10-Nights Ecuador & the Galapagos for Explorers from $7,397

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Transfer: Quito Airportto Quito - Old Town

Hotel: La Casona de la Ronda (4 Star Rating)

Set in a colonial style house built in 1738, La Casona de la Ronda Hotel Boutique offers comfortable accommodation in the historic city centre. Decorated with stylish wooden furnishing and parquet floors, rooms at La Casona de la Ronda are very bright. Drinks from the bar and hot beverages from the coffee shop can be enjoyed in the garden and on the terrace.

Day 2: Private Half Day Colonial Quito Tour

The place to start exploring Ecuador is Colonial Quito: a city of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city's many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best preserved colonial centers in all of South America, and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared the city center of Quito the first World Cultural Heritage site (alongside Krakow, Poland). After meeting your guide in the lobby of your hotel, you'll transfer to the heart of Quito's historic core, then stroll through the Main Plaza to see the Government Palace as well as some of the impressive churches built during the XVI and XVII centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery, which was started five days after the founding of the city in 1534, and the opulent La Compañía, more formally know as Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús. Soon after you will visit La Ronda Street, a photogenic cobbled street that serves as an excellent place to learn about traditional work and customs in colonial Quito. Your last stop of the tour is to visit the Panecillo, the hill that dominates the south of the city, and host to the city's famous statue known as Our Lady of the Panecillo. Here you can enjoy spectacular views of Quito, and after a short while, you will be returned to your hotel.

Day 3: Private Full Day Tour to Cotopaxi

This morning you will set out in the morning to visit Cotopaxi National Park where, weather permitting, you will be able to see the snowcapped summits of the Cotopaxi and Antisana volcanoes. With your private guide leading the way, you will also visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the history of this spectacular volcano's major eruptions, as well as the local flora and fauna. Soon after, you will visit Lake Limpiopungo and explore the surrounding area on foot. If you feel like a longer walk, a two hour hike will lead to Volcan Cotopaxi's J. Ribas refuge (some 4,800 meters or 15,750 feet above sea level) where you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the volcano and the surrounding Andean peaks. Pairing traditional mountain hospitality with a dose of adventure, this day tour offers those with limited time a glimpse of the Avenue of Volcanoes.

Day 4: Quito to El Monte Cloud Forest Ecolodge

El Monte Ecolodge is located just outside the town of Mindo and is recognized as a world-class bird watching site by Bird Life International. On arrival, your hosts will offer a short introduction to the lodge and its garden and also provide insights as to the bird species greeting you. El Monte is not simply a place to stay; the Lodge and its owners are dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural beauty of Mindo's Nambillo Forest, one of the most biologically diverse and endangered Cloud Forests in the world. Besides world-class birding, here you will be able to hike in lush cloud forests replete with orchids and bromeliads, as well as enjoying river tubing, the spectacular butterflies of the 'Mariposarium', and hikes to a primary forest reserve. In the afternoon, set out with a naturalist guide on a two-hour exploration of the Rio Mindo and its nearby forests. Along the way you'll have plenty of opportunities to spot a range of birdlife while also learning about the many medicinal plants found in the region as well as their uses.

Hotel: El Monte Cloud Forest Ecolodge (3 Star Rating)

Stay in private riverside cabanas and see firsthand the moss covered trees, crystal clear streams, spectacular orchids, exotic birds - awaken to the symphony of forest noise, hear the sounds and try to imagine the source. Experience Cloud Forest with all your senses, an ecosystem not widely known by name but could be described as the Garden of Eden or Paradise Found.

Meal(s): Dinner, Lunch

Day 5: Full Day Exploring the Cloud Forest

Today, your interests will shape your activities. Based on local conditions and your energy levels, you may decide to go on a nature walk from one hour to the entire day, where your naturalist guide will point out many species of plants and help you spot birds and other wildlife. Another option is to visit the waterfall and swim in the refreshing waters of the Rio Nambillo. You may also visit an Orchid Garden, or you might decide to just relax alongside the Rio Mindo in a hammock with a good book in tow.

Hotel: El Monte Cloud Forest Ecolodge (3 Star Rating)

Stay in private riverside cabanas and see firsthand the moss covered trees, crystal clear streams, spectacular orchids, exotic birds - awaken to the symphony of forest noise, hear the sounds and try to imagine the source. Experience Cloud Forest with all your senses, an ecosystem not widely known by name but could be described as the Garden of Eden or Paradise Found.

Meal(s): Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast

Day 6: El Monte Cloud Forest to Quito

This morning, join your guide on a nature walk along the heights of the Cordillera San Lorenzo. Your guide will talk about the birds and animals about that you see along the way, and if the weather permits, you may catch a glimpse of spectacular birds such as the Golden-Headed Quetzal, Choco Toucan, Crimson Rumped Toucanet, among others. Soon after, you'll return to El Monte for lunch, then pack up and begin the return transfer to Quito.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Hotel: La Casona de la Ronda (4 Star Rating)

Set in a colonial style house built in 1738, La Casona de la Ronda Hotel Boutique offers comfortable accommodation in the historic city centre. Decorated with stylish wooden furnishing and parquet floors, rooms at La Casona de la Ronda are very bright. Drinks from the bar and hot beverages from the coffee shop can be enjoyed in the garden and on the terrace.

Day 7: Quito to Baltra Airport & Punta Carrion

Depart from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island, a flight lasting roughly two hours and 30 minutes (included). Arriving in the Galapagos, you will be picked up at the airport by naturalist guides who will welcome you to the archipelago and assist with the transfer to the nearby pier. After getting acquainted with the vessels, you'll soon set out by dinghy to reach Punta Carrion, found at the entry of the Itabaca Channel in a turquoise lagoon where you will observe sharks, blue-footed boobies and a range of colourful fish.

Hotel: M/V Corals (4 Star Rating)

The M/Y Coral I and the M/Y Coral II have a total of 18 and 11 cabins respectively. The Ocean View, air-conditioned cabins have lower beds and private facilities in which matrimonial, double or triple options are available. We have interconnecting doors suitable for families or friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: safe, entertainment system with LCD TVs, hair dryer, special bedding in each category, and remodelled furniture in each cabin. Our voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.

Meal(s): Dinner, Lunch

Day 8: Cruise from El Barranco & Darwin Bay

Marvel at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed tropicbirds fly overhead, switching between their nests and the bay, 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 full of Nazca and red-footed boobies. At the plateau, the trail continues inland allowing you to see more nesting booby colonies in the thin Palo Santo forest. Near the end of the trail, over a rocky lava plain, wedge-rumped storm petrels can be observed flying in all directions. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a short-eared Owl. In the afternoon, disembark onto a small sand and coral beach. A short trail heads west along a tidal lagoon and then up a rocky hill that leads to a point overlooking the cliffs and Darwin Bay. Along the trail near the tidal lagoon, visitors will see pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, yellow-crowned and lava herons. The trail continues through Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cacti, and saltbushes inhabited by great frigate birds and red-footed boobies. This is one of the few places in the islands where visitors are guaranteed to see red-footed boobies. It is estimated that more than 200,000 red-footed boobies live in the trees and bushes of Genovesa.

Hotel: M/V Corals (4 Star Rating)

The M/Y Coral I and the M/Y Coral II have a total of 18 and 11 cabins respectively. The Ocean View, air-conditioned cabins have lower beds and private facilities in which matrimonial, double or triple options are available. We have interconnecting doors suitable for families or friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: safe, entertainment system with LCD TVs, hair dryer, special bedding in each category, and remodelled furniture in each cabin. Our voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Day 9: Exploring Rabida & Bartolome Islands

Following a wet landing on Rabida Island, you'll find that dark red sand covers the unique beaches of this island, home of sea lions colonies. Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September plus nine species of the famous Darwin's finches. Here you'll set out on a dinghy ride past marine cliffs to observe nesting seabirds. Snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active. In the afternoon, you'll visit Bartolome Island. Here, you'll discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic activities - lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones - that resemble the moon. Going up to the summit there will be an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock. You are also likely to encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see the famous Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colourful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience. Crystal clear waters make this the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer. Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable. However, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica, Chamaesyce, lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.

Hotel: M/V Corals (4 Star Rating)

The M/Y Coral I and the M/Y Coral II have a total of 18 and 11 cabins respectively. The Ocean View, air-conditioned cabins have lower beds and private facilities in which matrimonial, double or triple options are available. We have interconnecting doors suitable for families or friends traveling together. Each cabin includes: safe, entertainment system with LCD TVs, hair dryer, special bedding in each category, and remodelled furniture in each cabin. Our voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Day 10: Exploring the Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Return to Quito

In the morning you'll make a dry landing onto Santa Cruz Island and head to the highlands. In these parts of the Galapagos it is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the shells of tortoises). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos giant tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatchers' haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here. After visiting the Highlands Tortoise Reserve, you will be transferred to the airport ahead of your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Hotel: Wyndham Quito Airport (4 Star Rating)

Offering a terrace and spa centre, Wyndham Quito Airport is located in the Quito airport and 23 miles from downtown. The perfect choice when connecting to the Galapagos, the Amazon, the coast or Cuenca.

Day 11: Depart from Quito