Ecuador Highlights & Galápagos Cruise
Discover an amazing country with its colorful market, welcoming people, charming colonial cities, majestic volcanoes and unforgettable landscapes. Immerse yourself in the culture by staying with a local Magdalena Community family on the slopes of the Imbabura Volcano; take the Devil’s Nose train, one of the most scenic attractions with zigzagging mountain rails bordering ; join a city tour in Cuenca, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site; then fly to the Galápagos for a three-day cruise to explore landscapes and wildlife, from lazy sunbathing sea lions to fast-swimming penguins next to you in snorkeling activities.
Pricing
Group tour starting at $6,169* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
12 Days – Quito to Quito
Your package includes
- Round trip transfers
- Domestic flights – Quito – Baltra – Quito
- Visits and accommodation as per itinerary
- Local English Speaking guide
- Fuel surcharge
- Migration control card
- Meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Not included
- International airfare and airport taxes
- Galapagos National Park fees $USD100
- Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides, drivers
- Optional sightseeing tours
- Beverages
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Quito
Meals
Description
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Quito Hotel (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 2
Quito
Breakfast
Colonial City Tour & Middle of the World: bustling streets and squares of the largest historical old town in the Americas, a multi-ethnic, artistic and cultural heritage destination. Visit the “Middle of the world” situated at 0º0’0” latitude.
Day 3
Quito – Otavalo – Cotacachi – Magdalena Karanki Community
Breakfast
Visit the famous indigenous Otavalo open-market and wander around various stands set in the central square. There is the chance to shop for hand-made textiles, wooden decorations, Andean musical instruments, hats, jewelry and a variety of local souvenirs. Our guide will take you to visit the nearest town called Peguche which is known for its weavers and to visit a workshop of wind instruments. The next town is Cotacachi, were its residents are skilled manufactures of leather goods to later, head to the Magdalena Community for an overnight stay at one of the families’ homes.
Accommodation: Magdalena Karanki Community
Day 4
Magdalena Karanki Community – Salinas – Quito
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Magdalena Community is a group of houses located on the slopes of the Imbabura Volcano, where they welcome guests to be part of their families and host traditional activities for a cross-cultural experience. There are also outdoors mild adventure activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking or hiking by the Andean pastures. Guests will be taken by car to Ibarra to get on the Liberty Train. The train ride will go through the magical landscapes of the highlands where it goes through mysterious tunnels, across bridges, spanning canyons and gullies filled with unique biodiversity. Travelers will arrive at the Afro-Ecuadorian community of Salinas, well known for its agricultural activities, to spend the lunchtime and to visit the town. We will head back to the road in our return to Quito for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Quito Hotel (or similar)
Day 5
Quito – Cotopaxi – Baños – Riobamba
Breakfast
After breakfast, we head south of the Highlands on our way to Baños. In the way, there is a chance to admire the green landscapes of the agricultural activity of the region, as well as stunning views which feature snowed-capped volcanoes such as one of the highest volcanoes on the Earth, the Cotopaxi. The Cotopaxi is part of a National Park with its same name and is open for the public to explore and climb to the rest stops. Arriving in Baños, there is a slight change in the weather, a bit cooler located near the Tungurahua Volcano. There are adventure tours, as well as thermal waters were guests can relax or visits around the town and the nearby waterfalls. Baños is the transition between the Andes and the Amazon regions. We continue on the road headed to Riobamba for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda Abraspungo (or similar)
Day 6
Riobamba – Ingapirca Ruins – Cuenca
Breakfast, Lunch
We will start the day with a drive through some of the most picturesque indigenous areas and fruit plantations to take the Devil’s Nose train. This train is one of the most scenic attractions with zigzagging rails bordering the mountain until arriving at the Chimborazo Forest Reserve and Sangay National Park. Chimborazo is the volcano which stands furthest from the center of the Earth! We continue our way south to arrive at the Ingapirca Ruins which are two complexes of Cañari and Inca quarters bringing together the Imperial Court accommodations as well as a Sun Temple. The visit includes the site museum which exhibits pieces of lytic, ceramic and metallurgy from the pre-Inca and Inca period in the region. The last stop of the day is Cuenca for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Santa Lucia Hotel Cuenca (or similar)
Day 7
Cuenca – El Cajas National Park – Guayaquil
Breakfast
We start off the day with a city tour in Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador, which is filled with colonial history and more than 20 churches with various styles, surrounded by the archeological remains of pre- Inca cultures such as the Cañaris. In 1999 the UNESCO declared it a Cultural Heritage Site for its unique legacy of its constructions that have remained standing through time. In a 40-min drive, we will arrive in El Cajas National Park. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes with at least 200 lagoons, between moorlands we will find the famous lagoon La Toreadora and take an inspirational walk through the beautiful scenery. After lunch, we will head to Guayaquil for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Oro Verde Guayaquil (or similar)
Days 8 – 10
Guayaquil – Galapagos Islands Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
GALAPAGOS CRUISE ABOARD THE CORAL I & II OR THE GALAPAGOS LEGEND
Depart to the Galapagos in a 2:30-hour domestic flight arriving at Baltra or San Cristobal Airport. A representative of our cruise ship will welcome you, and then you will be transferred to the port to embark the vessel. Enjoy of a paradisiacal destination marked by its uniqueness which inspired Charles Darwin on his Theory of Evolution. Every day visit two new places, and wake up with the most idyllic landscapes, to later enjoy a buffet-style breakfast and time to get ready for the first excursion.
Every island and visitor site offer different geographical landscapes, fauna, and flora, but every corner of the archipelago will be filled with wildlife. From blue-footed boobies in their mating dance to lazy sea lions sunbathing by the shore, or fast-swimming penguins next to you in the snorkeling activities. All our guest will return to the ship for a varied lunch-buffet and free time to relax by the pool, sun terraces or Jacuzzi of our open decks while we arrive at our next visit.
Get on a dinghy ride with a Galapagos naturalist expert and learn more about geology, evolution, human history and biology of the next visitor site. Once again be amazed by the different terrain, exotic animals, and plants. Start with a hike through natural paths and have close encounters with the inhabitants of the area. Then, have some free time to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the beach, or choose to snorkel, kayaking or glass-bottom boat adventure.
Return on board to get changed and comfortable to later enjoy a-la-carte dinner in our acclaimed Lonesome George Restaurant which serves local and international specialties. One evening, we will surprise you with an al-fresco BBQ on the highest deck with great quality cuts, salads, and seafood for the ultimate Galapagos experience: dining under the sunset. After dinner, there will be a short but entertaining lecture about next day excursions followed by free time to relax or join an onboard activity.
Accommodation: Standard Plus Cabin aboard M/V Galapagos Legend or Coral I / II (3 nights)
Day 11
Galapagos Islands – Quito
Breakfast
On the last day, breakfast will be served earlier than usual to take advantage of the morning and take part in the last excursion. Guests will take a flight back to Quito. Once in the mainland, one of our representatives will transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Quito Hotel (or similar)
Day 12
Quito
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport of Quito.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Ecuador Highlights & Galápagos Cruise” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.