The Best of Ecuador

Day notes

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be warmly welcomed by an &Beyond representative who will meet you and drive you to your hotel. 

Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world.  Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire, before being destroyed and re-founded by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. The colonial center - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 - is one of the largest and best preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches and art galleries.

Day notes

Our city tour begins downtown, passing through the modern section of Quito towards the city's historic district. Sit in Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and City Hall. Stroll past El Sagrario Church and marvel at the exquisite stone facade of La Compañía Church. Visit the San Francisco Church, built over the ruins of an Inca Palace in the 16th century. Ride up the road to the Panecillo or the Itchimbia hills for breathtaking views of Quito.   

Delight in a wonderful chocolate tasting in Galeria Ecuador, and learn the process of transforming the cacao plant into a delicious treat. Enjoy an interactive game, where kids and adults can practice how to sow cacao, and finally cultivate the cacao plant. Delve into the art of this decadent plant and create chocolate truffles. You will be given cooking implements and a variety of ingredients such as cinnamon, salt from Cusco, chocolate nibs, peanuts, almonds, cacao, sugar, etc. A guide specialised in chocolate, will teach you how to prepare it and in just a few minutes you will have your own tasty truffles.

After your chocolate fix, you will be driven to the Cafe Plaza Grande where you will enjoy a traditional cooking class. You will have the opportunity to learn from a professional chef how to prepare ‘ceviche’ and the famous ‘helado de paila', ice cream made with fresh pulp fruits and rudimentary Ecuadorian tools, considered one of the most famous dishes in Ecuador. The chef will guide you in the preparation of the fish and shrimps that will be served with a special sauce made with tomato, onions, coriander, lemon juice, orange juice, and spices. Once the ceviche is ready, you will continue with the ‘helado de paila’, that offers an incredibly distinct flavour. Enjoy eating the delicious lunch you have helped prepare.

Continue to the Equatorial Monument, built as a tribute to the French scientists who determined the shape of the earth in the 1700s. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, where the colorful way of life of the different ethnic groups of Ecuador is on display, or visit the Intiñan interactive museum, which shows the different theories of the Incas in determining the middle of the world.

Day notes

At 08h30 you will be met by the Mashpi Guide and driven to Mindo Valley, which is a 3-hour drive north-west to the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, which extends over 1,300 hectares (3212 acres) and is a haven for wildlife and biodiversity.

The remarkable new award-winning Mashpi Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve. At 15h30 gather in the lobby to head to the first trail. This trail starts at the side of the road, with areas where the forest is regenerating and large patches of pristine forest. For this reason the trail is ideal to explain the ecological succession processes and the importance of forest conservation for the Chocó region. This trail is of great scenic beauty and toward the end of the trail you will find a unique attraction, a forest of ‘iron palm’ (Iriartea deltoidea), whereby wood is used in different ways, mostly in house construction.

This is also a very good trail for bird watching. It is a moderate to difficult trail and the excursion will take about two hours.

Day notes

Enjoy a full-day of activities available at the reserve.

Air Tram (Canopy Gondola): The highlight of any trip to Mashpi is the canopy gondola or air tram. The four gondolas will take you through and above the canopy to an exciting exploration of the reserve.

The air tram consisting of two stations, six towers (with an intermediate station, which you can embark and disembark), and four gondolas which are arranged and separated by a distance of 500m (0.31 mi.) were designed to explore the forest from within. The gondolas travels through a cable 2000m (1.24mi.) long at low speed (3 km per hour to 50 m per min) and on certain occasions, the guides can stop the gondola allowing a longer observation of flora and fauna. Each lap takes about 40 minutes to complete.

The entire system was designed to combine some trails with a gondola ride. Each gondola accommodates four people and a guide.

Life Centre: Located near the lodge, the Life Centre was conceived as a place for learning and discovering, but also where you can disconnect, and admire the scenery from a comfortable lazy chair.

Learn about the many butterflies found in this region and observe the process of metamorphosis from eggs into beautiful butterflies. About 200 species of butterflies have been identified to date in the reserve, and about a dozen can be seen in the centre.

In the centre is a small orchard with medicinal and ornamental plants and many varieties of shrubs and fruit trees, including banana and plantain, cassava and cocoa. This attracts all kinds of wildlife, from birds to mammals which can be observed from the large wooden deck. Most of the interpretation in the centre will be provided by local and naturalist guides or people from the local community who get involved in the project. You will find several of the ingredients from this orchard in the dishes prepared in the restaurant.

Trails: Within the reserve are 11 trails, where you can enjoy   nature walks accompanied by a bilingual naturalist guide and a local guide, who will teach you about the wildlife, plants, insects and animal of this biodiverse forest.

Due to the mountainous topography of Mashpi, the trails have steep slopes, and for that reason recycled plastic crates have been placed in order to make steps. Most of the trails are of moderate difficulty, but the incline of these trails is an advantage because the slopes allow more light to penetrate into the different strata of the forest, increasing the diversity of plants and animals that can be observed at every level.

Observation Tower: One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Mashpi is from the observation tower. From here, you can see the wonderful view of the canopy and the complex structure of the tropical forest, and on a clear day you can see the lodge immersed within the forest. The tower is a metal structure with a staircase that rises about eight floors (26m/85ft), an ideal point for the wildlife lovers. The species spotted from here include toucans, woodpeckers, tanagers and parrots as well as birds of prey.

Night Walks: The Mashpi Forest transforms at night, with more activity than during the day. Optional night walks can be taken before or after dinner where you can discover nocturnal creatures and their behaviors. Observe insects of all sizes, glass frogs, tree frogs, nocturnal birds or mammals, and the glowing bioluminescence of a mushroom. It's a magical world on a micro level that is rarely explored, and is ready to be discovered in the company of experts.

Sky Bike: Located near the hotel, Sky bike offers an original and exciting way to explore the forest canopy up close. Designed for two people to use it simultaneously, a person pedals the bike along the cable that runs between two points in the woods, with a distance of about 200m (656ft), crossing a ravine on a river flowing between rocks and trees. Quiet, easy to use and fun, it is an activity for everyone, providing you the opportunity to observe the natural world near the lodge.

Refreshing Waterfalls: Water is essential for life on Mashpi, and there is nothing more refreshing than a dip at the end of a hike. Several rivers flow through the reserve forming various sized waterfalls and pools. The water temperature varies between 18 and 20°C.

Day notes

After breakfast enjoy a variety of activities at the reserve. (As above). 

Day notes

After an early breakfast, you can enjoy a last excursion in the cloud forest, after which you will return to the lodge for check out.

Receive a box lunch, and be driven back to Quito by the Mashpi guide and vehicle.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Day notes

After breakfast will be picked up and driven to the airport.

After taking a short 30- minute flight from Quito to the Amazon city of Coca, located in the Province of San Francisco de Orellana, you will be driven to the dock to board the motorised canoe on a journey down the river. For approximately an hour and a half, take in the first sights and sounds of the Amazon. Reach the Anakonda Amazon Cruises and be welcomed aboard.

Once you have settled into the Anakonda Amazon Cruises, you will be joined by expert local naturalist guides who will provide you with a brief and informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon, after which you will have an opportunity to discover the exciting features of the cruise ship: spacious social areas, comfortable suites, and the observation deck that allows you to admire the changing rainforest landscape as you glide down the Napo River.

After dinner, plunge straight into the Amazon by going for a nighttime forest walk to observe the forest’s nocturnal activity and experience the thrill of the vivid noises and aromas that come from such prolific biodiversity.

Day notes

The heart of the Yasuni National Park

Early in the morning, visit Yasuni National Park. This is a pristine and relatively undisturbed region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. You will be pleased to learn that this is the home of the legendary Amazon River dolphin, known as the pink river dolphin. In this area you can also find anacondas, river turtles and various primate species, as well as the colorful Hoatzin, a unique bird that is known locally as the ‘Stinky Turkey’.

Later in the afternoon, go canoeing in a blackwater lake, home to giant otters and the magnificent, albeit elusive manatee. Enjoy a pleasant hike in the Riparian/Gallery Forest, where you will have the chance to spot a flock of birds and marvel at the intricate organization of a colony of leaf-cutter ants by the ‘Giant Fig Tree’, a truly majestic tree that is home to an abundance of wildlife, much like the ‘Giant Kapok Tree’.

Day notes

Quechua family and life on board

Start the day off by visiting an authentic Quechua family located on the banks of the Napo River. Immerse yourself in their culture and gain insight into their way of life from the local community.

Board the Manatee Amazon Explorer for lunch and some leisure time as you continue your navigation upstream. Delight in exciting onboard experiences and participate in a cooking class with the expert chef who will share recipes and techniques using fresh and organic ingredients to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food that you can replicate at home. You are also invited to try your hand at making traditional handicrafts or enjoy the onboard facilities including a relaxing massage at the Rainforest Spa, the spectacular ever-changing scenery view from the hot tub, a delicious cocktail at the bar and lounge, admiring the amazing sunset, or stargazing at night from the Observation Deck Lounge. For the actively inclined enjoy a kayaking activity gliding through the shimmering waters. There is an option for everyone!

If you feel like a glamping experience, luxury camping, this is an alternative way to explore this enchanting destination. (Optional activity for the 5 & 8 days Itinerary).

Day notes

Forest adventure and Observation Tower canopy

Relax on the cruise this morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest to discover myriad wildlife and plant species that can only be found in the Amazon basin.

In the afternoon, visit a canopy tower, built against a giant Kapok tree. The perspective at the top of this observation tower is truly glorious, looming above the lush treetops and providing a view of the sheer vastness of the Amazon Basin.

In the evening, bravely venture into the river on a canoe to search for black caimans with the help of flashlights.

Day notes

This is where your adventure on the cruise ends. Enjoy the last part of your return journey onboard and then disembark the Anakonda Amazon Cruise to take the motorised canoe back to Coca (one-and-a-half-hour ride).

Upon arrival you will be picked up by your private &Beyond guide and driven to the hotel directly.

Day notes

After breakfast you will be collected for your flight to the Galápagos.

Upon arrival at Baltra Island Airport you will be picked up by the Endemic guide and driven onboard the boat.

Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island

Visit Dragon Hill located in the north-western part of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will have the opportunity to walk the island and view the land iguana. Be among these magnificent reptiles, that just a few decades ago were on the brink of extinction. Moreover, at Dragon Hill you will see a flamingos’ lagoon, pintail ducks and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. After a short trek, amazing view awaits you up the hill. Enjoy offshore snorkelling before returning to the yacht.

Day notes

Kicker Rock, off San Cristobal Island

Witch Hill, San Cristobal Island

The first spot to be visited is Kicker Rock, an impressive geological formation due to erosion. This is a nesting place for sea birds and a plethora of curious sea lions, and marine life can be found here such as fish, turtles, sharks and rays. This is a great spot for snorkelling and taking photographs.

The next attraction to see is Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill located south-west from San Cristobal. This name comes from the Spanish name of the bird known in English as Vermilion flycatcher.

A zodiac ride will take you into amazing rock formations along the island shore. A white sand beach and crystal – clear waters are part of this enchanted location. Here is another fantastic opportunity for snorkelling.

Lobos Island, off San Cristobal Island

In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lobos Island, where a small population of blue – footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds nesting can be observed. Snorkelling with sea lions in this calm bay is also part of this adventurous excursión.

Day notes

Osborn and Gardner Islets, off Española Island

Gardner Bay, Española Island

Gardner Bay is a pristine white sandy beach (one of the longest in the Galapagos), that is home to colonies of sea lions and inquisitive mockingbirds. It is also one of the world’s most important breeding sites for the waved albatross. A short dinghy ride will take you to the Osborn and Gardner Islets, which are superb locations for snorkelling with young sea lions and viewing tropical fish and corals.

Suarez Point, Española Island

Suarez Point is an area with an outstanding variety of wildlife. The walking trail will take you past nesting sites of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, whilst Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and finches can be seen foraging nearby. You will also pass a geyser which can spray water up to 25m (82ft) into the air, a spectacular feat of nature. Finally, when you reach the top of the breaktaking cliffs, you can enjoy watching waved albatrosses launching themselves across the ocean.

Day notes

Santa Fe Island

This island was formed as a result of a volcanic uplift millions of years ago and is inhabited by the endemic yellow-green Santa Fe iguana, Galapagos snake and rice rat. There are two main trails on the island, one that leads to a beach through a forest of tall opuntia (prickly pear) trees, and another that takes you into the highlands and culminates in a stunning cliff top viewpoint where Galapagos hawks can be sighted. It is also possible to snorkel along the shoreline with the highly entertaining sea lions.

South Plaza Island

One of two small islets, South Plaza Island houses a rich diversity of wildlife and vegetation. After passing a large colony of sea lions and ascending the slopes, you may catch a glimpse of swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, red-billed tropic birds, frigates or the rare lava gull. The ground is carpeted in Sesuvium, which transforms from bright red in the dry season to a vibrant green in the wet season, and land iguanas crowd around towering prickly pear cacti, waiting patiently for their juicy fruits to fall.

Day notes

Breeding Centre, Santa Cruz Island

The Darwin Research Centre is instrumental in carrying out important scientific research into the preservation of the archipelago’s ecosystems and initiated a significant breeding programme in 1970 for giant tortoises. As well as accessing a wealth of information about the flora and fauna found across the islands, you will have the chance to see tortoises at all stages of their development. Having been reared in captivity, they are very accustomed to humans, so don’t miss out on getting a photo with one of these remarkable animals.

You will be collected for you departure from Baltra Island Airport, for your flight back to Quito.

Upon arrival you will be assisted to your international flight onwards.