10-Nights Ultimate Ecuador: Quito, the Galapagos, Cuenca — CALL

Avanti Destinations: Ultimate Ecuador

Day 1 Quito
Quito airport greeting and transfer to your selected hotel.

Centrally Located Hotel In Quito,

Day 2 Quito
Government Palace, the spectacular gilded church of La Compañía, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery, which was begun 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. Then we will visit ‘La Ronda’, the city’s most famous colonial street, where we will learn about the traditional jobs of Colonial Quito. The final stop of our colonial visit will be the ‘Panecillo’, the hill that divides Quito in North & South, and where we will be able to admire the famous statue of Our Lady of the Panecillo, built by Bernardo de Legarda where we will have the chance to enjoy spectacular views of Quito. Lunch included in old town. We will have the chance to enjoy a chocolate experience, which starts with a guided tour explaining the history of cocoa in Ecuador, followed by a chocolate tasting. Ecuador’s unique equatorial climate provides the perfect environment for growing the world’s finest cocoa - Cacao Arriba. Cocoa has been revered in Latin America for over 5,000 years. Spanish explorers loved it so much they called it the ‘Food of the Gods’.The Republica del Cacao’s founders began their voyage over ten years ago when they set themselves an ambitious mission: to produce the most authentic chocolate while protecting and developing sustainable fine cocoa production.

Centrally Located Hotel In Quito, (B)

Day 3 Quito
Today, travel to the world renowned Otavalo Market. Otavalo dates back to pre-Inca times and is famous for its textiles woven on back-strap and shuttle looms. Here you can buy geometric design tapestries, woven ponchos, brightly colored alpaca scarves, hand-knit sweaters, as well as woodcarvings, and paintings by local artists. The market is held daily, but it is larger on Saturdays. An early departure from Quito, your two-hour journey will take you through green rolling hills with snow-covered mountains in the background to the Otavalo valley. You will have ample time to visit the famous market and stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets. Here you will see the Otavalo men with their long braided hair, their distinctive blue ponchos and white trousers. The Otavalo women wear lovely white embroidered blouses, long black skirts and shawls, and multiple strands of gold glass beads around their necks. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas in the area. Late afternoon return to your Quito hotel. Note: Take a sweater even if the day is warm and sunny.

Centrally Located Hotel In Quito, (B)

Day 4 Quito, Galapagos Islands
Transfer to the airport for a flight to the Galapagos. Passengers are picked up at the airport by a naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Santa Cruz. Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island): Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach (wet landing), with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkeling gear and techniques. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for next day and dinner.

Centrally Located Hotel In M/V Santa Cruz, (B,D)

Day 5 Galapagos Islands
After breakfast, enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. Learn about the history of Santiago Island, its relevance for the whalers, pirates and early researchers, including Darwin's epic voyage in 1835, and the conservation projects aimed at eradicating feral species. Today the island is free of feral goats, and the cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the Elephant Rock, The Bishop and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkeling too! Lunch on board.

Centrally Located Hotel In M/V Santa Cruz, (B,L,D)

Day 6 Galapagos Islands
Disembark at Rabida Island on a red-coloured beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Non-snorkelers will enjoy a ride on the glass bottom boat. Lunch on board. Bartolome Island: Disembark at Bartolome Island for a hike to the summit. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms, and handrails. Dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, then time to enjoy the beach and some snorkelling, possibly with Galapagos penguins, or else a ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Expedition plan for Thursday and dinner.

Centrally Located Hotel In M/V Santa Cruz, (B,L,D)

Day 7 Galapagos Islands
The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark on rocks for a steep climb up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs. Lunch on board. Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island): In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour, or join us in a Glass Bottom boat ride. Farewell cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.

Centrally Located Hotel In M/V Santa Cruz, (B,L,D)

Day 8 Galapagos Islands
After breakfast, optional departure to see the breeding programme of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado. Learn about his endangered species, and its promising recovery. This site is 45 minutes by bus, on the south shore of San Cristobal Island. Return to town and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Guayaquil. Spend a Night in Guayaquil before heading to Cuenca.

Centrally Located Hotel In Cuenca, (B)

Day 9 Guayaquil
Depart from Guayaquil to Cuenca, visiting scenic Cajas National Park along the way.

Centrally Located Hotel In Cuenca, (B)

Day 10 Cuenca
One of the first things to notice when entering Cuenca is the magnificent skyline marked by brilliant church domes. And after breakfast we will set out on a city tour whose highlight is the city’s colonial architecture. Cuenca’s winding rivers, graceful ironwork balconies and beautiful gardens, are part of the pleasant atmosphere of this historic city, declared a Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in December 1999. This is the perfect place to discover by walking and is ideal for those looking to blend into the relaxed setting of a truly romantic colonial city. Walking along Cuenca’s cobblestone streets or watching the people go by in the town square dominated by the great cathedral is both peaceful and inspiring. With approximately 400,000 inhabitants, this city is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the country due its architecture, surroundings and small town ambiance. Cuenca is traversed by four rivers and surrounded by green valleys and its people create some of the finest crafts in the country.

Centrally Located Hotel In Cuenca, (B)

Day 11 Cuenca
After breakfast, take a flight back to Quito. Continue home or to your next Avanti Destination!

Centrally Located Hotel In Cuenca, (B)