9-Nights Classic Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi & the Galapagos from $9,339

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Transfer: Quito Airportto Quito - Old Town

Hotel: ILLA Experience Hotel (5 Star Rating)

Illa Experience Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador. More than a place to stay, it's a way to experience the richness of Quito's culture. Set inside a renovated 17th-century house, Illa Experience Hotel offers guests contemporary accommodations while complementing each stay with unique activities included at no additional cost. You might visit the workshop of a local artisan and watch as he hand-carves traditional wooden toys, try your hand at watercolour painting in one of the neighbourhood's many art studios, or taste a classic Quiteno treat, helado de paila, which is a homemade ice cream spun in a wide copper bowl. Each floor of Illa Experience Hotel represents a unique period in time, and guests are sure to enjoy the sensational exterior views, outdoor swimming pool, and the semi-enclosed outdoor bar found on-site and exclusive to guests. For a unique cultural experience in the heart of one of Quito's warmest and welcoming traditional neighbourhoods, look no further than Illa Experience Hotel.

The place to start exploring Ecuador is Colonial Quito, a city of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city's many spectacularly decorated and historic churches. The city has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all South America, and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito the first World Cultural Heritage site (alongside Krakow, Poland). With your guide leading the way, walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the Monastery of San Francisco which was started five days after the founding of the city in 1534. After that you will meet an executive chef who will take you to visit the Mercado San Francisco, an outstanding market, where you stop at various stations to purchase fresh produce and learn about the products and culinary traditions of Ecuadorian cuisine. After buying the ingredients for the cooking class and tasting a few fresh fruits, you will then head to Clarosucro Restaurante to begin your cooking class. Here you will don a chef's hat and apron, and then get to work preparing three delicious dishes: a locro Quiteño, an encocado, and a chocolate soup. These foods have been chosen because the ingredients used can be found worldwide, so you will have the chance to cook these recipes back home. During the class, the chef will accompany and guide you, providing explanations and details about the history of each dish. After crafting the three courses, you have the pleasure to taste what you prepared with the chef, and after dining, will be returned to your hotel in Quito.

Ecuador is history, fascinating indigenous cultures, slow winding rivers and lush tropical forests, spectacular snow-capped volcanoes and some of the most exciting wildlife on earth. Today's private-guided tour to the middle of the earth begins just 30 minutes north of Quito, where a monument marks the equator at its closest point to the city. Archaeological evidence shows that both pre-Inca and Inca civilizations recognized and celebrated the equinox, the day the sun is directly over the equator, about which you'll learn more throughout the day. Your guide will also take you on a brief journey northwest, where you will visit the Pululahua volcanic crater for a peek into the crater floor where patchwork fields gleam far below. Later you will visit the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, a group of buildings designed to explain the significance of the site, and where you'll stop for lunch, as well as the Intiñan Museum, located directly on the Equator and where you'll see all sorts of interesting monuments, interactive displays and historic relics. Here you will have the chance to plant your feet in two hemispheres at the same time and to try to balance an egg on the head of a nail! Soon after visiting the Intiñan Museum, you'll be whisked away to Casa Agave. A unique distillery in Ecuador, Casa Agave specializes in producing Miske, a traditional and delicious spirit made from agave. Learn about the establishments local roots and pursuits, plant (and name) your own agave pup, discover the methods used to make Miske, then settle in for a sample. After touring and tasting at Casa Agave is complete, settle in for the return transfer to your hotel in Quito.

Tonight, set out to discover some of the best gastronomy that Quito has on offer. Arranged to coincide with your preferred dining time, reservations will be made with the restaurant of your choice (subject to availability). To take you to and from the restaurant, private transfers will be arranged. Top dining choices in Quito include Somos Ecuador Restaurant which specializes in creative, globally-infused dishes, La Vid, an outstanding restaurant offering Ecuadorian and international dishes in a gorgeous corner of the city, Quitu, an intimate and unique restaurant focusing on healthy, delicious and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, and Nuema, a creative kitchen where you are invited to settle in for a seasonal tasting menu. If you have another dining option in mind, please speak with your Destination Specialist. Please note, your food and drinks are not included and are to be paid for on-site.

Transfer: Quito - Old Town to Cotopaxi

Hotel: Hacienda Chilcabamba (4 Star Rating)

For those seeking a deep connection with nature, Chilcabamba is the mountain lodge that brings you closer to the majesty of the Andean highlands. Chilcabamba serves as the ideal retreat for couples, families, and small groups alike. From a breakfast face-to-face with Cotopaxi Volcano to a cozy fire beneath a magnificent star-studded sky at nightfall, Chilcabamba provides comfort and just the right touch of sophistication in a remote, simple, and charming setting that seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings of the Andean highlands. Located in Pedregal at an elevation of 3,480 meters (about 2.16 mi) above sea level, it is just six kilometers from Cotopaxi National Park.

This morning you will set out in the morning to visit Cotopaxi National Park where, weather permitting, you will be able to see the snowcapped summits of the Cotopaxi and Antisana volcanoes. With your private guide leading the way, you will also visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the history of this spectacular volcano's major eruptions, as well as the local flora and fauna. Soon after, you will visit Lake Limpiopungo and explore the surrounding area on foot. If you feel like a longer walk, a two hour hike will lead to Volcan Cotopaxi's J. Ribas refuge (some 4,800 meters or 15,750 feet above sea level) where you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the volcano and the surrounding Andean peaks. Pairing traditional mountain hospitality with a dose of adventure, this day tour offers those with limited time a glimpse of the Avenue of Volcanoes.

Chilcabamba Lodge lies in a gentle valley circled by the rugged peaks of four towering mountains. It is the perfect getaway from Quito, Ecuador's capital, and the ideal base of operations for getting to know the magnificent surrounding countryside. Today, set out on horseback to explore a natural wonderland of crisp, refreshing air and magnificent vistas. After being outfitted with safety gear, meeting the horses and your local guide, you'll set out on a two-hour adventure to explore the eastern foothills of Cotopaxi National Park. As you track through sweeping grasslands, you'll taking in views of several nearby volcanoes including Sincholagua, Ruminahui and the star of the show (provided that clouds don't interfere), Cotopaxi. This experience is not only an opportunity to connect with nature but also a glimpse into the rich 'chagra' culture. After your horseback experience, you'll be returned to Chilcabamba Lodge. Please note: This activity is suitable for guests aged 6 and up. Prior experience with horseback riding is recommended for this activity.

This morning, you will fly from mainland Ecuador to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands (flight duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, and is included). Upon arrival to Baltra Airport, personnel from the Galapagos National Park will check your luggage to avoid the introduction of foreign plants or animals to the Islands, and soon after, you will be picked by a naturalist guide and taken on a five-minute bus drive to the pier to board the Galapagos Sea Star Yacht.

After boarding the vessel, you will be greeted and shown to your cabin. Later in the afternoon, soon after orientation, you'll arrive to Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. Following a dry landing, you'll begin down a trail that leads across a brackish lagoon to see flamingos and shore birds and a typical dry zone vegetation (cacti, incense trees, Galapagos cotton, sesuvium) going up until you reach Dragon Hill, which is an important nesting area for land iguanas, and also a place to catch lovely views of the anchored boats and neighboring islands. The incense tree forest is home of many birds such as mockingbirds, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers and yellow warblers.

Meal(s): Dinner, Lunch

Hotel: M/Y Galapagos Sea Star (4 Star Rating)

The Galapagos Sea Star Journey offers you a real depth experience of this unique

World Heritage site, in the most exclusive and personalized way. The best way to

live a vivid trip in your Galapagos vacation is to cruise around the archipelago and

experience the huge diversity between the varieties of islands.

Well planned excursions at distinct sites allow you to encounter the natural wonders of

these enchanted Islands and to fully understand its continuing evolution. You will learn of Galapagos land and marine Wildlife, flora, geology and history. The excursions include

visits to peculiar landmarks, wildlife trails, mangrove forests, tortoise breeding farms,

research centers, marine sites, and more.

Some of the activities you can enjoy are: volcano-hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Transfer: Cotopaxi to Quito - Old Town

In the morning you will visit Black Turtle Cove, a unique and revered place in the Galapagos. A cove surrounded by a mangrove forest, it is home to green sea turtles and a baby white-tip reef sharks' nursery. With luck, you can spot schools of golden rays, spotted eagle rays, marine turtles and, pelicans, herons, and frigates on top of the mangrove trees. You will also see very colorful Sally light footed crabs and Blue footed boobies on the rocky area, appreciated from your vantage aboard a zodiac watercraft.

In the afternoon it will be time to visit Sombrero Chino, or "Chinese hat", so named due to its shape like an old-fashioned hat from the Far East, it is one of the smallest Galapagos Islands having a terrific visitor site that offers an unforgettable view. Like other islands in the Galapagos, Sombrero Chino is of volcanic origin, known as a "spatter cone", and is located in the southeast of Santiago Island. The visitor path begins on a gorgeous beach where you can observe red sally light foot crabs, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions resting on the beach, Oystercatchers, Wandering tattlers, herons and lava lizards. Here you can also participate in an optional snorkeling activity off the zodiac to look for sea lions, white-tip reef sharks, colorful fish and occasionally Galapagos penguins.

Hotel: M/Y Galapagos Sea Star (4 Star Rating)

The Galapagos Sea Star Journey offers you a real depth experience of this unique

World Heritage site, in the most exclusive and personalized way. The best way to

live a vivid trip in your Galapagos vacation is to cruise around the archipelago and

experience the huge diversity between the varieties of islands.

Well planned excursions at distinct sites allow you to encounter the natural wonders of

these enchanted Islands and to fully understand its continuing evolution. You will learn of Galapagos land and marine Wildlife, flora, geology and history. The excursions include

visits to peculiar landmarks, wildlife trails, mangrove forests, tortoise breeding farms,

research centers, marine sites, and more.

Some of the activities you can enjoy are: volcano-hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Following breakfast under the rising sun, a boat ride activity to look for Nazca boobies, Swallow-Tailed Gulls, the smallest sub species of marine iguanas, red billed tropic birds, Galapagos fur seals and Galapagos sea lions is on the agenda, followed by a dry landing to climb up natural stairway to get to the top of Genovesa Island. This path passes through colonies of Nazca and red-footed boobies, some frigates birds, the famous Darwin finches and Galapagos mockingbirds. At the end of the trail, Wedge-rumped storm petrels' nest on the lava field where we look for short-eared owls. You'll then be invited to participate in an optional kayak activity inside the tranquil bay.

In the afternoon, make a wet landing on a coral sandy beach which is much younger than the ones on the other islands. Here, swallow-tailed gulls often around found here, as well as Galapagos sea lions. The trail is flat and short going by the mangrove forest and saltbush. It is one of the best sites to look for red footed-booby nesting. During the low tie, you may have the possibility to observe the rarest gull in the world, the lava gull (there are approximately nine hundred individuals in all of Galapagos Islands). Genovesa is a special place for birdwatchers to see Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and migratory birds. Once back to the beach there will be another chance for snorkeling from the beach.

Hotel: M/Y Galapagos Sea Star (4 Star Rating)

The Galapagos Sea Star Journey offers you a real depth experience of this unique

World Heritage site, in the most exclusive and personalized way. The best way to

live a vivid trip in your Galapagos vacation is to cruise around the archipelago and

experience the huge diversity between the varieties of islands.

Well planned excursions at distinct sites allow you to encounter the natural wonders of

these enchanted Islands and to fully understand its continuing evolution. You will learn of Galapagos land and marine Wildlife, flora, geology and history. The excursions include

visits to peculiar landmarks, wildlife trails, mangrove forests, tortoise breeding farms,

research centers, marine sites, and more.

Some of the activities you can enjoy are: volcano-hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

From the summit of Bartolome, take in the most famous view of the Galapagos, overlooking the pinnacle rock and Santiago Island beyond. This volcanic scenery has often been linked to a lunar landscape. The altitude of the island is just 114 meters (375 feet). From the trail to the top of the island you will observe spatter cones, lava tubes and very few plants. This island has a small colony of Galapagos penguins which is the only species of its family to live in the tropics and has only one population in the northern hemisphere. With luck, they will be observed during a boat ride activity. Later in the morning, enjoy some snorkeling time with the possibility to see Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.

In the afternoon, you'll reach Sullivan Bay, located at the southeastern part of Santiago Island. Extensive lava flows have made their mark here: "pa-hoe-hoe", which is a smooth ropy formation and "aa" which is explosive are both found here, and were formed about 120 years ago. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow colored tuff cones appear. There are few plants well adapted to the dry conditions such as Mollugo grow out of the fissures, lava cactus and chamaesyce. Tree molds are holes in the surface of hardened lava where a tree once stood, indicating that in that position large size plants grew in small crevices, until the lava flow of past eruptions burned down the flora of the island.

Hotel: M/Y Galapagos Sea Star (4 Star Rating)

The Galapagos Sea Star Journey offers you a real depth experience of this unique

World Heritage site, in the most exclusive and personalized way. The best way to

live a vivid trip in your Galapagos vacation is to cruise around the archipelago and

experience the huge diversity between the varieties of islands.

Well planned excursions at distinct sites allow you to encounter the natural wonders of

these enchanted Islands and to fully understand its continuing evolution. You will learn of Galapagos land and marine Wildlife, flora, geology and history. The excursions include

visits to peculiar landmarks, wildlife trails, mangrove forests, tortoise breeding farms,

research centers, marine sites, and more.

Some of the activities you can enjoy are: volcano-hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After a bus ride of 40 minutes from Puerto Ayora, you will reach the highlands. Here you will set out on a walk where it is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers and cattle egrets (often standing on the tortoises' shell and cows). This expedition offers great opportunities to see the contrasting ecosystems that the Galapagos has on each island. Galapagos giant tortoises are present on the trail, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. A light rain jacket is suggested to visit this point because it is often misty or rainy. After this excursion you will be transferred Baltra airport for your return flight to the mainland (Guayaquil or Quito).

Meal(s): Breakfast