Itinerary Details
Upon your arrival at Quito airport (UIO), a Rahhalah representative will welcome you and drive you to the hotel, located in the picturesque historic center.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Mama Cuchara or similar.
In the morning, you will explore the old town of Quito: one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas and one of the first cities in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Enjoy a journey back in time as you stroll around intricate 16th-century plazas, cathedrals, and churches, getting acquainted with the history of Ecuador’s capital city and its impact on the identity of the locals.
After a delicious lunch overlooking the Pululahua crater, you will experience one of the most iconic activities in Ecuador: a visit to Mitad del Mundo – the middle of the world – where the equator runs through Ecuador. Ecuador means equator, after all! Have your photo taken while standing simultaneously in the northern and southern hemispheres and explore the secrets of the Intinan Museum. Also, remember to bring your passport with you so that you can acquire a unique stamp to remind you of your visit.
City Tour: 3-4 hours.
Middle of the World expedition: 2 hours.
Driving time: approx. 1 hour to Pululahua / 15 min from Pululaha to Middle of the World / approx. 1 hour return to Patio Andaluz.
Accommodation: Mama Cuchara or similar.
After breakfast, you will head north into the highlands of Ecuador, enjoying, on the way, scenic routes and quaint villages built in the foothills of the Andes.
You will first stop at the beautiful Cuicocha Laguna, a turquoise crater lake surrounded by mountains and volcanos. If the weather allows, you might even see the magnificent snow-capped peak of Cayambe Volcano. You will spend 2-3-hours in the area, hiking on the trail that follows the periphery of the lake. You may not manage a full circuit, but you will definitely enjoy the views of the magnificent landscape.
After Cuicocha, you will stop at the small town of Cotacachi, famous for its handmade leather goods. You can visit the local workshops, observe the traditional craftmanship, and perhaps purchase a gift or two to take back home.
From Cotacachi, you will head Otavalo: home to one of the largest indigenous markets in South America. Countless talented craftsmen from Otavalo and the surrounding areas bring their products (from textiles, scarves, sweaters, ponchos, and blankets to hand-crafted jewelry, ceramics, and paintings) to trade at this market. Besides the colorful stalls and the exciting commodities, the market offers a sneak peek at the authentic culture of the Ecuadorian highlands.
Driving time: approx. 2.5 hours to Cuicocha / 20 mins to Cotacachi / 2 hours return to Quito.
Activities: Trekking at Cuicocha: 2 -3 hours / Cotacachi visit: 45 - 60 min / Otavalo Market: 30 - 45 min.
Accommodation: Mama Cuchara or similar.
After breakfast, you will head south to Baños de Agua Santa, visiting on the way the Pasochoa Nature Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park.
The Pasochoa Nature Reserve is situated 1 hour south of Quito, at the beginning of the Avenue of Volcanoes, featuring, among other things, the Pasochoa Volcano (4,200 metres above sea level) and some great hiking trails. The highlight of the Reserve is its humid cloud forest, where one can find over one hundred species of birds and fifty species of native Andean trees. You will have the opportunity to see some of these treasures as you enjoy a short hike on one of the lush trails of the area.
From Pasochoa, you will continue south for 1 more hour to the Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi Volcano is considered the second-highest active volcano on the planet and an iconic place in Ecuador. Today, the volcano and its surrounding area have been designated as a National Park, offering several exciting sites for exploration and adventure sports. Weather permitting, you will stop for 10-15 mins to enjoy the Park’s beauty.
You will then continue further to the south, reaching, after 2 hours, Baños: a beautiful spot famous for its adventure sports.
Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours to Pasochoa Reserve/ 60 mins to Cotopaxi National Park / 2.5 hours to Baños de Agua Santa.
Activities: Hiking at Pasochoa duration: 2 hours / Cotopaxi National Park: 10 - 15 mins.
Accommodation: Sangay Spa Hotel or similar.
You will start the day with a hike around the foothills of the Southern Andes, passing by villages such as Sucre, Poato, Mundug, and Lligo. On the way, you will enjoy the changes in the Andean landscape as you move from a dry, paramo climate to a cloud forest ecosystem, with various microclimates in-between. The hike will end after approximately 2.5 hours at Hacienda Leito, surrounded by incredible views of the active Tungurahua volcano.
You will then visit one of Baños' most famous attractions: Casa del Árbol. Once up in the mountain, you will have incredible views of the valleys and rivers that lead to the Amazon. You will also see the active Tungurahua Volcano that often sends out fumaroles and lava. The main attraction at Casa de Arbol is “the swing at the end of the world,” which you will have the opportunity to ride and get a glimpse of how it feels to swing over an abyss.
After Casa de Arbol, you will drive to the Upper Amazon town of Tena, exploring, on the way, the iconic route of the waterfalls. This is a beautiful drive that allows you to pass by numerous waterfalls, including the impressive Cascada El Pailon de Diablo, which means the Devil's Cauldron (the name inspired by the large volume of water cascading into the river below). You will finally reach the town of Tena, located in Ecuador's Upper Amazon Basin, where you will spend the night.
Driving time: approx. 1 hour to Casa del Arbol/ 35 mins to Pailon del Diablo Waterfall / 2h15 to Tena.
Activities: Trekking: 2.5 hours / Casa del Arbol: 60 min / Pailon del Diablo Waterfall:1.5 hours.
Accommodation: Hamadryade Lodge or similar.
In the morning, you will embark on a rafting adventure in the Upper Amazon. You will first drive to the town of Cando in the Llanganates National Park: the starting point of the activity. After gearing up and listening to a safety briefing, you will begin your 3-hour excursion down the Jatunyacu River, which means “big water” in Quichua. The activity is suitable for all ages, and no previous experience is required. The Jatunyacu River (one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River) has Class III rapids and roller-coaster waves and takes you through a hidden canyon, surrounded by the exotic rainforest. Halfway, you will stop at a beach near a Quichua community to enjoy a delicious homemade lunch and the opportunity to meet with the locals living in the area. At the end of the activity, you will bid the Amazon goodbye as you will head back to Quito for your last night in Ecuador.
Driving time: approx .1h15 hours to Cando Town into National Park Llanganates/ 3.5 hrs return to Quito.
Activities: Rafting: 3 hours.
Accommodation: Windham Quito Airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flights.
Note: If you need a PCR test before your departure, you may need to stay an extra night as the PCT test results require, as of today, 24-48 hrs. We can help you with such arrangements (cost not included in the price below).
Galapagos Islands: Giant Tortoises, Volcanos, and Wild Penguins (4 days)
After breakfast, you will take a 2.5-hour flight to the Galapagos Islands and land on Baltra Island. From the airport, you will head to Puerto Ayora (a 45-min drive) for lunch, Afterwards, you will board a public speedboat heading to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, the largest of all the Galapagos Islands, where you will arrive after 2-3 hours.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the Puerto Villamil beach (2 miles long) where you will meet marine iguanas and giant tortoises sunbathing next to you! You will not only get a taste of the local biodiversity but also the relaxing ambience of the village life on the Galapagos Islands.
Note: The domestic flight is not included in the price and comes at an extra cost (the final price is subject to change upon booking).
Accommodation: Iguana Crossing or similar.
Today, you will enjoy a great hiking adventure on the Sierra Negra Volcano that boasts the second largest caldera in the world. Six volcanoes make up Isabela Island, and all (but one) are active, which makes it one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
You will begin with a 1-hour drive towards the highlands of Isabela (where you will see an entirely different landscape of the Galapagos Islands) and the starting point of the hike. During the trek, you will be able to observe a variety of birds including finches and flycatchers and, if lucky, Galapagos hawks.
Once at the top, you will enjoy a well-deserved view from the rim of the caldera the dimensions of which 7.2 x 9.3 km) will take your breath away. If you choose to continue hiking (also depending on the volcanic activity), you can visit Chico Volcano, a collection of small craters, where you may see fumaroles, vents in the volcano (holes from which steam escapes into the air), and unusual lava formations. This area is a remarkable visual record of the geological history of the Galapagos. From the highest observation point on the hike, you will enjoy views of Isabela’s other volcanoes and the nearby islands. You will then hike back to the starting point and drive back to town.
Hiking distance and time: 4-10 miles depending on the group, 3-8 hours depending on the group's preferences.
Accommodation: Iguana Crossing or similar.
In the morning, you will take a 45-minute boat ride to Los Tuneles: a remarkable lava formation consisting of arches and caves, caused by the drastic change in lava temperature clashing with ocean water about a million years ago. There, you can admire Galapagos penguins, sea birds, eagle rays, and sharks as you slowly crisscross through the labyrinth of rocks and tunnels. If sea conditions permit, you will disembark to walk on the unique volcanic rock formations, gaze at sea birds peacefully resting on the rocks, and take in the beautiful surroundings dominated by opuntia, candelabra cacti, and red mangroves. Then, you will have the opportunity to snorkel in crystal clear waters for a dive into the remarkable underwater world.
Just ten minutes from Los Tuneles, you will find El Finado, an inlet that local fishermen have used for many years as a resting place during their journeys in the ocean, thanks to its tranquil and shallow waters. You can snorkel among submerged caves and small reefs formed by lava rocks. This is also a preferred spot for white-tipped reef sharks, colorful tropical fish, and stingrays. As you approach mangroves, waters will be shallower offering you the opportunity to see parrotfish, hogfish, and wrasses up-close, in a mysterious and unique habitat.
You will take the boat back to Puerto Villamil (a 45-minutes ride).
Back in town, you will head to the tortoise breeding center. This breeding station has an informative visitor center that allows you to learn about the origins and evolution of the Galapagos Giant Tortoises, and the steps being taken to preserve the species from threats such as habitat destruction and introduced species. In the center you will see baby hatchlings and young tortoises. After they turn 4 months old, they are taken out to be released into the natural habitat in the area. There is a short hiking trail where you may be able to spot giant tortoises in the wild.
Total activity time for Los Tuneles and El Finado: 5-6 hours.
Accommodation: Iguana Crossing or similar.
After breakfast, you will head to the pier where you will catch the speedboat to Puerto Ayora (a 2-3-hours trip), and from there you will drive to the airport (a 45-minute drive) for your flight to Quito ( not included).
Notes:
- The domestic flight is not included, and comes at an extra cost (price subject to change upon booking).
- If you need a PCR test before your departure, you may need to stay an extra night as the PCR test results require, as of today, 24-48 hrs. We can help you with such arrangements (cost not included in the price below).
