Ecuador

Ecuador

Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity and all the fun that accompanies it in so tiny a place. Ecuador is the second-smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding. In one days drive you can journey from the Amazon Basin across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest and into the sunset for a dinner of ceviche on the balmy Pacific coast. One day you'll pick through hand-woven wool sweaters at a chilly indigenous market in Otavalo; the next day you'll sweat all over your binoculars while spying on howler monkeys in the Amazon jungles of the Oriente. For nature lovers Ecuador is a dream, with exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept páramo (Andean grasslands), dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the unique, unforgettable Galápagos Islands.

For the adrenaline junky, the choices are outrageous. Mountaineering and trekking are world class (try the Quilatoa Loop); toss in some horseback riding and surfing and you'll go home with a happily aching body. For the culture vulture, Ecuador's indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets will enchant you. As for colonial architecture, few cities top the beauty of Cuenca and Quito, both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. And you won't want to miss Baños, with its enticing mix of natural beauty and jumping nightlife.

So, no matter if you can't decide exactly where to go just go! The beauty of Ecuador is that you can change your surroundings as quickly as you change your mind.

Top Destinations

GALAPAGOS CRUISE 4Days/3Nights

GALAPAGOS CRUISE 5Days/4Nights

GALAPAGOS CRUISE / BASIC ECUADOR

GALAPAGOS CRUISE 8Days/7Nights

GALAPAGOS CRUISE / OTAVALO MARKET & CHASKI ANTAWA

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Galapagos Cruise 4 Days / 3 Nights

Galapagos Cruise 5 Days / 4 nights

Day 1: Thursday - Galapagos (Baltra Airport)Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (approx. 2½ hours flight). Passengers are picked up by our naturalist guides and bused to the pier to embark the M/V Galapagos Legend.BartoloméDry landing. We discover a fascinating moonscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones as we hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, a few lava lizards and some endemic plants such as Tiquilla shrubbery, lava cacti, Scalesia trees and more.Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see (perhaps swim with) Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colorful fish schools.Day 2: Friday - Urbina Bay (Isabela)Wet landing on a volcanic black beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish.Fernandina (Espinosa Point)Dry landing. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and sally lightfoot crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins and the King of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos hawk. Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.Day 3: Saturday - Santiago (Egas Port)Wet landing on a beach of dark volcanic sand. Visited by Darwin in 1835, the unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiagos shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and astounding array of marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside sally light-foot crabs. Colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks. Snorkeling here offers rarities such as octopus or squid.Rábida (Jervis)Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwins finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.Day 4: Sunday - Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station) We visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program and have the opportunity to meet Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species and symbol of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety Darwins finches and other land birds. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.Santa Cruz (Highlands)Travel by bus to Cerro Chato in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. Visitors can enter and explore large lava tubes. Day 5: Monday - Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz; find sea birds, marine iguanas, and sea turtles on a paradisiacal white-sand beach; swimming and snorkeling are great fun. Return to the M/V Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra Airport. Return flight to Quito via Guayaquil.Included: All inclusive 4 nights, full board, superior accommodation, 2 daily excursions, multilingual guidance, lectures, snorkeling, welcome & farewell cocktail.Not included: Domestic air ticket to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park and Ingala tax, wet suits rental, tips & personal expenses, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, medical services and other not specified.
7Days
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Galapagos Cruise & Basic Ecuador

Galapagos Cruise 8Days / 7Nights

Day 1: Monday - Galapagos (Baltra Airport)Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½ hours flight). Passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.North Seymour Dry landing. An approximately two hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in depth encounter with seabird breeding cycles and as well as sea lions. Many marine and some land iguanas can be also encountered.Day 2: Tuesday - Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill)Dry landing. We walk by a brackish lagoon where feeding flamingos can be occasionally found. The trail leads across the typical dry zone vegetation up to Dragon Hill, an important nesting ground for the endemic land iguanas, offering lovely views of the anchorage and neighboring islands.Floreana (Cormorant Point)Wet landing on an olive colored beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick.Novice snorkelers can practice on the main beach with playful sea lions and much more. Keep in mind this is an open-water activity; there is nothing to support your body on.Day 3: Wednesday - Española (Suárez Point)Dry landing. An island of geological interest, we explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies and the spectacular red billed tropic bird. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful sally lightfoot crabs.A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you amongst Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos ground dove, Galapagos hawk, swallow-tailed gulls and the worlds largest colony of waved albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (May-December). Admire the islands dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous Soplador, a seaward blowhole that shoots water at some 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air.San Cristóbal (La Galapaguera Interpretation Center)Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristóbal giant tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Parks conservation programs. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the port village, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs.Day 4: Thursday - Santa Cruz (Carrión Point)A snorkeling activity is programmed, an opportunity to swim with a variety of tropical and subtropical fish, manta rays and perhaps the harmless white-tipped reef shark. BartoloméDry landing. We discover a fascinating moonscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones as we hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, a few lava lizards and some endemic plants such as Tiquilla shrubbery, lava cacti, Scalesia trees and more. Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see (perhaps swim with) Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colorful fish schools.Day 5: Friday - Urbina Bay (Isabela)Wet landing on a volcanic black beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish.Fernandina (Espinosa Point)Dry landing. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and sally lightfoot crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins and the King of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos hawk. Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.Day 6: Saturday - Santiago (Egas Port)Wet landing on a beach of dark volcanic sand. Visited by Darwin in 1835, the unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiagos shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and astounding array of marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside sally light-foot crabs. Colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks. Snorkeling here offers rarities such as octopus or squid.Rábida (Jervis)Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwins finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.Day 7: Sunday - Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station) We visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program and have the opportunity to meet Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species and symbol of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety Darwins finches and other land birds. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.Santa Cruz (Highlands)Travel by bus to Cerro Chato in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. Visitors can enter and explore large lava tubes. Day 8: Monday - Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz; find sea birds, marine iguanas, and sea turtles on a paradisiacal white-sand beach; swimming and snorkeling are great fun. Return to the M/V Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra Airport. Return flight to Quito via Guayaquil.Included: All inclusive 7 nights, full board, superior accommodation, 2 daily excursions, multilingual guidance, lectures, snorkeling, welcome & farewell cocktail.Not included: Domestic air ticket to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park and Ingala tax, wet suits rental, tips & personal expenses, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, medical services and other not specified.
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Galapagos Cruise, Otavalo Market & Chaski Antawa

Day 1: Quito or GuayaquilArrival in Quito (or Guayaquil), transfer to hotelDay 2: QuitoColonial city tour: Quito displays the largest colonial town of the Americas and is the first Unescos World Heritage Site. Enjoy the eclectic architecture ranging from the modern quarters to varied colonial facades on churches and private residences decorated and balconies built along the last five centuries. The tour includes parks like El Ejido and Alameda, the monument of Simon Bolivar, the gothic Basilica of the Heart of Jesús, Independence Square developed during the past five centuries and flanked by the Presidential ant the Archbishops palaces dated back to XVII and XVII centuries and, the Metropolitan Cathedral with excellent samples of the Spanish renaissance. Walk along the so called street of the seven crosses and pass by the Jesuit convent, once head quarters of the first university in the country, El Sagrario church with a unique orthodox cross lay out dated back to the seventeenth century and the jewel of the crown, the Jesuit temple of`La Compañía de Jesús, perhaps the most important monument of the baroque art in Quito.From there continue to the plaza of San Francisco, with temple and convent known to be the largest on the once Spanish colonies on the Americas which displays a rich sample of artistic and cultural heritage. Overnight in Quito; or Guayaquil: We visit the Centenario Park devoted to the independence and freedom on the old city from the Spanish domain to continue on to the legendary Barrio Las Peñas, the original and only surviving colonial district of the city where you can have some fantastic panoramic views of the city and Guayas River. Stroll along charming river promenade, Malecón 2000: well admire the Rotonda monument dedicated to San Martin and Bolivar, leaders of South American Independence together with some important historical landmarks such as the Moorish clock tower. We then visit the well known Central Bank Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Guayaquil.Day 3: Otavalo Market & Chaski Antawa train Departing from Quito to the North, we drive across the colorful valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe. Guayllabamba is rich in fertile soil and through effective irrigation systems has become an important producer of avocado and the local cherimoya fruit. Cayambe, traditionally dedicated to dairy cattle and manufacturing of dairy products, has recently enjoyed an important boom in rose farming. The breathtaking setting offers great photo opportunities and after two hours of traveling through the riveting Andean countryside, we arrive to the province of Imbabura, known as the Ecuadorian Land of Lakes.The Otavalo Craft Market is the most famous and picturesque in South America. Markets are meeting places for shopping, bargaining and chatter, while people of the region exchange local produce, animals, utensils, pots and pans or textiles. For visitors, the markets offer the possibility of approaching Ecuadorians at a more intimate level as you negotiate prices of a variety of woven goods, bags, hats, flutes or simply appreciate the skillful and generous people responsible for the elegance and beauty of the clothing and handicrafts; then drive further north to the city of Ibarra and catch the Chaski Antawa train. The Chaski Antawa (or messenger train) travels on an early 20th-century railroad system built to connect the northern Ecuadorian Andes and the Pacific Coast. Departing from Ibarra, a two-hour ride descends into the warm, dry valley of Salinas, across sugar cane plantations, magical landscapes, through tunnels and over bridges that span steep canyons, ridges and patchwork fields. Enjoy a unique lunch at the Salinas afro Ecuadorian community restaurant, implemented by Kleintours in an effort to boost tourism and cultural recovery in and around this fascinating area, with a vision of helping it become an important tourist destination. Back to Quito for hotel accommodation.Day 4-8 Deluxe Galapagos cruise on board M/V Galapagos CruiseDay 4: Thursday - Galapagos (Baltra Airport)Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (approx. 2½ hours flight). Passengers are picked up by our naturalist guides and bused to the pier to embark the M/V Galapagos Legend.BartoloméDry landing. We discover a fascinating moonscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones as we hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, a few lava lizards and some endemic plants such as Tiquilla shrubbery, lava cacti, Scalecia trees and more.Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see (perhaps swim with) Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colorful fish schools.Day 5: Friday - Urbina Bay (Isabela)Wet landing on a volcanic black beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish.Fernandina (Espinosa Point)Dry landing. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and sally lightfoot crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins and the King of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos hawk. Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.Day 6: Saturday - Santiago (Egas Port)Wet landing on a beach of dark volcanic sand. Visited by Darwin in 1835, the unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiagos shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and astounding array of marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside sally light-foot crabs. Colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks. Snorkeling here offers rarities such as octopus or squid.Rábida (Jervis)Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwins finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.Day 7: Sunday - Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station) We visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program and have the opportunity to meet Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species and symbol of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety Darwins finches and other land birds. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.Santa Cruz (Highlands)Travel by bus to Cerro Chato in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. Visitors can enter and explore large lava tubes. Day 8: Monday - Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz; find sea birds, marine iguanas, and sea turtles on a paradisaical white-sand beach; swimming and snorkeling are great fun. Return to the M/V Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra Airport. Return flight to Quito via Guayaquil.Day 9: Quito or GuayaquilTransfer out. End of service.Included:Deluxe Galapagos Cruise: all inclusive 4 nights, full board, 2 daily excursions, multilingual guidance, lectures, snorkeling opportunities, air ticket to and from Galapagos Islands.Continent: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 nights first-class hotel Quito or Guayaquil, city tour Quito or Guayaquil, full day Otavalo and Chaski Antawa train ride, 4 transfers, guidance and transportation.Not included: Galapagos National Park & INGALA tax US$110, tips, personal expenses and meals or anything not specified.

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