You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to Otavalo. On the way from Quito to Otavalo you will pass greenhouses for growing roses, which are important for Ecuador’s exports, you will also be able to admire a beautiful view of the Cayambe volcano and Lake San Pablo with the Imbabura volcano in the background. Due to the location of Quito airport, the trip to the city of Otavalo takes up to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Your accommodation will be in a comfortable old hacienda typical of the Sierra del Ecuador. 

Otavalo is famous for its huge indigenous market, considered the largest in Latin America. It is celebrated every day in the Plaza del Poncho, on Saturdays it extends and covers almost a third of the entire city. You can find many different handmade products produced in the surrounding towns: fine fabrics such as blankets, hammocks and tablecloths, silver or tagua nut jewelry (also called vegetable ivory), musical instruments, leather goods and many other things.

You’ll end the day with a short hike to the 65-foot-high Peguche Waterfall. It has a wonderful trail through a eucalyptus forest, declared “Protective Forest of Peguche”.

This site is considered an indigenous ceremonial center, since purification baths are carried out here to begin the festivities of Inti Raymi or festival of the Sun and harvests.

It has a very pleasant climate with an average temperature of 12 ºC.

Today you will first visit the indigenous community of Morochos above the town of Cotacachi, where you will be warmly received. With a local Spanish-speaking guide and transport suitable for the road, you will drive to the upper part of the Cuicocha lagoon, whose name means “Lagoon of the Gods”, you will be able to admire the majesty of the lagoon, three kilometers in diameter, in whose volcanic center is the Teodoro Wolf (the largest) and José María Yerovi islets.

Then you will begin the approximately one-hour walk to the pasture of the alpaca herd. The average height ranges between 3500 and 4500 m altitude. At the beginning of the trip it is advisable to take it easy and drink plenty of water due to the altitude. Then you will return to the community of Morochos where a delicious snack will be served with typical foods from the country’s Sierra.

In the afternoon departure to the cloud forest of Ecuador.

Why is the cloud forest called cloud forest? Just watch the weather and you’ll know: a typical day starts out sunny and warm, but then in the afternoon the clouds appear. They are so low that they seem to be part of the forest. The humidity they bring has made the cloud forest so green and so full of interesting animals and plants. You will see, for example, many different types of hummingbirds. Some have strange names (like “Buffed-Winged Starfrontlet” or “Black-Tailed Trainbearer”), but they are all colorful and beautiful. It’s a real challenge to take pictures of them, because they don’t like to sit still. To see more colorful animals, visit the butterfly garden. You will be able to learn about the process from caterpillar to butterfly and see many different species up close. Some might even sit on your hand, yeah you are patient. Do you love chocolate? Do you know how chocolate is made? Have you ever tried a cocoa bean freshly picked from a tree? The chocolate tour shows you how chocolate is made.

Today will have a very interesting and complete program. In the morning you will go to the so-called “Middle of the World City”. The Middle of the World Equatorial Monument was built in memory of the Franco-Spanish geodesic expedition in the 18th century. Step with one foot in the northern hemisphere and with the other foot in the southern hemisphere! You will also visit the Intiñán Museum or Camino del Sol, through an interactive tour you will learn about the history of ancestral peoples, the effects of the sun on the solar cylinder and games that show that it is located at latitude 0.

Finally, you will arrive in Quito at your hotel located in the historic center of the City

Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel. He will begin the day’s activities with a visit to the colonial center of Quito. It is the largest and best-preserved historical center in Latin America which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. The guide tells you a lot about the Inca Empire, the Spanish invasion, the period of independence and finally everything about the history from Ecuador. and Quito in the colonial era. On a walk through the old town, you will pass by some of the most famous squares, churches and colonial buildings., “Independence Square” with the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal building, the Independence Monument, and the Cathedral. Then, your guide will take you to the Iglesia de la Compañía, up to its beautiful domes to experience a traditional cooking class and tasting.

It is an authentic and interactive cooking class. The objective is to invite you to be the protagonist of your own gastronomic dish, to learn and participate in the preparation of traditional Ecuadorian dishes with a professional chef. Your palate will be satisfied with a tasty lunch.

You will wear a chef’s uniform consisting of a hat and an apron to prepare 3 dishes. These are typical Ecuadorian recipes, as a starter, main course, and dessert.

During the class, you will be invited to participate and become the main chef: you have the possibility to manipulate the food, peel it, cut it, season it, mix it, beat it… While you prove yourself as a culinary artist, the Chef will accompany you, He will guide you and explain the details and history of each dish.

Finally, your guide will take you to “Panecillo”, a hill south of downtown Quito that has a statue of the Virgin of Quito and offers an incredible view of the city.

Today you will visit the Cotopaxi National Park, with its greatest attraction the Cotopaxi volcano, considered one of the highest active volcanoes in the world (5,897 m). On the way you will make a stop at the Limpiopungo Lagoon, from where you can enjoy a beautiful landscape.

of the Cotopaxi, Sincholagua and Rumiñahui volcanoes on a clear day. Then on the transport you will arrive at the parking lot at the foot of the Volcano where you can walk to the José Ribas refuge (at 4,800 m altitude, approximately 1.5 hours). After the descent, you will go to the inn inside the National Park for your delicious lunch. Finally, you will stay in a modern and comfortable Hacienda.

Today you will leave Cotopaxi National Park and continue your trip to Baños. Ecuador, due to its geographical location crossed by the Equatorial line, is the only country in the world with the best conditions to produce roses, and that will be the next stop, to see the plantation and know where the most beautiful roses for export that it produces are harvested. the country. Then you will continue to the city of Baños, called “Agua Santa”, because one of its attractions are the hot springs.

Baños is a small town known for its thermal baths and a special sweet (melcocha), a kind of sugar dough that is formed in theatrical gestures by throwing it several times over a hook on the door frame. The atmosphere is relaxed, the climate ideal and the eastern rainforest of Ecuador is just a few kilometers away! It is an ideal place to go hiking and see an active volcano, Tungurahua, in action. Take the scenic waterfall route through the Pastaza Gorge and in Río Verde you can hike to the stunning “Pailón del Diablo” waterfall, the most impressive in Ecuador. A waterfall that thunders as it falls towards the depths.

There are many fun and relaxing things to do: horseback riding in the surrounding hills, cycling along the waterfall trail, rafting or canyoning. The Tree House is another place to visit and observe the Tungurahua volcano, located in the Runtún hamlet, which is 2600 meters above sea level, with the famous “End of the World” swing.

Today’s trip will take you from Baños to Quito. Along the way, you visit the town of Salasacas and do some activities with the local indigenous people. 

In the morning, depending on the time of the flight, your guide and transportation will pick you up for transfer to the Quito airport, 20 minutes from the hotel. 

Upon arrival at Galapagos, you will pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour, where you will board the Estrella cruise.

You will be assigned to your cabins, and lunch will be served shortly after.

In the afternoon: You will visit an Interpretation Centre, where photos, historic documents and maquettes will help you get a glimpse of the seriousness and complexity of preserving the unique ecosystems of Galapagos. After, you will visit Cerro Colorado, where a Tortoise breeding centre was established to manage the conservation efforts of this animal. During this visit you will be educated about the environmental concerns of the islands, observe breeding tortoises and follow an interpretive trail. Along this trail it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds including the San Cristobal Mockingbird, Yellow Warblers, and many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher.

Return onboard for refreshment, dinner, and enjoyment of the amenities onboard.

AM – Pitt Point (San Cristobal)

The wind-sculpted cliffs of Pitt Point were the first sight of land when Charles Darwin arrived in the Galapagos aboard the HMS Beagle on September 15, 1835.

Today you will disembark to that very same small green sand beach,  where you will first be greeted by a group of barking sea lions.

Behind this dreamy beach, crossing some thorny bushes, begins a trail that will take you to the top of the cliff through a ravine. While you ascend, marvel at the landscapes of this geological wonder, where its possible to find three species of boobies breeding and playing: blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca. Two species of frigate birds can be found as well (Great and Magnificent)

Do not miss the chance to snorkel or kayak around these far-away, dreamlike shores.

PM – Kicker Rock / Witch Hill (San Cristobal)

You will navigate to Kicker Rock, an impressive natural sculpture that rises up from the ocean at the northeast coast of San Cristobal Island. From the side it has the shape of a giant shoe upside down with the tower as a high heel (hence its name Kicker Rock). In its longitudinal direction, it rather resembles a sleeping lion (which explains its Spanish name Leon Dormido).

After, you will begin your adventure at Witch Hill. Witch Hiill is the remains of a tuff cone, and its primary attraction is a coral sand beach that opens into a tranquil bay. Snorkelling here leads to a marine marine habitat for marine iguanas, stingrays, white-tipped sharks, eagle rays, turtles, morays, garden eels and

many kinds of reef fishes.

Behind the sand dunes of the beach, there is a dry dark lava flow with salty ponds, which serve as a refreshment spot for iguanas, as well as a strategic place to observe coastal and migratory birds, including pelicans, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.

AM – Gardner Bay

We will keep exploring Española island, the oldest in the archipelago, estimated at over 4 million years old, located in the extreme southeast of the archipelago.

On the north-eastern coast of this island, Gardner Bay offers a wonderful place to refresh in the turquoise sea and to snorkel side by side with eagle rays, golden rays, barracudas, batfish, turtles, sea lions, and white tipped sharks.

PM – Suarez Point

This island is one of the greatest in the world for birdwatchers. Different kinds of finches, frigates, blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies can be found, as well as the endemic Española mockingbird, Albatross, and Galapagos hawk.

Watch your step, because each Albatross’ couple lay an egg on the floor and make it roll over to improve hatching success. The juveniles attend the cliffs of the island to learn to fly by jumping into the abysm. And the chicks are organised in nurseries where they will safely remain while the adults are away at sea.

Another highlight during this visit is “El Soplador”, a 25 m water geiser produced by ocean waves crashing with great pressure with cracks in the island’s cliff, spouting up through a lava tunnel. This site offers a fantastic background for a meditative experience or a memorable photo.

AM – Baroness Lookout, Post Office Bay

We navigated to Post Office Bay. This mailing station has been intermittently in use since the eighteenth century, when the Galapagos was a resupplying port for Pacific pirates.

You can join their tradition and send greeting cards to your beloved ones worldwide using the historical barrel (it works). Nearby, the beach is normally visited by sea lions, pacific green turtles, golden rays and even penguins.

Next, you may climb the miniature basaltic cone of Baroness Lookout and take in the paradisiacal coastal views. This viewpoint was the favourite spot of one of Floreana’s first modern-era colonists, the eccentric self-proclaimed Baroness and ‘Empress of Galapagos’ Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, who even built her house a few metres behind. She and one of her lovers were the first in a series of mysterious

disappearances and deaths occurring in this island during the 1930s.

PM- Cormorant Point, Champion Islet

This morning you will have a wet landing on this peninsula that is covered with aromatic palo santo forest. The sand at the beach is green, because it contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals that have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. Crossing to the other side of the peninsula, there is a ‘flour sand’ beach that originated from coral pulverized by Parrotfish.

From the shore you could spot schools of stingrays who love burying themselves in the sandy bottom. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury their eggs.

Return on board.

Today’s visit is to a bird’s paradise. The islet of North Seymour is actually part of the seabed that was uplifted by the movement of tectonic plates, and now hosts the largest breeding colonies of both the Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds in the Galapagos. You will explore a circular trail that lets you approach these and many other birds from a distance of only a few respectful steps. This islet is also inhabited by the adorable blue-footed boobies, which can be seen courtshipping, mating, or nurturing their fuzzy chicks. They might approach you, as they are fearless and very curious.

Now you will be transferred from Baltra to the dock in Puerto Ayora.

Private transfer to the airport for international flight.

End of service.