Treasures of Ecuador
Combining a luxury cruise with stays in the Andes and in the Amazon
In Brief
| Quito - 2 nights. Otavalo - 1 night. Quito - 1 night. Galapagos cruise - 6 nights. Quito - 1 night. Amazon - 3 nights. Quito - 1 night. Flight - 1 night |
Day 1Fly from London Heathrow via Madrid to Quito (2,850 metres) and transfer to the 5-star Hotel Hilton Colon for two nights.
Day 2 Morning walking tour explores the Spanish colonial churches and monasteries of Quito’s well-preserved historic centre.
Day 3 Make a two-day expedition into the Ecuadorian Andes with a scenic drive taking in Guayllabamba Gorge, San Pablo Lake and the Taita Imbabura rock formations with lunch at a restaurant. Continue to the handicrafts centre of San Antonio and visit the weaving village of Peguche. Dine and overnight at the 17th-century Hacienda Cusin.
Day 4 Visit the volcanic crater Lake of Cuicocha and stop at the leather centre of Cotacachi before arriving at the Indian market in Otavalo. After lunch return to Quito for overnight.
Day 5 Fly to the Galapagos Islands to join the MV Galapagos Explorer II. Afternoon visit to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island.
Day 6 Sail to Bartolomé Island to enjoy its volcanic features and colonies of Galapagos penguins and fur seals. Afternoon visit to Espumilla Beach on Santiago Island.
Day 7 Visit Isabela, the largest island of the group, and Fernandina, the youngest island and the most volcanically active. Colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions will be visited. Pelicans, flightless cormorants and Galapagos hawks can be seen.
Day 8 Return to Isabela Island to explore Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay.
Day 9 Visit to Floreana Island includes Post Office Bay, a historic site that recalls the days of the whalers coming to the Galapagos for tortoises and water supplies.
Day 10 Visit San Cristóbal Island where giant tortoises and sea lions can be viewed.
Day 11 Morning visit to Santa Cruz Island. Disembark and fly to Quito via Guayaquil for an overnight stay at the 5-star Hotel Hilton Colon.
Day 12 Drive into Ecuador’s Amazonian region (5 hrs) and arrive at the Napo River and the Cotococha Lodge, for a three-night stay. From March 2012, take a 45-minute flight over the Andes to the port town of Coca. On arrival, enjoy a motorboat ride (2 hrs 30 mins) on the Napo River with a packaged lunch en route, then take a 30-minute walk via a raised boardwalk and a short canoe ride before arriving at the Sacha Lodge for three nights.
Days 13 & 14 Take part in a range of excursions, exploring the surrounding rainforest.
Day 15 Return to Quito for overnight.
Day 16 Fly from Quito to London Heathrow via Madrid.
Day 17 Arrive Heathrow.
Note: In 2013, an extra night on the cruise is included.
The itinerary will operate in a different sequential
order. Call for further details.
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