Compare Best of Ecuador & Galapagos Cruise by Indus Travels vs Ecuador in 11 days - Private Amazon & Galapagos Experience - Charm by Exoticca

Make your own way to the airport for your international flight to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Enjoy inflight meals and services.  Upon arrival in Quito you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Quito is the largest colonial town in the Americas and is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, where you will see eclectic architecture ranging from modern skyscrapers to colonial churches.

Overnight in Quito

After breakfast you will enjoy a fully guided city tour of Quito. You will visit La Ronda, a beautiful street in the heart of the old city, and Plaza de la Independencia, the city’s main square.  Here you can see the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and several historic churches. You can then enjoy spectacular views of the city and its surroundings from the viewpoint at Penecillo hill, before driving north of Quito to ‘the Middle of the World’, where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres.  After spending time at the equator, you will return to Quito, where you are free to relax and enjoy the city at your leisure.

Overnight in Quito

Today you will depart Quito and drive north to the mainly indigenous town of Otavalo. You can taste exotic fruits in the Guayabamba Valley before crossing the Equator at Cayambe where, on a clear day, you can see the majestic snow-capped mountains and try some famous salt biscuits with leaf cheese. At the foot of Imbabura Mountain enjoy the picturesque view of Ecuador's largest lake: San Pablo. Afterwards, visit the famous and colourful Otavalo Indian Market where vendors proudly offer a stunning variety of textiles, including ponchos, rugs, mittens and scarves as well as jewellery and other artisanal work. If time permits you will also visit Cotacachi Village, known for its leather products and home to Cuicocha Crater Lake.

Overnight in Otavalo

This morning you will travel the same route taken by Francisco de Orellana on his way to explore the legendary “El Dorado”, in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, towards the moors of the Eastern mountain range. During this trip, you will see a radical change in scenery due to the changing altitude. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape at 3,300 m above sea level you will discover Papallacta Hot Springs, where you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hot waters.

Overnight in Papallacta

Today you will leave the majestic Andes highlands and travel down into the “Oriente”, or Amazon region. Along the way there will be several opportunities to stop for photographs of the lush green valleys and beautiful sparkling waterfalls. The road ends at Punta Ahuano, a tiny port town on the North bank of the Napo River, where canoes await you for a short ride downstream to your lodge. Have a refreshing welcome cocktail and relax in the beautiful gardens full of amazing jungle plants and flowers before enjoying a delicious dinner, accompanied by the nightly sounds of the Amazon jungle.

Overnight in the Amazon

After breakfast this morning you will travel upstream by canoe and embark on a short walk to see some of the jungle's diverse secondary forest and visit the breathtaking "Cascada de Latas" waterfall, and if you wish you can take a refreshing dip in its clear crystal waters. After lunch, back at the lodge you will put on your "wet gear" (rubber boots and rain poncho) and enjoy an exciting walk in the rainforest with your expert native guide.  You will see a great variety of plants and insects, and may be lucky enough to see exotic birds and monkeys weaving around the giant trees. Later this afternoon you will return to the lodge in time for another delectable evening meal served among the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Overnight in the Amazon

Today you will depart the Amazon and travel east to Baños, a small city located in a valley of scenic waterfalls, tempting hot springs and the impressive Tungurahua volcano.  Visit the famous waterfalls “Manto de la Novia” and “Pailon del Diablo”, before enjoying incredible views of the active Tungurahua volcano from a lookout point.

Overnight in Baños

Your destination today is the bustling city of Guayaquil. On arrival, you will enjoy a city tour visiting the picturesque Las Peñas area and the Malecon, the lively square overlooking the Guayas River. At the Malecon you will visit some important historical sites, including La Rotonda, a monument that immortalizes the meeting between generals Simon Bolivar and San Martin. Afterwards you will walk through the old town and visit Seminario Park, which is home to many iguanas! This afternoon is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Guayaquil

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island, one of the world famous Galapagos Islands. On arrival you will be met by our experienced cruise staff and escorted to your boat.  This afternoon you will sail to the island of Santa Cruz where you can enjoy a tour of the highlands, a lush, deep green area populated with Scalesia trees.  Here you will have the opportunity to observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment and see underground lava tubes that are over half a mile long – exploring them is a surreal experience!

Overnight on board 

This morning you will sail to Floreana Island and visit Post Office Bay.  You will see the unofficial mailbox created from a wooden barrel by whalers who visited the island in the 18th century – the tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards and sort through left mail to deliver at home.  This afternoon you will visit Cormorant Point, home to a large flamingo lagoon where you can also see other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails.  You will also have the chance to see some of the island’s distinct beaches, including “Green Beach”, which has a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and “Four Sand Beach”, which is composed of white coral.

Overnight on board

Today you will sail to Española Island and visit Suarez Point, where you can enjoy a hike out to see blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. There is also a famous blowhole here, where water spurts high into the air.  This afternoon you will visit Gardner Bay on the eastern side of the island, the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has a beautiful white sandy beach where sea lions bask in the sunshine; this is a great place for diving and snorkeling.

Overnight on board 

This morning you will visit Kicker Rock on the island of San Cristobal, where the rocks stand hundreds of feet above the ocean, jutting out of the water.  Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and scuba diving allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life, including turtles, sharks and occasionally even manta rays.  This afternoon you will be transferred to San Cristobal airport for your flight back home via Quito.

Day 1: US - Quito

Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight to 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. Private transfer to your hotel and overnight stay in Quito. If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Quito

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day in Quito at your leisure taking some time to enjoy the beautiful climate and natural environment. We recommend enjoying our excursion to Otavalo* or booking our Pack of 3 Excursions**. Overnight stay in Quito. * Optional Otavalo Tour: Otavalo is the capital of Cantón and is a predominantly indigenous city in the Imbabura province of Ecuador. The city has about 90,000 inhabitants and is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura, Cotacachi, and the Mojanda volcanoes. You will be transported by your private driver and will enjoy tasting custard apples and biscuits before heading to visit Cotacachi and Cuicocha. ** Optional Experience Ecuador - Pack of 3 Excursions: Experience Ecuador to the fullest with this pack of three excursions. Visit the famous Quilotoa Crater Lake on an excursion through the Andean Mountains to discover the local culture and natural wonders of the Andes. In the Galapagos Islands, enjoy an authentic cooking class on Playa Mann in San Cristobal, known for its population of sea lions, to learn the secrets of the local cuisine. Finally, take a tour of Puerto el Morro in Guayaquil to visit a natural dolphin reserve, accompanied by a professional biologist guide.

Day 3: Quito - Tena - Amazon

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off into the Ecuadorian highlands and down into the rainforest, headed for Tena, in the Amazon. Continue through verdant landscapes towards the lodge, in the heart of the jungle. Along the way, you'll stop in Guango Lodge, where you'll see many species of hummingbirds. Arrive at the Amazon Lodge in time for dinner and enjoy a night-walk to admire the nocturnal wildlife as the rainforest comes to life after sundown. Overnight stay in the Amazon. Note: Activities in the Lodge are shared with other guests.

Day 4: Amazon

Seize the day and awake early for a short canoe ride upriver to visit the Parrot Saladero, a unique place where parrots and parakeets gather in order to obtain the minerals that help them to digest the fruits or seeds they eat. Hundreds of parrots descend to the clay wall to eat the mineral-rich soil. Return to the lodge for breakfast before heading out for a nature walk through the rainforest. In the afternoon, after lunch, visit an Amazonian Kichwa community to learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. Try a traditional fermented cassava drink and some of their traditional dishes. The visit ends with a traditional dance performed by the children of the community. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Note: Activities in the Lodge are shared with other guests.

Day 5: Amazon - Tena - Quito

After breakfast at the lodge, return to Tena and continue your journey, heading back towards the capital. At your arrival, 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 rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Quito.

Day 6: Quito - Galapagos (San Cristobal)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to the airport this morning for a flight to the Galapagos Islands, a true wonder of nature known for its immense biodiversity! San Cristobal is the easternmost Galapagos island and is home to a rich array of unique wildlife, such as blue and red-footed boobies, marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions. It's also the island that Charles Darwin first explored during his research into the islands. Upon arrival, private transfer to the hotel. Then, you'll have free time to explore the beautiful San Cristobal island on your own. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.

Day 7: Galapagos (San Cristobal)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy a private tour to the Interpretation Center & Tijeretas. There, you will get to know more about the formation of the islands, the arrival of humans and the importance of conservation. Then, during the 2 hours hike, you will find gorgeous views along the way and also a small cove in which you can snorkel. The rest of the day you be at your leasure. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.

Day 8: Galapagos (San Cristobal)

After breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for you to explore the Galapagos at your own. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.

Day 9: Galapagos (San Cristobal)

Breakfast at the hotel. Time at your leisure to continue discovering the island. We recommend you to visit some of the unhabitated islands around, you can book it at destiantion. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.

Day 10: Galapagos (San Cristobal) - Guayaquil

Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the mainland, with a flight from San Cristobal airport. Arrive in Guayaquil, and join a private transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and is located on the Pacific Coast. Later, enjoy a walking tour of the city, visiting the Malecon, Paque Iguanas and Las Peñas neighbourhood. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.

Day 11: Guayaquil - Night on board

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, private transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. Please note: Depending on the flight departure time you may arrive back in the US today.

Day 12: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.