10 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America
Ecuador has some of the most romantic sceneries to print those special moments we will recall for the rest of our lives. Huge mountains, waterfalls, sandy beaches, green forests, exuberant vegetation, and varied wildlife will frame every picture you will take during the program, remembering it as ... Read More
By Karem and Responsible
Physical Difficulty
Recommended Age
Operated in
GUIDANCE
starting point
trip type
trip attributes
Hiking
Snorkeling/Diving
Meet local people
Outdoors & Nature
Start/End
Night
Middle of the World, equator line
Natural hot springs
Quilotoa crater -lagoon
Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands
Middle of the World, equator line
Natural hot springs
Quilotoa crater -lagoon
Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands
TOURIST CLASS
Accommodation Categories
TRANSFER IN QUITO
Our tour begins at the moment of arrival in Ecuador, a specialized guide will pick us up at the Mariscal Sucre airport on the outskirts of the city of Quito to accompany us to our hotel.
QUITO CITY LINE
After breakfast, you will go to discover the largest colonial city in America, characterized by an eclectic architecture that ranges from the most modern neighborhoods to the old historic neighborhoods. The Basilica del Voto Nacional church and Plaza de la Independencia are flanked by the Presidential Palace and the Archbishop's Palace, dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. But the spirit of Quito can also be felt when strolling through its streets, surrounded by excellent evidence of the Spanish Renaissance. The path of the seven crosses, the Jesuit Convent, the Sagrario church, bear witness to this, together with the baroque Jesuit temple, and Piazza San Francesco, a true open-air museum. In the afternoon departure to the "Middle of the World", 45 minutes north of Quito, this is where the equatorial line passes, marking exactly latitude 00° 00'00. You can visit the Ethnographic Museum where interesting photographs of the local fauna and flora, uses and customs of the different ethnic groups are kept.
Meals: Breakfast
QUITO-PAPALLACTA-QUITO
After breakfast, you will leave towards the northeastern part of Quito crossing beautiful mountains (more than 4000 meters), after approximately an hour and a half on the way, you will arrive at Papallacta in a small town at 3300 meters above sea level, surrounded by splendid landscapes, on clear days you can admire the snowy tip of the Antisana volcano (1753 m). They will walk around the Papallacta River, where they will be able to observe the species of flora and fauna of the place. They can then relax in the volcanic pools. These outdoor hot springs have various benefits due to its minerals that will help gently exfoliate the skin and relax the body. They enjoy additional services such as facials, massages and aromatherapy (for an additional cost). At the end of this experience.
Meals: Breakfast
QUITO – QUILOTOA – QUITO
After breakfast, they will leave for the province of Cotopaxi, to go to the Quilotoa, which is an inactive volcano located at 3914 meters west of the Andes within the Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. However, its most impressive attraction is the turquoise lagoon that rests in its crater, with a depth of 250 meters, this caldera has become one of the most popular destinations in Ecuador. Quilotoa is believed to have been one of the last resting places on the Sacred Inca Trail for the indigenous leader Atahualpa, the last king of the Inca Empire. The Quilotoa lagoon is in the TOP 20 of the most beautiful lagoons in the world!
Meals: Breakfast
TRANSFER IN SAN CRISTOBAL – INTERPRETATION CENTER – CERRO TIJERETAS
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a specialized guide, who will take you to the Hotel. In the afternoon they will visit the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center, where they will find information on the origin of the islands and their endemic species. Then they will make a visit to Cerro Tijeretas where it is possible to observe blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, frigatebirds, among other birds.
Meals: Breakfast
KICKER ROCK
After breakfast, you will go to the Sleeping Lion Islet. León Dormido is a rock formation located west of San Cristóbal, which is approximately an hour's walk away. During the route, you will cross an area of arid vegetation, a substrate of volcanic rocks and an area of sand. The name of this islet is because its shape is very similar to a sleeping sea lion. In this place it is possible to snorkel and swim with a colony of sea lions, beautiful sea turtles and schools of white tip sharks, black tip sharks and Galapagos sharks, you will also be able to observe birds such as frigatebirds, blue footed boobies and lava gulls. The box lunch will be served after this visit. In the afternoon you can enjoy a walk through the beautiful silver and relax time. Return to San Cristobal.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks
TRANSFER TO SANTA CRUZ – HIGHLANDS– CHARLES DARWIN STATION
After breakfast, they will go to Santa Cruz to visit the upper part of the island. On the way we will observe the change of vegetation, from a dry vegetation in the lower part to a tropical humid forest in the upper part. The characteristic trees in the upper part are the Escalecias and the Palo Santo. In the upper part is the Rancho Primicias, a place that we will visit to observe the famous giant tortoises in their natural environment. After the tour we will enjoy a typical lunch at the ranch. We will continue our journey towards an impressive tunnel almost 300 meters deep, formed by lava flows (the outer part of the lava cooled faster than the inner part and formed this tunnel). Then we will visit the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) which is part of a network of local and national institutions that support the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAILY TOUR (Subject to availability)
We will have breakfast and then we will make an excursion to one of the following islands: Seymour Norte, Plazas Sur or Bartholomew. OPTION 1: NORTH SEYMOUR After breakfast, we will go to the Itabaca Canal towards North Seymour. North Seymour is a small island in the Galapagos, with endemic populations of both flora and fauna species, for example, the royal frigatebird and the blue-footed booby, if we are lucky we can witness the interesting mating rituals of these species. Frigatebirds have interesting mating rituals; the frigatebird inflates its red throat sac, and the blue-footed booby performs a kind of singular dance. North Seymour Island also has a thriving colony of land iguanas and sea lions just offshore. On this island we will walk through various trails to appreciate its wildlife for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. We will enjoy our box lunch. We will have the option of living an unrepeatable experience when snorkeling, it is common to see hammerhead sharks, turtles and a great variety of reef fish. OPTION 2: SOUTH PLACES After breakfast, we will go to the Itabaca canal towards South Plazas. Our navigation will last approximately 2 hours, when disembarking we will be able to observe one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the archipelago, land iguanas can be observed. Along our walk through Plazas, it is common to find land iguanas and birds such as: blue-footed boobies, nesting swallow-tailed gulls, frigatebirds and pelicans. Depending on the season, the vegetation changes its color from deep green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season. OPTION 3: BARTHOLOMEW After breakfast, we will go to the Itabaca canal towards Batholomew. Once in Bartholomew, we will walk along a lunar-like volcanic trail until we reach the highest part of the island with the aim of observing the landscape that includes Santiago Island, the immense ocean and the white sand beach surrounded by green mangroves. Which contrasts with the lava rocks. During o
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
TRANSFER OUT – ARRIVAL IN QUITO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Arrival to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a specialized guide, who will take you to the Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
TRANSFER OUT
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Meals
Transport
Activities
Extras
Not Included
TEAM LEAD
+1 Local experts
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4.95 (22 reviews)
Hiking
Snorkeling/Diving
Visit markets
Meet local people
Indigenous culture
Kayaking
Rafting
Outdoors & Nature
Hi, I am Karem, your local expert for your next adventure in South America! I´ve worked and lived in various locations in Ecuador including Galapagos and the Amazon Jungle. Lately, I enjoy connecting with Nature by peaceful trekking in the mountains
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