translated as Brides Veil Waterfall, the “Manto de la Novia” waterfall makes it easy to see how this it got its name. The 40-metre-tall, thin, and veil-like waterfall is best seen up close as the River Chinchín flows into the Pastaza. The “Pailon del Diablo” (Devils Cauldron) waterfall is easily the most impressive around Baños, if not the whole of Ecuador! Water flows forcefully over the 80-metre drop leaving everything and everyone around soaking wet.




Overnight in Baños

After the breakfast, we will continue to the Cotopaxi National Park During the journey, we can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active snow-capped volcanoes in the world, which stands at 5,897 m (19,347 ft.). To enter the national park, we will drive along the Pan-American Highway, until we reach the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and drive on a dirt road through a pine forest until we arrive at the Limpiopungo Lake, a glacial Andean Lake located at 3,800 m (12467 ft) above sea level. From this site, we can have a magnificent view of the impressive Cotopaxi volcano and its surrounding Paramo landscape. Then continue to Quito.




Overnight in Quito

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island, one of the famous Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel on the island of Santa Cruz. In the afternoon you will head on a tour of the highlands where you will get the opportunity to see the Giant Tortoises in their natural environment. After lunch in the Highlands, you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora to check in to your hotel.




Overnight on Santa Cruz Island

Early this morning you will travel on a public speedboat with your guide to Isabela Island, where you will head on a short boat ride to Tintoreras Islet. There, you may discover sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins. Since the island is one of the main breeding sites for the marine iguanas, this is an excellent place to see these creatures from up close. After a hike through the islet, you can snorkel* in the nearby waters with multicolored fish, sharks, sea lions, and maybe even manta rays.



*Note that masks and tubes will be provided. Wetsuits will be available for rent.




Overnight on Isabela Island

After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit the Flamingos Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in the Galapagos. This is an approx. 2km trail where you will get an explanation of the vegetation and geology of the young Isabela Island. Arriving in the Flamingo lagoon, you may be able to see flamingos feeding in this lake. This is an artificial lake, as due to the excavation for construction the lake was made up by the rain. From there, the trail will end in the tortoise breeding center. In this place you will learn more about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises. The Tortoise Center of Isabela was completed in 1994 and houses tortoises from the populations of Southern Isabela, many of which have experienced relatively high levels of poaching within the last 10-20 years. Visitors can see both hatchlings, tortoises, and the older breeding animals. In the afternoon you will return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz by boat.




Overnight on Santa Cruz Island

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight home.