THE BEST OF ECUADOR - 20 DAYS
A trip through the mainland Ecuador's best places, visiting the most impressive of the country and a cruise around the Galapagos Islands. The country has four drastically different regions: the mountain Andes, the exuberant Amazon jungle that gives us the opportunity to connect with the nature and allows us to reflect on how important it is to conserve it, the Pacific coast and finally of course marvellous Galapagos Islands on board of comfortable cruise. Each region has its own unique fauna, flora, climate and culture that characterizes and differentiates each one. You can visit the entire Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in this fantastic tour of 20 days.

NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER

THE ANDES

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
CUENCA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Quito: The Historic Center of Quito was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on September 8, 1978. It is the least altered and the best preserved in America.
- Napo Wildlife Center: Located in the heart of the Yasuní National Park, a UNESCO a Biosphere Reserve, the Napo Wildlife Center provides visitors with great opportunities to explore the treasures hidden in the sacred lands of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador.
- Cotopaxi National Park: In it we can find the largest active volcano in the world (5897 mts.) Also a lagoon where we can see animals typical of the Andean area and with luck the most emblematic animal of Ecuador, the condor.
- Baños: Also known as "Piece of Heaven", "Gateway to the Amazon", "Puerta de El Dorado" or "City of the Volcano". It is the land of rivers to practice extreme sports.
- Ingapirca: which means "Inca Wall" was, above all, an astronomical observatory of the movement of the sun and the moon, it was also a sacred space dedicated to the worship of their gods built by the Incas on the basis of a first Cañarí settlement, which populated the southern Ecuadorian.
- Cuenca: it is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It was declared a World Heritage Site for its unique beauty.
- Guayaquil: Its shopping centers, parks, museums and boardwalks are the most visited by travelers who are enchanted by the magic that the so-called "Pearl of the Pacific" offers.
- Galapagos: Can you imagine walking among exotic birds, sea lions and giant tortoises? This will only be achieved in the Galapagos archipelago also known as the Enchanted Islands and unique laboratory.
- Otavalo: It is called "Intercultural Capital of Ecuador" for its cultural and historical richness.
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
Please find below a detailed description of this complete tour.
DAY 1: TRANSFER AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL
Welcome to Ecuador, a small country but certainly charming and full of adventures. Our Guide will receive you at the Airport, will welcome you and give you an introduction to the tour of Ecuador where we will visit the country for the next 20 days. The guide will transfer you to the hotel in Quito where you will spend the night.
HOTEL: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (-/-/-)
DAY 2: CITY LINE (QUITO COLONIAL + MITAD DEL MUNDO) + TELEFERICO
We will visit some of the most famous squares, churches and colonial buildings. The Plaza de la Independencia with its Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Building, the Statue of Independence and the Cathedral. We will continue to the churches of El Sagrario and La Compañía, and then the church and convent of San Francisco. We will take a look inside the church and be amazed by the exuberant gold that was used to decorate the oldest church in Quito. Then we will move to the Panecillo and the statue of the Virgin of Quito. From here we will have the opportunity to see both parts of Quito and the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes!
IN the afternoon we will continue the famous MItad del Mundo. This is one of the most famous attractions in Quito, You can visit the monument or the insitu museum called Inti-Ñan. You can discover the great details of the solar system, the effect that the position of the equator and ancient cultures and much more..!
Finally you will visit the Teleferiqo (cable car) of Quito. Over 2,500 meters you will reach the top of the PIchincha Volcano, this great visit is a unique experience, which offers a great view of the landscape of the north, center and south of the city. After this visit we will be dropped off at our hotel.
HOTEL: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (B/-/-)
DAY 3: FLIGHT TO COCA CITY FOR JUNGLE TOUR
Transfer from your hotel in Quito to the airport for your flight to Coca city.

HOTEL: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (B/-/-)
DAY 3 to DAY 7: NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER – (5 DAYS - 4 NIGHTS) - JUNGLE TOUR
5 days - 4 nights tour on the exclusive NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER in Yasuni National park. Standard double cabin - Full board

HOTEL: Napo Wildlife Center or similar (subject to availability) (B / L / D)
DAY 7: FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO – TRANSFER TO COTOPAXI VOLCANO AREA
flight back from Coca to Quito after your jungle trip. Our guide will wait for you and he will take you to a colonial hacienda in Cotopaxi volcano area.
HOTEL: Hacienda La Cienega or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 8: COTOPAXI VOLCANO - QUILOTOA LAGGOON - BANOS
Departure early in the morning from from our designated hotels, through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route, as a clear sign of the majesty of the Andes. We continue to the Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foot of the impressive active volcano. Visit the Museum Park, the Limpiopungo Lagoon and through an interesting hike will reach the forest of chuquirahuas to 4200 meters. (if the weather permits).
After this visit you will reach the Quilotoa Volcano, which has in its crater a stunning turquoise lagoon, making it one of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of Ecuador. We take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if weather conditions allow). Then we’ll have the option to hike to reach the banks of this marvellous lagoon. Late in the afternoon we'll go to Baños, where you will spend the night.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Luna Volcan or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / D)
DAY 9: BAÑOS - ROUTE OF THE CASCADES - TRIP TO RIOBAMBA
After breakfast we will visit the surroundings of the town of Banos, the main church and some other places... After this visit you will visit the famous "route of the cascades" where you will visit some different cascades such as Manto de la Novia, San Pedro, and more... The highlight of this route is the famous "Pailon del Diablo cascade"; a beautiful and majestic waterfall around the cloud forest of the zone.
In the afternoon we'll go to Riobamba city .. On the way we will make a brief visit of the Chimborazo volcano for photos. Overnight in a Colonial hacienda.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Andaluza or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / D)
DAY 10: RIOBAMBA - INGAPIRCA - CUENCA
We will visist some interesting historic places of the city of Riobamba in the morning... Then we'll go towards south and we'll the Balbanera church, which is the first one founded in Ecuador. The a short time around the peaceful lagoon of Colta Lagoon. These two are unique Andean landscapes of the area.
We’ll reach the area of the Andean train called the famous "Devil’s nose" , the tour is not operating at this time due the company of trains is “out of business” but our guide will show you the operation and the route… After this visit we'll continue towards south and we’ll reach the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca, famous place of inca ancient times.. Finally we'll reach Cuenca city.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Mansion Alcazar or similar (Subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 11: CITY TOUR IN CUENCA - GUALACEO - CHORDELEG
After the breakfast we will start our adventure of this day have a city tour through the city of Cuenca, a beautiful city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will abel to discover its cultural and architectural diversity. visiting the most important churches and monuments of this city. We will also visit the Turi viiewpoint, where you will have a panoramic view of the entire city of Cuenca. After the lulnch (not included)
In the afternoon we will visit the colinal tows of Gualaceo and Chordeleg, two of the most important towns near the city, famous for their handicrafts made with gold and silver, and for their colonial traditions.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Mansion Alcazar or similar (Subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 12: EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK – GUAYAQUIL CITY
After breakfast we go to a short hiking excursion around the El Cajas National Park. This is an interesting visit full of nature, the lagoons are the remains of the last ice age. The small and big lagoons are connected by internal small rivers, whose crystal clear waters flow into the Pacific ocean. The hiking also include a part of the famous forest of "trees of paper".
After this visit we'll continue the trip towards the coast of Ecuador to reach the city of Guayaquil. At our arrival we'll make a short city tour around the city and its main touristic places.
FIRST CLASS HOTEL: Unipark (SUITE ROOM) or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 13: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT – FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS
Transfer hotel to airport in Guayaquil for taking the flight to the enchanted Galapagos Islands. .At your arrival in Galapagos the guide of the yacht will meet you and taking you on board.
DAY 13 TO 18: FULL BOARD ON GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (6 days / 5 nights tour)
6 days - 5 nights cruise on the EcoGalaxy catamaran or similar - FULL BOARD (subject to dates and avaialability))

FULL BOARD TOUR ON THE SELECTED YACHT (Booked separataley according the dates of the tour)
(B / L / D)
DAY 18: FLIGHT RETURN FROM GALAPAGOS TO QUITO
After the morning visit the guide of the yacht will take you to the airport for taking your flight to Quito. , at your arrival the guide will meet you for taking you to the hotel in the old town of the city.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 19: OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET AND SURROUNDINGS
Departure from Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe town, where we'll have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos”, a type of biscuit baked in a clay oven. Then we'll reach the viewpoint of the Lake San Pablo for photos and taking some beverages. We;ll reach then the city of Otavalo. In this area we'll visit the beauty cascade of Peguche with a short hiking around the place. After this visit we'll have time to visit the indigenous market of Otavalo, one of tjhe the largest in America. In this market the people of the zone sell their textils and handicrafts.
After free time in the market, we'll contnue the trip to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. we'll contunue with our final visit of the day, the Ecological Reserve Cuicocha, where the main atraction is the lagoon located inside the crater. It;s possible a short walk around the lagoon or a short trip in small boats on the lagoon. (with additional cost).
return to Quito for overnight,
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (B/ - / -)
DAY 20: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT BACK HOME
Breakfast. The guide will pick you up at your hotel at assigned time according the time of your inboud flight. Transfer to the airport.
END OF OUR SERVICES
MEALS:
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
THE BEST OF ECUADOR - 20 days
** The tour can start any date in private services with minimum 2 persons.**
**The dates and order of itinerary depends on the Galapagos cruise**
SERVICE | PRICE PER PERSON |
---|---|
LAND TOUR ECUADOR AROUND THE ANDES | $2424 USD |
NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER 5 DAYS - 4 NIGHTS
+ FLIGHT TICKETS (QUITO – COCA – QUITO) |
$2118 USD |
ECOGALAXY YACHT 6 DAYS - 5 NIGHTS
+ FLIGHT TICKETS (GUAYAQUIL – GALAPAGOS – QUITO) |
$4600 USD |
GRAND TOTAL PER PERSON | $9142 USD |
NOTE:
Galapagos cruise and flight tickets are subject to dates and availability.
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
- Private transportation during the whole program with English speaking guide-driver
- Transfers airport – hotel - airport
- Lodging in FIRST CLASS hotels in double rooms included breakfasts.
- Meals according the description of the program
- Excursions according to the itinerary
- Museum entrance fees during the land program
- 5 day tour in standard cabin in Napo wildlife Center
- Flight tickets Quito – Coca – Quito with assistance
DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Galapagos cruise and flight tickets, subject to dates and availability (booked separately)
- Meals not specified in the program
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses and tips
- Wire transfer costs of payment.