Day 1 - Welcome to Ecuador!

Upon arrival at the airport, after clearing customs and migration, meet your guide at the arrival hall holding a sign board with your name on it. Your guide escorts you to your awaiting private vehicle and transfers you to your hotel where you receive check-in procedures assistance.

Quito, nestled at the foot of the 15,696-foot Pichincha Volcano, is known for its eternally spring-like climate and for the beauty of its well-preserved colonial center. Initially settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was eventually integrated into the Inca Empire before being destroyed and re-founded in 1534 by Spaniard Conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar. For nearly three centuries, the arts and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish colonial rule, evident in the historic center’s splendidly restored colonial buildings and churches lining narrow and cobbled streets. In 1809, Quito established the first self-governing junta in the colonies and the liberator Simón Bolívar led the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830 when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence. Due to the city’s preservation of its blended past, UNESCO declared Quito the first of its World Heritage Sites in 1978. The city is beautifully situated in an Andean valley at 9,186 feet above sea level, making it the 2nd highest capital city in the world.

Overnight: Casa Gangotena

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - The Middle of the World and Helado de Paila

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area to start your tour.

Drive north to the Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World) to straddle both hemispheres at the same time. Visit the Ethnographic Museum (featuring a display of outfits sported by Ecuador’s various indigenous groups) or the Inti Ñan Museum. Located at the true equator, this museum displays examples of pre-Columbian life in Ecuador and offers demonstrations of the unique geography, astrology, and natural sciences of the region around the equator.

After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a tour that demonstrates some of the reasons why Ecuador’s capital earned its honor as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at San Francisco Church and its museum of religious art, La Compañía and the seven tons of gold gilding on its glittering walls, and the bustling Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential Palace and Quito Cathedral. Rich in art treasures, fine woodcarvings, and flowering balconies, the historical center is the lifeblood of Quito.

Afterwards, you will enjoy an ice cream tasting. If the world can agree on one thing, it is that it is always a good time for ice cream! However, buying ice cream from a local heladería would be not “normal” for us. Instead, we take our guests behind the scenes to watch the ice cream being made the Ecuadorian way before they can tuck into their specially-made treat. Helados de Paila is a singular technique for making ice cream that was successfully tried decades ago until it became a true icon of Ecuadorian cuisine. The technique consists of placing a bronze pan on a large amount of ice, pouring fruit juice into the pan, and spinning it until the fruit juice turns into a tasty and creamy fruit ice cream. Guests are unlikely to have seen ice cream being made in this way and so it is a great way for them to have a bite of Ecuadorian tradition before having a bite of Ecuadorian dessert.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Casa Gangotena

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 3 - Visit Cochasquí

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area for your transfer to Otavalo.

Drive north from Quito through dramatic mountain landscapes dotted with tiny villages to Cochasquí, a ceremonial site at the foot of Mojanda Mountain built by the Cara-Quitus people. Considered the most important archaeological site in Ecuador’s northern Andes, Cochasquí features a burial pyramid and mounds constructed by Quito’s first inhabitants. The pyramids are made from local volcanic material called cangahua and the pre-Inca structures are evidence of religious ceremonies held by Caranqui natives.

Follow the road further north and reach Otavalo. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure at the hotel.

Overnight: Hacienda Zuleta

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 4 - Discover a Crater Lake

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and meet your private guide at the hotel reception area to start your excursion.

Visit the village of Peguche to visit the home of José Luis Pichamba, whose family has a long history in music. Your hosts will show you the process of crafting traditional instruments, as well as demonstrate how to play them. If you’re up for it, you can even try to play them yourself. Peguche is also home to many of the area’s textile weavers. By visiting a workshop, you can see examples of ancient weaving techniques used to produce their famous textiles.

Visit the famous Otavalo market, a colorful and authentic produce market, where you can see many of the fruits and vegetables unique to Ecuador. Also stop by Plaza del Poncho, home to the textile market, a real explosion of color. The traditional dress market vendors wear is also interesting as it shows the evolution of the garments while maintaining their identity.

In the afternoon enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then stop off at Cuicocha, a crater lake located in the Western Cordillera of the Andes, 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Otavalo. Cuicocha is a Quichua word meaning “guinea pig lake”, a name given due to the shape of the large islands in the center of the lake. Created 3,100 years ago by a massive eruption, the lake is three kilometers (two miles) long and occupies a stunning setting with azure waters. Hike along the ridge surrounding the lake; treks can last between 30 minutes and six hours.

Overnight: Hacienda Zuleta

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Otavalo Market

In the morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area for your next excursion.

Visit the famous Otavalo market, a colorful and authentic produce market, where you can see many of the fruits and vegetables unique to Ecuador. Also stop by Plaza del Poncho, home to the textile market, a real explosion of color. The traditional dress market vendors wear is also interesting as it shows the evolution of the garments while maintaining their identity.

After lunch, visit a beautifully decorated hacienda, replete with gardens that are home to a variety of birds and local plants.

Return to Quito to your hotel where you receive check-in procedures assistance

Overnight: Holiday Inn

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 6 - Welcome to Galapagos

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your private guide at the hotel reception area for your transfer to Quito´s airport to board your domestic flight to Galapagos.

Check-in at Quito international airport. The flight time from Quito to Guayaquil is 40 minutes. There is also a 40-minute transit at Guayaquil Airport. Flight time from Guayaquil to the Islands is 1 hour and 40 minutes.

While in transit, access the VIP Lounge at Baltra Airport; you will later be met by your guides to transfer to Itabaca Canal for a seven-minute ferry trip to Santa Cruz Island, followed by a 40-minute scenic trip in private transport to Pikaia Lodge, for check-in.

Take a light lunch at Evolution restaurant or on the pool terrace that is followed by a briefing with a complimentary welcome cocktail at DNA Bar.

Relax and familiarize yourself with the lodge and its facilities; Walk, jog or cycle the 3.5 kilometers (five miles) trails within the boundaries or swim in the pool

Overnight: Pikaia Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 - Exploring the Galapagos

After breakfast, you will take a yacht excursion. The island to be visited is subject to the day as they have fixed operations days. The yacht excursion options are:

- After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the Itabaca Channel to board the yacht that will take you to Bartolome, an island of turquoise waters and beautiful white sand beaches.

After 2 hours of sailing, arrival, and tour starts climbing a staircase. From the top, you will see a spectacular landscape, where you will see two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones. Here is the famous Pinnacle, which is a huge black lava formation that has eroded over time, representing the most recognized image of the archipelago. Near Pinnacle Rock you will also see two beautiful beaches in the form of a crescent.

This island offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago. It is an extinct volcano and has a variety of red soils, orange, green, black and shiny volcanic formations. This is the perfect place to observe the Galapagos penguins. Moreover, you will practice snorkel with sea turtles, sharks, white tip reef, tropical fish, sea lions, and many other unique marine species. After lunch, you will visit Sullivan Bay.

Here you can see some amazing lava formations, the product of a volcanic eruption in 1903. This is an excellent example of typical forms and colors that contrast with older types of lava. Take also into account that Bartolome Island is the breeding ground of the green sea tortoises. They come to the shores of the island to nest during the months of January and March, every year. Tour ends at approximately 5:00 pm. Transfer to the hotel.

- After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to Puerto Ayora dock, to board the yacht to Santa Fe, which is a central island surrounded by an incredible turquoise bay water. This island is protected by a natural barrier of rocks, where colonies of sea lions and hawks can be found. After 40 minutes of navigation, you will discover a beautiful beach with a colony of sea lions resting and enjoying the sun!

Follow a path full of two species of land iguanas that can be found only on this island. Their main food is the leaves and fruits of the large and thick cactus, which are also endemic, and the major attraction of this island. Crabs, night herons, sea iguanas, mockingbirds, and ground doves are seen frequently in this area. After the walk, lunch will be served on board. Then, you will do snorkeling. This bay is excellent for practicing this activity that is perfect to find some species, such as sea tortoises, and stingrays. Tour ends at approximately 5:00 pm. Transfer to the hotel.

- After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the Itabaca Channel to board the yacht that will take you to North Seymour Island, which is a great place for hiking.

There is a visitor or circular path about 2 miles long that crosses the interior of the island and allows you to explore the rocky coast path.

Moreover, you will have the opportunity to observe the nesting sites of blue-footed boobies, and the bright and colorful frigates that are visible throughout the year. These two species represent one of the biggest attractions of the Galapagos.

The frigates inflate their chest when trying to draw attention to their couples. These birds are also well known to steal food from the blue-footed boobies. Additionally, you cannot miss the funny ritual or dance performed by the blue-footed boobies, in order to attract their couples. After lunch, we will snorkeling with green sea tortoises, and the famous Galapagos sharks, you will also appreciate the sea lions playing and surfing in the sea. Then, visit Bachas beach, where you will enjoy resting and swimming in the wonderful Galapagos Sea. Tour ends at approximately 5:00 pm. Transfer to the hotel.

- After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the Itabaca Channel to board the yacht that will take you to Plazas. After 2 hours of navigation, the first attraction to see is the largest colonies of sea lions in the archipelago. Then, just a few meters behind the dock, a group of land iguanas can always be observed. The trail goes through the other side of the island, which is very small and rectangular. You will walk along a ravine, where you can enjoy the way along with land iguanas, some marine iguanas, and birds, such as blue-footed, and masked boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, puffins, and tropical birds. Besides this, frigates and pelicans can also be found in the area. Lunch will be served on board.

Despite its small size, this island is the home of a large number of species, and it is famous for its extraordinary flora, including attractive beautiful trees and cactus, where a large colony of Galapagos land iguanas lives. Therefore, this island is very popular among local and foreign visitors. Depending on the season, vegetation changes its color from bright green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season. You cannot miss this spectacular landscape! Tour ends at approximately 5:00 pm. Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Pikaia Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8 - Enjoy Some Land Activities

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, afterwards at a pre-coordinated time, meet your guide at the hotel reception area to start your next excursion in Santa Cruz.

Each activity is planned to take into consideration satellite weather imagery and tide charts. Land activities for a maximum of 16 people will be given by the lodge chosen from the list below.

LAND ACTIVITIES
- Los Gemelos Sinkholes & Scalesia Forest
- Tortoise farm in Rancho Chato II
- Lava tunnels
- Charles Darwin Scientific Research
- Puerto Ayora and Fish Market

Overnight: Pikaia Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 9 - Yatch Excursion

After breakfast, you will take a yacht excursion. The island to be visited is subject to the day as they have fixed operations days. Yacht excursion options are one of those described on “Day 7”.

Overnight: Pikaia Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 10 - Welcome to Guayaquil

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Guayaquil.

Upon arrival at Guayaquil airport, meet your private guide who transfers you to Hacienda La Danesa.

Overnight: Hacienda La Danesa

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 11 - Enjoy your Day on a Farm

Hacienda La Danesa is a traditional dairy and cacao farm with over 145 years of rich heritage and history, located about an hour's drive from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Family-owned and managed by the third-generation Olsen family, the farm offers a unique selection of tailor-made activities for guests, including horseback riding trails, hands-on artisan chocolate making, and other hacienda-related programs. La Danesa is just 30 meters above sea level and it is the perfect adventure to combine with Galapagos excursions without having to worry about altitude sickness.

Lunch will be at the farm.

Cacao Plantation: Ecuador is recognized for offering the finest quality cacao in the world. Guests will visit the cacao plantation where they will have the chance to taste raw cacao at different ripening stages and a hands-on experience of making artisan chocolate. (1 hour)

Bicycle Trails: Guests can take our fat-tire bicycles and ride around the farm to explore the beautiful area at any time during their stay. A map and cycling route signs will guide visitors through different trails. (1 hour)

Cow Milking: Hacienda La Danesa celebrates 20 years of recognition to be the best dairy farm in coastal Ecuador. It produces 1,200 liters of high-quality milk per day. To make lunchtime even more special, La Danesa presents one of its grass-fed cattle to give a first-hand experience of milking and trying unpasteurized fresh milk. (15 minutes)

Petting Farm Animals: At La Danesa, taking the best care of its large and diverse stock of farm animals is very important. From goats, horses, and cows to birds, chickens, and many more. It is a truly fun experience for both kids and adults to bond with the farm animals and have a taste of an authentic country life experience. (30 minutes)

Optional activities with an additional cost: Horseback Riding.

Overnight: Hotel del Parque

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 12 - Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your morning at leisure.
*Please note Check out is at 12:00

Meet your guide at the hotel reception area for your transfer to Guayaquil airport to board your international departure flight.

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B