Destinations:  Quito, Otavalo, Patate, Alusi, Cuenca & Guayaquil
Length: 16 Days / 15 Nights


Visit the unforgettable city of Quito "World Cultural Heritage Site" the amazing Avenue of the Volcanoes a breathtaking natural boulevard flanked by impressive volcanoes, and giant peaks covered with glaciers and perpetual snow, the City of Cuenca and its rich colonial past also declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, the Galapagos Islands in a fantastic trip following Darwin's steps and end your trip in the modern city and main port of Ecuador Guayaquil.


Detailed Itinerary:


Day 1 
Arrival to Quito (-)

Arrival in Quito, assistance and transfer from airport Mariscal Sucre to hotel. After your check inn, time to relax and adapt to the attitude. Quito is located at 2800 mts. above sea level.

Overnight in Quito


Day 2 
Quito Colonial & The Middle of the World (B,L,D)

A wonderful tour through the streets and main squares of Quito Historic Centre, first city in the world to be declared by the UNESCO as “World Cultural Heritage” in recognition for its architectonic and artistic value. Narrow and sometimes steep streets surrounded of a great exhibition of classic architecture, colonial style houses, gracious flowered balconies, charming squares and more than 50 monumental churches, convents, monasteries, cloisters and historic monuments get together at the best preserve Historical center of Latin America to delight our passengers, after lunch, A short trip to the north of the city of Quito will lead us to our planet´s Latitude 0´0´0´´where the Itiñan museum known too as “The trek of Sun” will guide us through  the wonderful world of the Andean Cosmo-vision, culture and traditions.
This is the place where you can stand with one foot on the northern hemisphere and the other one on the southern hemisphere…a unique experience….

In the night a driving excursion offers the best of Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades lighted on multicolored spotlights. Visit the Independence Square with The Archbishop’s Palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral as well as other very representative samples of colonial art and architecture. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Quito


Day 3 
Quito / The Northern Highlands (B,L)

Located at 2530 meter above sea level we find the everlasting fertile, Province of Imbabura, these magical lands surrounded by lakes are cradle of artists, histories and living pre-Inca cultures.

We will visit Peguche, a picturesque and messy little town whose habitants are famous for their weaving abilities on hand made looms in vivid colors representing figures of the Andean Region.

At Peguche, the art of coloring wools have became a recreational game where traditions, norms and rules end up in an incredible blend of hammocks, textiles, sweaters, etc, that the community exhibits with proud and color.

Together with the weaving industry, the community of Peguche, following with their ancestral traditions, is well known for the manufacture of wind instruments like the Sikus, Kenas and charangos, here we found the House of the Instruments whose walls bring us memories of the Andean music representing the song of nature, water and air.

In the area, we also find the strong and artistic hands of the people of San Antonio. Art studios with wood, stone and ceramic sculptures that represents the Quito school of art that transmit us the spirit of the indigenous villages whom had kept this Spanish cultural manifestation within a lot of generations.

All this artistic towns, commercialize their art in the Otavalo Market, beyond a shopping tour this tour teach us the work, traditions and customs of our indigenous communities.

Lunch will be at a colonial Hacienda of the area.

Overnight in Otavalo


Day 4 
The Northern Highlands / Quito (B,L)

Drive from the Northern Highlands to the Central Highlands through a road full of color, nature and history, visit in the way El Quinche and Pakakuna Gardens.
Today, el Quinche holds one of the most beautiful colonial and historical treasures of Ecuador, The Holly Virgin of El Quinche;  different histories surrounds this image but its still unknown why it was moved from the community of Oyacachi to the community of El Quinche.
Besides this beautiful piece of art we found at El Quinche and exuberant collection of religious colonial art. 
To complement this full day we found Pakakuna Gardens which means the Hidden Site.  This wonderful private botanical garden posses an area of 75 acres and is located in Checa one hour and a half away from the city of Quito.
The Gardens of Pakakuna, hides a unique ecological landscaping, with over 500 plant varieties, both native and brought from all around the world. Different examples of aquatic plants, orchids, bromeliads, trees, fuchsias and daturas or guantos (the sacred flower of the Inca) are just a little taste of the menu that offers this magic garden.

Overnight in Quito


Day 5 
Quito / The Antisana Ecological  Reserve / Patate (B,L)

The Antisana Ecological Reserve lies in the Central Highlands, on the foothills of the 5705 meter glacier covered peak of the volcano Antisana. This reserve is privately owned and regulated, but its goal is the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the Andean moorlands. Below approximately 3000 meters, the native flora is shrubs, orchids and other specially adapted plants. Above an altitude of 4800 meters very little vegetation exists, as this area is covered with snow year-round. Between 3600 & 4800 meters, however, we entered a habitat called the moorlands, in which the plant and animal life are both highly adapted to the extreme conditions which are the norm here. Due to the high winds that regularly sweep this habitat, nothing taller than the grass and low lying succulents are found in the open. Even hardy, high altitude shrubs are found only in crevices and stream beds hidden from the wind. Plants in this habitat are pollinated by beetles or by birds, as the winds are too strong for flying insects.

The trip to the Antisana Ecological Reserve includes a ride to approximately 4000 meters above the sea level  where rolling meadows, occasional ravines with taller vegetation, and a meadow/marsh of pillow moss bordering a highland lake is found. The pillow moss is so named because it forms unbroken hump-like pillows of vegetation that may cover acres of land. Its bird life includes the Andean gull, Caracaras, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and if  lucky,  the Andean condor.

Lunch will be served on a restaurant of the area.

After lunch keep your way through to Avenue of the Volcanoes to the town of Patate.

Overnight in Patate.


Day 6 
Patate / Andean Train / Cuenca (B,L)

Depart early in the morning from the town of Patate  in order to catch the train or auto Ferro in the town of Alausi.  This wonderful route drive us by picturesque villages, colorful markets and the ethnic cultures with their rich display of popular art, handicrafts, traditional festivities, music and gastronomy mix here with dramatic landscapes, roaring rivers, small lakes and rocky hills. 

The road is a never ending line of emerald green valleys, dotted with gold-colored fields provide spectacular sights, a paradise for photographers.

The  architecture of Alausi is the first thing that will attract our attention; churches, main squares, houses and streets with more than 100 years old combined with the ancient train station gives this town a unique an charming touch. 

In this area, you will find the awesome Devil’s Nose, where the auto Ferro negotiates its way down a steep 300 meter cliff in a series of ingenious switchbacks.

After this exciting experience, lunch and continue your trip to city of Cuenca.

Overnight in Cuenca


Day 7 
Cuenca / Artisan Villages of the Southern Andes (B,L)

Cuenca is surrounded by magnificent Andean valleys and mountain scenery.  All around the city’s surroundings, at short distances from Cuenca and from each other, there are several small and picturesque towns and villages, amidst some of the most beautiful countryside views in Ecuador.  These villages are the epicenters of the most creative and colorful handicrafts for which the area is famous nationally and internationally.  The ancestral ability inherited by the present day inhabitants turn their hands into art tools which craft from natural raw materials, magnificent objects, ready to be admired, bought, used or worn.

Some of the places which may be included on this special tour are the following:

Sig-sig a picturesque village near Cuenca, is mainly known for the elaboration of the world famous “Panama hats”.  The hats are made of the “toquilla” palm fiber, previously treated and patiently hand woven in a process of several weeks, sometimes months.  In addition to the hats, other articles made of the same “toquilla” fiber such as table mats are made here too. 

Gualaceo is the main village on the namesake valley, north-east from Cuenca, one of the country’s most scenically beautiful valleys, crossed by the Gualaceo River.  Here too, much of the population dedicates to artisan activities, with their own specialty being the weaving and making of exquisite dresses, scarves, shawls as well as other garments, woven and or embroidered, full of colorfulness and glamour.  The ancient “Ikat” technique is frequently used in the area to make some of these garments, producing some top quality articles worth acquiring.  Gualaceo also features a very complete Orchids garden displaying numerous species of the most unique and beautiful orchids from the region, a great sample of Ecuador’s immense and world recognized biodiversity.

San Bartolome (St. Bartholomew) is a small and quaint town, southeast of Cuenca and here the crafting specialty is quite different.  The area is renowned for producing some of the best quality guitars, violins and other musical instruments, including the famous and typically Andean “charangos”, all of them patient and carefully hand crafted by the local artisans, a truly unique experience.

Lunch will be served on a local restaurant.

Overnight in Cuenca


Day 8 
Cuenca (B)

In the morning; tour of the city; Cuenca, known as well as “Santa Ana of the 4 rivers”, was specifically built to satisfy the demands of the Spanish elite during the conquest period; today this city displays with glamour a French Neoclassic architecture represented in its nicely decorated balconies with colorful geraniums, main squares and colossal churches that exalt the monumental beauty of this old colonial city.

Our excursion is an encounter with traditions, emblematic shields, culture, art and religiousness, is a walking stroll through the city historic center, a special path that will allow us to admire the magnificence art and cultural diversity of the city exploring some the most unusual angles and perspectives.

In the afternoon:  Free time in Cuenca

Overnight in Cuenca


Day 9 
Cuenca – Saucay “ The Land of Chasos” (B,L)

As a result of the migration, the surroundings of this magnificence colonial city are an eclectic combination of gold shades of maize with sumptuous constructions painted with pastel colors.

Saucay; an ancient land of Andean cowboys, is looking forward to reduce the actual phenomenon of migration that affect their community by promoting the cultural richness of the area through the marvelous industry of tourism.

Saucay is a World of adventure, horse back riding, rodeo shows, trekking, fishing and many other activities will made of this day a Festivity devoted to Nature. 

Overnight in Cuenca


Day 10 
Overland transfer from Cuenca – Guayaquil (B)

This wonderful route takes us from the highlands of Ecuador to the lowlands of the Pacific Coast..

The road is an excellent opportunity to get great photographs and learn about the different climatic floors that goes from the cold moorlands to the tropical warm climate of the Ecuadorian coast.

From the city of Cuenca located at 2535 meters above sea level this road will take us to the city of Guayaquil located 5 meters above sea level.

Potatoes, corn, bananas, coffee and more different plantations are a highlight of this beautiful scenic road.

Arrive to the city of Guayaquil for lunch time.

Free afternoon in Guayaquil

Overnight in Guayaquil


Day 11 
Guayaquil / Galapagos – Santa Cruz Island (B,L,D)

After breakfast  assistance and transfer from hotel to airport in order to take flight to the Galápagos Islands.

Arrive to Baltra Airport where you will be received by the Hotel Staff in order to take the ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island .
 Once in Santa Cruz Island  take a bus ride to the Highlands "Los Gemelos" or pit craters of Santa Cruz, where you will have a geology explanation, get the chance to walk inside the remaining Scalesia Forest, if lucky you will have the opportunity to see the Vermilion Flycatcher, Small and Large Tree Finches.   If you are in the mood, you can also take a hike to look for giant Tortoises in their "natural habitat” or take a short walk inside a lava tunnel.

Lunch will be served on a local restaurant at the highlands

In the afternoon you can walk through the town of Puerto Ayora where you may find souvenirs and lots of handicrafts

Overnight at Hotel Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge


Day 12 
Galapagos – From Santa Cruz Island to Floreana Island (B,L,D)

Depart early morning from Santa Cruz Islands to Floreana Island.  During the morning you will visit the
Academy Bay at Santa Cruz, "La Loberia" (snorkel with sea lions optional) and  "Tortuga Bay", the white sandy beach we have a chance to observe different marine species like Sting Rays and baby Reef Sharks on the shallow waters of the Mangrove ecosystems. After swimming on the beach we take a short hike to the Marine Iguana nesting site.

Lunch on the beach

Back to the Hotel to shower and depart to Floreana Island, this is located 40 nautical miles south of Santa Cruz. Opportunity to see dolphins and whales. 
Navigation to Puerto Velasco Ibarra-Floreana Island (2-4 Hours)

Red Mangrove Lava Lodge check in.

Briefing, and BBQ Dinner.

Overnight at the Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge


Day 13 
Galapagos – From Floreana Island to Isabela Island (B,L,D)

After breakfast, your tour will begin with a trip to Highlands through the agricultural zone.  The Peace Asylum – is a visitor site that tells us about the human history of the 2Enchanted Islands”.  Floreana was the first islands to be colonized by men.  This is the only opportunity to see the Medium Tree Finch.
Lunch at the Lodge
 

In the afternoon departure to Isabela Island located 57 nautical miles northwest of Floreana Island. During the navigation there are high possibilities to see dolphins and whales.

Navigation to Puerto Villamil -Isabela will take approximately 2-4 hours.

In the night you will received a briefing of your next excursion and dinner at your hotel.

Overnight in Isabela at the  Red Mangrove Sierra Lodge.


Day 14 
Galapagos – From Isabela – Island to Santa Cruz Island (B,L,D)

After breakfast we take a dinghy ride to do our morning visit in "Tintoreras" (Reef Shark resting site) than spend the night in the bottom of the crevices. The trail will take us to see one of the few marine iguana colonies in town that have not been disturbed by introduced species. In the area you will have the opportunity to see the colony of penguins that are recently getting established in Puerto Villamil. (2 hours)

Lunch in the area

Departure to Puerto Ayora-Santa Cruz, located at 45 nautical miles off Puerto Villamil. Opportunity to see dolphins and whales. 
Navigation back to Santa Cruz (2-4 hours)

In the night, briefing, farewell cocktail and dinner

Overnight in Santa Cruz Island at the Red Mangrove Adventure Lodge


Day 15 
Galapagos / Guayaquil (B,D)

After breakfast, transfer out to Baltra´s airport in order to catch your flight back to mainland for connections or visit Ecuador. Check out time will be depending on the scheduled flight. 

At your arrival to the city of Guayaquil assistance and transfer from the airport to the hotel

Free time for lunch and rest.

In the afternoon a visit to Guayaquil’s Historical Park where you will learn about the archaeology dating back around four thousand years of human habitation in one of the finest museums in the country.  This visit is without any doubts an enriching cultural experience.  After this visit, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner.

Overnight in Guayaquil


Day 16 
Guayaquil: City Tour / International Departure (B)

In the morning scenic excursion  to the city of Guayaquil.
This cosmopolitan city is the largest port in Ecuador and offers what any major city on the world can. Rich Historical background, wonderful museums, a handsome modern district with great shopping and good restaurants. A prosperous city leading the economy of the country, which displays great pride. Have also a number of historical places either by car like the Centenario or Las Peñas neighborhood and on foot like the riverfront or Malecon. Another great place to discover!   At the end, assistance and transfer to the airport to get your international flight.


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