Luxury trip of Ecuador and the Galápagos

20 days – From €16,105 per person

Amazon - mountains and volcanoes - Galapagos - history

Day 2 | Quito

Quito, situated at an altitude of around 2,800 metres in the Andes valley, is a charming city with a rich history and a beautiful colonial centre. From almost anywhere in the city, you can see one of the many volcanoes that surround it. The old colonial part of the city centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colourful, picturesque streets, the bustling squares and the authentic local atmosphere make it well worth a visit. In the newer part of the city centre, you’ll find charming shops and markets. Your guide will collect you and take you on a ‘six senses’ trip of the highlights of Quito’s historic centre. During this unique and innovative trip featuring psychosensory experiences, all your senses will be engaged. You’ll enjoy a complete immersion in life in historic settings, complete with traditional meals in the beautiful city of Quito. Among other things, you’ll visit artisans in La Ronda, take part in a quesadilla tasting in San Juan and a chocolate tasting, and also visit Sombreros Roman, Panecillo, La Compañia and Plaza San Francisco.
Accommodation: Illa Experience Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Quito – Coca – Napo Wildlife Centre (Amazon)

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Quito airport. From here, you will take a domestic flight to Coca, a 30-minute flight over the eastern part of the Andes. From Coca Airport, you will be taken to the port of Francisco de Orellana. From here, you will continue by boat and then by canoe to your lodge. Along the way, you can spot various birds, including herons and kingfishers. You’ll paddle past a narrow inlet that leads to the lake on which the lodge is situated. There’s a good chance you’ll spot monkeys and large birds such as toucans, parrots and macaws. Late in the afternoon, you’ll arrive at the lodge, from where you’ll have a breathtaking view of Lake Anangu. After a well-deserved dinner, you’ll set out in search of caimans, with the natural sounds of the night as a backdrop. You will be staying at the Napo Wildlife Centre, which was built entirely by and is run by the Anangu Kichwa community. This provides a new source of income for the community, with the result that they have voluntarily stopped hunting. Partly because of this, you can spot many animals here. The lodge is situated in Yasuni National Park, on a tributary of the Napo River. Its peaceful location makes it possible to spot a variety of animal species. More than 565 species of bird live in the reserve. On sunny days, there can be hundreds of parrots perched on the clay banks. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to spot monkeys and, with a bit of luck, you might ‘encounter’ the giant river otters.
Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre | full board, including activities organised by the lodge

Days 4 and 5 | Amazon

Over the next few days, you’ll have time to explore the spectacular surroundings of the Napo Wildlife Centre. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in the activities offered by the lodge. For example, visit the clay walls where various birds, such as parrots, parakeets and macaws, can be found. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the KuriMuyu interpretation centre, which is run by women from the local Kichwa community of Añangu. Here, you’ll learn about the ancestral way of life of these peoples and take part in interesting group activities. Your stay at the lodge helps the Añangu people to improve their standard of living, with better access to healthcare, education and clean energy sources, whilst at the same time helping them to protect their environment from the constant threat of oil, timber and mining operations.
The following morning, you can explore the black waters of the mystical Lake Añangu by kayak or paddle canoe (motorised boats are also available for a trip with your guide). During this exploration, you can spot various fish, alligators, turtles, giant otters and other exotic animals. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to get a close-up view of the jungle and its flora and fauna by climbing to the top of a 36-metre-high observation tower. From this vantage point, at the same height as the treetops, you’ll experience the jungle in a truly sublime way. Colourful birds flying past, troops of monkeys playing and an unobstructed view of the marvellous Amazon region combine to create a scene that is almost indescribable!
Overnight stay: Napo Wildlife Centre | full board including activities organised by the lodge

Day 6 | Amazon – Quito

In the morning, you’ll set off early again by canoe on the Napo River. After two hours, you’ll arrive in Coca. From Coca, you’ll take a domestic flight to Quito, where, upon arrival, one of our local staff will take you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend as you wish.
Overnight stay: Illa Experience Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Quito – Cotopaxi

After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will collect you from your hotel in Quito and take you to your accommodation near Cotopaxi National Park. On the way there, you’ll drive along the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’, taking in the beautiful scenery. For the next few days, you’ll have an English-speaking guide and a rental car at your disposal, allowing you to decide along the way where you’d like to stop or what you’d like to visit. A visit to Cotopaxi National Park, home to the 5,897-metre-high volcano, is a highlight of any trip to Ecuador for many people. Enjoy the páramo landscape and the wildlife, such as llamas, foxes, falcons, deer and, with a bit of luck, a condor! As well as being a national park, Cotopaxi is also a stratovolcano. Cotopaxi is also one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and the second-highest mountain in Ecuador. The volcano is situated about 60 km south of Quito, in the province that also bears the name Cotopaxi. In Quechua, the word ‘Cotopaxi’ means ‘Neck of the Moon’. You will be staying at Hacienda San Agustin de Callo. The rooms are all tastefully decorated and offer stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes and hills.
Accommodation: Hacienda San Agustin de Callo | half-board (breakfast and dinner)

Day 8 | Cotopaxi

Today you will visit the Quilotoa crater lake. This lake lies hidden amongst the Serrania and is regarded as one of Ecuador’s most beautiful natural landmarks. You will enjoy a lovely walk along the paths leading to Lake Quilotoa. This particular area has unique features that can only be found here. Desert, bizarre mountain landscapes and small, colourful villages complete this stunning scenery. These small Andean villages are surrounded by the Andean forest and the páramo landscapes. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a lovely horse ride in the area around your accommodation. You can choose to visit small Andean villages, which you’ll reach via ancient Inca trails. Alternatively, you can opt for a route through the pine forest towards the Cotopaxi volcano, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Overnight stay: Hacienda San Agustín de Callo | half-board (breakfast and dinner)

Day 9 | Cotopaxi

Today you’ll be mountain biking in the national park. Your guide will collect you and take you by jeep through the pine forest to the Cotopaxi visitor centre. After visiting the visitor centre, you’ll continue to the highest point of the trip, at an altitude of 4,500 metres. From here, you’ll enjoy stunning views and, with a bit of luck, a sight of eight volcanoes. You’ll get ready for the mountain bike ride on the world’s highest active volcano. The first section consists of sandy tracks cutting straight through volcanic ash and tundra landscape. Over the next eight kilometres, you’ll need to use your brakes carefully as you make your way down amongst the volcanic rocks and wild horses. With a bit of luck, you might spot a condor or a caracara. The jeep will take you to Lake Limpiopungo, from where you’ll begin the final stretch of your mountain bike ride. For the next 16 km, you’ll cycle further down on unpaved tracks through the pine forest. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: Hacienda San Agustin de Callo | half-board (breakfast and dinner)

Day 10 | Cotopaxi – Cuenca

Today you’ll be taken to Cuenca. On the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery. You’ll make a short stop at a small indigenous community where the local women will tell you more about planting and harvesting quinoa, a protein-rich grain that has nourished the people of the Andes for thousands of years and has recently been incorporated into international cuisine. You’ll continue on to Cuenca and make your next stop at the ruins of Ingapirca. These date back to the Inca period (500 BC), when an empire of this kind (based in Machu Picchu) expanded northwards and established political centres of control in the area where the ruins now stand. The highlight here is the elliptical Temple of the Sun, which crowns a rocky hill regarded as a sacred site by ancient tribes. Mysterious tombs stand as silent witnesses to the power struggles that took place here prior to the final Spanish invasion in the 15th century. After your visit to the Ingapirca ruins, you will continue on to Cuenca, where you will be taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Itza Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Cuenca

Today, you’ll take a city trip with your private guide through the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca. This former Inca city is regarded as the cultural capital of Ecuador and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The city owes its cultural charm to its historic centre, with its narrow, picturesque alleyways, colourful squares with small local markets, numerous churches (no fewer than 52!) and stately colonial buildings. You’ll visit the impressive new cathedral in the central square and a local museum housing religious art. Your next stop is the banks of the Tomebamba River with its elegant overhanging buildings. You will then visit the nearby archaeological site of the Cañari and Inca ruins, before continuing on to Turi, where you will enjoy a magnificent view over the whole city. After visiting Turi, you’ll be taken to one of Homero Ortega’s Panamanian hat factories, where you’ll see how these famous straw hats are made. Naturally, you’ll have the chance here to buy a genuine Homero Ortega hat, which is made entirely to measure for you. If you wish, you can also visit Cuenca’s covered market today, where all sorts of things are sold. Afterwards, you’ll return to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Itza Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Cuenca – El Cajas National Park – La Danesa

Today you’ll travel to Hacienda La Dasena, situated near Guayaquil. On the way, you’ll be taken to a stunning mountainous nature reserve: El Cajas National Park. The altitude in this area ranges from 3,000 to 4,500 metres and features mountains and a large number of glacial lakes. Here you can enjoy a number of lovely walks. You will then continue towards the coast to your hotel in Guayaquil. It is a stunning route taking you from the Andes to the coast; you’ll leave the mountainous landscape behind and arrive in Ecuador’s coastal region, passing many banana, sugar cane and cocoa plantations along the way.
Overnight stay: Hacienda La Danesa | full board

Day 13 | La Danesa

This day is free to spend as you wish. Enjoy the rural surroundings of your accommodation. You’ll be surrounded by plantations, forests and rivers. The average temperature here is around 28–30 degrees. During your stay, you can go cycling, take walks through the forest, go tubing on the river and learn about the chocolate-making process. It’s a lovely place to unwind and reflect on the experiences of the past few days before you continue your journey to the Galápagos Islands.
Accommodation: Hacienda La Danesa | full board

Day 14 | La Danesa – Guayaquil

Today you’ll travel on to Guayaquil (approx. 2-hour drive), where you’ll spend the night before continuing on to the Galápagos Islands the following day.
Accommodation: Hotel del Parque | bed and breakfast

Important: The itinerary for the M/C Endemic, as described below, is entirely dependent on weather conditions. It may also be necessary to deviate from the route in order to have a better chance of spotting wildlife elsewhere. Ultimately, it is the captain who decides on the route to be taken. Flexibility is the most important principle on a cruise such as this.

Day 15 | Guayaquil – Baltra – M/C Endemic Galapagos Cruise

After breakfast, you will be collected and taken to Guayaquil Airport. Here, you will board the domestic flight to Baltra in the Galápagos Islands. On arrival on the island of Baltra, you will be welcomed by the crew of your expedition cruise and taken to the cruise ship where you will be staying for the next few days. Once you have received the safety briefing on board the cruise ship, it is time to set sail for Dragon Hill. Dragon Hill, or Cerro Dragon, is named after its impressive population of land iguanas. It is a rocky hill, situated in the north-west of Santa Cruz Island, and one of the few sites directly linked to the conservation programme run by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos authorities. Conservation efforts were desperately needed here after the local iguana population was decimated by wild dogs in 1975. As well as iguanas, you’ll find a path leading to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding area. At the nearby salt lagoon, you can spot flamingos. Other birds that can be seen here include Darwin’s finches, mangrove warblers, tyrant flycatchers and mockingbirds. As well as wildlife, you’ll also find Palo Santo trees and Galápagos cotton plants here.
Accommodation: M/C Endemic | full board

Day 16 | M/C Endemic Cruise

You’ll start the day with a visit to the small island of León Dormido, also known as Kicker Rock. Various seabirds live and nest on the steep cliffs of this rock. With a bit of luck, you might spot rays or sharks swimming just below the surface of the water. You will then sail on to Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo). The main attraction here is the coral sand beach, an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling. Witch Hill is the remnant of a tuff cone and was one of the first places visited by Charles Darwin. It boasts an impressive landscape, where it is often possible to spot coastal and migratory birds, including pelicans, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. Sometimes the lagoon is completely dry and salt deposits can be found on the seabed. The people of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno used to use the lagoon as a salt mine.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Lobos, a small island running parallel to the coast of San Cristóbal… Isla Lobos is one of the best snorkelling spots in the Galápagos. ‘Sea Lion Island’ lives up to its name; the island is home to a large colony of sea lions that occasionally splash about in the water and play with swimmers and snorkellers. As well as sea lions, several species of bird also nest here, including the blue-footed booby.
Accommodation: M/C Endemic | full board

Day 18 | M/C Endemic Cruise

After breakfast, you’ll visit the small island of Santa Fe. It has a path that winds its way through a forest of tall, spiky cacti. Cacti are the favourite food of the growing population of native land iguanas that live here. The Santa Fe rice rat, one of the few native mammals on the islands, is also found here, although this elusive rodent is rarely spotted by visitors. Unfortunately, the native population of giant tortoises on Santa Fe was wiped out by whalers over a century ago; however, in 2015, a number of Española tortoises were released onto the island. After the walk around the island, you can go snorkelling or kayaking off the coast.
In the afternoon, you will return to the island of Santa Cruz, where your first stop will be the Charles Darwin Research Centre, situated about a 20-minute walk from the centre of Puerto Ayora. Many activities are carried out here, aimed at the conservation and restoration of the archipelago’s flora and fauna. The research station is managed by the Charles Darwin Foundation, which was established in 1958. You will then head to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre. Here, you can observe (giant) tortoises from various islands in the archipelago. They are part of a captive breeding programme and are subsequently returned to repopulate areas where their numbers have declined. The final stop of the day is the highlands of Santa Cruz, where the dry coastal vegetation gives way to wet meadows and moss-covered forests. Here you will visit the Tortoise Reserve, where you’ll have the chance to see these animals in the wild whilst walking through the lava tubes and two collapsed craters.
Accommodation: M/C Endemic | full board

Day 19 | M/C Endemic Cruise – Baltra – Guayaquil – Amsterdam

Today is already your last day on the Galápagos Islands. In the morning, you’ll head to South Plaza Island, where the flora and fauna will amaze you. This island is best known for the many land iguanas that live there. Once you’re a little further from the coast, it feels as though you’ve stepped into the film “Jurassic Park”, as you find yourself face to face with the stunning green, yellow and orange land iguanas. All this is set against a backdrop of sandy beaches, beautiful disc cacti, red sesuvium bushes and, in the distance, the blue sea. Off the coast, you’ll also spot sea lions. It’s fascinating to see how the sea lions and iguanas interact. They play together like true companions. This island also has something to offer birdwatchers. Here you’ll find what’s known as a ‘birdwatcher’s paradise’ —a very steep cliff teeming with swallow-tailed gulls, masked gannets, blue-footed gannets, tropical red-billed birds, frigatebirds, pelicans and Audubon’s shearwaters. The gulls, lifelong mates, are always cuddling and nesting together here. You will then be taken to Baltra Airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Guayaquil. On arrival in Guayaquil, you will transfer to your intercontinental overnight flight to Amsterdam.

Day 20 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.