Ecuador in 17 Days • 15 Nights in Destination

After breakfast, meet with a local guide who will take you on a fascinating guided tour of some most emblematic sights of Quito. Explore the Historic Center, declared a World Heritage Site for its great beauty, and also discover the city's traditional market where you can taste a variety of tropical fruits grown in Ecuador. In the afternoon visit the nearby Intiñan Museum, for curious exhibits and scientific experiments that show to unique physics of the equator! Return to the city and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Quito. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Quito, exploring its atmospheric Plaza Grande square or strolling through the charming streets of the colonial center. Perhaps sample the local cuisine, go shopping for souvenirs and soak up the views of the surrounding Andes. We recommend enjoying an excursion to Otavalo.*  Overnight stay in Quito. 

* Optional Otavalo Tour: Otavalo is the capital of Cantón and is a predominantly indigenous city in the Imbabura province of Ecuador. The city has about 90,000 inhabitants and is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura, Cotacachi, and the Mojanda volcanoes. You will be transported by your private driver and will enjoy tasting custard apples and biscuits before heading to visit Cotacachi and Cuicocha.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on your adventure into the Amazon rainforest today. As you journey south stop at Guango Lodge, home to a large population of hummingbirds, with walking trails to explore on foot, surrounded by forest-covered mountains. Continue to Punta Ahuano, a small port city on the bank of the Napo River. From here, take a canoe ride downriver to Amazon Lodge, your home in the Amazon for the next three nights. Settle in with a welcome cocktail as you enjoy the sunset and get accustomed to your tropical surroundings! Dinner and overnight stay in the Amazon.

Full-board. After breakfast take a short canoe ride along the Napo River to Cosano for a two-hour primary rainforest walk where you can experience the rich biodiversity and amazing plant life of the Amazon for yourself. In the afternoon, head to the town of Ahuano to get to know traditional Quichua culture. Meet a local host who will demonstrate how he makes a typical drink known as chicha and introduce you to the ancient ritual of spiritual cleansing, still practised by this community today. End the day with a lighthearted blowgun shooting contest, although the locals are very likely to win! Return to the lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in the Amazon.

Please note: During the stay at the Amazon Lodge various activities will take place throughout the day, following an early breakfast. These activities may be carried out in a different order to what is stated in the itinerary.

Full-board. After an early breakfast enjoy a guided walk through the primary and secondary forests, observing the different species of birds, insects and plant life. Discover a number of medicinal plants and trees and learn about how locals use these trees in construction. Traverse suspension bridges and enjoy spectacular views of the rainforest. Next, it's time to put the skills you've learnt in the rainforest to the test! With the help of your guide, construct a raft using local materials and float back to the Amazon Lodge on your very own, hand-crafted river raft! An unforgettable and unique experience! After lunch at the lodge, round off an exciting day with a visit to the wildlife-rich island of La Isla. Overnight stay in the Amazon. 

Please note: During the stay at the Amazon Lodge various activities will take place throughout the day, following an early breakfast. These activities may be carried out in a different order to what is stated in the itinerary.

Breakfast at the lodge. This morning, head to the town of Baños, stopping along the day at the breathtaking Pailón del Diablo waterfall, one of the largest and most beautiful in the country. Soak up the spectacular power of nature before continuing to Baños, a beautiful town, known as the Gateway to the Amazon and nestled amongst verdant volcanic hills. Overnight stay in Baños.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in beautiful Baños, where there are plenty of opportunities to experience the rich natural environment. We recommend visiting the nearby Tungurahua Volcano, relaxing in the steaming hot springs, exploring the hills and waterfalls or heading into the Amazon Basin. However, you spend your day at leisure, be sure to make the most of these unique and breathtaking surroundings. Overnight stay in Baños.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an exciting excursion to Chimborazo province, home to the imposing Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with its peak reaching 6310 meters above sea level. Located in the central Andes, Chimborazo is one of the must-see natural wonders of Ecuador. Visit the Chimborazo Ecological Reserve and enjoy a guided walk through its spectacular landscapes, admiring the snow-topped volcano and the surrounding environment. After some time connecting with nature, continue to the city of Riobamba, in the shadow of Chimborazo. Get settled at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring this picturesque city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Riobamba.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off to the amazing Quilotoa Crater Lake, a vibrant, green-colored volcanic lake, thought to be 250-meters deep. Here, you have the opportunity to climb to the edge of the lake to enjoy beautiful views of the crater and its surroundings. After exploring this unforgettable crater lake, continue to the small town of Tigua, known for its traditional folk art painting, before returning to the capital of Quito. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Quito.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Baltra, in the wonderful Galapagos Islands. From Baltra, transfer to the island of Santa Cruz by crossing the Itabaca channel on a ferry. Stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz, a lush, green natural habitat of the famous Galápagos giant tortoises. Visit a private ranch, take a tour of the area and walk among the trees, looking for giant tortoises that prefer to relax beside the small lagoons. Also admire the amazing lava tubes, created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Transfer to your hotel in Santa Cruz and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure, exploring the exotic wildlife and unique landscapes of the Galapagos Islands. Why not explore the volcanic scenery of the Seymour Islands or visit the amazing birdlife of South Plaza Island known for its red-billed tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a half-day island tour. From Puerto Ayora take a boat trip along the canal to La Loberia, a bay known for its large population of blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Disembark the boat and begin a guided hike through the protected area in the hope of spotting white-tip reef sharks from a lookout point. Continue to Playa de Los Perros, a favourite resting place for the fascinating marine iguanas, especially on a sunny day. Take in the unique wildlife and natural environment, with its bright red rocks, cacti and turquoise ocean. Take the opportunity to experience a snorkelling excursion along the bay before hiking on to Las Grietas, a beautiful rock formation and crystal-clear swimming area. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure to explore the local town or simply relax at your own pace. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the beautiful beaches and wonderful wildlife. Why not look for sea turtles and brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crab at Tortuga Bay or visit the volcanic calderas of Los Gemelos. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the mainland, with a flight from Santa Cruz airport. Arrive in Guayaquil, and join a shared transfer to your hotel in the city center. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and is located on the Pacific Coast. Later, enjoy a walking tour of the city, visiting the Malecon, Parque Iguanas and Las Peñas neighbourhood. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bring your adventure through Ecuador and the amazing Galapagos Islands to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board.

Please note: Depending on the flight departure time you may arrive back in the UK/Ireland today.