Compare Essential Ecuador by Great Value Vacations vs Ecuador in 11 days - Cities, Andes & Galapagos - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 10 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 3,226 | $ 2,099 |
| Price Per Day | $ 323 | $ 191 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 9 Breakfasts. |
| Description |
Ecuador may be small in size, but it is uniquely endowed with a dramatic topography and a variety of climatic zones, vegetation, and wildlife. Without ever leaving the country, you can see jungle-rainforest and the high slopes of the Andes in just a matter of hours. Begin in the capital of Quito, called the "Convent of America" for its plethora of churches and monasteries. See the city's highlights on a guided tour, then make your way to Otavalo, home of a famous crafts market. Leave Otavalo and arrive in Papallacta, where you'll soak in warm thermal baths and visit Cuicocha volcanic lake. Visit Ecuador's largest national park, Cotopaxi, and see its namesake volcano! En route to your next destination of Cuenca, visit Ecuador's most important Incan ruins. Spend two nights in Cuenca, known for its arts, culture and production of Panama hats. Taste a cacao bean straight from the tree at a cacao plantation before arriving in your last destination of Guayaquil. In Ecuador's largest city, immerse yourself in the rhythms of the locals. Take in as much culture as you can before flying home. Helpful links for travel to Ecuador: |
Travel to Ecuador, discover Quito, the oldest capital in South America and uncover Andean Highlands of Otavalo. Explore the Galapagos Islands and enjoy its spectacular flora and fauna on the island of Santa Cruz. Relax on the paradise beaches and look out for the giant Galapagos tortoise before ending your adventure in vibrant Guayaquil. |
Day 1 Welcome to Quito!
Arrive in Quito and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation. Set at the foot of the volcano Pichincha and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Quito is easy on the eyes. The city is known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture. >Quito has 86 churches and monasteries, giving it the name “Convent of America. Spend your first night in Quito trying the local cuisine like hornado (roasted pork) or for the more adventurous eaters, cuy (guinea pig)!
Day 2 Quito
Wake up and enjoy a 6-hour tour of Quito's highlights including Panecillo Hill and the “Middle of the World” - the Equatorial Line. Later, head to Quito's Old Town and admire its picturesque plazas and magnificent churches. San Francisco Square is a great place to get a true sense of the city!
Day 3 Quito - Otavalo
Leave Quito today for Otavalo, a town in the Andes that hosts a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times. After the visit, arrive in the town of Papallacta where you will spend the night.
Day 4 Otavalo - Papallacta
In the morning, head out for your first excursion of the day to Laguna Cuicocha, a beautiful lake nestled within the crater of the Cotacachi volcano. After visiting the lake, head to Cotacachi and Papallacta villages. Pick up a leather souvenir in Cotacachi and relax in the thermal baths in Papallacta.
Day 5 Papallacta - Cotopaxi
Explore Cotopaxi National Park today! The focal point of the park is the symmetrically-perfect Cotopaxi volcano, the second-highest volcano in the world.
Day 6 Cotopaxi - Riobamba
After breakfast, visit a colorful and original Indian market. Continue about 10 miles to Quilotoa, the famous volcanic lake with stunning views. Late afternoon, continue to Riobamba, the capital of Chimborazo province where a great number of indigenous communities live. Close to Chimborazo, the highest mountain of Ecuador, you will spend the night in one of the atmospheric hosterias in the region.
Day 7 Riobamba - Cuenca
After an early breakfast, you will be taken to the train-station in Alausi to board the train for the famous Devil’s Nose ride. After an exhilarating ride, start the approximately 2-hour drive to Cuenca. On the way, stop at Ingapirca - the most important Incan ruins in the country.
Day 8 Cuenca
In the morning, enjoy a half-day tour taking you to some of the Cuenca's highlights including the "Todos los Santos" ruins and main square.
Day 9 Cuenca - Guayaquil
Leave Cuenca today for Guayaquil. On the way, you will notice the dramatic changes in vegetation. Observe the typical paramo grassland, small colorful flowers, mosses, lichens, and other fungi. Once in the lowlands, you will see a lot of rice, cacao and banana plantations. En route to Guayaquil, stop at a cacao plantation and get to know the source of the chocolate many of us consume. You'll then arrive in Guayaquil where you will enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the city.
Day 10 Depart Ecuador
Squeeze all your souvenirs into your bag and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Board your plane and spend your relaxing flight home dreaming about your next adventure.
Day 1: US - Quito
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight Quito. Arrive in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a city famed for its high vantage point in the Andean mountains, and its ancient Incan significance. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the relaxed culture of the Ecuadorian Sierra. Overnight stay in Quito.
Day 2: Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, meet a local guide who will take you on a fascinating guided tour of some most emblematic sights of Quito. Explore the Historic Center, declared a World Heritage Site for its great beauty, and also discover the city's traditional market where you can taste a great variety of tropical fruits grown in Ecuador. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight stay in Quito.
Day 3: Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day in Quito at your leisure, exploring the city or simply taking some time to enjoy the beautiful climate and natural environment. We recommend enjoying our excursion to Quilotoa.* Overnight stay in Quito. * Optional Quilotoa Excursion: Set off through the Andean Mountains, passing by the snow-capped peaks of Tungurahua and Chimborazo. Stop at a local market for a taste of the local culture and visit Quilotoa Crater Lake, known for its everchanging colour, depending on the sun and clouds.
Day 4: Quito - Otavalo
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off towards Otavalo in the Andean Highlands. On the way, visit the experiential Inti Nan Museum, to learn about the history and heritage of the different tribes of Ecuador and their relationship with the equator. Here you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere! Arrive in Otavalo and take a walking tour of the village where you can enjoy the local market, the largest in the region. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Otavalo.
Day 5: Otavalo
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure in Otavalo, relaxing at your own pace or exploring the surrounding highlands and volcanic walking trails. Overnight stay in Otavalo.
Day 6: Otavalo - Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Baltra, in the wonderful Galapagos Islands. From Baltra, transfer to the island of Santa Cruz by crossing the Itabaca channel on a ferry. On the way to the hotel visit Finca El Chato where you can see the mighty Galapagos Tortoise in their natural habitat. Arrive in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Centre to learn more about the significance of the Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay on Santa Cruz.
Day 7: Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the beautiful beaches or the wonderful wildlife. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.
Day 8: Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the morning with a tour of Academy Bay discover the abundance of wildlife. Take a boat across the small channel to Academy Bay, also known as La Loberia. You may even be lucky enough to sight sea turtles and the famous Blue-Footed Boobies along the way. Enjoy a guided walk along a path to 'Playa de Los Perros', known for its amazing marine iguanas who rest on the rocks on sunny days. Admire the impressive flora of the bay and enjoy a snorkelling excursion along the shoreline before walking to Las Grietas. Return to Puerto Ayora and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.
Day 9: Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the beautiful beaches or the wonderful wildlife. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.
Day 10: Santa Cruz - Guayaquil
Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the mainland, with a flight from Baltra. Arrive in Guayaquil, and transfer to your hotel in the city center Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and is located on the coast. Later, enjoy a 2-hour walking tour, visiting the Malecon and Las Peñas neighborhood. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Day 11: Guayaquil - US
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a return flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * If your return flight departs in the evening, your arrival in the US will be the following day and the total duration of your trip will be 12 days.
