Ecuador Disovery

When you land on Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito, you will see our driver guide waiting for you at the exit of the airport. Then you will be transferred to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito

Today the driver guide will escort you to explore the city of Quito, the first stop of your Ecuador private tours. First, go to Basilica del Voto Nacional, which has an impressive neo-Gothic facade. Then we will visit the Plaza de la Independenci, White Cathedral, and Government Palace from the outside. Next, go to Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus, a splendid Jesuit church. After, climb to El Panecillo to see the statue of the Virgin Mary. Then we'll visit the Intinan Solar Museum, and you can try to balance the egg on the end on the magnetic line. Finally we will visit Mitad del Mundo, which divides the northern and southern hemispheres. After the tour, send you back to the hotel for rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito

After breakfast, we will drive three hours to Mindo Cloud Forest. On the way, make a stop at the Alambi area to see hummingbirds and other birds. Upon arrival in Mindo Cloud Forest, you can join fun outdoor activities such as cabling, hiking, and visiting butterfly gardens or orchid gardens. Finally drive back to the hotel in Quito.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito

Today we are going to the famous Otavalo Indian Market by car. On the way, we will pass by the Quitsato Sundial on the equator line and stop for a short visit. Another mid-way stop is Cayambe Town where you can taste delicious local snacks. Arriving at Otavalo Indian Market, one of Latin America's largest markets, you'll find a wide range of fine crafts. After that, we will come to Laguna Cuicocha which is located in the crater of the volcano. Finally, proceed to Cotacachi Town, home of leather, where you can buy some leather products from the indigenous people. After the day's sightseeing, send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito

Today the driver guide will accompany you to Cotopaxi National Park in the Andes Mountain, about 1.5 hours' drive away. There, you will see snow covered Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. Then hike to the Limpiopungo Valley. The next stop is the Padre Rivas Refuge, where you can see how it is like at an elevation of nearly 16,000 feet. Tonight stay at a hotel near Cotopaxi National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hacienda La Cienega

Today the driver guide will pick you up from the hotel and head to Quilotoa Lagoon to continue the trip. Because of the affluent mineral content of the lake, the lake appears to be turquoise under the sun. You can stroll along the lake or nearby paths to capture the magnificent views. Finally we will drive to the hotel in Baños.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Monte Selva Hotel

After breakfast we will head south along "Avenue of Waterfalls", named so because it is lined with many natural waterfalls. We will stop at the Rio Verde village to visit the famous El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall. Then drive for 1.5 hours to Riobamba to stay overnight in a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Mansion Santa Isabella

Today the driver guide will accompany you to visit Ingapirca Inca Ruins, once a holy site occupied by the Inca Empire in Ecuador. It is considered to be the most important pre-Columbian archaeological site in the country and the best preserved Inca complex in Ecuador. After that we will drive to Cuenca and check into a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Victoria

Today we will visit scenic sites in Cuenca city, including the museum, Catedral Nueva de Cuenca, Catedral Vieja de Cuenca, and Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla to learn more about the city's history and culture. Then go to the world-famous Panama hat factory and museum, where you can appreciate a wide variety of hats.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Victoria

Today we will drive to visit Cajas National Park. It is located over 4,000 meters above sea level, covering 70,000 acres and gathering more than 700 lakes. After arriving, we will hike in the primitive forest, admiring the special trees of the Andeans Highlands and beautiful lakes along the way. Later, we will drive about three hours to Guayaquil, and stay in a local hotel tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Continental Guayaquil

We will spend the day in Guayaquil. In the morning, visit Malecon 2000 by car. The 2.5-kilometer riverside avenue is home to many fountains, sculptures, monuments, museums, street parks, shops and restaurants. Then we will go to Las Penas and climb the 444 steps to overlook the city and the Guayas River. Finally, have a leisurely wander in Parque Historico Park, which is divided into wildlife areas and cultural areas.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Continental Guayaquil

After breakfast, the driver guide will send you to the airport to fly to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, the local guide will escort you by ferry to Isla Santa Cruz, then change to a car to send you to the hotel at Puerto Ayora. In the afternoon, the guide will accompany you to Tortuga Bay. There, you can see white tip sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas and colorful fish; you can also take part in kayak at your own expense.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casita de la Playa

After breakfast, the guide will accompany you to hike to Las Grietas Canyon where you can enjoy snorkeling. Because the water in this canyon is seawater, you can see red crabs and various seabirds. After lunch, take the speed boat to Isla Isabela and check in a local hotel for overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Isabela Beach House

In the morning, the guide will pick you up and head to the Volcano Sierra Negra by car. The volcano is 20 km away from Puerto Villamil and owns the second largest crater in the world. We will prepare delicious box lunch for you at noon. After visiting the volcano, return to the hotel for a short break. In the afternoon, take a boat to Las Tintoreras Islet. It is a small island south of Port Villamil with clear water and beautiful scenery, where you can see penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas, not to mention a variety of tropical fish. After the tour, take the boat back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Accommodation: The Isabela Beach House

Snorkeling is a must for any visitor coming to Isla Isabela. Today, we will take a boat to Lava Tunnels, which is west of Isabela and a great site for snorkeling. Along the way, you will have chances to see huge turtles, manta rays, penguins, sharks, and blue-footed boobies.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Isabela Beach House

After having breakfast, take a two-hour speed boat to go back to Isla Santa Cruz and check in the hotel. In the afternoon we will walk around the Charles Darwin Research Station and its Interpretation Center for visit. Founded in 1959, the Charles Darwin Research Station has been dedicated to protecting, restoring and sustaining the ecology of the archipelago for decades. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casita de la Playa

The driver will send you to Baltra Airport after breakfast, which will take around 45 minutes on the way. Then you can catch the flight back to Quito. Upon arrival the local driver will transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito

Your vacation will draw to an end today. You will be sent to the airport on time by our driver. Wish you a nice trip home!

Meals: Breakfast