Ecuador - Itinerary
Day 1: London - Quito
Depart from Heathrow for Quito by British Airways or Iberia. Greeting at the airport and transfer to Hotel Hilton Colon (4 Plus Star) for a 2-night stay.
Day 2: Quito - Riobamba
The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the “Chiva Express”, a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlight of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the “Chiva Express” advances along the ancient tracks. Stop for a snack at a dairy hacienda with cows, horses and llamas. Then the Chiva advances up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano and the fertile Valley of Latacunga for a visit to a rose plantation and a taste of the products of the land. Continue by bus to Riobamba, and at the foot of imposing Chimborazo volcano, visit a Tagua workshop and warm up with a canelazo by the fireplace. Dinner and overnight at Riobamba. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Riobamba - Cuenca
After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the “Chiva Express” for an astonishing ride, twisting and turning over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Stop at Guamote, an Indian town, for a short visit to an Educational Center for Adults’ Development and Sustainability. Continue aboard the Chiva to Alausí, where a snack is served, and prepare to go down the Devil’s Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue south along the Andes by motorcar to Cuenca, visiting the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca to arrive at dusk, with a stop for lunch. Accommodations and all meals at the hotel in Cuenca. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Cuenca
Today guests will enjoy a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Lunch is served at a cozy restaurant. (B,L)
Day 5: Cuenca - Guayaquil
The day starts with a ride along the Santa Ana valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every curb. Stops are made at the small towns that produce a variety of handcrafts, such as artistic handmade guitars at San Bartolo and alongside orchards and sugar cane plantations, on to Chordeleg, famous for gold and silver jewelry. Then past the village of Gualaceo, follow the road along the banks of the Santa Barbara River, lined with weeping willows, to Bulcay where shawl and scarves are woven with the ancient technique of Ikat (tie dyed warp to form specific designs, on ancient shuttle looms. Visit lovely orchid gardens with over 2500 species and then lunch at an attractive hostel, surrounded by flowery gardens, close to the Paute River. After lunch, return to Cuenca in time to catch the flight to Guayaquil. Transfer to Hilton Colon. (B,L)
Day 6: Guayaquil/Galapagos
Transfer for flight to the Galapagos Islands. (B)
Day 6 to 9: M/V Santa Cruz
A 3-night expedition in the Galapagos Islands on board our M/V Santa Cruz. The 3-night cruise portion includes full guided excursions (morning and afternoon activities) to observe the unique flora and fauna of the islands, plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling, stargazing. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Galapagos - Quito
End of the cruise, transfer to the airport in Galapagos for flight back to Quito. Transfer to Hilton Colon for a 1-night stay. After arrival in Quito, a visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. The tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. (B)
Day 10: Quito/London
Transfer to the airport in Quito for flight back to London by British Airways. (B)
Day 11: London
Arrive in Heathrow.
Amazon Extension
Day 10: Quito - Amazon
Take Amazonia flight to Coca, where you will board a canoe for a 2.5 hour trip down the Napo River – a direct tributary of the Amazon. On arrival at Sacha’s 5,000 acre private reserve you will follow the raised boardwalk through the dense flooded palm forest which leads to Pilchicocha Lake. Here dugout canoes and boatmen wait to ferry across the lake to the Sacha lodge. (B,D)
Day 10 - 12 : Sacha Lodge
All meals and activities are included for these four days in the Amazon. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Coca - Quito
Transfer for Amazonia flight back to Quito (B)
Key:
- B = Breakfast included
- L = Lunch included
- D = Dinner included