An itinerary from a member of iBestTravel‘s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world.
Day 1: USA to Quito
Fly to Quito, likely arriving late evening where you’ll be met and taken to your colonial mansion turned charming hotel situated in historic Old Town Quito.
Stay: Patio Andaluz
Day 2: Quito
Experience an insider’s look at Quito’s historic district, which was the epicenter of the Spanish colonial empire and also the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stay: Patio Andaluz
Day 3: Quito – Cloud forest
Depart Quito venturing deep into the cloud forest, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, arriving at the remote and stylish Mashpi, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. Here you’ll choose from a range of excursions to explore the birds (over 400 species), wildlife, and ecosystems that make this highland rainforest so special. Take a thrilling walk in the evening to experience the cacophony of sounds and animals only found at night.
Stay: Mashpi Lodge
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Day 4: Mashpi Lodge
Immerse yourself in the upper canopy spotting toucans and more on Mashpi’s Dragonfly, a mile-plus cable car ride high above the rainforest. Take light walks or strenuous hikes through lush streams to an abundance of waterfalls and swimming holes, and visit the hummingbird garden and butterfly sanctuary. You’ll also enjoy unrivaled culinary offerings and hospitality at this luxurious cloud forest oasis.
Stay: Mashpi Lodge
Day 5: Mashpi Lodge – Quito
After a final adventure in the forest, head back to Quito where you’ll enjoy a relaxing evening as you gear up for your flight to Galapagos the next morning.
Stay: Patio Andaluz
Day 6: Quito – Galapagos Islands
Island hop aboard an intimate catamaran and get face-to-face with an incredible array of animal species. Whether walking, snorkeling, kayaking, or in a zodiac, you will be overwhelmed with wildlife such as the giant Galapagos tortoise, marine iguanas, albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, and more. 5-day Galapagos cruises take visitors to some of the famed sites through the islands while stopping at a few lesser-known locations along the way.
Day 7: Genovesa Island
Land on Genovesa Island at Darwin Bay, a beautiful beach formed by the rim of a sunken crater. Here you will walk a short trail that winds through the mangroves filled with nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Further down the path, you may see sea lions playing in tidal pools. Arriving at the cliff, enjoy one of the islands’ most spectacular views.
In the afternoon, you will arrive at a rockfall that forms a natural staircase up the cliffs known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, or the “Stairway to Seabird Heaven.” Here, a marvelous view from the lava ridge complements the continued sightings of various tropical land birds.
Day 8: Santiago Island
Spot pintail ducks and pink flamingos at Espumilla Beach before exploring Buccaneer Cove. Once a safe haven for pirates, sea turtles and other wildlife now take the pirates’ place near the mangrove trees. This is another great snorkeling spot and home to many marine birds and sea lions.
Head to Egas Port, home to the curious Galapagos hawk. Enjoy exploring trails that lead to gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna, and snorkel nearby with the fur seals and marine birds.
Day 9: North Seymour & Santa Cruz Islands
Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate-birds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lavas containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity, characterized by its arid vegetation zone. Possible activities for this morning’s visit include snorkeling, a dinghy ride, or a hike.
An afternoon visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz on the northern part of the island is next. Hike through agricultural lands and mist-covered forests, watch the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher or one of Darwin’s Finches fly by, and track giant tortoises through the craters and volcanic lava tubes.
Day 10: Galapagos Islands – Quito – Otavalo Highlands
Early this morning you will have a wet landing at Mosquera Islet, located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions and is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls.
After your morning with wildlife, you fly back to Quito where you’ll be met and taken on a two-hour scenic drive north into the rolling hills of the highlands, where indigenous Quechua-speaking communities and their traditional cultures thrive. Checking into the former president’s family hacienda, you’ll learn all the property has to offer before enjoying a meal inspired by Ecuadorian cuisine featuring mostly onsite-grown products.
Stay: Hacienda Zuleta
Day 11: Hacienda Zuleta
Explore a myriad of hiking trails, visit the condor rehabilitation project, horseback ride through the countryside, take a guided exploration of Zuleta’s cheese creamery, visit the Otavalo market, mountain bike, and relax in the many courtyards. These are just a few of the included and additional experiences on offer at Zuleta.
Stay: Hacienda Zuleta
Day 12: Hacienda Zuleta – Quito – USA
After another day enjoying this colonial mountain paradise, you’ll be taken to Quito airport for your late-night overnight flight home.
