Ecuador | Gardens, Cloud Forests, Dry Forests, History, Culture, Otavalo Market and the Galapagos Islands

Upon arrival, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to the beautiful Hotel Patio Andaluz in Quito's famous Historical District. Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz/Standard
* Please note that the program must start on a Wednesday.

This morning, meet your guide and receive a walking tour of the historical district of Quito. Visit La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, a Jesuit church with an impressive interior inlaid in gold. Also see the Plaza Grande, which is surrounded by the Cathedral of Quito, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building, and the Archbishop's Palace. End your tour with a walk around the Plaza de San Francisco, making sure to visit San Francisco Church, the oldest and most significant Catholic church in Ecuador. Lunch will be at a local café. This afternoon visit Jardín Botánico de Quito, where you will be given a special tour of the garden. Located within the 165-acre Parque La Carolina, the gardens feature different environments, including Amazonian, desert, and wetland ecosystems. Highlights include carnivorous plants, roses, and orchids. The remainder of the late afternoon and evening is yours to explore on your own, and enjoy the amenities of your hotel.

Depart from Quito this morning and head north toward Imbabura, known also as the "Lakes Province" for its many bodies of water. Your first stop will be at a private, 19th century hacienda - La Hacienda La Compañía de Jesús - located in Cayambe. You will be given a special tour of their organic rose farm and production area, then enjoy a delicious farm to table lunch. After your time at this beautiful hacienda, continue on to yet another wonderful property, Hacienda Cusín. This lovely property boasts beautiful gardens and a rich history as well. Enjoy the remainder of the late afternoon and evening exploring your surroundings.

After an early breakfast, you will take a quick ride to the Otavalo craft market; dating back to pre-Inca times; it is the most famous of all Andean Markets. Hundreds of Indigenous merchants and artisans from surrounding communities travel to Otavalo to display a plethora of items, notably the colorful woven textiles, tapestries, and other handicrafts for which the region is known. Locals and visitors can also buy or barter food, animals, and basic necessities. Enjoy time to wander among the colorful stalls at your own pace before regrouping for lunch at a hacienda-style hotel. Next, visit Cotacachi to stroll through the canton's craft towns and their shops. The various towns feature fine artisan products such as leather and woven textiles. Continue your day with a late afternoon boat ride on Cuicocha Crater Lake. Formed in a crater after thousands of years of intense volcanic activity of the extinct Cuicocha Volcano, the lake is part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, which extension goes from western Andean cordillera to the Pacific coast. Return to your Hacienda for dinner on own this evening. Should you wish to venture out using taxi service, this can be arranged, or you may wish to simply dine in on own.

Today will be spent visiting the natural and sacredly rich areas that adorn your surroundings. Spend the morning visiting Peguche Waterfall, which is religiously significant, classified as an indigenous Ceremonial Site. The Volcano creeks feed into Lake San Pablo, which is located 2.5 miles south of the town of Otavalo, at 2,670 miles above sea level. From Lake San Pablo, the Peguche River reaches the reserve. The majestic falls start at a height of nearly 100 feet and span 20 feet in width, cascading through the jungle forest, vibrant with tropical species of flora. After the falls, the river changes its name to "Jatun Yacu" which means "big water", The sacred waterfall is protected within the 40 hectares of protected forest "Forest Protector Waterfall Peguche" and is known as one of the nicest eucalyptus forests in northern Ecuador. The reserve is managed by the "Community of Peguche". Following your time at Peguche Falls, have lunch at a special restaurant in Otavalo. Return to Hacienda Cusin for free time. This evening, enjoy dinner at your Hacienda to celebrate your last evening in this magical area of Ecuador.

This morning, depart Otavalo and travel to the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. En route, stop to visit the Pululahua Crater, one of the few inhabited volcanic calderas in the world. The crater covers an altitudinal range of 5,900 to 10,800 feet, creating a variety of micro-climates, and Pululahua has been declared a Geo-Botanical Reserve to protect the wide variety of floral species found here, including many Andean endemics. After lunch in the area, continue to your accommodations at Sachatamia Lodge. Check in, and then take a walk with your guide to become acquainted with the area before dinner.

Enjoy a full day exploring the flora and fauna along the trails of the Cloud Forest Reserve. Observe the lush cloud forest vegetation and its fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment. Species found within the private reserve's 2,000 acres include a high concentration of bromeliads, orchids, and other epiphytes, as well as colorful birds like tanagers, toucans, and hummingbirds. After lunch, relax and admire the view; olinguito and kinkajoo often visit feeders near the dining room. Return to Sachatamia Lodge in the afternoon, with time to explore on your own before dinner. Your guide will be available for a night hike later, should you wish.

Take one more walk in the forest with your guide this morning before traveling to the town of Puembo, just north of Quito and only 20 minutes from the airport. You will have the remainder of the late afternoon to relax and enjoy the amenities of the quaint Hostería Rincón de Puembo as you prepare for your early flight the next morning. (Please note that if have the need for extra luggage to be stored for you while you're in the Galapagos, this can be arranged with advance notice.)

Early this morning, you will be transferred to the Quito airport for your flight to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, you will be greeted at the airport by the guides with M/V Legend, who will accompany you on a short ten-minute bus ride to the pier where you will board the Galapagos Legend.

Mosquera Islet (PM)
This tiny, low-lying islet, converted into coral sand, is set between the north and south Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand, and an excellent spot to observe shorebirds, herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here, one can often see sharks, rays, and barracudas.

Egas Port (Santiago Island) (AM)
The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most, it's best known for the dramatic shoreline where you meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals, which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk.

Rabida Island (PM)
Lying at the archipelago's heart, this dramatic island with a distinctive red-sand beach is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves, and vermillon flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay.

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) (AM)
At the far end of a long level hike, we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, we hope to run into a few impressive land iguanas and some volcanoes endemic to Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.

Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) (PM)
Tagus Cove, a historic pirate hideout and anchorage. Visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. Hike past Darwin Lake and stunning volcanic landscape, revealing Isabela island's dramatic northern volcanoes. Snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, fish, penguins, and flightless cormorants. Enjoy a panga ride or kayak for added excitement!

Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island) (AM)
Pristine Fernandina, the marine iguana capital. Its desolate volcanic backdrop hosts a massive concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Surprisingly, Galapagos penguins share the same shoreline. Snorkeling offers an exciting opportunity to witness marine iguanas feeding underwater, alongside penguins, turtles, and unique flightless cormorants.

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) (PM)
Spectacular site, surrounded by immense cliffs of an eroded volcano. Studded with resting seabirds like brown noddies and Nazca boobies. Superb snorkeling with unique fish species. Swim with penguins and green turtles.

Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) (AM)
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600 lb reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches. Afterwards, continue to the airport on Baltra Island for your flight to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Rincon de Puembo. Early this evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner before either being transferred back to the airport mid-evening for your flight(s) home, or overnighting at the hotel and departing the next morning (depending on airline chosen).

For those that overnighted, this morning at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the Quito International Airport for your flight(s) home.