AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel).
Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Itinerary NEA-Karanki
Day 1 – Welcome to Quito AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel). Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in. Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room Day 2 – Quito Old Town […]
Day 1 - Welcome to Quito
Day 2 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World
AM: Colonial Quito.
Stroll through the busy streets and squares of the most significant historic center of the Americas: a multi-ethnic, artistic, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PM: The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 3 - Otavalo - Magdalena
Magdalena – Ibarra – Quito:
AM:
Join Magdalena locals in their morning activities, such as milking.
Next, we visit Ibarra, “La Ciudad Blanca,” Imbabura`s capital. Your guide will share its history as we admire the city’s architecture.
Our next stop is Parque Cóndor, a bird of prey rescue center. The park educates visitors about the issues that Andean condors and owls face.
PM:
Our journey continues to the Karanki-Magdalena Community, at 3,100 meters above sea level. The landscape resembles a colorful patchwork, and locals are known for their exquisite embroidery, which is available for purchasing directly from artisans.
Experience their daily life, unhurried by modern distractions. Overnight in a comfortable room with private facilities and hot water. Enjoy authentic, Andean home cooking and optional activities like horseback riding and hiking.
Meals Included: Dinner at Magdalena Home Stay
Accommodation: Magdalena Home Stay
Service and Entrance Fees Include a bilingual guide (English—Spanish), a Tour transfer, Cotacachi Lagoon, and an Andean Instruments Workshop.
Day 4 - Magdalena – Ibarra – Quito
Quito – Otavalo – Magdalena:
AM:
Driving north from Quito, we pass through various ecosystems and agricultural zones, even crossing the equator. Along the way, we taste local flavors and enjoy scenic views of volcanoes, including “El Taita” Imbabura.
At the Otavalo market, visitors can engage with locals, negotiating for woven goods, bags, hats, flutes, and other crafts.
We visit villages like Peguche, known for traditional looms and Andean instruments, and Cotacachi, famous for its leather work. Next, we explore Cuicocha Lagoon in Cotacachi Cayapas National Park. Enjoy free time for lunch with recommendations from your guide.
PM:
Our journey continues to the Karanki-Magdalena Community, at 3,100 meters above sea level. The landscape resembles a colorful patchwork, and locals are known for their exquisite embroidery, which is available for purchasing directly from artisans.
Experience their daily life, unhurried by modern distractions. Overnight in a comfortable room with private facilities and hot water. Enjoy authentic, Andean home cooking and optional activities like horseback riding and hiking.
Meals Included: Dinner at Magdalena Home Stay
Accommodation: Magdalena Home Stay
Service and Entrance Fees Include a bilingual guide (English—Spanish), a Tour transfer, Cotacachi Lagoon, and an Andean Instruments Workshop.
Day 5 - Welcome to Galapagos & Santa Cruz Island
✈ The flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island is 2 1/2 hours. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are greeted at the airport by our knowledgeable guides, who will accompany them on a short 10 minutes bus ride to the pier, where they will board the Galapagos Legend.
PM: Highlands (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, 600 lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.
Day 6 - Genovesa Island
AM: El Barranco (Genovesa Island) Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropic birds fly overhead, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site. You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony entire of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies.
PM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island) From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island, we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls, often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. On the trail, we can see nesting red-footed boobies and great frigate birds.
Day 7 - South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Island
AM: South Plaza Island Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas are all at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent, studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds like frigate birds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropic birds.
PM: Santa Fe Island After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. Landing on a sandy beach, we spend time watching the abundant sea lions there with us. We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti, and we can watch the Santa Fe land Iguana.
Day 8 - Santa Cruz Island
AM: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island) Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers great swimming, a lovely walk along the shore, and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles, which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.
✈Baltra Island Airport After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.
Day 9 - Back to Quito
AM: Transfer to Quito airport.
Transfer to Quito airport, or guests can also extend their stay in Ecuador with other land tours we offer.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star Go Quito Hotel / Premium Room
