Two week Ecuador and Galapagos trip

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights in Quito             
• 1 night in Mulaló (near Cotopaxi)            
• 1 night in Baños
• 1 night in Riobamba
• 2 nights in Cuenca
• 1 night in Guayaquil
• 4 nights aboard a Galapagos cruise         

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included:  International flight

Day 2: Quito

When you land in Quito, you’ll be met at arrivals and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax and start exploring the city.

Included:  Transfer, hotel

Day 3: Quito city tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be collected by your guide for a tour of the capital. Quito’s historical centre is one of the most beautiful in South America, so you’re in for a treat. The city is famous for its wonderfully preserved colonial buildings and churches. During the tour, you’ll visit the monument that marks the location of the Equator and head uphill to El Panecillo, where you’ll have a beautiful panoramic view of Quito. At the end of the tour, you’ll be taken back to your hotel and the rest of the day will be at your own leisure.

Included:  Breakfast, guided city tour with transfer, hotel          

Day 4: Cotopaxi

This morning after breakfast, your guide for the next few days will pick you up and drive you to Cotopaxi National Park. You’ll spend a few hours walking along the hiking trails, soaking up the beautiful scenery and learning about the diverse flora and fauna of the area. In the afternoon, you’ll be driven to a typical Andean hacienda near Cotopaxi, where you’ll spend the night.

Included: Breakfast, guided tour, transportation in private vehicle, hotel          

Day 5: Quilotoa and Baños

After breakfast, you will set off for Quilotoa Crater Lake. On the way, you’ll follow twisting roads through stunning countryside. When you arrive, you’ll take a walk along the crater’s rim and hike down to the turquoise lakeshore. The climb back up can be quite challenging, but if you run out of energy you can pay locally for a horse or mule to carry you back to the top! In the afternoon, you’ll continue to the charming town of Baños where you will have the evening free to spend as you wish.

Included: Breakfast, guided tour, transportation in private vehicle, dinner, hotel           

Day 6: Baños

Today you will drive through the Route of the Waterfalls which runs along the Pastaza river gorge. This route’s main highlight is located in Rio Verde where you’ll walk through the cloud forest to the spectacular Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron). This is an 80 metre-high waterfall is one of Ecuador’s most breath-taking sights. In the afternoon, you’ll continue to the country’s highest volcano, Chimborazo, at a staggering height of over 6,000 metres. The surrounding landscape is desert-like and inhabited by herds of shy vicuñas. You’ll take a guided tour of the area and, if you wish, you can walk to the Edward Whymper shelter, at an altitude of around 5,000 metres. You’ll spend the night in the nearby town of Riobamba.

Included: Breakfast, guided tour, transportation in private vehicle, hotel          

Day 7: Devil’s Nose train ride, Ingapirca and Cuenca

Today, a thrilling train ride awaits you! The Devil’s Nose has always been the most popular section of Ecuador’s railway network. Built more than 100 years ago, it’s a staggering feat of engineering. The elevation of the track drops around 500 metres over the course of only 12 kilometres, using a series of switchbacks. The train rumbles forward past a junction then backs down the next section before going forward again. At the time, this was the only way to get the lumbering train down the hill. After the ride, you’ll eat a packed lunch and carry on to Ingapirca Inca ruins, the largest site in Ecuador. Finally, you’ll continue to Cuenca, where you will spend the next couple of nights.

Included: Breakfast, transportation in private vehicle, train, boxed lunch, entrance fees, hotel

Day 8: Cuenca

This morning, you’ll set off on a half-day guided tour of the city. Thanks to its cobblestone streets, old-world cathedrals, colonial parks and urban rivers, Cuenca is one of the most charming and loved cities in the country. The tour will last a few hours, and you will visit all of the main sights. The afternoon will be at leisure for you to spend as you wish.

Included: Breakfast, city tour, hotel

Day 9: El Cajas National Park and Guayaquil        

After breakfast, you’ll head west towards El Cajas National Park. You’ll reach an altitude of almost 4,200 metres and stop at a lookout point to take in the beautiful 360-degree views of the park. Afterwards, the route will start descending towards the coast until you reach Guayaquil, the largest city in the country. When you arrive, you’ll be dropped off at the hotel for your final night on Ecuador’s mainland.

Included: Breakfast, transportation in private vehicle, hotel     

Day 10: Fly to Galapagos

This morning, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. When you land, you’ll be greeted by your naturalist guide and taken aboard the yacht. After a quick introductory orientation by the crew, you’ll set sail, stopping to explore a couple of islands and snorkel off the yacht. Back on the boat, you’ll be served a delicious dinner and offered an orientation lecture about the history and wildlife of these extraordinary islands.

Included: Breakfast, domestic flight, all transfers, lunch, dinner, cruise accommodation             

Day 11 to 13: Life in the Galapagos on board your cruise

You’ll spend the next few days exploring the Galapagos both on land and underwater. Every day, you’ll set off on two land outings and at least one snorkelling excursion, giving you close-up encounters with the Galapagos wildlife. The islands that you visit will depend on your specific departure date and the itinerary that you choose. Some of the sights will include Darwin Bay with its frigate birds, herons, boobies, turtles, marine iguanas and more, as well as South Plaza, packed with sea lions. All your meals will be served on board, and the highly experienced crew will make sure that you have the time of your life. Before bedtime, you’ll be briefed about the plan for the following day, which may include trips to see giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, iguanas or even whale sharks.

Included: Full board, all guided excursions, cruise accommodation      

Day 14: Departure

Today, you’ll be transferred to Baltra airport to catch your flight back to Guayaquil, where you will connect with your international flight back to the UK.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic and international flights          

Day 15: Arrive UK    

Land back in the UK.