Compare Ecuador & Galapagos Islands by Rothschild Safaris vs Jewels of the Andes | Exploring the Andes by Latin Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 4 days |
| Price From | $ 15,000 | $ 560 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,154 | $ 140 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
3 Breakfast, 3 Lunches and 2 Dinners |
| Description |
From history-rich Quito to the vibrant cloud forests of Mashpi Reserve to the remarkable and utterly unique Galápagos Islands, explore the best of what Ecuador has to offer. Visit Otavalo and its world-renowned indigenous markets full of color and life, while staying at one of Ecuador’s top haciendas; stand along the equator when you visit the “Middle of the World;” and relax in hot springs with views of the Andes and rolling hills. This is a trip you will never forget. |
This 4 day package brings you from the most beautiful and the highest volcanoes of the Andes to to the only one emerald sparkling lake in the mountains.The highlands of the Ecuadorian Andes with its alluring beauty, are an amazing and unique place due to the multiplicity of landscapes and surroundings. It lends itself to the variety of activities and adventures we could have without the need of large and elaborate arrangements. Although small in size, Ecuador is a country with unexplored or barely explored places. Its mountains hide beautiful and exotic nooks enticing those who love all kinds of adventure exploring the Andes.
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Days 1-2: Quito/ Hotel Casa Gangotena
Welcome to Ecuador! On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend your first two nights in Ecuador in luxury at Hotel Casa Gangotena, situated in the heart of Quito’s Old Town.
Spend your time here getting to know magnificent Quito, visiting the city’s historic district, enjoying this urban jewel and its artistic and architectural treasures. Drive to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the principal religious monuments of the New World, then visit the exact middle of the planet where the equator crosses the earth at latitude 0° 0’ 0”. Here you will be able to stand with one foot in each hemisphere!
Days 3- 7: Galapagos Islands/ M/V Eclipse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your adventure continues as we fly you to the Galápagos Islands to begin your 5-night cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse.
During your cruise your days will be filled with morning and afternoon excursions on different islands where you will can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife viewing all the while! Explore Cerro Brujo’s gorgeous beach, home to many sea lions and the place where Charles Darwin first stepped foot on the Archipelago; spot land iguanas, flocks of Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and different types of finches; or visit the inside of a lava tunnel!
Overnight: M/V Eclipse
Day 8: Pappallacta/ Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
This morning you will fly back into Quito for your drive to Termas de Papallacta. Here you can relax and refresh yourself, taking in the stunning mountain views while having a soak in the lodge’s hot springs, or enjoy a spa treatment.
Days 9, 10: Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve/ Mashpi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge
Continue your journey northwest into the Mashpi Forest Reserve, a 3,200-acre haven for wildlife and biodiversity. Here, you will stay at National Geographic’s Unique Lodge of the World – Mashpi Lodge – a modern architectural marvel of glass where nature takes center stage.
Afternoon activities in the reserve will be organized depending on your group’s size and physical conditions and weather conditions. Activities include visiting the observation tower to experience life in the forest from a height of 90 feet, taking a 200-yard aerial cable ride on the “Sky Bike” through the forest canopy and visiting the San Vicente waterfalls to discover the lush secrets this forest holds. Follow the Howler Monkey Trail, which passes through primary forest, on to the Life Center and Butterfly Pavilion.
Days 11, 12: Otavalo/ Hacienda Zuleta
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta
It’s time to leave the forest behind as you journey to Ecuador’s Otavalo region. Your first stop is Otavalo Indigenous Market, one of the largest and best-known in South America. After some time perusing the local wares, you will continue on to enjoy lunch at Hacienda Zuleta – an amazing jewel tucked away amid several volcanoes.
A host of optional activities await you here, including easy mountain biking along the hacienda grounds, or a short hike around beautiful “Guinea Pig Lake.” Visit Cotacachi´s Leather Market and a family of weavers who not only have amazing wares but will demonstrate for you how they weave on their traditional back-strap looms and make striking colors from local plants. Around the corner lives a family of musicians, where you will get a feel for authentic Andean music and watch as they craft perfectly-tuned Andean flutes.
Day 13: Your Journey Ends
Today you will be transferred to Quito International Airport for your international flight home.
Day 1: Interpretation Center – Hike – Volcanoes Avenue
Overnight in Chugchilan / Cotopaxi.
Leave early in the morning and take “The Volcanoes Avenue” to Latacunga. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world (5,897 msnm) located two hours from Quito. Along the way, we’ll see various mountains including, El Corazon, Rumiñahui, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Atacazo. The national park allows us the opportunity to hike around the lake at the foot of the Volcano. After, we’ll climb the volcano by vehicle until 4,500 meters. We’ll then climb until 4,800 meters where there is a refuge and from there continue up to the glaciers. Of course, all plans depend on weather and National Park restrictions. Visit the Center of Interpretation where we’ll learn about the flora and the fauna of the park and the moors protected areas. After, we’ll eat lunch and dinner in the Lodge.
Day 2: Hike – Quilotoa Lagoon - Indigenous Village – Mountains Scenery
Overnight in Riobamba.
Leave early in the morning to Quilotoa Lagoon. On the way we’ll observe the colorful landscape of the moors and indigenous communities that inhabit the area. (Possibility to visit a indigenous market depending the day) At the lagoon you can descend inside the crater and return on horseback or simply take a walk around the crater. Lunch in Quilotoa.
Day 3: Chimborazo Volcano – Hike – Andes Scenery
Overnight at Baños.
After breakfast, we’ll take the way to Chimborazo National Park, passing through the some communities. We’ll take you up to the first shelter (Carrel Brothers) 4800 meters, we have a short hike from the first to the second shelter (Edward Whymper) 5000 meters, return the first shelter.
Day 4: Andean Village – Waterfalls – Adventure Activities
A full day of exploration of the town of Baños and the valley of the waterfalls. The Pailon del Diablo, is the largest and most spectacular Ecuador´s falls but other smaller ones are also impressive. There is also an opportunity to visit the hotsprings after which the town has been named. Our driver is at your disposal for the whole day to give you maximum flexibility in the visits that you would like to make such as: Visit to The House Tree, rafting, horse back riding, canopy etc. After Lunch return to Quito.
