QUITO, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m and boasts the largest and best preserved historic center in the Americas.
Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it was named UNESCO 1st World Cultural Heritage city. It’s colonial center is rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church.
Flights typically arrive in Quito around midnight. Here you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your boutique hotel, home for the next 3 nights.
EXCURSIONS
Enjoy a full day tour of Colonial Quito, a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city´s many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best preserved colonial centers in all South America and its integrity was assured in 1978 as a United Nations World Cultural Heritage site.
Your tour begins with a visit to Capilla del Hombre, a purpose-built art museum dedicated to the peoples of Latin America. The magnificent three-level cultural complex, with its stone exterior and modern interior galleries, houses a dramatic collection of Oswaldo Guayasamín's work, including the painting "Tears of Blood," depicting the struggle against political oppression. An eternal flame in the temple's lower level is dedicated to those who died defending human rights. Guayasamín (1919 – 1999), one of Ecuador’s greatest artists is buried on the property, beneath a tree he planted, renamed "El Arbol de la Vida" (The Tree of Life).
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Quito's downtown, built on ancient Incan ruins, and the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel along the oldest street of the city, La Ronda, which used to be the home of musicians and poets. Experience the traditions of the city first by learning about the different local spices that are used for the typical Ecuadorian gastronomy, visiting the house of handicrafts - metal and wood handmade for the traditional churches and for furniture. Tasting and tips are not included.
Then visit Independence Square, which is surrounded by historical buildings. Visit the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century), one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, Not to be missed are the Church of San Francisco and Monastery, built a few months after the arrival of the Spaniards (XVI Century).
Continue on to the viewpoint at Panecillo Hill and stand beside the giant winged Virgin statue to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains and volcanos, before returning to your hotel.
Take a morning tour northwest of Quito to the “Middle of the World” where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Visit the Mitad del Mundo monument built in honour of the XVIII century French scientific expedition that determined the exact location of the equator line. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural museum, located in the exact crossing of the Equator Line, and learn about the ‘Coriolis Effect’, which demonstrates the effect of gravity in both hemispheres.
Stop off at an artisanal chocolate factory to learn more about the Ecuadorian fine aroma cocoa and also about the chocolate making process. No visit is complete with some chocolate tasting to sweeten your day.
Your afternoon at leisure in Quito may include a ride on the Telefériqo cable car, which scales the side of Pichincha Volcano and offers a breathtaking perspective of the capital city sprawled at the foot of snow-covered peaks.
A spot of shopping perhaps? Strikingly colorful pottery, rugs and eye-catching Incanesque jewelry made by indigenous artisans from across Ecuador are sold in independent boutiques, such as Olga Fisch. Large crafts markets are fun, hectic and convenient, but keep and eye out for poor-quality goods.
THE AMAZON
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport in time for your flight into the Amazon region, from where you will travel by road to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.
From “El Puente” (the bridge) the journey continues for another 2 hours by motorized canoe, enjoying the wide variety of flora and fauna along the Cuyabeno River before arriving at Tapir Lodge (or similar) around dusk for your 3 night stay.
Discover the very essence of being in contact with the virgin forest by spending the next 3 days at Tapir Lodge, built in partnership with the family members of the local Siona Community, who still have the same customs, dress, houses, food, natural medicine and celebrations they always had. In order to meet the required and appropriate ecological standards, Tapir Lodge shares with them the eco-tourism activities and profits. This in turn allows you to enjoy excellent facilities in the heart of the Amazonian Rainforest.
Tapir Lodge consists of 3 towers (tree houses), each with 4 to 6 comfortable double rooms featuring private bathrooms with hot running water, bio-degradable soap and shampoo, purified drinking water and insects nets.
Facilities at the lodge include a dining room, a bar offering a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a lounge with comfortable sofas and hammocks, and the stargazing octagon.
Morning and afternoon excursions from the lodge include:
- Navigating upstream by motorized canoe towards “Laguna Grande” (Big Lake), while looking for monkeys, pink river dolphins, caymans, Morphos (giant blue butterflies) and many more species of flora and fauna. For the brave-hearts there is an opportunity to swim in the lake with Piranhas – a refreshing experience!
- Trekking along the Palma Roja (Red Palm) path for an up-close encounter with primary rainforest.
- Travelling downstream by motorized canoe and search for exotic birds such as Toucans, a variety of Macaws, blue-tailed Emeralds, Hoatzins and Amazon Kingfishers, to name a few.
- Visiting the village of Puerto Bolivar, home to the Siona people. Here you will have the opportunity to make Bannock bread from the root of a plant and to meet the local Shaman and his family. If you like you can even participate in a healing ceremony.
THE CLOUD FOREST
After breakfast depart from Tapir Lodge and return to ‘the bridge’ by motorized canoe. Your private driver will be waiting to take you back to the airport for the flight to Quito.
From here you will be driven deep into the Cloud Forest, known for its beautiful scenery and waterfalls, mind-boggling bird watching opportunities and more orchids than you thought possible.
The Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve is a 2,000-acre certified conservation area on the North-Western slopes of the Andean mountain range and is located 85 km from the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito. This is ideal for anyone who wants to discover wild places, anyone who loves forests.
Experience the cloud forest from Bellavista Lodge (or similar) in the middle of the Mindo Cloud Forest, a rustic and extraordinary place, situated on a 700ha reserve right inside a beautiful forest. Built in a dramatic dome shape it has stunning views down the hillsides into the valley below.
This simple lodge offers all the comforts of home: hot showers, comfortable beds, friendly staff, plenty of relaxation, and delicious food including the finest in Ecuadorian and international cuisine (vegetarian, trout, chicken) and refreshments.
Check in here for your two-night stay, all meals and guided walks included.
OTAVALO & THE HIGHLANDS
After breakfast you will be transferred to Otavalo, host to one of the most important markets in the Andes. The market tradition stretches back to pre-Incan times, when traders would emerge from the jungle on foot, ready to conduct business. These days the market has morphed into a broader cultural crossroads and has become something of a must-see destination for tourists from around the globe.
Indigenous people from the surrounding villages still wear traditional clothing – women in embroidered white blouses, long wool skirts, fachalinas (headcloths), woven belts, canvas sandals and strands of beads; and men in felt hats, blue ponchos and calf-length pants, hair braided in one long strand.
Today vendors hawk a dizzying array of handmade traditional crafts as well as an ever-increasing number of slyly disguised imports, but despite the mercantile focus, the vibe is friendly and relaxed.
Later you will be taken to a historic Hacienda to savour 3 days here, relaxing and exploring your surroundings.
Dating from the late XVI century, the farm and hotel are located in the spectacular Andean mountain range of Ecuador at 9,600 feet (2,800 meters) above the sea level, and only two hours north of Quito. This is a colonial working farm of 4,000 acres (2,000 hectares) that belongs to the family of a former president of Ecuador.
The hacienda has 14 beautifully decorated bedrooms, all with their own fire place; manicured gardens and cozy living and reading rooms offer a peaceful atmosphere. Delicious farm-to-table cuisine is prepared with organic vegetables, trout and dairy products produced on the hacienda.
The hacienda offers a great variety of activities and places to visit to its guests, from horseback riding, mountain bikes and a horse drawn carriage for trips on hacienda grounds to observing the daily agricultural activities. This is a place to relax and enjoy the mountain views and the tranquil life of the community.
You have access to 1.700 hectares of farmed land in production, cheese factory, orchard, vermiculture, milking, sheep. and 60 km of self guided paths of the gardens, lagoon and surrounding area. From here you can also visit
- the Condor rehabilitation program “Condor Huasi Project” which works for the rehabilitation of the majestic Andean Condor
- and the Caranqui archeological site and chapel
Foundation projects include a community library and embroidery shop and you can enjoy a self-guided community visit, including embroidery shop, museum, saddle workshop, etc.
An early morning return to Quito airport for your 3 hour flight to the Galapagos Islands. On arrival at Baltra airport your naturalist guide will greet you and take you to the M/C Galapagos Endemic (or similar), anchored 2km away off Bachas Beach. After settling into to your cabin you'll enjoy a scrumptious lunch, followed by a short safety and emergency protocol briefing before beginning your eight day/seven night Galapagos Islands cruise.
GALAPAGOS - suggested itinerary:
- Day 1 - Baltra, Santa Cruz
PM - Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz - Day 2 - Genovesa (Tower) Island
AM - Darwin Bay
PM - El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps) - Day 3
AM - Santa Cruz Island: Twin Craters / Highlands, Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels
PM - Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay - Day 4 - Isabela Island
AM - Sierra Negra Volcano
PM - Wetlands / Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center / Wall of Tears - Day 5 - Isabela Island
AM - Elizabeth Bay
PM - Urbina Bay - Day 6
AM - Isabela Island: Tagus Cove
PM - Fernandina Island: Espinosa Point - Day 7
AM - Santiago Island: Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
PM - Rábida Island, also known as Jervis Island - Day 8
AM - Mosquera Islet
PM - Transfer to Baltra Airport
For the detailed itinerary visit https://endemicluxurygalapagoscruise.com/endemic-galapagos-itinerary-a/
During the cruise an island visit usually includes either a walk on land, or snorkeling, or both.
Return to Baltra Island, where your Galapagos cruise comes to an end. Transfer to Baltra airport in time for the flight back to Quito, where you will arrive in the late afternoon, connecting to your overnight flights back home.
Dayroom at a Quito airport hotel
