ECUADOR WITH YOUR 5 SENSES

DAY 1 – QUITO:

Transfer Airport / Hotel

DAY 2 – QUITO

 Breakfast. The Original Quito City Tour in Trolley + Authentic Middle of the World Tour.  We will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.  Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the “Winged Virgin”, where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop’s Palace and the La Compañía church.

We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city, in this emblematic street you will have the opportunity to visit an ice cream shop where you can find very traditional flavors of Ecuador, as well as a visit to one of the artisan workshops: Panamá hats or joinery or tinwork or products made from honey bee. (Entrance to churches are not included).

We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Authentic Middle of the World Tour”.

We go to the “Middle of the World City”, where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world, and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.

DAY 3 – QUITO – OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET, COTACACHI & CUICOCHA TOUR

Breakfast. Otavalo Indigenous Market, Cotacachi & Cuicocha Tour.  Departure from our designated hotels in Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce).  After admiring Lake San Pablo, we will arrive at the Otavalo Market, the largest in America, where the indigenous people of the area, known as “Otavalos”, one of Ecuador’s most recognized ethnic groups, make and sell their textiles and handicrafts.

Passengers may choose between to stay in this area and enjoy more time from the market and our bus will pick them up at the end of the tour (they will not have the visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha) or continue with the journey to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an Andean instrument workshop “Ñanda Mañachi” located in Peguche, to spend some special moments with the local people and understand the Andean culture.

In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included).  Later we will visit the Ecological Reserve where the Cuicocha lagoon is located, inside the crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, which originated after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. And if the weather permits it will be possible to make a walk by the lagoon, sailing in the crater of the volcano in small boats (with additional cost).

** Bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up passengers that stayed there, and after that will return to Quito and their respective hotels or starting point.

DAY 4 – QUITO

Breakfast. Authentic Markets & Capilla del Hombre Tour + Quito’s Street Food & Art + Urban Legends of Quito at Night.

Route that starts in the center-north of the city in the commercial, banking and hotel area of Modern Quito.  We will move to one of the traditional markets of the city, where you can enjoy the colorful landscape produced by the stalls full of fruits and vegetables from all regions of our country.

Undoubtedly, this is a place full of familiar flavors, and the best opportunity to meet a variety of local consumer products that are mixed with the offer of very striking items such as herbs and healing, world-renowned roses, and liquors of national production, among others.

Later we will visit the Guayasamín House Museum also known as “Capilla del Hombre” (entrance included), of the most important plastic artist of Ecuador in the modern era and know the great value of the artistic heritage assets that this artist left the country.

At Afternoon Quito’s Street Food & Art

We will move to the traditional and historical Guapulo neighborhood, where we will walk through its picturesque cobblestone streets as the founders of the city of Quito did, and we will enjoy its incomparable viewpoint of the landscape of the valleys that surround the city and the church of Guapulo , old monastery of colonial construction.

We will continue to La Floresta, considered among the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city, nowadays the bohemian and artistic place of Quito, where we can admire the diversity of culture through its murals and graffitis, and will also have the opportunity to visit an orchidarium, dedicated to the production and conservation of a great variety of orchids and will have time for a small tasting of traditional street food.

We will visit some workshops of independent artisans, to know their informal exhibitions that give life to this neighborhood, also you will have the opportunity to visit a neighborhood store with a variety of treats that are consumed every day.

Finally, we will have the opportunity to know the neighborhood food, recognized by by the locals, as the gastronomy offered in the streets and that is a trend of local consumption and unique flavors. At the same time, we will learn the traditions that sourround the preparation of delicious dishes.

At night Urban Legends of Quito at Night

We begin in the northern part of the city with a tour along the most important commercial areas, where you can find most of Quito’s hotels and nightlife. Then we head to the historic center to admire the spectacle of the churches and historic buildings illuminated and its main tourist attractions. (Tickets not included).

The tour continues to the Mirador del Panecillo, recognized for its beauty, where you can delight with a beautiful view of colonial and modern Quito, you can enjoy a small tasting of traditional canelazo quiteño and empanada.  During the tour, you can get to know the people who live in this city better, you will be able to recognize them by their way of speaking, thinking, and to visit our city, as our guide will tell you about urban legends that are part of the history of Quito and that are a tradition and the cultural heritage of the people of Quito.

DAY 5 – QUITO – COTOPAXI & QUILOTOA FULL DAY TOUR

Breakfast. Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Full Day Tour

Departure early in the morning from our designated hotels, through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route, as a clear sign of the majesty of the Andes.  We continue to the Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foot of the impressive active volcano.  Visit the Museum Park, the Limpiopungo Lagoon and through an interesting hike will reach the forest of chuquirahuas to 4200 meters. (If the weather permits). We reach the Quilotoa Volcano, which has in its crater a stunning turquoise lagoon, making it one of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of Ecuador.

We take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if weather conditions allow).

Free time for lunch (not included). Return to Quito in the afternoon

DAY 6 – QUITO / GALAPAGOS

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer Hotel / Airport for your flight to Galapagos.

Welcome at the Baltra airport and transfer by public buses to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. (Transfer operates daily at 13h00). Accommodation.

**It will be possible to operate transfers without visits and without guide at the following times: 10h00 and 15h00** (previous request)

DAY 7 – GALAPAGOS

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion in yacht to Santa Fe Island with vivencial fishing. Return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.

** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit

DAY 8 – GALAPAGOS

 Breakfast at hotel. In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 40minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, with white sand and green mangroves. “Playa Mansa” is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach.  Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, tour around the bay on board a yacht, starting with a visit to “La Lobería”, named because of the presence of sea lions. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel. Then we proceed with our tour to the “Canal del Amor”, a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in “Playa de los Perros”.  Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora.

*Note: shipping used in this excursion is a boat engine with capacity for 16 people. This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

 DAY  9 – GALAPAGOS

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Cerro Mesa & Garrapatero.

We leave Puerto Ayora to the higher part of Santa Cruz Island, where we will take our bikes to get to Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve, to walk its paths admiring flora and fauna, plus the spectacular view of the island and its surroundings from the viewpoint.

Then continue to the The Garrapatero beach, where we will enjoy a picnic on the shore, and have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the beach, and the species that we can find in this place, such as Flamingos and  mallards in a  nearby lagoon. Rental kayaks (optional). At an arranged time, return to Puerto Ayora.

Note: You can modify the tour, and instead of cycling, it can be done in a vehicle.

DAY 10  – GALAPAGOS

Breakfast at hotel. We will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a public bus that takes you to the airport. On the route from the hotel to the canal, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the craters “Los Gemelos”, crater holes formed by the collapse of materials, surrounded by scalesia’s forests. (Transfer operates daily at 07h00, 09h00 and 12h00). Includes transportation only.

PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Transfer airport / hotel in Quito
• 5 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Quito
• The Original Quito City Tour in Trolley + Authentic Middle of the World Tour
• Otavalo Indigenous Market, Cotacachi & Cuicocha Tour
• Authentic Markets & Capilla del Hombre Tour
• Quito’s Street Food & Art
• Urban Legends of Quito at Night
• Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Full Day Tour
• Transfer Baltra / hotel in Puerto Ayora, visiting the highland part of Santa Cruz Island (Includes lava Tunnels and a turtle reserve) + Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station. (Transfer operates daily at 13h00). **It will be possible to operate transfers without visits and without guide at the following times: 10h00 and 15h00** (previous request)
• 4 nights of accommodation in Galápagos (Puerto Ayora) with breakfasts
• Excursion to Tortuga Beach & Bay Tour
• Full day Excursion in yacht to Santa Fe Island with vivencial fishing
• Excursion to Cerro Mesa & Garrapatero
• Transfer hotel / airport with a stop at Los Gemelos craters. (Transfer operates daily at 07h00, 09h00 and 12h00). Includes transportation only.
• Hotel taxes

** In Quito and Guayaquil Municipal tax of US$ 2,75 in Quito, and US$ 2,50 in Guayaquil, per room per night is not included. Passengers must pay directly.

** Does not include hotel insurance in Quito, optional direct payment per passenger.

**Programs do not include Galapagos: Galapagos National Park Fee $. 50.00 (Andean Pact) / $ 100.00 (Other countries) + $. 20.00 (TCT Transit Card) + Air Ticket (referential rate): Quito or Guayaquil / Galapagos / Guayaquil or Quito.

**Galapagos Excursions are subject to space availability and itinerary changes due to weather conditions and sailing permits.

**Services and lodging in Galapagos, will be provided in Santa Cruz Island (Baltra Airport GPS)

**From September, a special travel insurance will be required for entry into the Galapagos Islands, which must be purchased directly and compulsorily at the boarding airport (Quito or Guayaquil) or at the destination airport (Galapagos). It’s an independent and additional requirement to international travel insurance to visit the country.