Compare Cotopaxi Multisport - Ecuador by Adventure Unbound vs Galapagos Islands Retreat by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 5 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 959 | $ 4,000 |
| Price Per Day | $ 192 | $ 500 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 5 Dinners |
| Description |
Custom Adventures to Volcano Land. With a choice of three traditional Ecuadorian haciendas or ranches that surround Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano on Earth you can enjoy the beauty and wilderness that is the Andes. |
Be inspired by the serenity of yoga on this wellness tour of the Galapagos Islands where wildlife frolics unfettered and free on this wildlife and wellness vacation. The journey begins in Quito, Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then visits four Galapagos Islands where you can walk in the footsteps of Darwin. Imagine the thrill of spotting penguins, flamingos, and giant tortoises, watching the dance of marine iguanas and seeing a parade of blue-footed boobies as frigate birds soar overhead. |
Day 1: Mountain Biking
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hacienda El Porvenir
After a delicious hacienda breakfast, we will start our mountain biking adventure at Cotopaxi Volcano. The descent down the volcano to the “Canal de Agua” trail has stunning scenery, and will be followed by a cross-country ride right through the bed of an old landslide, formed where lava and mud flowed during past volcanic eruptions. Our exciting biking adventure continues when we reach Hacienda El Porvenir, as we then begin to bike through the gorgeous Andean forest filled with delightful and abundant vegetation, rivers, and steep ravines. After all that biking, we will return to the farmhouse to shower and relax before a delicious dinner.
Day 2: Horseback Riding and Hiking
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning after a traditional Andean breakfast we will meet with trainers for a short lesson on how to ride horseback and to get acquainted with the horses. Wearing the traditional “Chagra” attire of Poncho and Chaps, we will ride to the foothills of Rumiñahui volcano, alongside some herds of wild horses and fighting bulls – what a scene! Our local guides will share their knowledge with us, as they tell us of the area and the healing plants that are still collected and used here. This ride will take us about 3 hours. Afterwards, a delicious lunch of local cuisine awaits us at the farmhouse. Once we’ve eaten and rested, we will hike for 2 -3 hours arriving at the breathtaking Manto Blanco waterfall. Following the hike, we will enjoy dinner and lodging near the chimneys.
Day 3: Trek to Pasochoa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today our excursion will begin in the Hacienda Santa Rita Private Reserve, at an altitude of 3,300 meters (10826 ft). From here we will begin hiking up the Pasochoa Volcano. The trail travels through patches of native Andean forest and open “páramos,” which are a type of moorlands. We will trek through fields covered with high straw and we will enjoy the magnificent view of the adjacent mountains covered with snow such as the Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Sincholagua ranges that tower over us as we climb. We will have a box lunch in the middle of the day, as we rest and recover our breath. Our hiking time is about 7 hour’s total roundtrip, but it is mellow hiking. Once more a wonderful dinner awaits us, and we can enjoy the serenity of the night and rest at the Hacienda El Porvenir.
Day 4: Climbing Rumiñahui
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we will up the difficulty of our hiking adventure and climb the Rumiñahui Volcano. We will get a very early start, crossing the spacious high ground that is often breezy due to the cool winds of the Andes. In one single panorama we can take in valleys, mountains and nearby volcanoes. On a clear day, we will even have the opportunity to regard in the distance Ilinizas peaks and Chimborazo, the highest snow-capped mountain of Ecuador. The hike will take about 7 hours total round trip, and the hiking difficulty is average. We will trek along with a native guide who will share all he knows about the mountains, the páramo and the local culture. We will take a box lunch with us on our hike, after which we will head back to Hacienda El Porvenir, a fireplace to warm our hands, and another delicious dinner.
Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our final full day will again serve up some serious hiking. After one last, wonderful and complete breakfast, we will make our way to, and arrive at, the Park. Once there, we will visit the interpretation center where we will find descriptions of the local vegetation as well as the history of the major eruptions of the world’s highest active volcano. After we’ve taken in that interesting information, we will begin our hike from the parking lot by climbing up to the refuge (4,800 m /15,744 ft.). This is a strenuous hike and will also be slow going as we are hiking at such a high elevation. After a short rest to catch our breath and to admire the incredible view, we will hike back down to the parking lot, join our transportation and continue on to Limpiopungo Lake, where we will enjoy a delicious and well-deserved box lunch. Our adventure continues in our vehicle as we travel through a stunning landscape where we can admire creeks and large rock formations where volcanic remains are still apparent. We will also pass the Pucará del Salitre, a strategic military fortress of the Inca Empire. Then, in the afternoon, we will return to Quito, to start our journey home.
Day 1 - Home - Quito, Ecuador
Today, transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, we transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 - Quito, Ecuador
Following breakfast, we head out to explore Quito. Our city tour of Quito includes: the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo which is a statue of the virgin of Quito that overlooks and protects the city.
Then, we travel to the middle-of-the-world, Mitad-del-Mundo. At 0 degrees latitude, you can stand with both feet in each hemisphere and learn the gravitational forces at work along this imaginary line. We have some free time this afternoon before our included dinner this evening at the hotel. (B,D)
Day 3 - Quito - Galapagos Islands
This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the Quito airport for our flight to the Galápagos Islands. We arrive on the island of Baltra and transfer to our hotel in Santa Cruz. After check-in, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an introduction to the Island’s unique wildlife and history. The Charles Darwin Research Station works to preserve the unique and balanced ecosystem. Here, we have a thorough introduction to the flora and fauna that make these islands so special.
Later, we travel to Rancho Chato, in the highlands of Santa Cruz, and get up-close and personal with the giant Galápagos tortoise. The area also has volcanic lava tubes we can explore underground. We top off our time in these spectacular natural surroundings with a local, traditional lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Galapagos Islands
Today, we hop-over by speed boat and visit South Plazas, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos. Though one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, it has the island chain’s largest population of land iguanas. Birdlife is also abundant. Look out for red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions frolicking the water as we tour the area. Our time on South Plaza includes lunch before we return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Galapagos Islands
We begin our day with a yoga lesson in Tortuga Bay. Tortuga bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of white sandy beach and turquoise waters in the Galapagos Islands.
This morning, we depart for San Cristobal to witness amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations. Each island in the Galapagos is truly a different experience and San Cristobal is one of the most unique. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we head into the highlands of San Cristobal and have a yoga lesson in the typical highlands of the San Cristobal.
San Cristobal is the fifth largest and easternmost island in the Galapagos. It consists of a few fused volcanoes and is the island where Darwin first went ashore in 1835. (B,D)
Day 6 - Galapagos Islands
Today, we take a small boat to Isla Lobos. We have a guided tour and will learn about frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions that inhabit the island from our Naturalist Guide. Afterwards, we have time to snorkel and swim with playful sea lions and observe rays and turtles. We continue to a local restaurant for lunch before ending our Lobos excursion on Playa Ochoa ~ a white coral beach. Here, we have a yoga lesson surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean.
After, we transfer back to our hotel and have dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Galapagos Islands - Quito
Today, after our last yoga session, we have some free time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing around San Cristobal. Some great sites to explore include:
Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center
A giant tortoise breeding center where you can view various species of these incredible creatures that can to be over 100 years old!
Early this afternoon, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, we will check-in for our overnight flight home to Bradley International Airport. (B)
Day 8 - Arrive USA
Arrive back in the USA this morning and transfer home rested and relaxed with incredible memories.
*Yoga lessons and snorkeling are included activities. They are not mandatory to participate in.
