Ecuador captivates travellers above all with its spectacular natural beauty and the warmth of its people. Even Alexander von Humboldt was fascinated by the uniqueness of this country. This journey takes you from the capital Quito to bird reserves, crater lakes and picturesque villages in the lush highlands. You will discover local traditions and crafts, observe hummingbirds and condors, and marvel at the precision with which the Tsáchila determined the equatorial line at Quitsato 1,000 years ago.
In the Galápagos, you will immerse yourself in the incomparable nature of the archipelago, observing giant tortoises and sea lions, Galápagos penguins and blue-footed boobies, land iguanas and frigatebirds. An excursion to Cerro Negro Volcano on Isabela completes this exceptional journey.
You will stay in carefully selected accommodations, stylish boutique hotels and historic haciendas full of character. During the first few days, you will travel at altitudes between 2,500 and approximately 3,000 metres. The day trip to Antisana National Park on day 8 reaches approximately 4,000 metres above sea level. Our itinerary allows for gradual acclimatisation to the altitude, meaning that healthy travellers should not experience any particular limitations.
Itinerary
Day 1: Journey to South America
Flight Luxembourg-Amsterdam (KLM, 06:00-07:10)
Flight Amsterdam-Quito (KLM, 10:15-14:55)
Transfer to the hotel
Overnight at Ikala Quito Boutique Hotel**** in Quito
Day 2: Quito’s Colonial Old Town
Walking tour through the colonial old town
Free time
Overnight at Ikala Quito Boutique Hotel****
Day 3: Walk around a volcanic crater
Walk around Pululahua volcanic crater (panoramic views, orchids)
Lunch in an authentic village
Overnight at Maquipucuna Lodge*** in the Maquipucuna Nature Reserve
Day 4: Birdwatching in the Maquipucuna Reserve
Excursions and walks in the nature reserve
Birdwatching
Night excursion
Overnight at Maquipucuna Lodge***
Day 5: Quitsato: the Equator and a visit to a rose farm
Visit to the archaeological site of Quitsato
Visit to a rose farm
Overnight at Hacienda San Juan de Molino Hotel*** in Cayambe
Day 6: Andean villages and traditions
Visit to Andean villages
Lunch in a village accompanied by music
Insights into local crafts
Overnight at Palmeras Inn*** near Otavalo
Day 7: Orchids by the crater lake
Short walk of up to one hour around Cuicocha crater lake
Boat trip on the lake
Visit to a local market and discover traditional crafts
Overnight at Hacienda Su Merced Hotel*** in Puembo
Day 8: Antisana National Park: condors in the wild
Discover the fauna and flora of Antisana National Park
Observe condors in the wild
Opportunity for a short hike and to observe eagles, hawks and falcons
Overnight at Hacienda Su Merced Hotel*** in Puembo
Day 9: A change of scenery: the Galápagos Archipelago
Flight Quito-San Cristóbal (LATAM, 06:55-09:30)
Transfer to the port of Puerto Ayora/Santa Cruz
Speedboat from Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil, approximately two hours
Overnight at Cormorant Beach House*** in Puerto Villamil/Isabela
Day 10: Isabela
Excursion into the highlands to Cerro Negro Volcano
Short hike through the volcanic landscape
Visit to a vegetable farm
Overnight at Cormorant Beach House***
Day 11: Los Túneles de Cabo Roca and Flamingo Beach
Boat excursion to the rock formations of Los Túneles de Cabo Roca
Wildlife and nature observation
Short hike and opportunity to snorkel in shallow waters
Free time in Puerto Villamil
Optional short walk to Flamingo Beach
Overnight at Cormorant Beach House***
Day 12: Free time – optional Tintoreras, speedboat to Santa Cruz
Free time in Puerto Villamil
Optional: boat excursion to Tintoreras Island, with wildlife and nature observation
Speedboat from Puerto Villamil/Isabela to Puerto Ayora/Santa Cruz, approximately two hours
Overnight at Ikala Galapagos Hotel***
Day 13: Bartolomé, Santa Fe, Plaza or North Seymour
Boat excursion to one of the surrounding islands: Bartolomé, Santa Fe, Plaza or North Seymour
Wildlife and nature observation
Overnight at Ikala Galapagos Hotel***
Day 14: Return via Guayaquil
Transfer to Baltra Airport
Flight Baltra-Guayaquil (LATAM, 09:56-13:47)
Flight Guayaquil-Amsterdam (KLM, departure at 18:35)
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