Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands

Welcome to Ecuador! 

Upon arrival into Quito, a representative will meet you in arrivals and transfer you to the hotel located in the old town. This will be late at night due to the flight arrival time.

Today you will embark on a Six Senses Tour of Quito which is a unique adventure that will take you for a ride through the winding streets of Quito downtown. With your local guide, you we will discover the traditions, history and local life of this charming city by visiting artisan shops, chocolate factories, and more.

You will end the tour with a cocktail on the rooftop of a ancestral house which offer a breathtaking views of the Panecillo hill surrounded by the old city.

This morning you will leave Quito and depart for a 3 hour drive into the Northern Andes passing through beautiful valleys.

Arrive at your accommodation, a 17th century historic and picturesque estate offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Lunch at the hotel before check-in. Afternoon at leisure.

Options activities at an additional cost:

• Hiking
• Cycling
• Cooking Class
• Embroidery 
• Massages

Dinner at the hotel included.

This morning, you will head to the Cuicocha crater lake to enjoy a short hike near the lake.  Cuicocha crater lake is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, which range in color from deep blue to emerald green, depending on the angle of the sunlight and the surrounding vegetation.

Boxed lunch provided. 

Next you will make a spot at the Indian market of Otavalo; hundreds of years old and famous throughout the Andes for its handcrafts, textiles and tapestries. Visit the food, fruits, vegetables and craft markets. 

This morning you will enjoy a two-hour horseback ride with a local guide from the Hacienda. This is a unique opportunity to explore the stunning Andean countryside. All rides include a tasty snack, complimented with our handmade fruit juice. 

Horseback riding has been a Plaza family tradition for over a hundred years. Hacienda Zuleta is known for its beautiful Zuleteño horses - a unique mixture between the Spanish-Andalusian, Thoroughbred and American Quarter horse. The outcome of this crossbreeding is a robust and noble Andean horse with the perfect disposition for trail-riding.

Back at the hotel on time for check-out. Depart to Quito to prepare for the start of our Galapagos Cruise on next day, which incurs on an early morning.

Today morning, take the complimentary shuttle to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. 

Upon arrival to the airport in San Cristobal, you will be greeted by our staff and transfer to your yacht for lunch. There are a max of 16 passengers on this yacht. The Captain & crew are ready to show you around your home for the next 4 nights. 

You'll head out on the waters towards your first location this afternoon. 

PM - Kicker Rock

This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, circumnavigation and dinghy rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life. 

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: No Landing
Highlights & Animals: Sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue- footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigate birds.

AM - North Seymour

In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.41 km)
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land & marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef sharks, fish, garden eels.

PM - South Plaza Island

This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. 

Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs.

AM - Rabida Island

You will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. 

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride & short hike (0, 6 miles / 1km)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colourful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, pelicans.

PM - Bartholome Island

You will head to Bartholome Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & hiking (1.2 miles/ 2 km)
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry & Wet Landings
Highlights & Animals: Pinnacle Rock, panoramic view, moonlike landscape, penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus; snorkeling: penguins, reef sharks, rays, and great colorful fish.

AM - Sullivan Bay

You will visit Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows. 

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava flows, small volcanoes.

PM - Dragon Hill

Situated on Santa Cruz Island, Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. One of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails will lead visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted.

Possible Activities: Panga ride & short hike Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Dry Landing Highlights & Animals: Land iguana nesting spot, Galapagos flamingos, common stilts, palo santo trees and cacti forest

AM - Twin Craters

You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

Possible Activities: Walking and scape viewing
Difficulty: Easy Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Pit craters, Scalesia Forest

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Balta airport in time for your flight back to Quito.

We have included a day use room at the Wyndham airport hotel (free shuttle provided by the hotel to the airport).