Personalize your journey any way you like. Detailed ItineraryPrint this page


Personalized Journeys

You decide!.


Day 1 Quito:

Upon arrival in Quito you will be met by a representative of Metropolitan Touring who will transfer you to Hostal de la Rabida, your hotel for the next 3 nights.


Day 2 Quito:

Quito Cultural Heritage private tour.

A full day tour that recounts the history of the city: its ancient pre-Columbian origins, its foundation, the Colonial and Republican periods. An immersion into the spirit of the city, its architecture, art, cuisine, religion and music - its cultural heritage.

The capital of Ecuador was the first city to be declared a cultural world heritage site by UNESCO in 1978; Quito's cultural heritage is a blend of Amerindian ancestry and Spanish influence. This walking tour is a chronological narrative of the history of Quito, since its very beginnings --with the first Pre-Columbian inhabitants-- civilizations which formed the ethnic cultural background of Ecuador centuries before the Inca Empire, like the Quitus in present-day Quito, who developed their own distinctive architecture, pottery, and religious beliefs. Drive up to an observation point for a bird's-eye view of the city's layout; and then stroll through downtown Quito, founded by the Spanish on the ruins of an Inca settlement, the best preserved Colonial historic center in Latin America. A unique opportunity to see art gems and the brilliantly restored Barroque Jesuit church. Immerse yourself in the city's vibe, mingling with the locals in its many plazas and enjoying a taste of Ecuadorian delicacies for lunch. Be part of the first struggles for Independence in South America in the early 1800's and catch a glimpse of the romantic La Ronda cobblestoned street with flowered balconies, where echoes of timeless songs of love can still be heard.

This is a walking tour at an altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet) and involves climbing stairs. Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Avoid shorts as visits to churches are included. Take a sweater even if it's a warm day as the weather can change suddenly. Good walking shoes, a raincoat and sun screen are also recommended.


Day 3 Quito:

Otavalo/Handicraft private tour.

This one-day private excursion has been designed to provide guests with an overall view of the dramatic Andean scenery, with an earlier departure to arrive in time to appreciate the activity of the Otavalo Market (the market may not be too active as it is Sunday), visit the town of Peguche and observe the weaving process at a textile workshop.

This excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America's most famous Indian fair along the Panamerican Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area.

Dress in layers and take a sweater. This tour includes walking at an altitude of 2560 meters (8434 feet). Sun protection (SPF 40). Good walking shoes. Great Photo ops.


Day 4 Amazon:

Depart Quito for the Amazon - Begin Amazon Cruise - Yasuní National Park

Departure from Quito in the morning, flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arrives to Coca after a short 30 minutes trip, transfer to the Napo River port. The motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one and a half hours; during the trip you will be provided with important information about the region. Once on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER you will start navigating down the Napo River. At dusk, your first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (a night walk, a visit to a native house or a canoe ride - this will depend on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to the location).


Day 5 Amazon:

Visit the Pañacocha Biological Corridor

You continue your navigation downstream to arrive close to the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). Upon arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There is a possibility to observe pink river dolphins, the agile common squirrel monkeys and much more. The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes are perfect habitat for the infamous piranha, the water monkey fish (Arawana) and white caimans.


Day 6 Amazon:

Visit the Observation Tower - Native House

On the third day of your cruise, you will explore the "observation tower" built around a tree, to observe the different ecosystems of the forest and a wide variety of birds. After lunch aboard the MANATEE, you will stop at a native house of the Kichwas where a native guide will help you to understand their way of life and traditions.


Day 7 Amazon:

Visit the Kapok Tree - Limoncocha Biological Reserve

In the morning you will visit one of the tallest trees of the Rainforest, the Kapok. A native guide will explain the use of medicinal plants; if time permits you will also have a visit to the CICAME Archeological Museum which preserves pottery from the Omagua Culture, one of the first forest pre-Columbian residents of the Napo River basin. This is also a good place to shop for local handicrafts made from rainforest materials. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area to find lots of birds, some monkeys and the black caiman at night. Return to the MANATEE at night.


Day 8 Quito:

Disembark the cruise and return to Quito

Return to Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours. The staff on board will advise you of the times.
You are scheduled to fly at 1000 but these flights are quite often delayed in and/or out of Quito and the Amazon.

Upon arrival in Quito you will be met by a representative of Metropolitan Touring who will transfer you to the hotel.
The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore Quito some more.

Day 9 Highlands:

Begin touring the Highlands - Indian Market - Cotopaxi National Park

A journey of exploration along back roads and hidden corners, following the Cordillera of the Andes from north to south, on Ecuador's rugged central highlands, from Quito to Cuenca. Breathtaking views, Indian communities, natural reserves, timeless archaeological remains, the cultural heritage of ancient civilizations and active travel experiences.

Early departure from Quito by private car, to the south, with a short stop to visit one of the colourful Indian markets of the area, Sangolqui market, a great introduction to the Andean way of life. Continue to visit Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 88,920 acres, around the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, which rises 5897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level. The entrance to the park is up a dirt road for approximately one and a half hours to reach the habitat of the Andean paramo or moorlands, its unique flora and fauna; a variety of high-altitude birdlife can be observed around Limpiopungo Lagoon and, occasionally, wild horses. On clear days, the Cotopaxi Volcano is the magnificent backdrop. Lunch is offered at one of the local restaurants in this lovely environment. Continue south, along valleys and mountains covered by multicolored fields, to reach the Salasaca Community, one of the most important indigenous groups in this area, who have preserved their dress and traditions, based on agriculture and tapestry weaving - with symbols and designs passed down from generation to generation in the last 500 years. They are very well organized for the development of their community. Arrive in Patate and continue through magnificent landscapes offering birds-eye views of the region, a gateway to the Llanganates National Park. For hundreds of years the Llanganatis have attracted treasure hunters, since legend claims that the treasures of the last Inca King Atahualpa were hidden here after he was captured by the Spanish conquerors, which adds to the magic and mystery of this location. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Patate.


Day 10 Highlands:

Baños - Avenue of the Cascades - Estrella del Chimborazo

After breakfast, depart towards Baños (Baths), on a **eco- road for approximately one hour/fourty five minutes, this road promises to offer spectacular views of Baños and its surroundings. Baños is located at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, the source of the thermal springs that give it its name. Baños, a very popular destination in Ecuador, is known as the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest; follow a road along the Route of the Waterfalls and experience the full force of the water at El Pailón del Diablo (the Devil's Cauldron) on a mid-difficulty trail down to the river, among lush tropical vegetation and orchids, for an impressive view (and sound) of this waterfall, among the ten largest in the world. An awesome vision from the hanging bridge right at the foot of the cascade. Lunch at one of the gorgeous hostelries near Baños and then a short walk to visit this inviting village. Start a very scenic drive up the mountains, on the Route Ambato-Guaranda, to *Estrella del Chimborazo, a cozy mountain lodge, famously known for being the base camp of the highest mountain of the world --measured from the center of the earth. Estrella del Chimborazo is located at the historical "Tambo de Totorillas", along the old "Royal Road" that linked Guayaquil and Quito, to spend the night amid the solitude and beauty of the Andean paramo. (please do not forget or bring your raincoat poncho)

Day 11 Highlands:

Guamote - Alausí - El Tambo Coyoctor - Posada de Ingapirca

After a hearty breakfast (and an early-morning walk along the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, for those in the mood), depart towards Guamote, for a short visit to Inti Sisa Foundation, a community project and Educational Center for Adults' Development and Sustainability - if Thursday, visit the colorful Indian Market at Guamote. Continue on to Alausí and southbound towards the Inca ruins of El Tambo Coyoctor, located right on the route of the Royal Road of the Incas or Qhapac Ñan, a segment of which is still seen, and along which guests can still stroll and perhaps visualize the chasquis or runners, carrying messages on knotted strings called quipus, at full speed in relay from one end of the Inca Empire to the other. Tambo Coyoctor is a massive rock outcrop, carved to form baths, showers and water channels believed to have been used in purification rituals before ceremonies of magic-religious significance. Visit the on-site interpretation center, run by the Community of El Tambo. Late afternoon arrival to Posada de Ingapirca for dinner and overnight. With the best location, right next to the Ingapirca Ruins, this rustic posada offers accommodation at the small hacienda house, with the best views of the Ingapirca valley and the closest proximity to the archeological site.


Day 12 Cuenca:

Ingapirca Inca Ruins - Cuenca city tour

After breakfast, time to leisurely explore the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex and its on-site museum. Sun-worshippers built this stone fortress on a promontory high above the Cañar valley, at an altitude of 10,595 feet (3,230 meters) above sea level, with several trapezoidal doorways and stone walls perfectly fit together, without mortar, typical of the Inca construction. There is an elliptical platform, known as the Temple of the Sun used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the barracks, the stone "Inca Face" and zoomorphic carvings. Continue due south to Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest city. The beauty of its landscape combined with the harmony between old and modern architecture, prompted UNESCO to name Cuenca a World Cultural Heritage Site. A comprehensive tour of the city includes lunch at one of its best restaurants and a visit to the Museum of the Central Bank (not open on Sundays), ending at the selected hotel for the additional days in Cuenca.

Following lunch your guide will assist you with check-in at the Hotel Carvallo. You have reservations here for the next 2 nights and you have the remainder of Tuesday and all day Wednesday to explore Cuenca.


Day 13 Cuenca:

Full day in Cuenca on your own.


Day 14 Guayaquil:

Fly to Guayaquil - City Tour and free afternoon

The visit includes the main attractions of the Port of Guayaquil, starting with the Centennial Plaza that honors the heroes of Guayaquil's independence, and then along 9th of October Boulevard to the heart of the business district of the city with the Plaza of the Administration and the striking Government and Municipal Buildings. A short stroll takes guests to the famous Moorish Clock Tower and Bolívar Park, with an equestrian statue of South America's liberator, Simón Bolívar. The latter is also called "the park of the iguanas", as here they roam undisturbed and perch on the treetops, blending perfectly with the green leaves. Beside the park is the neo-gothic Metropolitan Cathedral. Then drive to the southern end of Guayaquil's ravishing Malecon 2000 to see the Crystal Palace, the Integration Square, the Plaza of the Flags and the Plaza Olmedo, which are together, at the beginning of a 2.5 Km. (1.5 mile) waterfront, running parallel to the River Guayas and featuring historical, cultural and entertainment areas. An easy walk, past decorative elements featuring the four elements: earth, fire, water and air, leads to La Rotonda, which commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin, the liberators of South America. Then on to Barrio Las Peñas, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Guayaquil, whose wooden constructions have been beautifully restored, housing many art galleries. Drive past Guayaquil's cemetery with outstanding marble sculptures by famous Italian artists on to Urdesa residential area to end at Malecón del Salado, the latest urban regeneration project of the city.


Day 15 Galapagos:

Depart for the Galapagos - Begin 5 night/6 day Darwin's Triangle, 3 Island Tour

Please arrange to take the hotel's airport shuttle this morning for your 1020 flight to Baltra, Galapagos.

Upon arrival in the Galapagos you will be met by a representative of the Red Mangrove Inn and transferred to the Hotel which is on Santa Cruz Island in the town of Puerto Ayora. It is at the airport in the Galapagos that you pay the 100 USD per person National Park fee and the 10 USD per person admin. fee. Please have the correct change, in cash.

The transfer to the hotel is a three part process. There is a short bus ride, 10 minutes, from the airport to the channel separating Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island. Then you will take a 2 minute ferry ride across the channel. And lastly you will board a vehicle that will transfer you to the hotel, a 40 minute ride.

In the afternoon, begin your Academy Bay Tour at La Loberia, where you can snorkel with sea lions (optional). Next is a 40 minute navigation to Tortuga Bay. As we enter the white sandy beach, we have a chance to observe different marine species like sting rays and baby reef sharks in the shallow waters of the mangrove ecosystem. After swimming on the beach we take a very short hike to the marine iguana nesting site. The walk back is through a Prickly Pear forest carpeted in crimson sesuvium with black lava outcroppings home to more marine iguana colonies. Box lunch on the beach. Welcome Cocktail. Briefing and Dinner.

At the hotel they will inform you about meeting times for the rest of the Galapagos trip. You are booked on a 5 night/6 day trip in a standard room at the hotel in Puerto Ayora.


Day 16 Galapagos:

Santa Cruz, Floreana

Wake-up call at 6:30 AM. Staff will call for your luggage at 7:00 AM for transport to dock. Breakfast. 8:00 AM departure for our Tortoise Quest Tour. This tour begins with a trip to Los Gemelos (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers - an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in liverwort, large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and more. It's a wonderful introduction to the majestic power of the forces of nature and the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Afterward, we will visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. Sometimes, it's a bit muddy here, so before we set out, there is a selection of field boots to choose from, including large sizes for men, are available. You will be transported through this tropical environment by truck, and from there you walk through fields to mingle with these gentle giants. As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they sound like! After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a five-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to ramble through the remnants of one of the most powerful forces in nature...lava flows. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral-colored walls and the rippled floor formed from lava can all be experienced in this uniquely Galapagos stroll.

Return to Aventura Lodge for Lunch. 2:00 PM departure for Floreana. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours. We will arrive in Floreana at approximately 4 PM. First, we will cruise a cove called Luz del Dia (Light of Day). There is an abundance of life in this cove. You will most likely see penguins and sea lions on the steep, rocky shore and rays and tropical fish beneath the clear waters. We will continue on to the main dock in Floreana. It's not unusual to have to 'shoo' sea lions sleeping on the steps we need to ascend. On the other side of the dock are black lava rocks typically full of the amazing rich red and turquoise-colored Floreana marine iguanas. We will continue on to our Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge for check-in. Briefing and a BBQ Dinner at the Lodge at 7:30 PM.


Day 17 Galapagos:

Floreana, Isabela

Wake-up call at 6:30 AM. Staff will call for your luggage at 7:00 AM for transport to dock. Breakfast. 8:00 AM departure in an open-air bus that will transport you up to the highlands of Floreana while your Naturalist Guide begins filling you in on the history of this, the first settled island in the Galapagos. You will walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) where the spring is located, an artisan spring that attracted pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana as it was one of the very few year round sources of fresh water in the Galapagos. The Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) is quite literally where pirates carved temporary shelter out of soft stone and is also where one of the original settlers, Margret Wittmer, gave birth to a son, Rolf, who is still living. Some have almost jokingly referred to it as the 'Stonehenge' of Floreana due to its interesting shapes. Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) truly lives up to its name with a multitude of Floreana finches. It also offers spectacular views of the island and the sea below. We will visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant tortoises up close and personal. All the while, your Naturalist Guide will be pointing out the wildlife and filling you in on the colorful history of Floreana's first inhabitants, like the Baroness, and re-telling the legend of the "Floreana Mystery" which entailed the mysterious deaths of several inhabitants. It has never been solved. Departure at 11:00 AM for Isabela. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.

MID-DAY: Weather and tides permitting, as we approach Isabela by sea, we will cruise by Isla Tortuga which is chockfull of frigates, blue-footed boobies and other birds that rely on the sea for their food. If you brought binoculars, this is a good time to pull them out. We will arrive at Isabela between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. Arriving in the port is a visual feast with stunning green and turquoise water so clear, you can see sea turtles, sea lions and penguins as though looking through glass. We will check into the Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge and have a hot, wholesome lunch.

PM 2:30 PM departure to Las Tintoreras and Bay Tour. After lunch, we will board a smaller craft to head out across the port, slowing down to view blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins sharing the same rocky sunning space before turning a bend and docking. From there we take an intriguing 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. If the tide is low, they are sometimes a mere two feet below the surface. The views from here are something you may carry with you for the rest of your life! The black, treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela create the sort of afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever 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, of course, the mystery of the mangrove below the surface. Don't worry, white-tipped reef sharks are not aggressive, merely fascinating.

We'll have a bit of time to relax and shower before briefing and dinner in the Lodge at 7:00 PM.


Day 18 Galapagos:

Isabela

AM Wake-up call 6:30 AM. Breakfast. Depart for Sierra Negra at 8:00 AM. 4x4 vehicles will drive us up through the transitional zone and into the humid highlands that are the slopes of Volcan Sierra Negra to the point of where vehicles can go no further. Here, we will mount horses to continue our journey. Horses are tame, trail horses. However, there is the option to walk. The trail is quite muddy, and it does take a bit longer on foot. After a gorgeous ride / hike, we arrive at the caldera of Sierra Negra, the second largest in the world at four miles across. The views are breathtaking! We will relax a bit and have a snack on the edge of the caldera. For the more hardy of the group, the option exists to walk an especially difficult hour further to Volcan Chico, where fumarole activity is abundant, and again, the views are spectacular. This is not an easy hike, however, as it is mostly across lava fields on slopes.

PM After returning from Sierra Negra, we will have a late lunch at the Lodge, around 2:30. We will then have a free afternoon. Most people are ready to catch up on a bit of rest and relaxation at this point in the tour. Many prefer to laze on the beautiful beach or climb on the rocks to take photos of the marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. If you wish, near the main dock of Isabela is a beautiful walk through the mangrove that leads to an area known as Concha de Perla. In the shallow waters there is a sea turtle "cleaning station." It's a great place to snorkel and see these creatures from a few feet away. Briefing and dinner in the Lodge at 7:00 PM.


Day 19 Galapagos:

Isabela, Santa Cruz

AM Wake-up call 6:30 AM. Staff will call for your luggage at 7:00 AM for transport to dock.

Breakfast. 8:00 AM departure for tour. We begin with a drive out of town along the most beautiful white sand, palm-lined beach in the whole of the Galapagos, Long Beach. This travel magazine cover stretches on for 3 kilometers before we hit the National Park and begin with a stop to walk up the stairs for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. As you drive down the road, you will very likely see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road. And don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you. You will visit the Muro de Las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), built by the backbreaking effort of prisoners of a penal colony by carrying jagged volcanic rock great distances during construction. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards. The males are larger and striped, and the females red-throated. If you visit during breeding season, be careful not to step on or disturb the many nests along this trail. They appear as holes that a gopher might have dug, but in fact are nests. Birds are also incredibly abundant and your Naturalist Guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island, with several sub-species as lava fields created a barrier that limited their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat-backed (so-called "tabletop" shells) of Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. At roughly 11:00 AM, we will depart Isabela for Santa Cruz. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.

PM We arrive into Puerto Ayora around 12:30 / 1:00 PM. We will check into the Aventura Lodge and have lunch. We depart at 3:00 PM for a 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. Dinner is at 7:00 PM at the Aventura Lodge.


Day 20 Quito:

Depart Galapagos - return to Quito

Red Mangrove staff will advise you of the departure time for the airport. Your flight departs at 1140, so I expect you will be leaving the hotel around 0830.

DEPARTURE: You will need to depart 3 hours before your flight in order to be assured of arriving back at the Baltra Airport the requested 1.5 hours before your flight. You will be transported from the hotel to the airport and accompanied on the ferry over to the airport and assisted the whole way with your baggage. Before entering the gate to depart, you will need to present the part of your Migratory Control card that you have carefully guarded and now have handy for the Immigration officer.

EQ 190 departing Baltra/Galapagos at 1140, arriving in Quito at 1440. Again, there is a time change, ahead one hour, to the mainland. This flight is 2:00 in length as you are travelling to Quito.

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met by a representative of Metropolitan Touring and transferred to Hostal de la Rabida where you will stay for one night. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore a bit more of Quito.


Day 21 Departure:

Transfer to Quito airport for your return home

You will be met by a representative of Metropolitan Touring for the transfer to the airport for your flight.

Duration:

Max Group Size: Any size!

Accomodations:

Price: