Secret Ecuador & Galapagos

Your Ecuador Hidden Treasures tour begins today. We meet you on arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) and transfer you to your hotel in central Quito. Depending on your flight time, you can explore independently and sample local dishes and drinks – or simply rest after your journey.

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Quito’s Historic Centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to explore its key landmarks and get a feel for the city. We then join a cooking class to learn how to prepare local dishes.

In the afternoon, we visit the Capilla del Hombre for sweeping views across the city. All transport is included, and we return to your hotel afterwards.

After breakfast in Quito, we visit the Intiñan Museum and Pululahua volcano, then continue into the cloud forest to Maquipucuna Reserve. Before lunch, we take a short guided walk to learn about the reserve’s medicinal and useful plants.

In the afternoon, we follow the Bear Trail and part of the Palmito or River trails in search of spectacled bears or their traces – a moderate hike through secondary and some primary forest. During spectacled bear season, a local guide is mandatory.

Afterwards, you can unwind at the lodge – the bar opens at 6:00 PM, and staff can serve you earlier if you wish. In the evening, you can join an optional guided night hike.

Rise early for a dawn birding walk from 06:30–08:30, when the forest is at its most active. Before lunch, we follow the Humedal trail to learn about local plants, then continue along a path once used by the Yumbos to reach the Yumbo waterfall and a natural swimming hole – you can take a refreshing dip if you wish. After lunch, we visit the coffee orchard, the orchid garden and the organic garden.

Alternatively, after breakfast you could choose a half–day or full–day excursion to the zip lines, the Tulipe archaeological site or the Mindo butterfly garden. After dark, you can join an optional guided night hike.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Cotopaxi Volcano area, which takes about 4 hours. As you travel south, you will pass through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, including views of Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, the Illinizas, and others.

Upon arrival, you will have lunch, followed by a horseback riding tour on the slopes of the Rumiñahui Volcano.

After breakfast, we visit Cotopaxi National Park and stop at Limpiopungo Lagoon, then continue to Isinliví for lunch. In the afternoon we head out on a guided trek in the surrounding mountains, returning in the evening for a local dinner.

This morning we head to the Quilotoa Loop and hike down to the crater lake – a chance to experience its cool waters up close. If time allows, you can kayak on the lake. We then continue to Tigua to visit the local community before driving on to Guamote in the afternoon, with opportunities to photograph Chimborazo volcano en route.

An early start in Guamote takes us to one of the Andes’ hidden treasures – the Devil’s Nose railway. We board around 08:00 for a dramatic ride through striking mountain scenery while we learn about one of the world’s great feats of rail engineering. In the afternoon we visit the Ingapirca ruins, then continue to Cuenca to check in at our hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed day in Cuenca – South America’s Leading City Break Destination 2018. This morning, we take a guided tour of the UNESCO–listed historic centre to appreciate the city’s architecture and atmosphere. Later, we visit Piedra de Agua hot springs for a spa circuit – a straightforward, soothing way to unwind.

After breakfast in Cuenca, we travel to Cajas National Park to explore landscapes dotted with lakes. Keep an eye out for wildlife – Andean condors, giant hummingbirds and coatis are all found here. We then continue to Guayaquil, arriving in time for you to experience the city by night and take in its panoramic views.

After breakfast, we take the hotel shuttle to Guayaquil Airport. On arrival in Baltra, our guide meets us and we continue to the Santa Cruz highlands – prime habitat for giant Galapagos tortoises and a variety of birds, including finches. We learn about these emblematic tortoises and enjoy a local lunch before transferring to our hotel. You then have time to relax.

We set out on a full day excursion to one of the Galapagos’ uninhabited islands – the destination varies by day, with possible visits to Santa Fe, Plazas, Floreana, Bartolome or North Seymour.

We spend the day snorkelling and exploring the island’s flora and fauna, with a boxed lunch provided. In the afternoon, we return to your hotel.

After breakfast, you have free time to explore Santa Cruz at your own pace – Tortuga Bay is a popular choice, home to a large marine iguana colony. You could also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

At 14:00 we transfer you by public speedboat to Isabela – the crossing takes around 2.5 hours – arriving at approximately 16:30, where we meet you and take you to your hotel.

After breakfast, we head to Los Tuneles for a guided snorkelling session in calm, very clear, shallow waters – among the most impressive on Isabela. A snack is included during the outing.

After we return, you have time to explore independently – you could visit the Isabela Breeding Centre to learn about giant tortoise conservation, explore the Wetlands, or walk to the Wall of Tears, a stark reminder of the island’s former penal colony.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you can choose an optional kayaking or stand up paddleboarding outing in Tintoreras Bay. We then collect you for your transfer to Isabela Airport for your flight to San Cristobal. On arrival, you can independently visit the Interpretation Centre and Tijeretas – both are within easy reach of the airport.

After breakfast, we set out for Kicker Rock, one of the Galapagos’ most striking landmarks just off San Cristobal. Two sheer volcanic towers rise around 140 metres above the sea, divided by a narrow channel formed by natural erosion.

The cliffs attract many marine birds, and the waters below are known for rich marine life – an excellent place to look out for rays and sharks, including eagle rays and whitetip reef sharks and, at times, Galapagos and hammerhead sharks. A box lunch is provided during the outing.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport in time for your flight back to the mainland – departures run throughout the day. End of services.