DAY 1&2: Departure Day - London

Meet at the airport 3 hours before departure.

Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and then take a private transfer from the airport to the hotel, approximately 40 minutes to Quito. Check-in at the hotel Casa Q.

After you have settled in, we will enjoy our first dinner together at the hotel.

DAY 3: Quito

Today, we will explore colonial Quito, visiting its historic center, including churches, parks, and plazas from the Spanish conquest era. We’ll stop at a local shop to taste and learn how to make typical Quito sweets, and visit a traditional market to experience the variety of Andean fruits and vegetables. Afterward, enjoy a hands-on cooking class with a local chef, where we’ll prepare and savor a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll dive into Latin rhythms like salsa, merengue, and bachata at a local music studio before returning to the hotel.

DAY 4: Otavalo

After breakfast, We will drive through the stunning Andes, heading north to Imbabura Province. Along the way, we’ll stop at a traditional restaurant known for its wood-fired “bizcochos” and mozzarella-style “hoja cheese.” Upon arrival in Otavalo around noon, you’ll have time to shop for indigenous textiles, including shirts, pants, hammocks, and blankets. Afterward, we’ll visit the town of Atuntaqui and check into our hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll hike the refreshing trail to the Peguche Waterfall, offering a chance to connect with nature. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel, Hosteria Pueblo Viejo, and enjoy dinner together.

DAY 5: Papallacta - Amazon

Today, we travel to the Amazon. Within our journey descending in the Andes, we have a brief stop at a private reserve for a hike through the paramo with the sound of the river beside us until we reach a waterfall. This stop will also have a restaurant for lunch. After interacting with horses and llamas of the reserve, we will continue our journey, and by the end of the afternoon, we arrive at Huasquila Amazon Lodge, our home for the next few days. Check-in at this cozy lodge located at the entrance to the Amazon, Huasquila Amazon Lodge. Once we are settled in, we will enjoy dinner together.

DAY 6: Amazon

We start the day surrounded by the sounds of nature. After breakfast, we’ll embark on a 3.5-hour walk through the secondary forest, immersing ourselves in the diverse vegetation. Our local guide will introduce us to various medicinal plants, allowing us to touch, smell, and explore their healing properties. Along the way, we’ll encounter waterfalls where we can take a refreshing dip. After returning to the lodge for lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon visiting a nearby indigenous community. Here, we’ll learn about their customs, traditions, dances, and cuisine. We’ll interact with local women, gaining insight into their way of life before returning to the lodge in the evening.

DAY 7: Amazon

Today’s itinerary is filled with adventure! We will travel to Punta Aguano, approximately one hour away, to board a canoe and begin navigating the Napo River, a major tributary of the Amazon. Our first stop will be a small island in the river, where we will take a short walk to a spot where caimans gather to feed. Afterward, we will continue downstream to a designated area where we will enjoy tubing, floating down the river with the aid of inflatables. This will be a relaxing experience, immersing us in the water, flora, and fauna of the Amazon. Afterward, we will have a delicious picnic lunch. In the afternoon, we will return to the lodge for some rest, and in the evening, we will go on a night walk along various trails.

With some luck, we may encounter nocturnal animals, insects, or spiders native to the Amazon.

DAY 8: Banos

After checking out of the lodge, we leave the Amazon and head back into the Andes. Our first stop is the city of Baños de Agua Santa, a small town located at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano. In Baños de Agua Santa, we can hike for about 1 hour to the Pailón del Diablo waterfall. Once at the waterfall, we will get closer to the waterfall (80 meters). Before reaching Baños de Agua Santa, we will visit the tarabitas that cross over the top of the gorge, passing over the waterfalls of Baños. This is a great opportunity to experience flying over the waterfalls. After check-in in Baños, we will have a city tour of this cozy town. We will visit the central park, church, and representative sites of Baños. In the evening, we will have a cozy dinner.

DAY 9: Cuenca

After breakfast, we will depart for Cuenca, a four-hour drive. Along the way, we will visit the Ingapirca ruins, an important archaeological site where the Cañari culture thrived before being overtaken by the Incas. We will continue our journey, arriving in Cuenca by mid- or late afternoon. After checking into the hotel, we will enjoy a delicious dinner.

DAY 10: Cuenca

The day begins with a visit to an orchid farm, where we will have the opportunity to smell, touch, and admire the fragrant Ecuadorian orchids. Afterward, we will stop by the Cuenca’s old town flower market, where you can explore and shop for beautiful blooms. In the afternoon, we will continue our exploration of Cuenca’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will visit the cathedral, stroll through the central park, and discover other key attractions. One highlight is a visit to a toquilla straw hat factory, where we will learn about the process of creating the renowned “Panama hats.”

DAY 11: Cuenca

We will visit El Cajas National Park for a sensory hike, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the Andean paramo. As we walk, we will experience the vibrant wildflowers, the cool mist that envelops the landscape, the soothing sounds of birds singing, and the calming flow of water from nearby streams. The hike will allow us to connect deeply with the natural environment, taking in the peaceful atmosphere of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Afterward, we will enjoy a box lunch in the park, surrounded by stunning scenery. This will be a perfect opportunity to relax and savor the moment before continuing our journey.

DAY 12: Isla Iguana – Guayaquil

This morning, we will embark on a scenic drive from Cuenca to Guayaquil, transitioning from the high-altitude landscapes of the Andes to the lush, tropical terrain of the Ecuadorian coast. Upon arriving in Guayaquil, we will visit the cacao museum, a fascinating stop to delve into Ecuador’s renowned cacao heritage. Here, you will learn about the cacao plant’s history, its importance to local culture and economy, and the intricate process of transforming cacao beans into exquisite chocolate. The visit includes interactive exhibits and opportunities to taste a variety of chocolate products, offering a sensory exploration of this “Food of the Gods.”

DAY 13: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands

Our adventure in the Galapagos begins with approximately a 2-hour flight from Guayaquil to San Cristóbal Island. Once we arrive on the island, we will take you to a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch. Of course, seafood and fish are on the menu. This is the moment when your local naturalist guide from the Galapagos National Park will give you an introduction to the islands, activities, and what to expect during your tour. Visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the island’s unique ecosystem, followed by a snorkeling session at a calm beach or a local pool.

DAY 14: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands

After breakfast, we will take local transportation to drive for approximately 30 minutes through the highlands. We will reach an altitude of 700 meters. On the other side of the island, we arrive at the giant tortoise breeding center, a semi-natural environment that houses approximately 100 tortoises at different stages. Along the way, you will smell and touch the typical flora of the island, which is the food for the tortoises. These giant reptiles are the architects of the islands, as they eat vegetation, move around the islands, and then defecate seeds miles away, reproducing the natural vegetation of each island. This is an excellent opportunity to take fantastic photos of famous tortoises. If the weather permits, we will visit Puerto Chino beach, a beautiful turquoise water beach, at the end of a hike through the dry forest. It’s a good chance to get into the water for a swim or enjoy the beach.

DAY 15: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands

After breakfast, we explore the coastal wonders of Galapagos with a boat excursion along the shoreline, observing iconic wildlife such as magnificent frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. At Kicker Rock, or León Dormido, a 143-meter volcanic formation, we discover thriving marine life. Snorkeling offers encounters with sea turtles, rays, and possibly Galapagos sharks. Later, we visit Puerto Grande beach, where turquoise waters invite relaxation or a swim while enjoying views of Kicker Rock. Snorkeling gear, including wetsuits, is provided for a seamless adventure.

DAY 16: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands

We will visit La Lobería beach, accessed by an 800-meter trail at the southern tip of the island, where we may encounter marine iguanas, frigatebirds, and vibrant algae. In the afternoon, we hike through a dry forest to Cerro Tijeretas, a nesting site for frigatebirds, learning about native plants along the way. The trail ends at Punta Carola beach, home to sea lions and marine iguanas, where you can relax or snorkel.

DAY 17&18: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands - London

The tour has come to an end. In the morning, we have free time to shop in the village or visit the beach one last time. Mid-morning, we will take transportation to San Cristobal airport to catch the return flight to Guayaquil and connect with the international flight.