The Galapagos & the Andes

© quitoinforma

Upon arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, your helpful guide will meet you. They will be your personal translator and assist with the private transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Quito

Meals: -/-/-

© Hacienda Zuleta

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at Hacienda Zuleta, Ecuador’s Hotel, after a drive through lush pasturelands. If the weather permits, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped Cayambe Volcano on your way, as it is just a few miles from Zuleta. Your host will greet you personally at Zuleta, check you into your room, and explain the hacienda’s activities. They will also inquire about your preferences, needs, and questions over some afternoon tea or coffee. After planning your stay, you’ll be shown around the main building, learn about Zuleta’s history, see the private library of former President Galo Plaza Lasso, visit our chapel, and wander through our beautiful gardens. You’ll then return to the hacienda to enjoy its facilities and have dinner.

Overnight: Hacienda Zuleta

Meals: B/L/-

© Fundación Galo Plaza

After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hacienda lobby to take you on the Condor Huasi Project tour. Zuleta is renowned nationally and internationally for its work with Ecuador’s Andean condor. Many guests ride or hike to Condor Huasi, our Andean condor rehabilitation project, about 5 km from the hacienda in a valley surrounded by native forests. At Condor Huasi, the only reproduction and release site licensed by Ecuador’s Andean Condor Protection Agency, you’ll observe the eight condors we have in captivity. With some luck, you might even see wild Andean condors soaring above or landing in the aviary. After the tour, you’ll return to the hacienda for lunch before your afternoon activity.

Overnight: Hacienda Zuleta

Meals: B/L/D

© Cancillería de Ecuador

This morning, you’ll depart for Otavalo, known for its weekly artisan market. We will visit the textile market at the “Plaza de los Ponchos,” one of the most famous markets in South America. You’ll find a variety of handcrafted items, including tapestries made on Spanish looms and indigenous backstrap looms. You’ll then have some free time to bargain and shop with the friendly Otavaleños.

Overnight: Quito

Meals: B/-/-

After an early breakfast, the tour will head to Quito’s downtown or Centro Histórico, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. We will start with a panoramic view of Alameda Park and the Basilica, followed by a walk down the Street of the Seven Crosses. The tour will continue with a walking tour beginning at Independence Square, visiting the presidential palace, the main cathedral, the gold-plated La Compañía Church, San Francisco Church, and San Francisco Plaza.

Photo: NNehring

Additionally, we’ll visit the “La Mitad del Mundo” complex, where you can straddle both hemispheres at latitude 0º 0’ 0”. This monument forms the centerpiece of a park with gift shops and restaurants. The site holds significant importance in the Andean cosmological vision, recognized by ancient Andean people thousands of years ago. The Ethnographic Museum at the complex provides an excellent overview of Ecuador’s diverse cultures and geography.

Overnight: Quito

Meals: B/-/-

Photo: PatricioHidalgoP

After an early breakfast, you will head towards Cotopaxi National Park. The Cotopaxi Volcano is one of Ecuador’s most significant landmarks, is the highest active volcano in the world. You’ll observe the lush endemic flora and fauna of the area, including the Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower), wild horses, deer, llamas, and more. While in the National Park, you may also visit Limpiopungo Lake near Rumiñahui Volcano (4757 meters) or go hiking to observe birds. After this experience, you’ll travel to a colonial Andean hacienda for the night.

Overnight: Hacienda in Cotopaxi

Meals: B/-/-

Photo: Maciej Bledowski

Today, you’ll visit a rose plantation and learn about the cultivation process of one of the world’s most famous roses. Afterward, you’ll experience a local market where you can observe traditions and locally produced goods. Depending on the day, you may visit a specific market as not all markets are open daily.

Overnight: Quito

Meals:   B/-/-

Cerro Colorado, San Cristóbal

Photo: marktucan

Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, travelers will pass through an inspection point to ensure no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). A guide will meet you, assist with your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Center, located approximately 40 minutes by bus southeast of the island. This center was established to improve the status of the island’s tortoise population. It includes a large corral, a visitor center, a breeding center, and an interpretive trail. Along this trail, you may see different species of native and endemic plants, as well as birds such as the San Cristóbal Mockingbird, Yellow Warblers, various finches, and the Galapagos Flycatcher.

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: B/L/D

AM: Española Island, Gardner Bay

Located on the northeastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay offers a fantastic beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and observing sea lions. You might also spot sharks in the crystal-clear ocean waters.

Photo: SL_Photography

PM: Española Island, Punta Suarez

This rocky spot supports one of the most impressive and varied colonies of seabirds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise from the sea, offering spectacular views of soaring birds and the blowhole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air depending on the surf’s intensity.

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: B/L/D

Photo: stockcam

AM: Punta Cormorant, Floreana

This site likely boasts the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos and is among the largest on the islands. It is situated between two tuff lava cones, creating a unique atmosphere. Besides flamingos, you may observe various shorebirds such as common stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and other migratory species. Notable features include the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals) and the “Flour Sand Beach,” made up of coral.

PM: Post office bay & Baroness Lookout, Floreana

Historically, this site is known for a wooden barrel placed in the 18th century by a whaling ship crew, which has been used by mariners and tourists as a post office. You will continue to the north of the island and ascend to Baroness Lookout to enjoy a panoramic view. Legend has it that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this spot and spent hours watching the horizon. From this lookout, you can see the coastline from Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the flamingo pool, and the extensive Palo Santo forest.

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: B/L/D

Photo: guenterguni

AM: North Seymour Island

Seymour is an uplifted island, generally flat and strewn with boulders. It provides excellent nesting sites for a large population of magnificent frigatebirds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dances in open areas, and swallow-tailed gulls perch on cliff edges. Despite the rough surf, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be seen bodysurfing. Be cautious as the boobies might nest in unexpected places. Frigatebirds display their bright red skin flaps to attract mates, sometimes flying to enhance their visibility. A circular path takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where waves crash in a silvery blue.

PM: Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island

These two small beaches, located west of Turtle Cove, feature white, soft sand made of decomposed coral, making them a favored nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches, there is a small brackish water lagoon where flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and Whimbrels, are occasionally observed. The other beach is longer and has two old barges abandoned during World War II when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.

Overnight: Galapagos Cruise

Meals: B/L/D

AM:  Mosquera Islet

Mosquera Islet is situated between Baltra and North Seymour. This small islet, formed by geological uplift, features a reef of rocks and coral and a large white sand beach populated by sea lions. You can also observe several species of shorebirds here. The site offers excellent snorkeling and swimming opportunities. Along the rocks, you may spot Red Lava Crabs or Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Following your visit to Mosquera Islet, you will be transferred to Baltra Island’s airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Quito.

Overnight: Quito

Meals: B/-/-

Depending on your international flight schedule, you will have breakfast at the hotel. Your guide will be at the hotel reception to transfer you to the airport for your departure.

Meals: B/-/-