THE BEST OF ECUADOR - 20 DAYS
A trip through mainland Ecuador best places the most impressive of the continent and the Galapagos Islands. The country has four drastically different regions: the mountain chain or better known as the Andes mountain range, the exuberant Amazon jungle that gives us the opportunity to connect with mother earth and allows us to reflect on how important it is to conserve it, the Pacific coast that It has a large amount of marine life that will undoubtedly leave you impressed and of course the Galapagos Islands Galapagos is one of the main tourist attractions of Ecuador that shows its insides to show its fascinating evolution of flora and fauna, in an environment similar to a spectacular paradise and living laboratory that was visited in 1835 by the English scientist Charles Darwin, and verified "The Theory of Evolution". Each region has its own unique fauna, flora, climate and culture that characterizes and differentiates each one. You can visit the entire Ecuador and Galapagos Islands in 20 days.

NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER

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
Below you can review the description of this magnificent 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 Ecuadorian Amazon jungle, you will be able to live and feel the Ecuadorian east first hand. You will also travel through the Andes mountain range and without a doubt one of the high points of this tour are the fabulous Galapagos Islands. All this in 20 days. He will transfer you to his hotel in Quito where he 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! We will continue to the Middle of the World where we will have lunch first. The Middle of the World is one of the most famous attractions in Quito, located about 10 km north of the capital of Ecuador. There is an interesting open-air museum called Inti-Ñan.
It explains the solar system, the effect that the position of the equator has on gravity and ancient cultures and their peculiarities. Definitely worth a visit! Then they will take us back to Quito where we will visit the TeleferiQo de Quito: The trip on the TelefériQo de Quito is a unique experience, which discovers new sensations each time. The view, as you ascend, reveals a singular landscape of the city and the opportunity to travel more than 2,500 meters in less than 20 minutes, to discover places of unparalleled beauty. After this visit we will be dropped off at our hotel.
HOTEL: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (-/-/-)
DAY 3: FLIGHT TO COCA CITY FOR JUNGLE TOUR
Transfer to the airport for flight to Coca city for jungle tour.

HOTEL: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (-/-/-)
DAY 3 to DAY 7: NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER – 5 DAY JUNGLE TOUR
5 day trip in NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER lodge in Yasuni National park. Full board

HOTEL: Napo Wildlife Center or similar (subject to availability) (B / L / D)
DAY 7: FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO – TRANSFER TO COTOPAXI AREA IN A COLONIAL HACIENDA
Transfer from the airport to your hacienda in Cotopaxi
HOTEL: Hacienda La Cienega or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 8: COTOPAXI VOLCANO - BANOS
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel to transfer you to one of the most emblematic points of Ecuador, the Cotopaxi volcano, considered the largest active volcano in the world at 5897 meters high (19,347 feet high). During our stay in the National Park we will admire its natural environment, its Flora and Fauna with the explanations of your naturalist guide. We will try to ascend to the refuge located at 4,810 m (15,392 ft high). Since the Cotopaxi Volcano is active at this time, the ascent will be granted by the National Park authorities. We will also walk around Lake Limpiopungo that is located at the
foot of the volcano to observe some birds from the Páramo region (Andean Grasslands). On a clear day, the view of the volcano reflected on the lake's surface is magnificent. We make a brief visit to the small museum that tells about the
park, its nature, wildlife and the eruptions of the central axis of the park. Then we’ll have the option to hike until the refuge of the volcano. In the afternoon we go to Baños. where we 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 and we will take the "way of the waterfalls" where you will visit the different waterfalls in the area and you will do a trekking to get to "El Pailon del Diablo"; a beautiful and majestic waterfall where we can have the opportunity to walk and live a completely unforgettable adventure through the cloud forest. Time for lunch in the town (not included). Then travel to Riobamba .. On the way we will make a brief visit to have a view of the Chimborazo volcano.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Andaluza or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / D)
DAY 10: RIOBAMBA - INGAPIRCA - CUENCA
We will enjoy a visit to the Colta lagoon and the Balbanera located in a picturesque Andean town, where there is a peaceful lagoon in whose waters the Chimborazo is reflected on clear sunny days; the railway line and the town of Cajabamba. This beautiful lagoon is known in the Puruhá language as "Kulta Kucha", which means "Pato Lagoon". The Colta lagoon is unique. It is a large, elongated water mirror, surrounded by exuberant vegetation. It can be seen from the road in all its splendor, adorned by the Chimborazo and by an impressive nature, with unique Andean landscapes. It is said that the first Spanish foundation of the capital city took place here, its founder, Diego de Almagro, this foundation was not recognized and led to a later foundation at the foot of the Pichincha in December 1534.
Laguna de Colta allows activities such as: walks, photography, observation of flora and fauna, observation of the landscape and adventure. We’ll reach the area of the Devil’s nose train, 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 of the train and all the route… After this we’ll viist the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca. Then trip to Cuenca.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Mansion Alcazar or similar (Subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 11: CITY TOUR IN CUENCA - GUALACEO - CHORDELEG
This day we will have a city tour through the city of Cuenca, a city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and discover its cultural and architectural diversity. visiting the most important churches and monuments of this city, we also observe the broken bridge, and we visit the tourist viewpoint of Turi, where we can have a panoramic view of the entire city of Cuenca. Enjoy the history and architecture of the city on this picturesque tour! In the afternoon we will visit 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 excursion to El Cajas National Park or the Gualaceo Valley (depending on weather conditions) and then we will travel to Guayaquil. El Cajas National Park has several small lagoons (more than 230). They are the remains of the last ice age. The lakes are connected by small rivers, whose crystal clear waters flow into the Pacific. We will have a short walk through this protected area. We will continue the trip to Guayaquil.
FIRST CLASS HOTEL: Unipark (SUITE ROOM) or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 13: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT – FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS
Transfer To the airport to take the flight to the enchanted Islands of Galapagos. At your arrival the guide of the yacht will meet you at the airport to take you on board.
FIRST CLASS HOTEL: Unipark (SUITE ROOM) or similar (subject to availability) (B / - / -)
DAY 13 TO 18: FULL BOARD ON GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (6 day / 5 night tour)
6 day cruise on board the first class EcoGalaxy catamaran (or similar)

FULL BOARD ON THE YACHT IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
DAY 18: FLIGHT RETURN GALAPAGOS - QUITO
After the morning visit the guide of the yacht will take you to the airport and return to Quito, at your arrival our guide will meet you to take you to the hotel.
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (- / - / -)
DAY 19: OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET AND SURROUNDINGS
Departure from Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce). After admiring Lake San Pablo, we will arrive at the Otavalo Market, the largest in America, where the indigenous people of the area, known as "Otavalos", one of Ecuador's most recognized ethnic groups, make and sell their textiles and handicrafts. Passengers may choose between to stay in this area and enjoy more time from the market and our bus will pick them up at the end of the tour (they will not have the visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha), or continue with the journey to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an andean instrument workshop "Ñanda Mañachi" located in the area of Peguche, to spend some special moments with the local people and understand the Andean culture. In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included). Later we will visit the Ecological Reserve where the Cuicocha lagoon is located, inside the crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, which originated after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. And if the weather permits it will be possible to make a walk by the lagoon, that is to say sailing in the crater of the volcano in small boats (with additional cost).
HOTEL FIRST CLASS: Patio Andaluz or similar (subject to availability) (B/ - / -)
DAY 20: TRANSFER OUT - END OF OUR SERVICES
Breakfast at the hotel. Our guide will pick you up at his hotel to transfer you to the airport. This will be the end of our tour of Ecuador.
We have reached the end of our services for ECUADOR GREEN TRAVEL, it was a real pleasure to have shared the best of Ecuador with you.
END OF OUR SERVICES
HOTEL: Without hotel (-/-/-)
MEALS:
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
The Best of Ecuador - 20 days
** The tour can operate any date with minimum 2 persons, and the dates depend of the Galapagos cruise departure**
SERVICE | PRICE PER PERSON |
---|---|
LAND TOUR ECUADOR AROUND THE ANDES | $2280 USD |
NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER 5 DAYS + FLIGHT TICKETS (QUITO – COCA – QUITO) | $1996 USD |
GRAND TOTAL PER PERSON | $4276 USD |
NOTE:
Galapagos cruise and flight tickets, subject to dates and availability (booked separately)
INCLUDE:
- Meals according to the program
- Private transportation during the whole program with English speaking guide - driver
- Transfer airport – hotel - airport
- Lodging in FIRST CLASS hotels in double rooms
- Professional English speaking guide – driver during the whole program
- Excursions according to the itinerary
- Museum entrance fees during the land program
- 5 day tour to the jungle lodge in Napo wildlife center
- Flight tickets Quito – Coca – Quito
DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Galapagos cruise and flight tickets, subject to dates and availability (booked separately)
- Meals are not specified in the program
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses, tips, wire transfer costs.