Reception at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Day 2 Quito – City Tour

Half-day private city tour in the historical part of Quito, including La Basilica Church, La Compañia Church and El Panecillo Hill. We leave the hotel by bus and will see the transformation from the new part of the city to the absolutely beautiful historical and colonial part of Quito. We get off the bus and will have time to see all the interesting churches, plazas etc. But also simply enjoy the local atmosphere, the many shops and sellers. After these interesting sights, we continue by bus to “El Panecillo”, the hill in the centre of Quito overviewing the city and the historical centre. Also from here, on clear days, we may observe several of the snow-capped volcanoes surrounding Quito. Night in hotel.

Day 3 Bellavista

Arrive around 9:30 am, breakfast at the lodge. The rest of the day enjoy guided tours in the cloud forest. Bellavista is the perfect place for anyone who seeks to immerse themselves in its mysteries, soak in its vast views, anyone who wants to discover its rare and native birds, orchids and other species, anyone who wants to discover true peace and wild places, anyone who loves forests – there are few places like this that are so easily accessible. Add to that the sense of adventure hiking the forest trails, or deep adventure hiking up streams to reach hidden waterfalls, and you have the ingredients for a very unique travel experience.

The reserve has about 20 different trails, many of them interconnected. These paths go through primary and secondary forests. The hikes last between 1.5 to almost 3 hours depending on the trails, the hikers and the weather. There are easy trails and very hard ones, but we always choose the appropriate trails according to the hikers’ physical condition, their age and the weather. None of the trails are completely flat, and all of them have the common terrain of the cloud forest (mud, stairs, and lots of plants).

Day 4 Half day tour to Mindo – Chocolate, Butterflies & Orchids

Half day tour to visit the Chocolate factory, the Butterfly Reserve and the Orchid farm. Departure from Bellavista after breakfast. We head to Mindo, where the Chocolate factory is located. From here we combine the visit with a tour to the “Butterfly Reserve”, which is a beautiful little farm where they breed about 20 different species of butterflies. Visitors witness the whole process of birth and flight of these lovley creatures. Then we go to Chocolate factory. Here you will have around an hour’s explanation of the process of harvesting and processing of cacao, with tasting of flavors and other interesting things. Finally we go to the Orchid farm, which houses a fascinating collection of about 200 different species. And not only that – this farm also has a small viewpoint for bird watching. From here you can see tanagers, hummingbirds and momotos. At noon, transfer back to Bellavista, where we will have lunch.

Day 5 Bellavista – Otavalo

From Bellavista, pick up by AWT guide in the morning. Private tour to Otavalo. We leave Bellavista after breakfast and have an approximately 3-hour drive to Otavalo. The drive is fascinating, travelling through the relatively dry areas caused by the “rain-shadow” from the volcanoes, and it is easy to observe the sediments suggesting the formation of this part of the Andes. This valley is very beautiful and surrounded by smaller volcanoes and lakes. We visit the Otavalo market where you will find all sorts of souvenirs, and enjoy simply watching the local people and their interesting daily life. In the afternoon, transfer to an authentic hacienda in the outskirts of Otavalo, where you will have a nice dinner.

Day 6 Otavalo – Quito

In the morning, after enjoying the nice Hacienda, we head towards Cotacachi’s crater lake. This lake is beautifully located at the foot of Cuicocha volcano. There will be time to take a short walk and enjoy the magnificent views. Then we will return to Cotacachi, a small village, where we will have the opportunity to buy high quality leather products and enjoy a very nice lunch before heading home.

Day 7-10 Galapagos: 5-day Cruise

We suggest a 5-day itinerary on the tourist superior yacht Eden, or any of our other cruises. (The itinerary below is for the Eden.)

Day 11 End of cruise. Travel to Isabela Island

The cruise ends during the morning hours in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz). Some hours free to visit Galapagos biggest town, Puerto Ayora, and to enjoy the restaurants before checking in to the ferry and head for the largest (and some would say the most beautiful) island, Isabela.   The ferry takes of at 2 pm and its a 3 h boat ride. Arrival to Isabela and transfer to hotel.

Day 12 Isabela – Excursion to the Sierra Negra volcano

Today there is a day excursion to the Sierra Negra volcano. Pick up at the hotel early in the morning and arrive at the foot of the crater. From the entrance, we take a 30 minute walk to the crater, with an amazing view of the 1450 m volcano. It is the second largest crater in the world, with a diameter of 9,6 km. The volcano is active and had a major eruption in 2005, and we can clearly see the remains of the lava rivers from this eruption. Later we visit the Chico volcano, an area not often visited, where we can appreciate clear signs of volcanic activity such as fumaroles and mineral associations.

Day 13 Isabela – Visit to Tintoreras Island

Depending on the time of the year, you will either have the tour to Tintoreas in the morning or in the afternoon. Pick up at the hotel and a short boat trip to “Los Tintoreras”, named after a shark which is abundant around the Galapagos. On this small island we have the chance to spot many marine iguanas and also the Tintoreras sharks in a canal. The snorkeling is excellent around this island, and we reserve plenty of time to enjoy the waters and the wildlife.

Day 14 Departure

End of Galapagos tour. Early morning transfer to the peer in Villamil and ferry to Santa Cruz. From here transfer to Baltra airport. Flight to Guayaquil and international connection in the afternoon.

INCLUDED

• • All transfers
  • English speaking guide during activities/tours
  • All activities/tours in private services
  • Entrance fees for tours
  • Hotels according to “hotel list” (the availability will be confirmed at the moment of the booking)
  • 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners

NOT INCLUDED

• • Customers’ international flights
  • Meals and drinks not described in the Programs.
  • Transfers (except as specified)
  • Optional Tours
  • Flight cancellation fees
  • Travel Insurance or medical assistance cards
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuity for drivers and guides
  • Entrance fees: Galapagos Park Entrance fee (100 USD), Ingala (20 USD) and Isabela Island Local Taxes (10 USD)