Quito, Haciendas & Galapagos : Ecuador Holiday Architects

Quito, Haciendas & Galapagos

15 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

£7,490pp

3-4 star

(on board the Archipel)

£8,725pp

4-5 star

(on board the Treasure)

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Otavalo

Quito

Guayaquil

Galapagos Islands (cruising)

Day 1

Fly to Quito. You will be greeted by our friendly representatives and will head into the historic centre, a beautiful city with a spring like climate year-round thanks to its altitude.

Day 2

Meet your guide to explore Quito with its stunning restored historic centre and central plaza. Admire the elegant colonial architecture, enjoy some dramatic views over the city from Panecillo Hill and straddle the Equator line just outside the city.

Day 3

Depart Quito for the beautiful rolling hills and traditional communities of the Otavalo region, famed for its artisan craftsmen and attractive valleys. Here you will find traditional haciendas, one of which will be your home for the next couple of days.

Day 4

Visit the impressive and colourful bustling Otavalo market, the largest and best known in the country and a must for anyone interested in local handicrafts and intricately woven textiles. Learn about the history, culture and colourful range of produce and crafts on offer.

Day 5

Perhaps take a hike or a ride from your hacienda or explore a fragrant rose plantation before departing the lush valleys of Otavalo with your guide. You will be transferred back to Quito to stay near to the airport, before an early morning flight tomorrow.

Day 6

Your Galapagos adventure begins today. Fly from Quito to the incomparable Galapagos Islands, a truly unique wildlife destination. Join your small expedition cruise, your home for discovering the islands for the next few days.

Day 7

Every day is different as you sail from one island to the next and disembark each morning and afternoon at a different landing point. Your naturalist guide is always on hand to explain what remarkable species you can expect to see.

Day 8

Depending on your cruise itinerary, you may have a landing on a deserted beach by zodiac with your fellow passengers. Keep your camera to hand and get ready to spot lazing iguanas, diving blue footed boobies and rambling giant tortoises!

Day 9

We think an expedition cruise is the very best way to see all the diversity of wildlife that the Galapagos has to offer as you can travel to the remoter islands, see the less common species and really make the most of this remarkable destination.

Day 10

Another day of exploring the spectacular Galapagos Islands with your naturalist guide. You may get the opportunity to snorkel or swim with curious sealions, sea turtles, rays and sharks – marine life here is as impressive as that on land.

Day 11

Your naturalist guide, certified by the National Park, is key to a great Galapagos trip, as they show you the best wildlife, often give great photography tips, and make your time in the archipelago truly memorable.

Day 12

Sail to the next island on your itinerary today. The National Park regulations are very stringent, with good reason. So, your island landings are programmed in advance to protect the wildlife from over-exposure to too many visitors.

Day 13

Say your final goodbye to the Galapagos Islands, usually with one last morning visit before disembarking your expedition vessel. Transfer back to the local island airport to fly to mainland Ecuador for a final overnight in Guayaquil.

Day 14

You will meet your guide for a tour of Guayaquil, exploring the modern riverfront Malecon and the steep steps of the historic Las Penas district. Transfer in the evening to the airport for your overnight flights home.

Day 15

Welcome home!

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

Ecuador has a rich cultural heritage throughout the Andean highlands that encompass the capital, Quito, as well as lush valleys, famous market towns and traditional communities. This itinerary has so much to offer; from colonial Quito through to the culturally rich Otavalo market. These wonderful destinations could only be topped by a full week in the astounding Galapagos Islands! This itinerary includes unbelievable wildlife, dramatic scenery as well as an abundance of history and culture.

Arrive in the beautiful historic centre of Quito, beautifully restored with UNESCO funding and a pleasure to explore on foot. Then delve into the central highlands just north of the city to explore traditional villages that specialise in artisan crafts such as wood carving, woven textiles and more, from a delightful rural hacienda and working farm. The climax of this wonderful trip is, of course, a week long cruise around the Galapagos Islands – observing sealions, birds, iguanas, tortoises and a myriad of marine life in their natural habitat.

2 nights Quito – 2 nights Otavalo – 1 night Quito – 7 nights Galapagos cruise – 1 night Guayaquil – 1 night on plane