Essence of Ecuador: Galapagos, Amazon & Otavalo

Welcome to Ecuador! Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Casa Gangotena, a luxury newly-restored colonial mansion located in Quito’s historical center, for two nights.

Your private guide will show you Quito, a mixture of church spires, tiled roofs and skyscrapers glinting in the sunlight against a stunning backdrop of volcanoes. Built on the ashes of the northern Inca capital following the 1533 Spanish conquest, Ecuador’s capital city brims with colonial riches, magnificent squares and charming narrow cobblestone alleys. Your tour will be customized depending on your interests. In the afternoon drive to the Mitad del Mundo and visit the Equator monument, museum and pre-Inca archaeological ruins.

Take a half hour flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana, known as “Coca,” in the Ecuadorian Amazon. As you travel by boat 2 hours down the Napo River, you’ll spot kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys between the scattered native huts as the modern world steadily recedes.

After your arrival at La Selva Lodge, a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, scientists and adventure seekers, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the property and surrounding rainforest. La Selva provides luxury accommodations, spa, cuisine and expert guides to ensure you enjoy the wonders of the tropical rainforest.

Today you’ll explore the pulsating Amazon jungle, home to eight species of monkeys, exotic birds, bats, frogs, jaguars, tapirs, butterflies, snakes (boa constrictors and anacondas), caimans, jaguar, capybara and sloth. A short distance from the lodge you’ll find Ecuador’s most accessible parrot lick, an exposed clay bank where brightly colored parrots of several different species gather in the early morning. Walk down trails through virgin forest, where 150-foot kapok trees tower above and roots form huge buttresses for support.

You may choose to go deep into the forest by small boat or enjoy a thrilling steel cable zip-line through rich flora. Your guides include a local native with expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal and other useful plants, and a bilingual naturalist guide.

Explore the jungle, visit indigenous communities, enjoy the butterfly farm and outstanding bird watching. A favorite place to observe wildlife is from the lodge’s observation tower. In the evening you might opt to join your guide for a thrilling exploration of the jungle’s nocturnal life.

Today you’ll fly to Quito and then drive less than two hours to Otavalo, surrounded by stunning snowcapped volcanos. En route visit Cuicocha Lagoon.

Overnight at Hacienda Cusin, a restored, 17th-century estate. Furnished with antiques and select Andean crafts, most with log-burning fireplaces and beamed-ceilings, guest rooms and garden cottages overlook several acres of landscaped perennial gardens.

This morning your private guide will show you the colorful town and artisan market of Otavalo, world-famous for its indigenous population and their quality handicrafts and Andean folk music. The Otavalos are considered economically the most successful indigenous group of Latin America, and many of the grandest houses and largest pick-up trucks in Otavalo are owned by Otavalos! Otavalos are easily recognized by their traditional dress: white pants and dark poncho for men; dark skirt and white blouse with colorful embroidery and waistband for women. Both sexes wear their hair long (the men usually platted).

In the afternoon, you’ll drive to Pifo. Overnight at the Hotel Casa de Hacienda La Jimenita. Featuring comfortable and luxurious suites, fireplaces and an extensive garden, the Jimenita is quite close to the Quito airport for your flight the next morning.

You will begin your journey on Baltra Island. Upon your arrival at the Baltra airport, you will met by your guide and escorted to the dock. A motorized dinghy will then transfer you to the M/V Eclipse, where you will be welcomed by the captain and crew. After settling in to your cabin, you will receive an introductory briefing and safety drill followed by lunch.

Your first stop is North Seymour. North Seymour is a perfect introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Fauna abounds and you will soon find yourself surrounded by frigates and blue footed boobies. Keep an eye out for land iguanas and sea lions too! Difficulty level: Moderate.

You will be back on board at 6pm, with welcome cocktails and dinner at 8pm.

Today you will explore South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands. Your wake-up call comes at 6:45am followed by breakfast at 7:00am. You will land at South Plaza Island at 8:00am.

South Plaza Island is home to a large Opuntia cacti forest, land iguanas and one of the largest sea lion colonies in the central region of the archipelago. You will also be able to see Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and other kinds of sea birds as well as different types of finches. Difficulty level: Moderate

Back on the boat for lunch at 11:30pm. You will arrive at Santa Fe Island at 3:00pm. During the hike on Santa Fe Island you will see some of the island’s endemic species, including the Galapagos hawk, the Galapagos snake, various finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. Playful sea lions usually join swimmers and kayakers during beach time.

San Cristobal is your next destination with the first stop Punta Pitt, which is located on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. You’ll arrive at Punta Pitt at 8:00am. You will hike up to a plateau where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is definitely worth the effort. The power hike is followed by kayaking, snorkeling and dinghy ride opportunities. Difficulty level: Difficult.

After lunch on board you will arrive at Cerro Brujo for an excursion and more kayaking and snorkeling! In addition to the magnificent scenery, there is a beautiful beach and a dinghy ride at the visitor site. Cerro Brujos’ spectacular beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and is the first place in the archipelago that Charles Darwin visited. Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate.

Today you visit Floriana, one of the Galapagos’ most famous, or rather “infamous” of islands due to many strange stories regarding past settlers. Post Office Bay on Floreana is home to a unique “post office” inspired by 18th century pirates and buccaneers who used a wooden barrel as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. The Baroness View point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana. Difficulty level: Easy.

After snorkeling at Champion Islet, you will visit Cormorant Point, where there is a beautiful lagoon which is home to flamingos, stilts and pintall ducks. Difficulty level: Easy.

You travel today to Isabela Island and pull into Elizabeth Bay. It is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that you will visit on your cruise. You will enter a sheltered cove accessible by dinghy only – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles, rays, blue-footed boobies, penguins, herons and more. Difficulty level: Easy.

Continue on to Moreno Point, which is located just southwest of Elizabeth Bay and is famous for its huge population of seabirds. You´ll be able to get up close on a dinghy ride along the cliffs of the island, or on a hike through lava rock that leads to the tide pools and mangroves teaming with life on the west coast of Isabela Island. Observe and learn about different types of lava and pioneer plants while being surrounded by some of the most incredible scenery that Galapagos has to offer. Difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult.

Today you visit the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit we drive to the green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. The afternoon is at leisure. Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate.

You land this morning at Gardner Bay on Española Island to enjoy a wonderful white sandy beach. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions, and it is also a nesting site for sea turtles. Throughout the morning there are opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Difficulty level: Easy

This afternoon you land at Punta Suarez, home to large populations of the Nazca and blue-footed boobies, as well as the beautiful waved albatross (seasonally). The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of albatross on Española represent the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world. Difficulty level: Difficult

You end your Galapagos cruise with a panga ride to Mosquera Islet early this morning. Mosquera Islet is a tiny islet, actually home to a huge population of sea lions and also home to many shorebirds. While at Mosquera, keep your eyes peeled as there are occasional reports of dolphins and orcas. Difficulty level: Easy

You will be back on board by breakfast, then disembark for your transfer to the Balta airport for your flight to Quito.

Upon arrival in Quito you’ll be met and transferred to the Termas de Papallacta Hotel and Spa, a magical oasis of hot springs and an ideal location to relax before your journey home.

Today you’ll be transferred to Quito International Airport for your flight home.