-Day 1 Hola Quito
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 2 Quito
Details: Quito guided sightseeing tour
Explore Ecuador's beautiful capital on this guided tour of Quito's downtown. Visit sites dating back to Spanish colonization, and continue to Panecillo where you will find an impressive panoramic view of the city and the surrounding valleys. Jump from the southern to northern hemisphere in an instant at Mitad del Mundo - the Equator Monument that marks the equinoctial line.
Details: Independence Plaza
Explore the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia, the Old Town's main square. In the 16th century the Spanish were afraid that the Incas might poison their water supply, so they set up their own protected well here. This plaza subsequently became the social center of town. Here we will visit Guayasamin's mural of Orellana discovering the Amazon on the wall of Palacia de Gobierno; the City Hall; the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.
Details: Palacio de Carondelet
The Palacio de Carondelet, or Presidential Palace, serves as the workplace of Ecuadorian presidents, and was opened to the public in 2007. Since then, the palace has suffered from looting, but no one has ever been charged for the thefts.
Details: San Francisco Church visit
Visit Iglesia San Francisco, the first church built in Quito, begun in 1535 on the site of an Inca Temple. Inside we will view the baroque altar which has three important sculptures: the Baptism of Jesus; a representation of Jesus de Gran Poder; and one of the most important sculptures in Ecuador, the original La Virgen de Quito.
Details: Mitad del Mundo visit
Stand at the place where the northern and southern hemispheres meet, see the Equatorial Monument marking the spot.
Day 3 Quito--Tena
Travel to the Upper Amazon Basin region via Papallacta
Cross over the Eastern Andes and descend into Tena
Details: Papallacta volcanic hot springs visit
We will visit Papallacta town to enjoy the divine pools that range in temperature from frigid to
scalding hot. The pools which are rich in minerals and sulfates, and are said to provide
numerous health and beauty benefits.
Day 4 Tena
School visit
Indigenous Kichwa community visit
Details: Amazon Animal Rescue Centre visit
This Animal Rescue Centre rehabilitates endangered rescued animals from circuses, trafficking or households keeping them as illegal pets and reintroduces them, when possible, to their natural habitat.
Details: Amazon jungle hike
Almost two billion acres large, the Amazon boasts over 2.5 million species of insects but does not stop there. Thousands upon thousands of fish, birds, mammals & reptiles also live here, making the Amazon home to more life than any other place in the world. Travel into the heart of the Upper Amazon Basin and enjoy an afternoon hike in the lush, tropical jungle.
Day 5 Tena
Details: Napo River white water rafting guided excursion
Located in the heart of the Amazon Basin, let the powerful flow of the Upper Napo River take you—and your licensed guide—on a wild water ride through the jungle. Take in the lush, tropical landscapes as you travel twenty kilometers down river through the Ecuadorian rainforest.
Day 6 Tena--Baños
Travel to the cloud forest town of Baños
Balsa wood workshop and handicrafts demonstration
Explore the Río Pastaza Canyon
Details: El Pailon Del Diablo waterfall excursion
About half an hour outside the town of Baños you will find the powerful Pailon Del Diablo — or Devil’s Cauldron — waterfall. Observe indigenous wildlife and lush cloud-forest vegetation as you hike near the mouth of this impressive waterfall. Don’t forget your rain jacket!
Day 7 Baños landmarks
Enjoy free time in Baños
Details: Church of the Virgin of Agua Santa visit
Set on a hillside under the billowy smoke of Ecuador’s largest active volcano, Tungurahua, this Gothic-style basilica was named after the vision of the Virgin Mary seen in the nearby waterfalls of Baños, and has become a place for both tourists and locals to come thank her for her many miracles and to ask her for blessing. Built from volcanic rock, the inside of the impressive church is filled with paintings of the Virgin’s miracles, including saving the church from many volcanic eruptions.
Details: Tungurahua Volcano
Admire views of Tungurahua Volcano, one of Ecuador’s many active volcanoes.
Day 8 Baños--Quito
Details: Cotopaxi National Park visit
Take a tour of Ecuador’s most visited national park, where you will see one of the world’s highest active volcanoes - towering at almost 6,000 meters! As you hike to the lodge, keep an eye out for Andean condors, seagulls, ducks and other endemic wildlife at Limpiopungo Lake.
Details: Travel to Quito
Quito is one of the most compelling cities in Ecuador. Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes, between the Volcano Pichincha to the west and the Machángara River Canyon to the east, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. The Ecuadorian capital city's mix of colonial and modern architecture creates a fascinating built environment. In addition to being the site of the Ecuadorian government, Quito is also the nation's cultural capital, with an impressive selection of museums and festivals.
Day 9 Flight home from Quito
Details: La Mariscal artisanal craft market visit
A visit to La Mariscal market is a must for anyone looking for a souvenir from your trip or a present to bring home. Packed with crafts and specialties from all around the country, enjoy the dazzling displays of blankets, paintings, jewelry, bags, flutes, chocolate and more.
Details: Fly home
In most cases, your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 10.
Day 10 Return home
-Day 9 Quito--Galápagos
Fly to San Cristóbal Island
Tijeretas Bay ExcursionCoastal hike to Tijeretas Bay, see Frigatebirds, rays, sea lions, Snorkeling Adventure
Playa Mann beach time
Details: Interpretation Center visit
Overview of the human and natural history of the Galápagos
Day 10 San Cristóbal Island
La Loberia Beach excursionSnorkeling at La Loberia Beach, see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies & lava lizards
Details: La Galapaguera visit
This tortoise breeding and conservation center is dedicated to increasing the population of the island’s vulnerable tortoises. Follow a meandering trail through a large park full of roaming giant tortoises, then visit the pens where smaller tortoises are grouped together by age before being released into the wild.
Details: Hike to El Junco Lake
El Junco Lake is located at the center of San Cristóbal Island and is one of the few fresh water lakes in the Galápagos. Walk among the lush green ferns and watch as White-cheeked Pintails and colorful Gallinules swoop and swim around you.
Day 11 San Cristóbal Island--Santa Cruz Island
Transfer to Santa Cruz Island via boat
Tortuga Bay beach time
Details: Darwin Research Station guided visit
A must-see while in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island! The biological research station is a great way to take in some interesting facts about the environment of the Galápagos many take for granted while relaxing on the beach. On display, the centre has information on local conservation, habitats, and other interesting relevant statistics. The station's most impressive attraction is the tortoise breeding centre, where you can see tortoises of all shapes and sizes.
Day 12 Santa Cruz Island--Quito
Transfer to Baltra Island via Itabaca Canal
Fly to Quito
Details: Twin Craters visit
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. After a moderate hike, you'll be rewarded with a view that is breathtaking.
Day 13 Flight home from Quito
Details: La Mariscal artisanal craft market visit
A visit to La Mariscal market is a must for anyone looking for a souvenir from your trip or a present to bring home. Packed with crafts and specialties from all around the country, enjoy the dazzling displays of blankets, paintings, jewelry, bags, flutes, chocolate and more.
Details: Fly home
In most cases, your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 14.
Day 14 Return home
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare
- 8 overnight stays (12 with extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
- Full-time services of a professional tour director
- Breakfast & dinner daily
- Lunch daily (except arrival day)
- Guided sightseeing and city walks as per itinerary
- Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
- Tour Diary™
- Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
- Note: On arrival day, only dinner is provided
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
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