Treasures of Ecuador & Galápagos Island Tour (14 Days)

Welcome to Ecuador! You arrive in the historic city of Quito. At Mariscal Sucre International Airport our driver and a local guide will be waiting for you for your private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

After breakfast you will explore Quito, home to one of the largest and best-preserved colonial centres in South America. Your guided tour takes you through the heart of the historic centre: Plaza Grande (Independence Square), La Compañía de Jesús, regarded as one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, and the San Francisco Church and Monastery. You will also visit the Virgin of El Panecillo for panoramic views over the city.

You then continue to the Middle of the World, about 18 km north of Quito, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere on the equatorial line. Finally, you will stop at an artisanal chocolate workshop to learn about Ecuador’s fine aroma cacao and the chocolate-making process.

After breakfast you will visit Cotopaxi Volcano and its national park, one of Ecuador’s most impressive natural wonders. At 5,897 m (19,347 ft), the volcano is a spectacular sight, and the park is home to the Limpiopungo Lagoon, with a great variety of Andean birds and beautiful páramo landscapes.

The area is also rich in culture, with a visit to a local market, to a family who shows how they use traditional foods such as machica in drinks and meals, or to a local rose plantation, one of Ecuador’s most celebrated exports. In the afternoon you continue to your traditional hacienda in Cotopaxi for the night.

Activities may be adjusted due to weather conditions, the day of the week or logistics.

Today you will visit Quilotoa Crater Lake, without doubt one of Ecuador’s most impressive natural wonders. Set within a dramatic volcanic crater, its emerald-green waters are surrounded by steep rock walls, creating one of the most unforgettable landscapes in the Ecuadorian Andes, with sweeping views from the main viewpoint.

Near Quilotoa you will visit the community of Tigua, known for its vibrant Indigenous paintings that portray rural life, Andean traditions, local legends and landscapes such as Cotopaxi and Quilotoa. At the end of the day you travel to Baños de Agua Santa through páramo and cloud-forest scenery.

This morning combines one of the most spectacular natural attractions of Baños de Agua Santa with a scenic drive to Riobamba. The Waterfall Route is a highlight of the Andean-Amazonian landscapes around Baños, with lush valleys, steep mountainsides and impressive falls such as Manto de la Novia and the iconic Pailón del Diablo, one of Ecuador’s most dramatic waterfalls.

After the excursion you continue south to Riobamba through páramo landscapes and, weather permitting, enjoy views of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano.

After breakfast you will visit the Guamote Indigenous Market, an hour south of Riobamba and one of the most authentic Andean markets, full of colourful textiles, fresh produce and traders from the surrounding communities.

You then continue to Alausí, a picturesque Andean town, and board the legendary Devil’s Nose Train, one of Ecuador’s most famous railway experiences, which descends through spectacular landscapes on a remarkable series of zigzag tracks. Afterwards you continue to Cuenca, in southern Ecuador, with sweeping views of páramo, traditional villages and mountain valleys along the way.

In the morning you travel into the southern Ecuadorian Andes for an immersive cultural experience in Saraguro and the Indigenous community of Geras. You will discover the traditions, daily life and history of the Saraguro people while exploring the surrounding landscapes and archaeological sites. Depending on conditions, you may also see native Andean wildlife, including the Andean condor.

A highlight is meeting local artisans and learning the traditional Makana weaving technique, used to create handmade textiles from sheep’s wool. When the tour ends we will take you back to your hotel.

Today you explore Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its colonial architecture, artistic atmosphere and cultural heritage, often called the Athens of Ecuador. You will visit Calderón Park, the colourful Flower Market, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (the New Cathedral) and El Sagrario, the Old Cathedral, as well as the Panama hat (paja toquilla) museum, to learn about the craftsmanship behind Ecuador’s world-famous handwoven hats.

You then continue to Cajas National Park, a high-altitude reserve of mountain landscapes, páramo and hundreds of lakes and lagoons, with a panoramic stop to admire the scenery before continuing to Guayaquil.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to San Cristóbal, one of the oldest islands of the Galápagos. On arrival you begin your introduction to the islands with a visit to the Interpretation Centre, to learn about their wildlife, volcanic origins and human history, followed by Frigatebird Hill, a scenic viewpoint home to a large colony of magnificent frigatebirds. Afterwards you check in at your hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

After breakfast you set out on a boat excursion to one of San Cristóbal’s two great highlights. Kicker Rock (León Dormido) is one of the best places for snorkelling in the Galápagos, with striking vertical rock formations and a rich underwater ecosystem; due to open-water conditions, some prior snorkelling experience is recommended. Lobos Island is ideal for birdwatchers and for seeing a large colony of sea lions up close.

Island visits are subject to availability and weather conditions at the time of booking; specific islands cannot be chosen in advance.

Today you travel from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz by public speedboat, where private transport meets you on arrival. Santa Cruz is one of the most ecologically diverse islands of the archipelago, and its highlands are famous for the wild giant tortoises that roam freely in their natural habitat. Your visit also includes the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Our local representative picks you up for a full-day boat tour to one of the iconic islands around Santa Cruz: Bartolomé, with its famous Pinnacle Rock; North Seymour, a birdwatcher’s paradise; South Plaza, with its contrasting landscapes and large colony of land iguanas; or Santa Fe, with towering Opuntia cacti and sea lion colonies. Snorkelling equipment is included.

Island visits are subject to availability and weather conditions at the time of booking; specific islands cannot be chosen in advance.

A second full-day boat tour takes you to another of the islands around Santa Cruz, such as Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza or Santa Fe, each with its own landscapes and wildlife encounters. Snorkelling equipment is included.

Island visits are subject to availability and weather conditions at the time of booking; specific islands cannot be chosen in advance.

After breakfast our local representative transfers you to Baltra Airport for your onward flight. As your journey through Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands comes to an end, we hope you take home wonderful memories of its landscapes, culture, wildlife and warm hospitality.