Ecuador and Galapagos : Drive & Discover

Welcome to Ecuador !

Although it is the smallest of the Andean countries - half the size of France - Ecuador is a megadiverse country that has everything it takes to offer its travellers superb experiences, as varied as they are unforgettable, from the Andes to the Amazon, from the Pacific coast to the mythical Galapagos archipelago.
The country's greatest asset remains its people : welcoming, jovial, proud of their country's natural and cultural treasures, and eager to share their know-how, knowledge, traditions and gastronomy.
You will be met at the airport by your guide, who will welcome you to his country and accompany you to your hotel in the La Mariscal district.

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To fully appreciate the beauty of the historic center of Quito, the largest and best preserved in Latin America, there is nothing like walking it ! During your walk through the pedestrian streets, you will admire the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, starting with the lively Plaza de la Independencia with its imposing Metropolitan Cathedral and then the impressive Church of La Compañía de Jesús, before reaching the place where the Church of San Francisco and its convent are located.

The city of Quito is perched at an altitude of 2,800 m, making it the 2nd highest capital in the world. Renowned for its colonial architecture, the capital's natural environment is not to be outdone: bordered by the eastern and western ranges of the Andes, the city was founded on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.

You will also visit the National Museum. It houses one of the country's most important collections of Ecuadorian art, with magnificent pre-Hispanic and colonial works.

In the afternoon, you'll make your way to the Mitad del Mundo, on the equinoctial line, where you can test the veracity of the various properties attributed to the equator. Try balancing an egg on clove and ask to have your photo taken with a foot in each hemisphere.

MEAL : Breakfast

Today, it's up to you! In the morning, a transfer will take you from your hotel to the rental agency to pick up your rental car and start your autotour. You can choose between a free day in Quito to enjoy the city's attractions on your own, or the option of spending the day in Otavalo, the Andean region's famous craft market. If you're more in the mood for nature, opt for the Cotopaxi option and discover the national park.

MEAL : Breakfast

This day presenting a total change of landscape is the perfect example to show the great diversity of the country.
Before leaving the Andes, you will take a break to benefit from the many virtues of the thermal waters of the town of Papallacta.
Then you will leave the Sierra mountains to reach the exuberant vegetation and the wide rivers of the East, on the edge of the Amazon.

After lunch, you set off for the Amazon. This route offers a complete change of scenery, and is the perfect example of the country's great diversity. You'll cross the Andes to reach the lush vegetation and wide rivers of the Oriente, on the edge of Amazonia.

In the afternoon you will arrive at the town of Ahuano and take a motorized canoe to reach the lodge. This first trip will be an opportunity to enjoy the panorama and observe the gold searchers in the distance.
You will have the rest of the afternoon to rest from the trip, spend some time by the river, take a dip in the pool or even have a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the forest.
In the afternoon, aboard a safe boat, you will go out in search of alligators. Your guide will attract you with some meat so that you can observe up to fifteen individuals; huge adults and babies of a few weeks.

MEALS : Breakfast | Dinner

Your local guide, an expert in jungle and medicinal plants, will suggest activities adapted to your group and the climate so that you can feel the jungle, bathe in its rivers, walk the trails and reserves of the primary forest, discover the animals, meet the locals, their way of life, gastronomy, crafts, and customs...
Vous Your local guide, an expert in jungle and medicinal plants, will suggest activities adapted to your group and the climate so that you can feel the jungle, bathe in its rivers, walk the trails and reserves of the primary forest, discover the animals, meet the locals, their way of life, gastronomy, crafts, and customs...

MEALS : Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

After lunch, you set off for the Amazon. This route offers a complete change of scenery and is the perfect example of the country's great diversity. You'll cross the Andes to reach the lush vegetation and wide rivers of the Oriente, on the edge of Amazon.

You'll take a path leading to the impressive "Pailón del Diablo" waterfall, then cross the river in tarabita at the Manto de la Novia waterfall.

Finally, you'll reach the town of Riobamba, with its pretty parks and churches, and superb views of the surrounding mountains.
Riobamba is the combination of the Spanish word for river (río) and the Kichwa word for valley (bamba), which perfectly illustrates the region's topography and rich mix of cultures. The Chimborazo region has one of the highest concentrations of indigenous population in the country.

MEAL : Breakfast

After passing through the Church of Balbanera, the first Catholic church built in the country during colonization, you will discover the best-preserved archaeological site in Ecuador : Ingapirca.
This place, originally used as an observatory by the Cañaris, later conquered by the Incas in the 15th century, still preserves, among other things, the ruins of a temple and the residence of virgins dedicated to ritual sacrifice. You will also discover a hut, the traditional houses of the time.

Then you will continue your trip to Cuenca and visit a factory of the famous toquilla straw hats, the panamas. You will learn about the process of making the straw hat and have the opportunity to buy one as a souvenir!

MEAL : Breakfast

This day will be dedicated to the magnificent colonial city of Cuenca. Its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is full of magnificent churches and monuments that the Spanish built incorporating the remains of the Cañari and Inca cultures.
Cuenca is the country's 3rd-largest city, after Quito, with a bohemian ambience, fine cuisine and churches and architecture in its historic center, a World Heritage Site. Cuenca is remarkably well-preserved, and its cobbled streets lined with houses with flower-filled balconies are a delight to stroll along.

After stopping off for a curious tasting in the flower market square, you'll see that the town's inhabitants are keeping craft traditions alive by continuing to work with ceramics, silver and, of course, weaving the straw hat known the world over as the Panama hat.

In the afternoon, you'll immerse yourself in the various pre-Columbian cultures represented in the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures. You'll learn more about the different cultures that have populated the territory over the last 15,000 years.

MEALS : Breakfast

As you leave the Andean region, you'll have a breathtaking view of the El Cajas national park and its unique landscapes, which you'll cross to reach the coastal plain where banana plantations and rice paddies abound. You'll make several photo stops at different viewpoints to take full advantage of one of the country's most beautiful panoramas, particularly of the wide expanses of Andean páramo. You will have lunch in a typical Hacienda and learn about the cocoa-making process..

You will arrive in Guayaquil, the country's largest city, nicknamed the "Pearl of the Pacific", and visit the city with your guide.With the country's largest port, Guayaquil is Ecuador's main commercial city. Destroyed several times by pirate attacks in past centuries, the city is an example of how to rebuild and develop spaces, as demonstrated by the Malecón along the river, with its promenade dotted with gardens and historic monuments.

Finally, you will stroll along the Malecón 2000 and can sunbathe with the iguanas at Seminario Park before returning your rental car and heading back to your hotel.

MEAL : Breakfast

In the morning, a private transfer will be organized to Guayaquil airport for your flight (non included) to the Galapagos.
You should then have your luggage inspected in the Galapagos Biosafety Agency (GBA.) To prevent the unintentional introduction of invasive species that threaten the islands' biodiversity. This same action will be repeated on the docks before any transport between the different islands of the archipelago. Before landing, the aircraft cabin will be fumigated with a WHO-approved product, to eliminate any organisms that may have passed through despite previous inspections. Upon arrival in the archipelago you will have to pay for the entrance to the national park, of 200 USD/ person.

The Galapagos archipelago offers a wide range of experiences to make the most of this unforgettable region. The varied panoramas range from heavenly beaches to green mountains and impressive volcanic landscapes. The fauna of the islands is incredibly rich, whether on land, in the ocean or in the air : turtles, iguanas, sea lions, stingrays, sharks, penguins, blue-footed boobies and red-footed boobies, all of which you can observe at close quarters!

You'll be picked up at the airport by your guides. A short bus ride and you're aboard the M/V Coral Yacht.

Santa Cruz is the most visited island in the Galapagos archipelago, not least because most commercial flights from the mainland land here. It is the ideal hub for travel to the other islands of the archipelago. The main port is Puerto Ayora, a bustling town with many stores and restaurants. However, if you move a little further away from the city, you'll love the island's impressive natural attractions on the coast and in the highlands. The island abounds in beautiful beaches, reserves where giant tortoises roam free, massive volcanic craters and secluded natural pools where you can dive. Its wildlife is varied: land and sea iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and much more!

Your local guide will be waiting for you as you disembark the ferry for your first visit: the upper part of Santa Cruz.

You'll enjoy a delicious lunch on a ranch, then head to the "pozas" where you can see the emblematic giant Galapagos tortoises.

Afterwards, you'll take a short walk to the lava tunnel, then discover the various projects run by the ranch: a 60-year-old trapiche that extracts sugarcane juice to make molasses and brandy, as well as the entire coffee process, prepared in the rustic manner. Enjoy cane juice, alcohol and organic coffee!

Finally, you'll be driven to your hotel in Puerto Ayora, the island's main town.

MEALS : Breakfast | Lunch

Bartolomé Island is the most famous in the archipelago, thanks to the breathtaking views it affords of Pinnacle Rock and Santiago Island. You can reach this superb viewpoint by climbing the wooden boardwalk.
It features an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green formations. You'll take a stairway to the top of the volcano (30-40 minutes), where you'll enjoy one of the best views of the islands. You'll also visit a small but beautiful beach, surrounded by the island's unique vegetation. It's the ideal spot for snorkeling and watching Galapagos penguins, as well as white-tip sharks and playful sea lions.

MEAL : Breakfast | Lunchbox

This day is free: you can choose one of our excursions from our catalog, or enjoy the hotel and the beach.

MEAL : Breakfast

Located southeast of Santa Cruz, you'll reach a magnificent bay with crystal-clear waters surrounded by cactus and mangroves on the island of Santa Fe. From the boat, you'll see a white sand beach populated by sea lions and, in the distance, a small forest of giant cacti unique to Santa Fe. The island is renowned for its diversity of seabirds such as pelicans, gulls and blue-footed boobies, and you can also spot Tintoreras sharks resting on the shore.
After lunch, you'll reach Playa Escondida, a white-sand beach in the middle of a very quiet bay, where you'll disembark to relax and enjoy the sun and sea.

MEALS : Breakfast | Lunchbox

This day is free : you can choose one of our excursions from our catalog, or enjoy the hotel and the beach.

MEAL : Breakfast

This morning, a transfer will take you from your hotel to Santa Cruz airport, where you'll catch your return flight (non included) to the mainland. You'll wait at the airport for your return international flight (non included).

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