Highlights of Ecuador

Experience the wildlife of the Galápagos and the diversity of the Amazon on this ultimate Ecuadorean adventure.

Get to know Ecuador inside out – from the Andes to the islands and everything in between. Explore the jungle by canoe and stay with a local Quichua family for an extraordinary cultural experience. Scour the indigenous handicraft market at Otavalo for special treasures before flying to the Galápagos to spend three nights exploring the islands aboard our comfortable yacht and on night on shore. From snorkeling with sea lions and other aquatic wildlife to taking a trek over volcanic rock, this trip will give you both incredible sights and indelible memories.

Itinerary

Day 1 Quito
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Papallacta Hot Springs
Travel by public bus to Papallacta Hot Springs and opt for a relaxing afternoon at the hot springs.

Days 3-4 Amazon Homestay
Travel by bus into the Amazon Jungle. Spend two nights with a local Quichua family at a homestay in a small village. Enjoy hiking to nearby waterfalls and cooking lessons.

Days 5-6 Jungle Lodge
Journey further into the Amazon to a jungle lodge. Included guided walks and canoe rides to learn about the natural history and to spot wildlife. Optional whitewater rafting excursion on the Napo River.

Days 7-8 Baños
Continue by bus to Baños. Numerous outdoor optional activities available like hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking or soaking in the hot springs.

Days 9-10 Cuenca
Private transfer south to the colonial city of Cuenca. Stop at Ingapirca ruins, the largest and best preserved archaeological site in Ecuador. Enjoy an included city tour. Optional day trips to Cajas National Park.

Days 11-12 Otavalo
Fly to Quito and drive to Otavalo. Visit the famous handicrafts market and the surrounding area.

Days 13-14 Cayambe
Travel to Cayambe and spend two nights in a 400-year-old hacienda at the base of volcano. Opt to visit Cuicocha and Cotacachi.

Day 15 Quito
Travel back to Quito and spend free time in the city before an informational meeting about the Galápagos itinerary in the evening.

Day 16 Baltra/Santa Cruz
Transfer to the airport for the flight to the Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival meet the naturalist guide, and travel to the Xavier, moored in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Visit a tortoise ranch in the Santa Cruz highlands.

Day 17 Chinese Hat/Black Turtle Cove
In the morning, arrive to a small island off the southern tip of Santiago called Chinese Hat, for its unique shape. Take the opportunity to observe the birds and sea lions before taking an excursion to Black Turtle Cove to see the marine life.

Day 18 Cerro Dragón/Daphne
Visit Cerro Dragón on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island, to see land iguanas and a salt water lagoon frequented by flamingoes and other species of birds. Continue to Daphne Island in the afternoon to spot birds and wildlife.

Day 19 South Plaza / Santa Fé
Land at South Plaza in the morning for wildlife spotting opportunities. Afternoon visit to Santa Fé Island for guided walks to observe the wildlife and plentiful marine iguanas. Opportunities for swimming and snorkelling with the sea lions.

Day 20 San Cristóbal/Quito
Reach San Cristóbal in the morning. Disembark after breakfast then visit the Interpretation Centre. After, transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Transfer to hotel and enjoy one last night on the town.

Day 21 Quito
Depart at any time.

What's Included

Papallacta Hot Springs stay
Amazon Jungle homestay (2 nts)
Amazon Jungle lodge stay with guided walks and wildlife-spotting (2 nts)
Baños stay
Ingapirca ruins visit
Historic hacienda overnight stay
Otavalo visit
Galápagos Islands stay (4 nts)
Swimming and snorkelling with equipment
Internal flights
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
20 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners. (Allow USD285-375 for meals not included. Drinks and tips while on the yacht are extra. Not included is USD10 Tourist Transit card fee (From March 1st 2015, this will be USD20) at the Quito airport and a USD100 (cash) Galapagos park entry fee upon arrival to the Islands.)
Public bus, local flight, motorized canoe, motorized yacht, panga, pickup truck.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) (Days 1-15). Local guides. Galápagos National Park Service guide while in the islands. Local G Adventures representative in Quito.
Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12
Hotels (11 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts), simple village cabañas (2 nts, multi-share), historic mountain hacienda (2 nts), motorized yacht (3 nts, twin-share cabin).