Welcome to Quito, a city situated in a circle of mountainous peaks, is the world's second highest capital and has one of the most magnificent settings in the world.
Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978, Quito boasts one of the finest colonial centers in Latin America.
We will pick you up to take you to a short ride through the north of the city in order to arrive to the Equatorial Monument, built as a tribute to the French scientists who determined the shape of the earth in the 1700s.
You will visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, where the colorful way of life of the different ethnic groups of Ecuador is on display, and you will continue to a visit to the Intiñan interactive museum, which shows the different theories of the Incas in determining the middle of the world.
MIDDLE DAY: The tour will then continue through to visit the modern section of Quito and continue towards the city's historic district. You will visit San Agustín Convent and its historical Sala Capitular, followed by Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and City Hall.
Here you will have your lunch that will be served at a fine restaurant in the city center.
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We will continue with the visit to the Stroll past El Sagrario Church and marvel at the exquisite stone facade of La Compañía Church. You will visit the San Francisco Church, built over the ruins of an Inca Palace in the 16th century. After this, you can choose between a visit to the home of former philanthropist Maria Augusta Urrutia or the City Museum.
The Urrutia House has its original furniture and paintings from the 19th century, privately restored by the owners. The City Museum is housed in the old San Juan de Dios Hospital, a restored building from the 16th century. Here you will gain insight into what life was like in Quito, from prehistoric times to the 19th century.
The day will conclude with a ride up the road to the Panecillo or the Itchimbia hills for a breathtaking view of Quito.
Depart to enjoy magnificent sceneries along the way and spectacular views of San Pablo Lake as we approach Otavalo. In Cayambe we will stop at the Equatorial Monument and try some typical biscuits and cheese.
Upon arrival in Otavalo, you will have time to browse through the open-air indigenous market, where colorful handicrafts are on display. Lunch will be at a hacienda in the area.
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In the afternoon, we will visit the town of Cotacachi, home to Ecuador's finest leather craftsmen and go on a short walk at Cuicocha Crater Lake.
We will get back to Quito and take you to the hotel.
Transfer to airport in order to take the flight to Galapagos
Arrival to the Galapagos. Ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island (10min.ride).
Check in at Aventura Lodge.
Lunch at Aventura Lodge
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After Lunch, snorkel with Sea Lions, Sting Rays and Baby Reef Sharks in the shallow, emerald waters of Tortuga Bay, then witness the nesting site of the famous Marine Iguanas.
This tour begins with a trip to the lavish, lush green "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers - an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. Afterwards, we visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep.
After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls all await you on this uniquely Galapagos experience.
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Return to Aventura Lodge for Lunch.
Departure for Floreana. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
Arriving on the dock, be greeted by amazing ruby red and turquoise colored Floreana marine iguanas.
Visit black Beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling on the crystalline waters of this rare and beautiful place in earth.
Check in Floreana.
Galapagueña BBQ Dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy interacting with locals and listen to what they have to say about the mysteries of the island and the human history of this place.
Departure in open-air bus that will transport you to the highlands of Floreana. Walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) where an artisan spring that attracted pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana is located. See the Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) where pirates carved temporary shelter out of the soft stone.
Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) truly lives up to its name with a multitude of Floreana Finches. Visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant tortoises up close and personal.
Around 11:00 AM Departure for Isabela. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
Arriving at Isabela port is a visual feast with stunning green and turquoise waters so clear, you can see sea turtles, sea lions and penguins as though looking through glass.
Check-in Isabela Lodge, lunch.
PM
Departure to Las Tintoreras and Bay Tour.
Walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas, to see a small canal full of resting white-tipped reef sharks. The black, treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is the sort of afternoon backdrop you will not soon forget.
Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangrove, for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, penguins and more and relax.
Departure for tour. We begin with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in all of Galapagos, Long Beach. This beach, straight from the cover of a travel magazine, stretches on for 3 kilometers before the National Park where we walk up the trail for astounding views from the top of Cerro Orchilla.
Visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), a unique contruction built by the backbreaking of prisoners of a penal colony centuries before. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards, the males are larger and striped and the females red-throated.
On your way back to town, you will visit a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed (so-called 'tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra.
Around 11:00 AM, departure to Santa Cruz. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
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Check in Aventura Lodge and Lunch.
Depart 3:00 PM for guided tour of the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station.
After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time to shop for souvenirs or browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue.
After Breakfast depart for airport 3 hours before flight.
Transport and guide from the hotel all the way to your airport gate.
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Connecting flight from Guayaquil to Cuenca.
Arrival to Cuenca, transfer to Hotel Santa Lucia.
Santa Lucia is a hotel unique unto itself in that it is actually one of Cuenca Ecuador's most historic antique buildings. Not only that but it is located in the Old Town district of Cuenca which is a living museum itself. Newly renovated with all modern conveniences, the Santa Lucia hotel is a gem in Cuenca's antique building collection.
At 7h30 pm depart to one of the most important viewing-points of the City, where you will be able to enjoy an exquisite dinner full of traditional flavors and a special folkloric show that will let you taste the Andean Culture!
After breakfast we will take an hour and a half along the Pan-American Highway enjoying amazing countryside Andean landscapes, we reach the most important and well-preserved Inca complex in the country, Ingapirca, which was originally a worshipping temple for the sun. Here we do an easy walk around the ruins and visit the site museum.
Additionally, depending on the day of the week, we also visit picturesque Cañari Indian markets observing their traditional colorful customs, local artisans, beautiful churches and/or other highlights found on the way.
Depart to a visit to the old town will take us through magnificent churches, beautiful old buildings with wrought iron balconies and carved wooden doors.
Cuenca, with its colonial style and pleasant atmosphere, offers a memorable experience to its visitors. We will also ride along the Tomebamba River, while admiring the ancient houses perched on the river bank above. We will drive through some modern neighborhoods and a day view of a panoramic view of the city from the vantage point of Turi.
Lunch at local Hacienda.
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Departure to Nero, take 4x4 trucks to continue the adventure of Andean Nature in all its splendor.
Begins the drive to the farm with an expert guide, enjoying beautiful landscapes and start learning about the flora and fauna in the unsurpassed grasslands and forests of the area.
Once we arrive and after registering we will go to our first visit: The Oldest Tree, one of the highlights of the farm. Riding horses we get into the middle of a forest in which Oldest Tree is standing, this is a huge impressive tree right in the middle of a primary forest.
Then let's go for fishing, a near lake will be the place for fishing freshwater salmon, better known as "Trout" in Ecuador, which is one of the most desired fish in the region.
BBQ Diner at Hacienda Yanasacha
Relax in front of the chimney or take a refreshing Turkish-bath before a good night of sleep.
Overnight at Hacienda Yanasacha
Yanasacha, will allow us an incredible encounter with nature, a magic "face to face" with beautiful and breathtaking landscapes.
Early wake up to go for: Milking. This is a fascinating activity in which you will be able to draw with your own hands the milk for breakfast.
Outdoors exploration, a real encounter with nature. Hike downhill to a magical place the Waterfall, crystalline water invites everybody to a fresh bath. We continue the hike following the creek that forms from the cascading waters until we find the river bed Shucay.
Here is the perfect place to enjoy a flood of adrenaline. The zip line is a safe experience for everybody. No matter if you never did it before, here you will not let pass this opportunity to feel restrained by a harness and enjoy the experience in depth. Simply, unforgettable!
Riding horses we will get back to the house farm.
Lunch at Hacienda Yanasacha
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Back to Cuenca, transfer to the airport to flight back to Quito.
Transfer from the Quito airport to Sheraton Hotel or Similar
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