Classic Ecuador Highlights

CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS
CLASSIC ECUADOR HIGHLIGHTS

Classic Ecuador Highlights

Duration

10 Days / 9 Nights

Package Type

https://cms.vaexpeditions.com/media/images/package_type/museum.svg

Traditional

Activity Level

Activity Level

Moderate

Wildlife expectation

Physical Difficulty

Wildlife expectation

Cultural rating

Wildlife expectation

Wildlife expectation

Specialist

Travel specialist

Claire
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Discover the highlights of Ecuador including the magnificent Galapagos Islands through this island-hopping tour! The Galapagos is unique in the world due to its phenomenal biodiversity and abundant wildlife in a setting unlike any other in the world. Due to its isolation, the islands are a natural sanctuary that have preserved animal species, for thousands of years, allowing them to specially adapt to their surroundings.  Take a spectacular drive through the Andes visiting Cuicocha crater-lake and the famous indigenous market of Otavalo and share a unique experience with local people in the heart of the Andes. Relax and acclimatize at a luxury hot springs resort to feel the energy of the mother nature and the surrounding mountains. All this and more is included in this amazing with this classic 10 day itinerary!

Special features of our 10 day Classic Ecuadorian Highlights Tour: 

Type of Tourism:  Nature, Biodiversity, Classic, Adventure

Places to Visit:  Galapagos, Quito, Otavalo

Duration:  10 Days and 9 Nights. 

Type of Service: group tours. 

Accommodation:  4 star hotels at every destination that you will visit. These hotels had been carefully chosen and we can guarantee that you will feel comfortable and your every need catered for! 

DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE

Today is arrival day to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This well preserved colonial city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. We will take you to the famous indigenous market town of Otavalo, where we will spend the evening in a historic hacienda.

    Otavalo, where you will have plenty of time to wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Learn all about their way of life and their native language. We will visit the famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, knitted clothing, paintings, ceramics, jewellery, tapestries. In the afternoon. We will then head to Cotachi to see the town's ...

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      After breakfast, we will head to the Cotacachi Cayapas ecological reserve to see the breathtaking scenery around this active volcano. We will hike along the Cuicocha Crater Lake's shores, taking a boat ride to the middle of the crater to observe the activity of this volcano, watching bubbles rising up from the centre. We will then head to Peguche, a small village located in the heart of the Andes, where we can experience an unforgettable cultural adventure. We will help the local peop...

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        Today, we will wake early to head back to Quito for a morning flight to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. We will take a trip to the largest island in the archipelago with the most volcanic activity in the Galapagos. The Isabela island was formed by six volcanos, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of these are still active, making the island one of the most volcanically active places on the planet. On the journey to the islands, keep your eyes open for dolphins and whales!

          Today we will explore the amazing lava formations along the shore, left by the last volcanic eruptions on the island. National Geographic and the BBC have filmed a number of documentaries on this impressive island. This labyrinth of lava arches and crystal clear water is replete with sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and other sea creatures. The turtles navigate their way from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". This is where we will have the best snorkelling...

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            After breakfast, we will head out on a hike to the Sierra Negra. From the trailhead, we will hike through a young forest ecosystem to the Sierra Negra Crater rim, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018. From the crater, we can appreciate spectacular views and explore the massive, 10 km wide, lava-filled crater. We will continue our hike to the Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of smoky fumaroles and colourful lava formations. In the afternoon, we wi...

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              In the morning, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. We can learn all about the endemic species found on the islands, as well as the ongoing conservation work on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, you will travel by speedboat to The San Cristobal Island. In the afternoon, we will head to the 'El Chato' reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's picturesque landscape with these giant creatures is an unfo...

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                Today we will leave these amazing Islands to head back to the capital. There will be a final opportunity to take some photos of the sea lions before we fly back to the mainland. We will  arrive at the hotel to  settle in for the evening after our incredible Galapagos adventure

                  Today we will explore the heart of Quito city and learn more about its history by walking around its narrow streets and visiting its most iconic architectural buildings. We will see the Golden Church, San Francisco Square, the Main Square and even visit Luis´ at his workshop “Cruz Verde”. Luis is a well-known artisan whose family has prepared the local candy “Colaciones” for the last 100 years. We will enjoy a lunch For lunch with the local people and enj...

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                    After breakfast, we will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport for your flight back home, or on to your next exciting destination!


                      WHAT'S INCLUDED

                      • Transportation: Comfortable land and sea transportation.
                      • Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+* star hotels in Galapagos, 3+* hacienda in Otavalo, 4+* mountain lodge in Papallacta.
                      • Meals: 9 breakfasts, 4 lunch.
                      • Gear:  Snorkelling mask and fins, life vest
                      • Trip Leader: Certified expert English-speaking adventure leader and local guides.

                      WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

                      • International flights.
                      • Airfare Guayaquil - Galapagos - Quito round trip USD 495 per person
                      • Single Supplement
                      • Airport transfer (international flights).
                      • Travel insurance (mandatory).
                      • Meals not described in the itinerary
                      • INGALA transit card: USD 20 per person
                      • Galapagos National Park fee: USD 100 per person
                      • Pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil: USD 10 per person
                      • Tips for guides and drivers

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