Detailed Itinerary: Ecuador & Galapagos

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Upon arrival to Quito and all entrance formalities are taken care of, we meet with our tour director at the "Mariscal Sucre" Airport before heading on to the transfer vehicle and proceed to our hotel.
Based on your time of arrival, we suggest the optional Gay Night Tour to get you acquainted with the rest of the group.

Overnight Stay

 

Day 2: Quito Otavalo Indian Market - Quito

Day 2: Otavalo Indian Market - Cotopaxi

After breakfast we enter the city of Otavalo and visit their famous Indian Market. The Otavalo Indians are considered to be the most dedicated and prosperous craftsmen/merchants of Ecuador. This "Market" is one of South America's most important centers of ethno-tourism, featuring a dazzling array of textiles and crafts. Here you can find Ponchos, wooden good and indigenous jewelry; perfect for gifts or keepsakes from the city.

After the market we go to the Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve where we will see one of the most amazing sceneries of Ecuador at the Cuicocha Lake. Soon after, we enter the City of Cotacachi, famous for their leather market. You can enjoy an hour of shopping before heading to our next destination.

At the end of the day, we return to Quito with the choice of an optional Gay Night Tour. Overnight stay.

Day 3: Quito - Equatorial Monument - Teleferico

Day 3: Quito City Tour + Equatorial Monument + Teleferico

Pick up: 8h00

After a good night rest and early breakfast, we begin to explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The city is surrounded by various snow-capped Andes Peaks, yet is only 14 miles (22.5km) south of the Equator. Quito is known for its magnificent Spanish-Colonial architecture and colorful street life. Quaint family owned shops as well as open-air markets are just steps away from sky scrapers and Spanish Baroque Cathedrals, blending in old and new architectures.

Our tour begins by visiting the Guapulo Church, privileged with a fantastic view of the valleys. The colonial area of "Old Quito" is a United Nations World Heritage Site worth visiting. Here we will stroll down Independence Square where we'll be able to appreciate the Presidential Palace and Arch Bishop's Palace.

Soon after, we will visit La Compania Church, with its ornate facade and breathtaking golden altars, you'll appreciate the history of the land. Our next stops will be to the Monastery followed by the San Francisco Church, filled with examples of Spanish art and sculpture all around. We also pay a visit to the Impressive Parliament Building were Ecuador's history is recorded.

Just a little further is the Panecillo hill, offering a spectacular view of the city as well as an up close look of the Virgin of Quito. Time permitting, we will visit the artisans market (Mercado de los Artesanos).

At around noon we continue on to the "Equatorial Monument". At an impressive 10,000 feet above sea level, one can be in two hemispheres at the same time with one foot on the North and the other on the South and your heart on Latitude Cero!

We'll continue to a fun activity at the open air Inti-Nam Museum were we'll practice a few science experiments that can only be best appreciated at this location. Later in the afternoon we'll be transferred to the "Teleferiqo" at an altitude of 4.050mt (13,288ft), where we can enjoy the beauty of the city of Quito, the valleys, snow capped mountains and all its natural and ecological environment.

We end the day with a relaxing night at the Hotel and stay Overnight.

Day 4: Cotopaxi - Papallacta

Day 4: Quito - Cotopaxi - Quito

After breakfast, at 8:00am we drive South via de Avenue of the Volcanoes to reach the Cotopaxi National Park, at the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest known active volcano in the world. The Cotopaxi Volcano was established as an ecological sanctuary with unusual opportunities for the Love of Nature and know about the importance of the Paramo Ecosystem.

We will visit the interpretation center and Limpiopungo lakes (paramo grasslands / Ecuadorian equivalent to the artic tundra), and drive up to 15,000ft to the parking area, where we will begin our trek climb up to the Padre Rivas mountain refuge (1h30m). Up here you will experience life on the edge and will have the opportunity to touch and lay on the volcanic snow. 

After our descent, you have the option of enjoying lunch at the colonial hacienda "La Cienega", prior to our return to Quito.

Overnight stay

Day 5: Quito - Galapagos Baltra Is.

Day 5: Quito - Galapagos - Baltra Island & Tortuga Bay

Enjoy your breakfast in the morning at the hotel. Soon after we will head to the airport and fly to the Enchanged Galapagos Islands with plenty of time to handle all formalities and baggage checking. We depart as early as 07h50 and arrive in baltra by 09h50.

Upon arrival on the Galapagos Islands and right after all migration formalities are completed, one of our representatives will be waiting for you with transportation to your hotel to get settled in. After lunch we will take an excursion to one of the most beautiful beaches in Galapagos: Tortuga Bay. This is a short 30 minute walk on a marked path west of Puerto Ayora. On this route we will have chance to connect to nature.

Tortuga Bay gets its name from the Sea Turtles that come here to lay their eggs. This island features white sand beaches, pelicans and marine iguanas, as well as plenty of other flying species making it ideal for birth-watching.

After the fun we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay (Breakfast and Lunch included).

Day 6: Galapagos Plazas Is.

Day 6: Galapagos - Sail to Plazas Island

The guide will pick you up from your hotel between 08h00 and 08h15.

This island is full of life. There are colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of nesiting tropic birds, fork-tailed seagulls, among other species; but most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks. You may also take a stroll along the base of the cliff for an extremely pleasurable experience.

The Optunia Cacti grow here too and the vegetation changes color according to the season of the year, making this one of the preferred islands to visit multiple times in a year.. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure (Breakfast included).

Day 7: Galapagos Bartolome Is.

Day 7: Galapagos - Sail to Bartolome Island

Early in the morning at 6:00 we will be transferred to the Itabaca channel. Here we will take the yacht embarking us to the first leg of our journey. Breakfast will be served on the boat.

Bartolome Island has some of the most beautiful landscapes throughout the archipelago. It is very well known for its famous rock formation, the Pinnacle Rock, which resembles an obelisk raised to the edge of the ocean. Upon arrival to the island, we are presented with a wooden stairway of approximately 600 meters in length. Make sure you have comfortable shoes for this part of the day. Once we reach the summit (about 30 to 40 minutes), we are rewarded with a gorgeous view of the landscape with two beautiful bays. The fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones give this area an out-of-this-world aura, giving you the feeling of walking on the moon.

The Bartolome Island is the perfect place to observe the Galapagos penguins swimming in the tropical waters. The Galapagos Penguins are often seen inside a small cave behind Pinnacle Rock, where they hold a breading colony. One the south part of the island you can also find marine turtles, stingrays and Galapagos sharks, among other unique marine species. There is just so much to say about this island, that we'll leave a little mistery for your visit (breakfast included).

Day 8: Galapagos - Charles Darwin Station - Ferry Isabela

Day 8: Galapagos: Charles Darwin Station - Ferry to Isabela

After breakfast we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is primarily a center for evolutionary and ecological research and works with the galapagos National Park Service protecting the Galapagos Islands and Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Here we will visit the Station Tortoise Rearing. This is the best place to see land tortoises, and where "Lonesome George", the most famous reptile used to live. If lucky, he might be in exhibition to admire his majestic presence. The story behind Lonesome George being called the "Oldest Gay Turtle in the World" originates from when the researches at the station tried repeatedly to mate George with female tortoises from another island, but failed at most if not all attempts.

After lunch we'll take the ferry to Isabela Island. This 3 1/5 hour ride will give us a the chance to enjoy the sea breeze until we reach our destination at the pier. Our guide will wait for us here and will take us to our hotel for a short rest. We will then visit the Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in Galapagos and a principal breeding ground for the Flamingos. Overnight stay.

Day 9: Isabela Island - Sierra Madre & Chico Volcanoes - Concha y Perla

Day 9: Galapagos: ISabela Island - Sierra Madre Volcano - Chico Volcano - Concha y Perla

Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago. It is over 100 kms long and extremely narrow. Six volcanoes are found on Isabella, of which two are over 1.700 meters (5,577ft) tall.

Early in the morning after breakfast, we will begin our full day tour to the Sierra Negra Volcano, located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil. Boasting the world's second largest volcanic crater measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will walk to up this magnificent site to visit La Bocanilla and Volcano Chico in the afternoon.

Later we will have the opportunity to do snorkeling in Concha y Perla. Overnight stay.

Day 10: Galapagos - Isabela - Free Day

Day 10: Galapagos: Isabela - Free Day)

Enjoy the day at your leasure. You can explore, swim, dive, snorkel, romantic date or simply relax. The entire day is yours. Overnight stay.

Day 11: Galapagos - Quito

Day 11: Galapagos - Flight to Quito / Peruvian Extension

Rise and shine early in the morning at 05:45 to take the 6:00 speedboat from Puerto Velasco Ibarra to Puerto Ayora and enjoy a beautiful sunrise. After a 2 hour sail, we arrive at Santa Cruz Island. Our guide welcomes us take us to Il Giardino Restaurant for a delightful breakfast. Soon after, our driver will take us to Baltra Airport for our flight back to mainland. There may be a $5usd per person cash fee for the bus from Baltra Island pier to the airport. Flight details will be provided with your package, but feel free to ask your guide for any assistance. If you choose the Peruvian Extension, your flight times may vary. Please ask your guide or tour guide for details (breakfast included).

Day 12: End of Tour / Extensions

Day 12: Quito - Flight back home / Continue Extended Tour

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport in order to take your flight back home. If you opted for an extended trip the moment of booking, arrangements will be presented to you by our agency at your hotel or upon first arrival.

We look forward to hearing about your experience during your trip. Don't forget to leave your feedback on our comments section, trip advisor or by email. Your feedback helps us to provide you with better service.

 

PERUVIAN EXTENSION:

Day 1 (11): Extension - Galapagos - Guayaquil - Lima

Day 1 (11): Galapagos - Guayquil - Lima

Our guide will pick us up from our hotel at 05h40 and will take us to the pier of Isabela Island in order to take our boat to Puerto Ayora. Then we drive to Baltra Island in order to take our flight to Guayaquil. It departs at 10h45 and arrives in Guayaquil at 15h00. Then we go to the International departures in order to take our International flight to Lima. Departure from Guayaquil at 20h00. Arrive in Lima at 22h00. We will be met at the airport Jose Chavez and transferred to our hotel. Overnight.

Day 2 (12): Lima - Flight - Cusco

Day 2 (12): Lima - Flight - Cusco

Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude. Afternoon tour of the city visiting the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral. Continue to the surrounding ruins: the fortress Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay ruins. Overnight in Cuzco. (Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at your own)

 

Day 3 (13): Cusco - Machu Picchu

Day 3 (13): Cusco - Machu Picchu

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Sacred Valley tours, including entrances Catch the morning train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu the "Lost City of the Incas" The citadel of Machu Picchu is the most important tourist attraction of Cusco. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4 (14): Machu Picchu - Cusco

Day 4 (14): Machu Picchu - Cusco

Today We will take a group tour of Machu Picchu. Rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham, this citadel is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. The citadel is situated over 2,300 meters above sea level in the province of Urubamba on a remote mountain top. From the ruins, there is a magnificent view of the deep gorge of the Urubamba River, surrounded by the steep mountain sides covered in tropical jungle. Lunch Afternoon return to Cuzco and hotel. Overnight in Cuzco.

 

Day 5 (15): Cusco - Lima City Tour

Day 5 (15): Cusco - Lima City Tour

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in order to take our flight to Lima. Once in Lima, we will be transferred to our hotel. Then we take a City tour where we will have the opportunity to visit one of the most important architectural constructions of the 17th century, Convent of Saint Francis. This complex has a small square, the convent and church. Its cloisters have beautiful tiles and one can visit the catacombs which are more than 300 years old. Main Plaza housing the three most important buildings from the colonial time: Plaza Mayor, Plaza San Martin, Palacio de Gobierno (known as the house of Pizarro), and the Municipality, preserving their original architecture. This three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of colonial and modern Lima. Included are Lima's most imposing colonial churches and mansions such as the Government Palace, the Plaza Mayor, including 17th century San Francisco Monastery. The tour ends with a visit to the modern suburbs of San Isidro, and Miraflores, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Overnight.

Day 6 (16): End of Tour / Extensions

Day 6 (16): Lima - Flight Back Home / Extensions

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport in order to take your flight back home. If you opted for an extended trip the moment of booking, arrangements will be presented to you by our agency at your hotel or upon first arrival.

We look forward to hearing about your experience during your trip. Don't forget to leave your feedback on our comments section, trip advisor or by email. Your feedback helps us to provide you with better service.