From the Andes to the enchanted Galapagos, discover colonial cities, breathtaking volcanoes, turquoise crater lakes, and unique wildlife. A journey full of culture, nature, and unforgettable experiences! Quito – Latacunga – Quilotoa – Baños – Riobamba – Ingapirca – Cuenca – Cajas National Park – Guayaquil – Santa Cruz – Pinzón – Santa Fe – South Plaza – Isabela – Floreana
Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting to welcome you to Ecuador and transfer you to your hotel in the city. Overnight in Quito.
Breakfast. After breakfast, we will start our Colonial Quito City Tour.
The colonial center of Quito was already named World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1978 and is home to many beautiful, historic buildings and squares. You will visit the Plaza Grande and the beautiful churches La Campana and La Basilica, and walk down the oldest street of Quito – La Ronda.
Later on, accompanied by your guide, we will head to a cooking class venue, which is located inside a colonial house in the heart of Old Town Quito. Get ready for a packed day filled with incredible sights, tastes, and smells. And at the end of it all, you will be able to enjoy the delicious meal you cooked.
Overnight in Quito.
Breakfast. Today you will visit the “Mitad del Mundo”, the equator, where you can visit the monument and take photos of how you stand with one leg on the southern and northern hemispheres simultaneously. Afterward, you can visit the Inti Ñan Museum. The museum houses artifacts from indigenous cultures and you can participate in various experiments related to the myths of the equatorial line.
Afterward, we will take you to Pomasqui to learn about the fascinating culture of the agave plant or cabuya, you will find knowledge, uses, tools, agave garden, tasting, and all the magic of this ancestral Ecuadorian tradition. The visit will include a tasting of the products born from this plant, such as agave honey and the spirit called Miske!
At night you will enjoy a delicious dinner in a special location. Overnight in Quito.
Nature lovers have unique spaces to visit in Ecuador. One of the most emblematic is, without a doubt, the Cotopaxi National Park.
Breakfst. After breakfast we will first visit the Interpretation Center known as “Mariscal Sucre.”, this place has several exhibition rooms, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria. Then we will move to the Cotopaxi National Park parking lot, in this place, the trained guide will give us general information about the place, flora, fauna and, of course, about the Cotopaxi volcano.
Later, we will start our walk to the first refuge, "José Rivas," that offers food to the visitants. also here, there is the option of staying as part of the coupling process before the crowning of the volcanoes. We will return to the parking lot and take a walk around the Limpiopungo Lagoon. At this site, there are different viewpoints where you can see various species of waterfowl such as coots, ducks, and seagulls. Due to the slopes that surround it, the lagoon fills with water according to the time of year, this makes it an ideal habitat for biodiversity. Finally, we will drive you to the hotel in the area.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to experience the joy, adrenaline, and nostalgia that our Chagras (Ecuadorian cowboys) live day by day while they are working in the high mountains of the Andes. Overnight in Latacunga.
Breakfast. On this day, we ́ll visit Quilotoa Crater- lagoon located in Los Illinizas Ecological Reserve.
First, we will enjoy the view of the lagoon and the Crater from the Mirador, the guide will give us some important information about the climate conditions, topography, flora, and fauna. Then we will continue with the descent to the base of the lagoon where we can enjoy the flora of the place, in addition, they will have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as kayaking (optional), after a relaxing time on the site we will start the ascent again the same as you can do on foot with the guide or rent a mule with the community (optional). Finally, we will visit the Toachi Canyon before continue driving to the south for our next overnight location.
In the afternoon, we will drive to our next stop, Baños for overnight.
Located in a valley of waterfalls and hot springs, the city of Baños has much to offer its visitors. Your private guide/driver will make some stops on the way for you to take some pictures of the volcano’s avenue.
Breakfast. Today you have time to explore Baños and its numerous waterfalls. A trip to the "Casa del Arbol" should not be missing on your list: There you have the opportunity to swing on the foothills of the Tungurahua directly above the abyss.
Driving south from Baños, you will follow the Pastaza River on its way through the valley of the same name. Passing several waterfalls, you will reach the village of Rio Verde, where you will stop to visit the well-known El Pailon del Diablo (The Devil's Cauldron) waterfall.
In the afternoon, we will drive to our next stop, Riobamba for overnight.
Breakfast. After breakfast, you will start this day by crossing the typical Andean landscape, we will pass through the slopes of the highest active volcano of Ecuador, the Chimborazo, if we will have lucky, we could see some “vicuñas” of the family of alpaca’s animals on the way.
Continue to the picturesque village of Alausi, on our way we will visit the church of Balbanera. Enduring the pass of time, this is one of the oldest catholic churches in Latin America built by Sebastian de Benalcazar in 1534.
Later we will continue and will observe the Ingapirca archeological site. This complex is perhaps the best-preserved testimony of the Inca occupation.
Then continue to the city of Cuenca, well known as Santa Ana, the city of the 4 rivers.
Breakfast.
Take a stroll through the colonial center of the city past historic buildings, museums, and galleries. The symbol of the city is the cathedral, which immediately catches the eye with its azure-blue domes. Cuenca is also known for the Panama hat. Stop by Homero Ortega's workshop, and they will be happy to tell you about the traditional production methods and history of the famous headgear.
Visit The Pumapungo Museum, is an ethnographic and art museum. Continue to The Mirador Turi, its strategic hillside location is recognized for offering a stunning panoramic view of the city, highlighting the majesty of its iconic buildings and the natural beauty of the surroundings.
In the afternoon, head back to the hotel for a restful night in!
Breakfast. After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and after a driving of 45 minutes approx you will arrive in The Cajas National Park, where you will have a short trek. With over 700 small and large lakes, lagoons & ponds connected by crystal clear streams. A carpet of sponge-like plants that absorb water, releasing it slowly over weeks and months. Frequent rains and moist clouds ensure the cycle continues.
The Cajas National Park offers us a glimpse of the impressive cloud forests and Andean “páramo” landscapes and ecosystems. The mysterious mountainous silence invites us to explore its marvelous lakeside trails followed by the shores of the park’s lakes. During the hike, we will observe many of the park’s endemicplantation and bird species. Enjoy a close-up of nature in this unique part of the Ecuadorian Andes.
After this nice hike of 3 to 4 hours, we will drive you to Guayaquil for overnight.
Upon arrival, your guide will pick you up from Baltra airport to Santa Cruz Island to start the adventure, with a first visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. On the way to our first stop in the Primicias Ranch, we will observe changes in the vegetation which is dry in the lower part and humid in the highlands. Once in the ranch, we will appreciate giant tortoises in their natural environment and some emblematic species of flora as Asclepias and Palo Santo. You will enjoy a typical lunch and visit an impressive lava tunnel 300 meters deep; this tunnel was created because the outer part of the lava cools faster than the inner part.
Afterwards, we will visit the Santa Cruz Brewery Production Plant. This is the first craft beer made in the Galapagos, at your arrival at the Production Plant the Santa Cruz Brewery team will be waiting for you. The tour will include a short story telling the history of the brewery, you will learn about all the processes of beer making, and you will participate in the production process by riding the coffee grinder that’s a bike! The next part of the tour will include beer tasting and a relaxing time. Overnight.
* Breakfast and lunch are included
Breakfast.
PINZON
To visit Pinzon Islet we will pick you up from the meeting point at 8:00 am to take you to the boat to start the navigation. Once on the islet, you will snorkel for about 45 minutes and observe some birds from the boat, specifically seabirds such as blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and frigate birds. We will also have a demonstration of artisanal fishing, as it is done by Galapagos fishermen. We will then go to a nearby beach where we can do more snorkeling or just relax in the beautiful scenery. In the afternoon, we will return to Puerto Ayora.
SANTA FE
Santa Fé Island is home to the small, picturesque bay and anchorage on the northwest coast of the island. The bay has two trails for visitors: one that leads to a lookout point atop a cliff, and the other that leads from a small beach to a tall prickly pear forest.
SOUTH PLAZAS
We will go to the Itabaca channel towards Plazas Sur. The navigation will take approximately 2 hours. At the disembark, you will be able to observe one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. During a small hike, you will spot land iguanas and birds as blue-footed boobies, forked nesting gulls, frigates, and pelicans. A curious fact about the vegetation on the island is that it changes its color according to the season; it is dark green in the rainy season and orange or purple in the dry season.
In the afternoon, you will return to the hotel in Santa Cruz to relax. Overnight.
Breakfast. Early in the morning, we will take a speedboat to Isabela.
The tour lasts approximately two and a half hours and you can observe various species such as manta rays, sea turtles and, with much more luck, dolphins.
Upon disembarking we will find a landscape with lots of volcanic rock, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and playful sea lions, then we will transfer to the hotel and after a short rest, we will go to “Las Tintoreras”. “Las Tintoreras” owes its name to the fact that in this place there are white-finned sharks known as Tintoreras, in this place we will be able to practice snorkeling to be able to observe them closely and also swim with a great variety of multicolored fish.
Then we will visit the Wetlands. The Isabela Island Wetlands are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. They consist of lagoons, marshes and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species, such as stilts, warblers, white- cheeked ducks and gallinules. The wetlands can be visited on foot via a trail that runs through the marshes.
In the afternoon, we will return to Puerto Ayora.
Breakfast. After breakfast, you will head to “Asilo de la Paz”, where you will be able to go to the pirate's cave and also the freshwater spring; these two sites are located in the highlands of Floreana.
Later on, you will earn about the first families arriving and settling down in the Galapagos Islands, and the famous true story of the “Baronesa” who was a woman who had her two lovers and pretended to be the owner of the Island. Our last visit will be to “La Loberia” which is a path of 900 m long; here you will be able to see Sea Lions and marine iguanas as well. Later on, you will continue to Playa Negra so you can relax and enjoy some beach time.
Depending on the day of operation, and due to the pandemic, the itinerary may shift; this new tour stops through the following sites: Islote Enderby on a panga ride, and pirate caves where you can hike to a viewpoint. Overnight.
Breakfast.
The end of the trip has come. After breakfast, we will drive to the airport. In the airport, the guide helps us with any last-minute things and makes sure we’re all checked in. Then we say goodbye, both to the people and to these enchanted islands, before returning to the mainland of Ecuador.
Once in Quito’s airport, you will have a connection with your international flight back home.
All Excursions and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Flights
Please note that all flights, both international and domestic, are not included in the tour package price. This applies to round-trip international flights to and from Ecuador, as well as the domestic flight connections between Quito, Galapagos, and Guayaquil.
Visa Requirements
Most travelers to Ecuador do not require a visa for short stays (up to 90 days), depending on nationality. It is the traveler’s responsibility to verify the entry requirements applicable to their citizenship. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and contains at least one blank page. Visa fees, if applicable, are not included in the package. Our team can provide guidance if assistance is needed.
Vaccinations & Health
Currently, there are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. However, it is strongly recommended that travelers are up to date with routine vaccinations such as tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. For certain regions of mainland Ecuador, precautions against yellow fever and malaria may be recommended. Travelers should consult their healthcare provider prior to departure.
Currency
The official currency of Ecuador is the U.S. Dollar (USD).
ATMs are widely available in major cities and on the Galapagos Islands, though it is advisable to carry some cash, especially in small towns or rural areas where card payments may not be accepted. Credit and debit cards are commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops.
