Striking a balance between exploration of the natural and man-made worlds, on this Ecuador tour we split our days in South America by experiencing a taste of ancient civilizations and contemporary culture in Ecuador and a unique nature that has enjoyed uninterrupted evolution since before humankind first arrived.
There exists no rival to the biodiversity and ecological variety boasted by the islands of the Galapagos archipelago and each day we spend rambling over lunar landscapes and sauntering on red beaches finds us viewing - and interacting with - colourful new species of flora and fauna and discovering new worlds seemingly leagues away from our own.
In Ecuador, we spend time touring the Spanish colonial centres of the capital, Quito, with its ornate churches, palaces and cathedrals and we'll have the unique opportunity to cross between two hemispheres as we step over equatorial line.
Cuenca, considered Ecuador's most beautiful city, is worthy of a couple of days' exploration and our visit to Ingapirca in the Canar Valley takes us to the country's most important Inca site.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Your Travel and Accommodation Arranged For You
Tips Included for Driver, Restaurant Staff, Local Guides
Authentic Local Experiences With Lots Of Inclusions.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
$1000 per person deposit required due to the nature of internal flights and Galapagos cruise deposit policies. Contrary to our usual terms governing deposits, once the tour becomes 'guaranteed' your deposit becomes 100% non-refundable/non-transferable.
Optional Single Supplement: $2550 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $2550 if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you.
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Day 1 Arrival in Quito
Arrive in Quito and transfer to our hotel. Welcome to Ecuador!
Quito (2788 m/9,200 feet) is Ecuador's lovely capital city, nestled against Pichincha Volcano high in the Andes.
Overnight in Quito.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Quito: City Tour
Today we tour old Spanish Colonial Quito, preserved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
As we enter the streets of Old Quito we step into the past, surrounded by centuries-old architecture. We stop at the commanding Legislative Palace, whose murals record Ecuador's history. We will see Quito's most beautiful religious buildings, including the cathedral, the Independence Plaza, San Francisco Church, and visit one of Quito's most impressive religious
buildings, La Compania church, whose ornate facade and solid gold altars make it one of the most famous of South American churches. We visit the famous Panecillo Hill with its towering winged statue of the Virgin of the Apocalypse with views of north and south of Quito and the surrounding mountains.
This afternoon we travel 22 km (14 miles) north of Quito to the Equator line monument, known as the "middle of the world," where you can stand with one foot in the Northern and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. We also visit the excellent on-site ethnographic museum with exhibits pertaining to the many indigenous peoples of Ecuador.
Overnight in Quito.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
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Day 3 Quito - Otavalo Valley - Ibarra
Today we journey north to the Otavalo Valley region.
In early years the Otavalo Valley was filled with farmers who raised crops in fertile lands where they lived. In the 14th century the Inca expansion reached north into the Otavalo area. The Caraquis who inhabited the area resisted the invaders. For 17 long years fierce fighting continued as the defiant Caraquis refused to be subjugated by the Incas. The Spanish arrived a few years after the Incas. They established a Hacienda system of workshops where
Otavalenos were forced to work 15 hour days weaving fabrics.
Today this weaving tradition forms the basis of a lucrative industry that has allowed the Otavaleno indigenous peoples to join the world economy while retaining their traditional values and skills. During our time in the valley we will have a chance to visit with the local Otavalenos and see them working their craft. We visit a traditional home with adobe walls and visit with the owners who raise guinea pigs, a local delicacy. In Otavalo city, we'll have a
chance to wander through the colourful handicraft stalls.
Our hosteria is located nearby the colonial town of Ibarra (2121 m/7,000 feet), known as the "White City" since many of it houses are colonial style, red-tiled and whitewashed.
Overnight in Ibarra.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 Ibarra - Avenue of Volcanoes - La Cienega
Today we follow in the footsteps of the German scientist, Alexander von Humboldt, and rediscover what in 1802 he called the "Avenue of Volcanoes," a 325 km (202 mi) long valley between the major cordillera ranges. Massive and standing alone, the volcanoes provide brooding, snow-covered contrast to the green equatorial lushness. We see snow-capped summits, mystical brooks and rivers, terraced farmlands, small villages and
fascinating cultures.
We’ll take the Pan-American Highway southwards and take a side road to discover the impressive volcanism, flora, and bird-life that this national park protects. A visit to the Interpretation Center and the Limpiopungo Lake as well as a short easy hike will let us enjoy this natural wonder.
The area is also home to a number of exceptional haciendas, some of which date back to the 16th century. La Cienega Hacienda is located near the village of Lasso near the foot of Cotopaxi and has been witness to centuries of important events in the history of Ecuador.
Overnight at Hosteria La Cienega (Lasso area).
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 La Cienega - Cotopaxi - Pillaro - Banos
Today we continue our journey to Banos. En route we will visit Cotopaxi volcano, where we can have an interesting walk in the Paramo (moorlands), enjoy beautiful views, and learn more about the flora and fauna or the area.
We continue our journey, stopping in Pillaro where we will visit a traditional workshop of masks that are used in the Pillaro Devil parade, an important cultural expression of the local indigenous people.
We arrive in Banos, a small town whose elevation gives it an extremely agreeable climate and the surrounding mountainsides are brilliant green against the white summit of the Volcano Tungurahua. The word Banos means "baths" and, as the name indicates, the highlight is the numerous hot spring baths in the area. Today we have opportunity to visit the hot springs as well as wander the streets and market of this picturesque town. You can also hike into the nearby hillsides, along farmers' donkey trails through fields of corn, passion-fruit, and various other local products. A must-see is the Basilica dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water, credited with performing many miracles in the Banos area.
Overnight in Banos.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 Banos - Devil's Bowl - Riobamba
Before departing Banos, we'll have a short walk to view one of the most impressive waterfalls in South America, the Devil's Bowl. At El Manto de la Novia we can experience a cable car ride over the Pastaza River Canyon.
After lunch we'll travel through open farmland flowing over the high ridges of the Western Andes to Riobamba (2750m/9,035 ft).
Riobamba is a small, charming Andean city with colonial architecture, cobble-stone streets, impressive plazas, and a fascinating market. The Monasterio de las Conceptas, Parq The very heart of Riobamba has a small-town feel, and the feeling is even intensified by a large number of indigenous people strolling around Riobamba dressed in their traditional clothes.
Overnight in Riobamba.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Riobamba - Ingapirca - Cuenca
Today our journey continues by road to Cuenca, detouring to visit the Archaeological Complex of Ingapirca, the best-preserved and most important Inca site in Ecuador. Though not on the same scale as, say, Machu Picchu, the ruins include a large oval construction once used for ritual and astronomical purposes. Just outside the ruins, the Museo Sitio de Ingapirca displays a skeleton, tools, and other artifacts recovered from the area. We'll also visit a local market, see the first church established in Ecuador, tour the historic town of Alausi, and enjoy views of Devils Nose Mountain.
Once the site of an Inca settlement, Cuenca today is considered Ecuador's most beautiful city. Its historical connection with Spain is marked by narrow cobblestone streets, quaint parks, and romantic plazas. Charming adobe houses, wrought iron balconies, and religious art treasures capture the spirit of centuries long past. Cuenca, almost hidden away in a southern valley, was isolated until recent times; it wasn't until 1960 that paved roads were built to Quito and Guayaquil. Today's Cuenca is surrounded by small villages whose citizens create intricately detailed jewelry, beautiful ceramics, and masterfully-designed hand-woven shawls.
You'll have time to wander the quaint streets in the compact centre of this charming town before reconvening for our evening meal.
Overnight in Cuenca.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Cuenca: Walking Tour & Museo del Banco Central
This morning we have a leisurely walking tour of Cuenca along the main plaza, Parque Calderon, and enter the old Cathedral, renovated for the visit of Pope John Paul in 1985. We also see the Monastery of El Carmen and visit La Inmaculada Concepcion while strolling the cobbled streets.
This afternoon we visit the Museo del Banco Central, which contains a permanent collection of black and white photos of 19th and early 20th century Cuenca, as well as displays of art and archaeological pieces, and ethnographic dioramas.
We also visit a Panama hat factory. In 1835 Manuel Alfaro, a Spanish entrepreneur, arrived in the port of Guayaquil in the province of Guayas. He settled in nearby Montecristi and quickly realized the economic potential of the toquilla hat, setting up his own chain of production from the straw plantations to circuits of weavers. His hats were soon being exported from the ports of Guayaquil and Manta to Panama, which was quickly becoming an important centre and staging post for international trade and travel. Here Alfaro opened a commercial centre selling his hats, cacao and pearls, thus beginning the association of the Ecuadorian toquilla hat with Panama.
Overnight in Cuenca.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Cuenca: At Leisure
Today is yours to explore and experience this charming town on your own.
This city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has once been named the best city in which to retire by Travel and Leisure magazine; indeed, these days more than 8,000 US and Canadian citizens make Cuenca their home.
Overnight in Cuenca (due to the informal nature of the day, and for a break from the group meal dynamic, we don't include your evening meal today).
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 10 Cuenca - Cajas National Park - Guayaquil
Today we travel by road to Guayaquil via Cajas National Park.
The park contains hundreds of clear, cold lakes, streams, and rivers. Weather-permitting (which can be highly changeable at this altitude), the park can provide an excellent opportunity for us to hike the grassland of Paramo Region or visit a forest of polelypsis trees, the highest altitude tree in the world. Recently the park's management introduced llamas and alpacas as part of a breeding program to re-introduce these animals to the southern highlands. Keep your eyes peeled for the many bird species that make the park their home, especially for the silhouette of a soaring (and extremely rare) Andean Condor, which can sometimes be spotted here riding the thermal up-drafts.
We continue to the coast with a stop at a cocoa plantation to learn about its cultivation and the production of Ecuadorian chocolate.
Our destination is the main port city of Ecuador, known as a gateway to Pacific beaches and the Galapagos Islands. Stretching along the Guayas River is the waterfront Simón Bolívar promenade, home to La Rotonda monument.
Overnight in Guayaquil.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 Guayaquil - Fly to the Galapagos / San Cristobal Airport
Today you will say farewell to your Tour Leader and depart from Guayaquil to San Cristobal on a 2-hour flight. Upon arrival, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
An archipelago of 12 large and several hundred smaller volcanic islands occupying a 4800 sq km (3,000 sq mile) area about 1000 km (620 miles) west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands have become one of the world's premier adventure travel destinations. Over the course of your visit, you'll enjoy up-close views of unusual, specially-adapted animals, plants and terrains including sea lions, tortoises, iguanas, land and sea birds, volcanic landscapes, unusual cacti and vegetation. Little has changed about the islands since Charles Darwin's visit in 1835 to "this little world within itself" inspired his first theories of evolution. Nearly the entire archipelago is a natural sanctuary where you'll have thrilling encounters with some of the world's last completely untamed wildlife that has never learned to fear the presence of humans.
We will be navigating the Galapagos on board the M/V Galapagos Legend, a 110-passenger luxury expedition ship totally converted in 2001 and recently renovated. The M/V Galapagos Legend has all-new passenger accommodations with 1800 sq m of social areas and was built with marine certified materials qualifying with Safety of Life at Sea specifications. All cabins are booked in "outside" Junior Suite cabins with plenty of space for luggage in the wardrobe closet. Private bathrooms feature hot and cold water, shower, and a hair dryer. Also aboard, a highly-trained crew, 24 hour physician, and naturalist multilingual guides. An auditorium for conferences, spacious social areas, dining room, 24 hour coffee bar, swimming pool and sun decks, observation platforms, cocktail bars, long distance calls, fully air-conditioned.
AFTERNOON - Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill (San Cristobal Island)
Dry landing (no need to step into water upon landing). The interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview to the formation of Galapagos, its significance in the world, threats and conservation efforts. Followed by a hike to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) we will have great looks at both species of frigatebird, with the bonus of a beautiful view of the bay below.
Difficulty level: easy /moderate
Type of terrain: flat/stairs/rocky
Duration: 1-hour visit/1-hour walk
Return to ship for passenger welcome and briefing; there is a presentation of the crew. At this time a safety drill is practiced. Free time on board. After dinner a guide's briefing on next day activities in the auditorium.
* The cruise portion of this itinerary has been provided provided by the cruise operator and should be taken as guidance only. Last minute operation considerations and national park policies can result in alterations and deviations from this schedule, sometimes at late notice. Such changes are the prerogative of the cruise operator over which Adventures Abroad has no control.
Overnight Galapagos Cruise.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 Galapagos Cruise / Gardner Bay, Gardner & Osborn Islets (Española Island)
Wet landing (you will have to step into shallow water and walk to shore - see your pre-trip notes for suggestions re footwear). One of the most stunning beaches in all of Galapagos, the long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters is home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions, indifferent to the humans that walk amongst them. The Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island, will be eager to inspect the visitors and satisfy their innate curiosity. Darwin’s finches may also join the throng including the reclusive warbler finch. We can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
Return to ship; lunch.
PM – Suarez Point (Española Island)
Dry landing. One of the highlight visits of the trip. Punta Suarez seems to have everything – a naturalist’s paradise. A slew of marine iguanas and sea lions greet us at the landing site from where our walk continues with close encounters of boobies, endemic lizards, gulls and even a dramatic blow hole. The oldest extant island in the archipelago it is our only opportunity to commune with the endemic waved albatross during their breeding season between April and December. With luck, we can watch their complex courtship display.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2½-hour walk
Return to ship; Free time on board. Guides briefing on next day activities.
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13 Galapagos Cruise / Floreana Island
Wet landing. A very short walk from the beach leads us to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been first setup in 1793 by Captain James Colnett it remains the oldest functioning “post office” in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward bound colleagues. In the spirit of maintaining tradition visitors today will often take letters and hand-deliver them in their home countries.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 30-minute walk / 1-hour snorkeling
Return on board, lunch.
PM – Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown / Champion (Floreana Island)
Wet landing. On arriving, the observant visitor will notice that olivine, a volcanic crystal, has proffered a subtle green hue on the dark beach. Our walk takes us past island-endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow, lagoon often inhabited by a variable number of shockingly pink greater flamingoes. We continue through a forest of palo santo trees to arrive at a powdery white beach, a nesting area of green turtles. As we paddle barefoot in the shallow water we will spot diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks.This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the olivine beach we landed on, to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.
One of the favorite snorkeling sites in the islands. Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic cone, is home to an abundance of fish and marine animals. We will swim with big schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas and creole fish and with luck may spot turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, and even hammerhead sharks! The jagged ëcrowní is a roosting area for boobies, noddies, tropicbirds, and frigates.
A truly magical place to snorkel. We would expect to see here green turtles, harmless white-tipped reef sharks, an impressive diversity and abundance of fish as well as some playful sea lions often approaching very close, itching to show off their prowess in the water. Champion Islet also happens to be the last remaining home of the island-endemic Floreana mockingbird which we may be lucky enough to see from our pangas.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy & flat
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14 Galapagos Cruise / Dragon Hill & Punta Bowditch (Santa Cruz Island)
AM Dragon Hill
Arriving to a small lava dock our first encounters are with matine iguanas that belnd in with the dark rock. As we walk past large prickly pear cacti we arrive at one end of a long sickle-shaped beach with Dragon Hill standing in the distance. Our walk takes up o a circular path, past a shallow lake where flamigoes come to drink. Waders such as stilts, turnstones, and sandpipers work the muddy edges frenetrically looking for food as we continue inland to a dry, forested habitat where iguanas rest and burrow.
Difficulty level: moderate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk
PM Punta Bowditch
Feel the indescribable feeling of being were no one else has. Relax on a powdery beach,
snorkel around turquoise water islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 30-min walk/one hour snorkelling
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15 Galapagos / Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island) - Fly to Quito - Departure
Highlands Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & sometimes muddy
Duration: 45-minute drive / 1 ½-hour walk
Baltra Airport:
After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to the mainland.
Departure from Quito (if you are booking your own flights, please do not book anything from Quito that departs any earlier than 8pm).
BUEN VIAJE!
* PLEASE NOTE: As an exception to our general policy regarding the inclusion of tips in our tour pricing, gratuities for the ship's crew are NOT included in tour price. (We have found that trying to pre-pay tips on your behalf is not practical, for a number of reasons). Accordingly, we suggest that you allow approximately USD 125 total per passenger for satisfactory service.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Your Leader services (except on the cruise) and local guides.
Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and restaurants); all meals on ship.
All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary (including Galapagos park entry fee).
Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters (except on the Galapgos cruise - see "Exclusions" below"
Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving/late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour.
Tour Leader gratuity, some lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable).
Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
Optional trip cancellation insurance.
TIPPING:
Galapagos: As an exception to our general policy regarding the inclusion of tips in our tour pricing, gratuities for the ship's crew are NOT included in tour price (we have found that trying to pre-pay tips on your behalf is not practical, for a number of reasons). Accordingly, we suggest that you allow approximately USD 125 total per passenger for satisfactory service.
Seasonality and Weather
This tour is offered throughout the year. Mainland: The cool and dry season runs from May to October; Outside of this time you will encounter warmer and perhaps rainy/misty conditions in the highlands but serious heat & humidity are only a consideration in the isles.
Islands: Hot Season (warm-rainy), December to April. Average air temperatures range 25-33C on land and 23-26C in the water, ideal for snorkeling. It may rain occasionally in the afternoons for an hour or so. The ocean is generally calm due to the absence of the southeast trade winds.
The Cool Season (windy-dry), June to November. The cooler season sees a drop in temperatures 18-27C on land and 18-23C in the sea. Rainfall is low, though the islands may seem somewhat moist as an early mist covers the sky. Usually this burns off by mid morning. The seas are moderately strong; surge, choppy waters and some waves should be expected.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Land transport throughout by private air-conditioned motor coach, 24-36 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Though we will have some full bus days, road travel is not particularly arduous as there are plenty of stops of interest. Roads are in good condition though winding on some stretches.
Baggage handling service is usually in Ecuador though you should be independent with your luggage, especially at airports.
Our difficulty rating of "Level 2" reflects the generally ambitious nature of our program, which features full days of travel and sightseeing, plenty of walking at sites that may be quite large and feature uneven/cobbled surfaces, stairs, heat, and some remote locations. You must also be prepared for short walks to dinner when we dine outside hotels, and to be fully-independent with your luggage in the event that porters are not available. While we don’t include any strenuous activities such as extended hiking or cycling, you must be steady on your feet and able to fully manage yourself and your belongings. And as always on any of our tours, if you rely heavily on a cane or any other mobility device, this tour would not be suitable for you.
Though most people are not seriously affected by altitude as we do not surpass 3000m/10,000 ft on this trip, we require that all participants submit a “Self-Assessment” form confirming their suitability for this journey. We suggest that you preview this form, which includes more detail regarding what you can expect on tour, by clicking the “Resources” tab at the top of this page.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Activity Level: 2
These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page.
Accommodation
Well-located, heated/air-conditioned, mid-range (3 star) hotels with en suite toilet and bath throughout.
The MV Galapagos Legend is one of the most comfortable boats sailing the Galapagos. With space for 110 passengers, the fully air-conditioned ship offers all the amenities of a cruise liner yet small enough for that intimate experience with nature. All cabins are booked in outside 'Junior Suite' class (view cabins on www.gogalapagos.com). Private bathrooms feature hot and cold water, shower, and a hair dryer. Snorkels & masks provided free.
Adventures Abroad is limited to a maximum of 2 single supplements per sailing by the Galapagos cruise operator; any additional singles will attract an up-charge.
Staff and Support
Tour Leader and driver on mainland only. Ship's crew and naturalist guides in the islands.
Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader
Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 1 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
This 19-day Ecuador tour is an adventure that takes us into the Amazon Basin and amid the Galapagos Islands, two destinations that are so different both from each other and from any other location on the globe, they seem to belong to other worlds.
Professional tour guides lead us on a cruise through the Amazon where we have an opportunity to witness a land that is alive with a massive array of plant and animal species.
A flock of multi-coloured birds scattering in flight above our heads is just as much of an exotic sight as the many unique flowers that blanket the ground.
Some of the surreal land structures of the Galapagos will make us feel as though we momentarily stepped off the face of the Earth and into a land of imagination.
The crystal-clear waters seem to match the quality of the flawless beaches that radiate in the sun.
We're then off to see the ancient ruins of the Ingapica in the Canar Valley. The most important and intriguing structure is the Temple of the Sun because of the lack of mortar used in its stonework.
Experience the past meeting the present as we take a walk along the narrow cobblestone streets of Cuenca, once the site of an Inca settlement.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 2 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Enjoy a varied sample of the abundance of South America as we travel to Ecuador, Peru and the Galapagos Islands on this exiting three-week Ecuador & Peru tour, an adventure to witness the nature, culture and attraction of three world-class tour destinations.
In Ecuador, we tour the historic colonial centres of the capital, Quito, now preserved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and delight at standing on the exact geographical point of the equatorial divide, with one foot in the Northern and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.
Heading to Cuenca yields a cityscape comprised of charming houses, cobblestone streets and romantic plazas and our route via Ingapirca in the Canar Valley takes us through Ecuador's most important Inca site.
In Peru, the centuries-old churches, ornate cathedrals and exquisite palaces keep us awed in the bustling capital, Lima, and then it's off down the 'Sacred Valley of the Incas' via the archaeological capital of the Americas and what was once the ancient capital of the great Incan Empire, Cuzco.
The highlight of any trip to the Andes is, without doubt, a tour of Machu Picchu, also known as the 'Lost City of the Incas'.
An intriguing and visually stunning place whose purpose remains a mystery to this day, Machu Picchu is an ancient city of stone palaces, towers, temples and staircases that captures the imagination and bewitches the senses.
Glorious sceneries of plunging valleys and jungle-encroached temples mark our route as we head to Cuzco, where we find indigenous and colonial history and in Pisac, we investigate traditional huts built from mud bricks, peruse colourful markets and taste local culinary delicacies.
In the midst of all this, we set sail for the Galapagos Islands, where we experience the legendary volcanic landscapes, unusual flora and fauna and teeming wildlife on this remarkable archipelago whose islands truly are miniature worlds unto themselves.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 2 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
For a comprehensive overview of the diversity and splendour of nature in South America, this thrilling Ecuador & Peru tour is definitely the one to opt for.
For an adventure-packed 30 days, we travel through three unique destinations across this magnificent continent and bear witness to sights that even the most vivid imagination could not do justice to.
On a tour marked by superlatives that have to be seen to be believed, we begin our adventure by drifting down the longest river in the world with the world's largest and most abundant rainforest as a backdrop.
Exotic species of flora and fauna, vibrant in colour and iridescent in beauty, line our course and when we once again take to land, we make route for the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a stretch of snow-crested peaks, mystical brooks and small villages with terraced farmland.
Exploration of the bustling capital city, Quito, makes for a pleasing contrast to our subsequent departure for the uninhabited natural wonderlands of the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago that has remained untouched for millennia and which has thereby managed to cultivate a special environment brimming with unique ecosystems and extraordinary diversity and abundance of wildlife.
Nowhere else on the planet offers such rewarding opportunities to get up-close and personal with countless species of land- and marine- animals that have never learned to fear the presence of Man; the magic of the Galapagos never fails to spellbind.
From here, it's on to Peru's capital, Lima, to venture through ancient underground catacombs and tour majestic palaces, beautiful cathedrals and museums rich with Incan and pre-Incan relics treasures.
As we journey through the Urubamba Valley, also known as the 'Sacred Valley of the Incas', we admire one of the most scenic drives on our trip and stop off to explore Inca ruins and cave tombs before we reach the bewildering 'Lost City of the Incas' at Machu Picchu.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Nestled in the shadows of the Pichincha volcano high in the Andes, Ecuador's capital city, Quito, boasts a wealth of attraction and a natural environment that can be described as nothing short of stunning.
It is here that we begin our mammoth 32-day trek through South America on this Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia tour.
The initial week of this outstanding tour is spent strolling alongside centuries-old architecture of palaces and churches in the World Heritage-designated colonial urban centres of Quito.
We follow the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' past snow-capped summits and mystical rivers amid the Cordillera Mountains, relaxing in quaint villages that enjoy worldwide fame for their spirit-replenishing hot springs, and perusing the stalls of traditional markets alive with drifting melodies of Andean pipe music and Quichua; the native language derived from the Incan tongue.
A boat trip on transparent waters around the naturalist wonderlands of the Galapagos Islands truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and periodic dockings ensure we get up-close and personal with a diversity of flora and fauna that no destination in the world can rival.
Penguins, tortoises, sea lions and iguanas are but a few species of the massive range of wildlife that we encounter as we discover why this special destination, which has changed little since the days of Darwin, remains one of the most popular destinations in the world.
Flying into Lima, Peru, we tour the many sights of what was one of the most important cities in South America during the Spanish colonial era.
From its underground catacombs and intricately carved churches, to its recently-restored plazas, ornate facades and wooden balconies, Lima evinces an atmosphere of former glory at every turn and with about one-third of the population taking up residence in the capital, it gives travellers valuable insights into contemporary Peruvian culture and society.
Along the Urubamba Valley, we find one of the most scenic routes in the country and exploring the temple and pyramid ruins of the 'Lost City of the Incas' at Machu Picchu is to appreciate fully the architectural, engineering and design genius of one of the most influential and mysterious civilizations in the history of the Americas.
Through mud-brick villages with colourful local markets on the Andean Plains, we make headway for Bolivia, stopping often en route to take in historic and cultural attractions found off the beaten path.
Bolivia is an out-of-the-way destination like no other, a feature that allows us to enjoy a country very much in its natural state; its long isolation has meant that Bolivian lifestyles, traditions and the country's natural environment have been wholly preserved over the years.
It is a land wherein women still wear multi-coloured petticoats and rural locals still weave ponchos, like their ancestors did, and is entirely unspoiled by the influence of mass tourism; its rough edges only adding to the sense of adventure.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Lima, or 'The City of the Kings' as it was dubbed by Spanish conquistadors, is a city that enjoys world-renowned fame for its abundant attractions and makes for a fitting introduction to our Peru, Bolivia & Ecuador Tour through these three highly rewarding South American countries.
Lima, once the richest and most important city in the Americas, is home to some Peru's best museums, fascinating underground catacombs, striking architecture and historic sites by the dozen and we take a couple of days to explore the area before travelling to 'The Sacred Valley of the Incas' to view spectacular scenery and magnificent relics dating from thousands of years ago.
The Incas were the most dominant of South American ancient civilizations, with an empire that at the height of its existence ruled over upwards of a million individuals and spanned a territory from Ecuador to Chile; an area greater than the dominion achieved by any peoples in the history of the Americas.
We travel to the mysterious site of Machu Picchu, 'The Lost City of the Incas,' which is today one of the most famous ancient sites in the world, and wonder as to its past significance as we explore magnificent temples, stone palaces and gargantuan crumbling towers.
A scenic rail journey that snakes past deep valleys, snow-capped peaks and potato and grain fields takes us to the Cuzco region and then it's on towards Bolivia, stopping off in small traditional villages to find out about rural life in Peru.
The Bolivia leg of the tour finds us investigating Inca and pre-Inca sites, admiring colonial churches, cathedrals and flower gardens, and casting off on a boat to experience traditional Bolivian lifestyles on picturesque islands.
We see alpacas and llamas on the way to Tiahuanaco, a place that was once the home of a now-disappeared civilization (the Tiahuanaco), and we check out colourful markets, where locals barter for potions, herbs and folk remedies used to ward off evil spirits.
Crossing into Ecuador, we ramble in lush virgin rainforest in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle, gaze in awe at perfectly-conical volcanoes along the magnificent 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', replenish ourselves in world-famous hot springs and tour fascinating colonial centres of churches and white-washed, red-tiled buildings.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Peru's capital city was once called 'The City of Kings' by Spanish conquistadors and it is here that we begin our 28-day Peru, Bolivia & Ecuador Tour through South America.
Using Lima as a base, we catch a flight to view the curious phenomenon of the Nazca lines; approximately three hundred figures made of straight lines and geometric shapes that are most clearly visible from the air, which were supposedly built by the ancient civilization of the Nazca, but to what end, no one can say with certainty.
Most tours to the Nazca lines include a trip to Peru's answer to the Galapagos Islands - the spectacular Ballestas Islands - and then it's back to Lima for further exploration of the destination that was once the most important and richest city in the Americas.
We meander in grand plazas, gaze at intricately carved churches and cathedrals and tour breathtaking underground catacombs as we learn about the area's fascinating colonial history.
Travelling southeast through spellbinding landscapes of deep, forested valleys and towering mist-encircled mountains, we drive to Machu Picchu for one of the highlights of our adventure: exploration of the majestic temples, gigantic pyramids and stone staircases built by the great Inca Empire of ancient times.
Through mud-brick villages wherein locals are adorned in traditional attire and green fields dotted with willow trees and eucalyptus groves, we journey east to Bolivia, stopping off en route for a short boat ride on a lake to see the unique lifestyles of islanders.
For five days, we admire the abundant natural and man-made attractions of Bolivia: the fascinating colonial centres of Copacabana; the tranquility of Lake Titicaca and the lakeside trenches built by the Incas to channel the sacred water; museums brimming with pre-Columbian artifacts and relics; ancient ceremonial sites of 'lost' civilizations; colourful marketplaces; and glorious sceneries of Andean snow-tipped peaks and plunging valleys with tropical jungle.
From here, it's on to the pristine Amazonian rainforests of Ecuador to see teeming wildlife and lush flora as we tour the country's remarkable natural environment.
As we make our way along the 'Avenue of Volcanoes', we see snow-capped summits, mystical brooks and rivers, terraced farmlands, small villages and fascinating cultures and reluctantly fly home from the capital, Quito.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Pristine tropical jungle, exotic flora and teeming fauna serve as the most picturesque introduction to South America, as we begin our 36-day Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia tour through four remarkable destinations by exploring the tributaries of the mightiest river on the planet alongside the Amazonian rainforests of Ecuador.
Monkeys chatter from the riverbanks, colourful birds glide from tree to tree and butterflies flit over climbing vines as our nature guide teaches us about the unimaginable biodiversity of this spectacular region, before we set ashore for exploration of trails on foot.
Travelling through weaving-villages and red-tiled, whitewashed colonial towns, we head for the 'Avenue of Volcanoes' to follow in the footsteps of its discoverer, German scientist Alexander von Humboldt, where we come across snow-capped summits, mystical brooks, hot springs, terraced farmlands and exceptional haciendas that date from the 16th century.
In the capital, Quito, we tour palaces and beautiful religious buildings - like La Compania church which enjoys worldwide fame for its ornate facade and solid gold altars - in the UNESCO-protected Spanish colonial centre and we straddle two hemispheres at the equator line monument known as 'the middle of the world'.
Setting off for the natural paradise of the Galapagos Islands, we head to a veritable modern-day Garden of Eden that boasts a wider range of biodiversity and a natural splendour more striking than any location on the planet and a destination which has changed little since the times of Charles Darwin.
A tour in the Galapagos Islands is not just a typical sightseeing trip; it's an interactive journey wherein the countless species of wildlife are as curious about you as you are about them and travellers have the unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with nature.
Crossing into Peru, we set down in Lima, a city founded in 1535 that was once the most important Spanish city during the colonial era.
Today it is home to upwards of one-third of the country's population and gives travellers valuable insights into contemporary culture and lifestyles in Peru.
We stop in for exploration in Cuzco, the archaeological capital of the Americas and ancient capital of the Inca Empire, before travelling through spectacular countryside by train to the 'Lost City of the Incas' at Machu Picchu, where we gaze at intricately carved temples, pyramids and winding stone staircases.
After a short boat trip to experience the rural lifestyles of islanders, we make headway for Bolivia, where we spend the final four days of our tour.
Mingling with the locals in traditional villages with bustling colourful markets featuring stalls selling anything from herbal potions to folk remedies to guard against evil spirits and at folk music performances allows us to appreciate fully Bolivian culture and our museum-visits teach us about the country's remarkable pre-Columbian history.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Home to more than one-third of the country's population, Lima is the must-see commercial and cultural hub of Peru and we take the initial couple of days of our incredible 35-day Peru, Bolivia & Ecuador Tour through South America to appreciate its many bounties.
We discover the secrets of the ancient Incas by making our way along the 'Sacred Valley of the Incas,' where we see centuries-old cave tombs carved into the valley walls, and by strolling amid the ruins of the 'Lost City of the Incas' at the remarkable Machu Picchu.
To this day, relatively little is known about this highly advanced and influential ancient civilization and as we travel through majestic landscapes of snow-tipped mountains, spectacular ridges and plunging valleys by road, rail and sea, we come face-to-face with the mysteries of the past, pondering for ourselves the unexplained riddles left behind by the great peoples of old, and see how legacies from the days of yore live on in the customs and bloodlines of their descendants.
Crossing the border into Bolivia, we head for Copacabana to find a destination that has held religious significance for hundreds of years, beginning with the Incas.
Magnificent cathedrals, colourful mosques and sites whose importance incorporate a fusion of Catholic and pagan beliefs line our route as we set off for the largest lake on the continent - Lake Titicaca - where cleverly terraced slopes contain numerous traditional villages and ruins of the great Inca Empire that reveal ancient secrets.
Touched little by the commercialization wrought by mass tourism, Bolivia is a country reminiscent of the world as it was hundreds of years ago, where traditional dress is worn by locals in lively markets and bartering for goods such as potions and herbal folk remedies to ward off evil spirits is commonplace.
In Ecuador, we get closer to nature with a trip down one of the remote tributaries of the mighty Amazon River and ramble through thick Ecuadorian jungle teeming with exotic wildlife, before making our way along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' for some of the most dramatic volcanic sceneries in South America.
We explore the UNESCO-protected colonial centre of the capital city, Quito, and the beautiful palace, the famous San Francisco Church and the Virgin of the Apocalypse monument, before wandering through pristine cloud forests, labyrinths and chambers in crumbling Inca temples and quaint parks and romantic plazas of perhaps the most beautiful of Ecuadorian cities; Cuenca.
Mother Nature's most splendid works are on display as we cast off on a short cruise through the Galapagos Islands, an incredible, world-famous destination whose diversity of flora and fauna knows no rival and whose natural surroundings have changed little since the days of Charles Darwin.
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural
Our South America tour packages are truly bucket list experiences and this tour features a number of iconic sights including a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu, the dense greenery of the Amazon and a Galapagos cruise.
Beyond those obvious highlights, the 35-day jaunt offers much for the discerning traveller. Whether it's perusing intricate weaving at a Peruvian market stall, learning about local customs in Bolivia (home to the continent's largest percentage of indigenous peoples) or marveling at the lofty peaks of the Ecuadorean Andes, this trio of South American countries will not disappoint.
Like many of our South America tour packages, we begin in Peru's capital, Lima. A sophisticated city with ever present nods to a civilization that dates back millennia, it's home to the famous Plaza de Armas surrounded by the impressive Archbishop's Palace. Also included in a day long tour is the Larco Museum -- featuring a treasure trove of pre-Columbian history and a world famous erotic archaeological collection -- and the trendy area of Miraflores with cliff top views of the Pacific Ocean.
A bus ride to Nazca is prelude to a flight over the 2,000 year old Nazca Lines. In some circles the elaborate figures, comprised of geometric lines and shapes, are believed to have extraterrestrial origins. Another separate day trip from Lima takes travellers to the Ballestas Islands where you will be greeted by seabirds and often schools of dolphins.
A spectacularly scenic drive follows, to the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, a tantalizing taste of what's to come: the "lost" city of Machu Picchu high in The Andes. Named one of the New Sevens Wonders of the World, this ancient citadel is notable for its huge blocks wondrously fused without mortar. Among features at the site, that dates back to 1450 before its abandonment a century later, is The Temple of the Sun and the enigmatic Temple of the Three Windows.
Not to be outdone, Cuzco is home to many of the most important Inca sites and the tour takes advantage with visits to the complex of Sacsayhuaman (with stonework so perfect not even moss can grow!) and the town site attractions of San Blas Church and its cathedral that houses a trove of paintings from the Cuzco School of Art. Combined, the architecture, food, music and handicrafts ensure Cuzco has retained an aura of untouched colonialism.
Not forgetting to purchase a sweater or hat made of the luxurious alpaca wool the region is famous for, continue to the shores of placid Lake Titicaca, with stops at Pucara, the Temple of Wiracocha and a baroque church along the way. The lake itself straddles the Peruvian/Bolivian border and is the world's highest navigable body of water. While there take a boat tour to the fascinating floating islands of Los Uros, constructed from multitudinous layers of tortota reeds.
Crossing into Bolivia enjoy a walking tour of Copacabana before a day's boat exploration of Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca where terraced slopes are dotted with numerous ruins and tiny traditional villages.
In La Paz, located 3,300 metres above sea level, immerse yourself in the nosily contradictions of a city where boutique hotels jostle alongside Gothic spires for your attention. Perhaps most famous for its many markets, overseen by colourfully dressed merchants garbed in traditional petticoats and bowlers hats, La Paz is sure to delight.
A flight to Ecuador follows ahead of nearly four days exploration in the Amazon Rainforest. Famed for its vastness and unparalleled biodiversity, the Amazon spans nine separate nations and contains an estimated 390 billion trees comprised of 16,000 different species and is something you truly must include in your South America tour packages. Embarking from the Napo Cultural Centre, canoe down river to accommodations at Kichwa Ecolodge where visitors are welcomed with a lunch and traditional drinks.
A parrot clay lick, walk to an observation tower and visit to the interpretive centre Kuri Muyu are featured the following day with plenty of opportunity to view the incredible numbers of bird and animal species that include howler monkeys and toucans. A separate evening canoe trip is designed to bring visitors up close and personal with alligators. Before your departure flight to Quito, share in an early morning ritual of traditional customs practiced by the Kichwa natives.
Beautiful and steeped in history, Quito is the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Must sees here include a number of 16th and 17th century churches and the gigantic winged statue, Virgin of the Apocalypse.
North of Quito, the Otavalo Valley region is home to a tradition of weaving that forms the basis of the local economy and that's followed by a visit to the Avenue of Volcanoes located in a national park. En route to Banos, famous for its hot spring baths, stops are scheduled at Cotopaxi volcano and Pillaro where there's time to visit a traditional mask workshop. A brief walk to one of the nations most spectacular waterfalls, The Devil's Bowl, follows before boarding the Devil's Nose, on the Trans-Andean railroad, a truly remarkable feat of engineering.
A walking tour of Cuenca reveals the charms inherent in Ecuador's most important colonial city. While in town visit a Panama hat factory, the Archaeological Complex of Ingapirca and Museo del Banco Central.
Ornithologists won't want to miss the birding opportunities in Cajas National Park, in particular, the rare Andean Condor which is sometimes spotted soaring high above.
With wildlife that hasn't learned to be afraid of humans, the tour ends with a bang during the final days spent cruising the Galapagos Islands, another must-see destination in our South America tour packages. Almost entirely preserved as sanctuary, and with many species found nowhere else on earth, the collection of islands has gained near mythological status for its diversity and beauty.
With opportunities to snorkel and wildlife interactions that you're unlikely to experience any where else (including tortoises, sea lions, iguanas and many more). The Galapagos Islands are easily ranked among the most coveted travel experiences on the planet.
Regions visited: South America
Countries visited: Ecuador
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
Currently, Itza opens its doors in the heart of the city, with its memory intact and brighter than ever.
