Discover Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
6 Nights / 7 Days
This 7-day journey offers a wonderful showcase of Ecuador’s cultural and natural attractions. Enjoy a full-day city tour of historic Quito, the world’s second-highest capital; stopping to view highlights such as the Independence Square and San Francisco Church. Indulge in a wonderful chocolate tasting at the Galeria Ecuador and make your own chocolate truffles.
Discover “the middle of the world” at the Equatorial Monument. Join a chef, who will teach you to make Ecuadorian delights such as ceviche and the country’s famous Helado de Paila. The second leg of your adventure takes you to the sought-after attractions of the Galapagos. Step onto a yacht for a series of island-hopping adventures. Snorkel amongst penguins, view the region’s incredible volcanic formations, hike along scenic nature trails, meet giant tortoises and so much more!
Day 1-3: Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Incan Empire, before being destroyed and re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. The colonial centre – declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 – is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches and art galleries. Embark on a fascinating tour of the city.
Your adventure begins downtown, passing through the modern section of Quito, towards the city’s historic district. Take in the atmosphere of the Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Stroll past the El Sagrario Church and marvel at the exquisite stone facade of La Compañía Church. Visit the San Francisco Church, built over the ruins of an Inca palace in the 16th century. Ride up the road to the Panecillo or the Itchimbia hills for a breathtaking view of Quito. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to indulge in a wonderful chocolate tasting at the Galeria Ecuador, whilst learning about the cultivation of cacao plants. This adventure is fun for the whole family as the Galeria boasts an interactive game that allows you to practice sowing, growing and cultivating the cacao plant. You will also have the opportunity to make your own chocolate truffles. Under the guidance of an expert, use an array of different ingredients such as cinnamon, salt from Cusco, chocolate nibs, nuts and cacao, to create a mouth-watering morsel.
After your tantalising foray into all things chocolate, you will be driven to the Cafe Plaza Grande where you will have another opportunity to delve into Ecuador’s scrumptious food traditions by participating in a cooking class. Learn how to prepare ceviche and the country’s famous Helado de Paila (an ice cream made with fresh fruits). After savouring a delicious lunch, your adventure will continue to the Equatorial Monument, situated “in the middle of the world”. The monument was built as a tribute to French scientists who determined the shape of the earth in the 1700s. Nearby, visit the Ethnographic Museum, which showcases various elements attributed to Ecuador’s different ethnic groups, or visit the Intiñan interactive museum, which shows the different Incan theories of determining the middle of the world
Day 4: Explore the Galapagos by yacht. Hop aboard the Pikaia I Yacht, where you will be assigned a private cabin. A tasty breakfast will be served on board before you set off for North Seymour Island. The island offers a wealth of attractions and is home to an abundance of fauna and flora. View the blue-footed booby and frigates, marine life such as turtles, sea lions and iguanas, and visit the Palo Santo (Holy Wood) forest. Explore the island along a hiking trail or take to the sea for a snorkelling adventure. After topping up your energy levels with an authentic Ecuadorian buffet lunch, you will head off to Bachas Beach Island. Walk along the white sands of Bachas Beach, discover nearby lava lagoons and revel in the opportunity to see Pacific green sea turtles, flamingo, lava gulls and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Day 5: Join a group of a maximum of 16 people for the land tour and two or three activities from the following list:
- Los Gemelos Sinkholes and Scalesia Forest
- Giant tortoises farm in Rancho Chato II
- Volcanic craters and giant tortoises at Cerro Mesa
- Lava tunnels
- Tortuga Bay Beach
- Charles Darwin Scientific Research Centre
- Garrapatero Beach
Day 6: Bartolome Island is the most recognised, visited and photographed of the Galapagos Islands. It is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk jutting out of the ocean – arguably the best-known landmark throughout the entire Galapagos National Park. Upon landing on the island, you will climb more than 300 stairs to the summit of Bartolome, where you will find, what has been hailed, the most beautiful views in the archipelago. Marvel at Pinnacle Rock, with its backdrop of Santiago Island, and view pink and white sand beaches.
Once back on the beach, take to the water for an incredible snorkelling excursion. Swim amongst Galapagos penguins view white tip and Galapagos sharks, rays, sea lions, green turtles and a variety of tropical fish. Continue to Sullivan Bay, a site of great geological interest. It is located on the south-east side of Santiago Island. The area is covered by solidified, wave-shaped lava flows. Disembark for a guided walk that showcases the fascinating effects of volcanic activity. Find the moulds of trees, and in the surroundings of the volcano, view the region’s incredible vegetation. The lava at Sullivan Bay is known as Panoehoe, which is Hawaiian for the string. This is due to the fact that when the lava cools down after an eruption over surface materials, it causes them to join – creating the shape of a string or a rope.
Day 7: You will be transferred to Baltra Island Airport for your flight to Quito, via Guayaquil. We wave a fond farewell as you are collected for your homeward flight.
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