Travel with a private car with driver and a private English speaking guide and visit fantastic places in the Andes region of Ecuador. Sleep in great hotels and haciendas and enjoy the local food and culture during your trip.

Tour starts each Wednesday starting form 2 travelers

Day 1 (Wednesday): Flight to Quito (Ecuador)

From Europe we recommend to fly by KLM. The comfortable Business Class offers spacious seats, a first class entertainment program and high class cousine.
You will arrive in Lima the same day. Welcome at the airport of Lima and transfer to your hotel in Lima. The rest of the day you can relax in your nice hotel or walk around on your own. We can also recommend an optional city tour. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Quito and Mitad del Mundo

Arrival in Quito. Transfer to your hotel (Swissotel Quito). You will have some time to relax.
Later you will visit the historic center of Quito. You will visit Plaza Grande (Plaza de Independencia) with its colonial buildings and the magnificant church "La Compania de Jesus". You will stroll across the Plaza San Francisco to be able to see one of the biggest cloisters of South America.
Afterwards you will drive to the northern part of the city where you will find the equator monument called "Mitad del Mundo". Here you can be on the northern and southern hemisphere at the same time. Today you will sleep in your hotel in Quito. (-/-/-)

Day 3: Mindo cloudforest

After breakfast you will drive from Quito to Mindo (about 2 hours). The Mindo-Nabillo area is a protected cloudforest on an altitude of 1.400-4.800 meters. In Mindo you will enjoy guided walks through the forest to discover the maginficant nature. In Mindo you can see hundreds of species of birds and plants. This night you will sleep in the middle of the nature in a comfortable lodge (Sachatamia Lodge) in the Mindo cloudforest. (B/L/D)

Day 4 (Saturday): Otavalo market

You will thoroughly enjoy this excursion, with ample time to explore the fertile Valley of Otavalo, its landscapes of mountains, lakes and corn fields, see the artisans at work, visit Indian communities and its wonderful people. We start from Mindo and drive northbound. First stop is Calderón, a small town where bread dough figurines are made in many shapes and sizes. Continue along the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and flower plantations. Arrive at one of the charming country inns or colonial haciendas where you will spend the night (see description below). Visit the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for the woodcarvings, the town of Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to selling fine leather products, and the town of Peguche where textiles are woven in old-fashioned shuttle looms. You will have enough time to go shopping on the main market of Otavalo which takes place every Saturday. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Otavalo - Papallacta

This morning you still have some time for shopping if you haven´t had enough time yesterday. On the Plaza Ponchos you will find a small market every day. Later on you will drive from Otavalo to Papallacta. Papallacta is located in the Cayambe-Coca National Park. It´s well known for it´s hot springs. You will sleep in the first class hotel Termas de Papallacta. The entrance to the hot springs is free. Relax and enjoy the nature. (B/-/D)

Day 6: Papallacta to Cotopaxi

After an early and delicious breakfast at Termas Papallacta, take the road on to Cotopaxi, which rises 5897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level. The evergreen landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands is one of the main attractions, along valleys and mountains covered by multicolored fields. After two hours and a half, the entrance to the park is reached and then it’s up a dirt road for approximately one hour. Upon arrival to the park there is an introductory briefing about the habitat of the Andean paramo or moorlands, its flora and fauna in the small Interpretation Center. Continue on to Limpiopungo Lagoon to observe a variety of birds and occasionally wild horses. On clear days, the Cotopaxi Volcano is the magnificent backdrop. A short walk around the lagoon allows the observation of the Andean flora. Lunch is at a restaurant of the area before going to Hosteria La Cienega, for rooms assignment and overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Riobamba

After an early breakfast, head on to Quilotoa Volcano; with its increasingly popular craterlake.
Along the way, visit the market of Zumbahua. Reach the small town of Quilotoa after a ride of 17 km from the town of Zumbahua, through marvelous scenery, a spectacular and
colorful ride that ends at the rim of the extinct crater lake. The Quilotoa volcano is a waterfilled caldera, 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide formed by the collapse of this dacite volcano following several catastrophic eruptions about 800 years ago. The caldera has since accumulated a 250 m (820 ft) deep crater lake, which has a greenish color as a result of dissolved minerals. Fumaroles are found on the lake floor and hot springs occur on the eastern flank of the volcano. Enjoy a box lunch in nature and go on to Riobamba. (B/Lunch Box/D)

Day 8: Riobamba - Nariz del Diablo - Ingapirca - Cuenca

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get ready to take the public train along the Alausí – Nariz del Diablo portion. This train ride is one of the most spectacular rides in Ecuador. Continue south along the Andes, visiting the Ingapirca ruins. Ingapirca are the last existing Inca ruins in Ecuador and are located on the Inca trail from Cusco to Quito. A box lunch is provided. Afterwards, take the road to Cuenca, for rooms assignment at Hotel Carvallo.. (B/Lunch Box/-)

Day 9: Cuenca

Get ready for a city tour of Ecuador’s third largest city. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. This comprehensive tour includes the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colorful artisans market, where handicrafts are sold. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. The original building was the “House of Temperance” where alcoholics were once shut inside its thick walls in an effort to cure them. A stop is made at Plaza San Francisco, where small handcraft shops can be visited and the exquisitely embroidered skirts of the cholas are for sale. Next is a visit to the flower market at the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here, a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Also, visit the ruins of Todos Santos, the classical Inca stone walls without mortar and remains of Spanish arches. Then, a drive along the Tomebamba river to admire the city’s overhanging houses and the laundry spread out to dry on its river banks and a great view of the city from the Hill of Turi. (B/-/-)

Day 10: Cuenca - Cajas - Guayaquil

El Cajas National Park has an area of 28.544 hectares, in the western Cordillera of the Andes, with 235 lakes of glacial origin (Mesozoic and Quaternary Periods), at an altitude of 3200 to 4000 meters above sea level with humid Andean cloud forests which act like a sponge by soaking up water that Cuenca then utilizes. Stops are made at Llaviucu Lake (also known as Zorrocucho), for a short stroll and for a view of La Toreadora Lake; beautiful scenery!
Upon arrival to Guayaquil , visit the main attractions of the Port of Guayaquil, starting with the Centennial Plaza that honors the heroes of Guayaquil’s independence, and then along 9th of October Boulevard to the heart of the business district of the city with the Plaza of the Administration and the striking Government and Municipal Buildings. A short stroll takes guests to the famous Moorish Clock Tower and Bolívar Park, with an equestrian statue of South America’s liberator, Simón Bolívar. The latter is also called “the park of the iguanas”, as here they roam undisturbed and perch on the treetops, blending perfectly with the green leaves. Beside the park is the neo-gothic Metropolitan Cathedral. Then drive to the southern end of Guayaquil’s ravishing Malecon 2000 to see the Crystal Palace, the Integration Square, the Plaza of the Flags and the Plaza Olmedo, which are together, at the beginning of a 2.5 Km. (1.5 mile) waterfront, running parallel to the River Guayas and featuring historical, cultural and entertainment areas. An easy walk, past decorative elements featuring the four elements: earth, fire, water and air, leads to La Rotonda, which commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin, the liberators of South America. Then on to Barrio Las Peñas, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Guayaquil, whose wooden constructions have been beautifully restored, housing many art galleries. Drive past Guayaquil’s cemetery with outstanding marble sculptures by famous Italian artists on to Urdesa residential area to end at Malecón del Salado, the latest urban
regeneration project of the city. (B/Lunch Box/-)

Day 11 (Saturday): Flight to the Galapagos Islands to start your cruise

Early morning transfer to the airport. Flight from Guayaquil to Galapagos. Arrival on San Cristobal island. Transfer to the harbour of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Boarding of the luxury catamaran Nina (five-star category) which is operating on Galapagos since 2009. Your cruise will begin. In the morning we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands.
PM: La Galapaguera or Interpretation Center
The Galapaguera allows you to see the Giant tortoise in its natural environment. You can see baby tortoises and well as the large adults. A visit to the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal is also possible. (B/L/D)
Advice: departure of the Nina every Saturday. Please ask for other options.

Day 12: Española Island

AM: Suárez Point
Often listed as a Galapagos favorite visitor site, you have the chance to see blue-footed boobies and waved albatross as well as the famous “blowhole” spurt water high into the air. The landscape is great for photography.
PM: Gardner Bay
Española Island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Gardner Bay has a lovely white sanded beach where you will see a sea lion colony. It is a good place for snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Floreana Island

AM: Champion & Cormorant Point
The trail will take us along the beach where sea lions are basking on the sand. Further ahead, behind white and black mangroves we will reach a vast brackish water lagoon where flamingos can be seen. We will carry on until we reach a look out point and then to the white sand beach which is a sea turtle nesting ground. The nearby Champion Islet is widely considered to be one of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the Galapagos.
PM: Post Office Bay
At Post Office Bay 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. In those times ships could often be away from home for 2 years or more. Ships on their outward journey would leave letters and ships returning home would collect them and mail them in their homeland. The custom continues to this day between Galapagos visitors! (B/L/D)

Day 14: Santa Cruz Island

am: Charles Darwin Research Station
The visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station allows you to learn about the giant tortoise breeding and repatriation program and the eradication of introduced species. You will be able to walk among the giant tortoises. The station is also home to the world´s rarest animal. There is only one Pinta Island giant tortoise remaining on this planet. He is known as Lonesome George. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to look around Puerto Ayora (souvenir shopping etc.).
pm: Islas Plaza
This island is a very special place for the Galapagos; you will find a big colony of Sea Lions, land iguanas, several birds species, a beautiful view to the ocean from a cliff and a forest of Opuntia Cacti. (B/L/D)

Day 15: North Seymour & Bartolomé Islands

AM: North Seymour Island
North Seymour is a very low-lying island and has a very large population of blue footed-boobies. It is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate birds in Galapagos. The large red pouch of the males makes for quite a spectacle. The first half of the trail is sandy but the second half is rocky (be sure to bring good walking shoes).
PM: Bartholomew Island
Bartholomew Island is the home to the Pinnacle Rock and the most famous vista in Galapagos. You may see sharks swimming close to the shore. You may also get a chance to swim with the Galapagos Penguin. Climbing to the top of this island rewards visitors with panoramic views of varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and a moon-like landscape. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Fernandina & Isabela Islands

AM: Isabela Island - Vicente Roca Point
The largest and one of the most volcanically active islands, Isabela provides habitat for five subspecies of giant tortoise - one for each of its five volcanoes. We will visit Punta Vicente Roca which has beautiful volcanic scenery, with amazing lava intrusions as well as a huge sea cliff.
PM: Fernandina Island - Espinosa Point
No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island, and, as a result, it claims to be one of the most pristine ecosystems in Galapagos. Fernandina is the youngest island in Galapagos. The La Cumbre volcano with its lava fields spreading out to the ocean dominates the landscape. We land at Punta Espinosa, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, visitors arrive at the island's highlight - the flightless cormorant nesting site. (B/L/D)

Day 17: Santiago & Rabida Islands

AM: Santiago Island - Puerto Egas
Puerto Egas (also called South James Bay) is on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Puerto Egas is one of the few places in Galapagos where you can see Galapagos “Fur seals”. We start with an easy walk along the beach. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Here you will also find good snorkeling off the beach with a broad array of marine life to be seen.
PM: Rabida Island - Playa Roja
Rabida Island (also called Jervis) is a bird-watcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as 9 varieties of finches, large billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. The trail starts along the red sand beach and then to the top of a hill where you will have a great view of the surrounding landscape. (B/L/D)

Day 18: San Cristobal Island / Departure

AM: Isla Lobos
The name “Isla Lobos” means Sea Lion Island, which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island is also a great place for snorkeling (and if we’re lucky with the sea lions as well).
PM: Departure
Flight from Galapagos to Quito via Guayaquil. Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Quito. Later the day we will invite you for a dinner in one of the best restaurants of South America: the Theatrum Restaurant in the historic center of Quito. (B/-/D)

Day 19: Flight back from Quito

After breakfast we will bring you to the airport. You will take your flight back home. (-/-/-)

Day 20: Arrival

If your final destination is Europe you will arrive there today. Welcome back home! (-/-/-)

List prices 2009 and 2010 per person in a double room (min. 2 persons):

Ask for special rates and last minute deals.
Cheap group rates available.
Contact us for rates in US-$ (form opens in new window)

11.549 Euro low season (01. January - 14. June and 01. September - 15. December)
High season surcharge (rest of the year): 599 Euro per person

Single and triple rooms upon request.

All offers subject to availability. Prices are per person in a double cabin (double occupancy) and payment by bank transfer. All prices are final prices incl. VAT. Please see our general terms and conditions for further booking and payment details.

Services included :

• Flight Europe-Quito / Quito-Europe with the KLM Business Class
• Cruise (group travel) and round trip (private travel) like mentioned
• English speaking guide druing round trip
• private transportation during round trip
• entrance fees during round trip
• flight Quito/Guayaquil-Galapagos-Quito in Economy Class (TAME or Aerogal)
• overnight in First Class Hotels in a double room during round trip and in double cabins during cruise on Galapagos
• English speaking naturalist guide during cruise on Galapagos
• melas like mentioned
• purified drinking water during cruise

Airlines, itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Passport, immigration, health rules and regulations for German citizens:
Entry regulations for all travelers: wine red, machine-readable passport with photo which has to be valid at least 6 months when leaving the country. For journeys (as a tourist) up to 3 month health regulations apply: you will need a valid yellow fever vaccination (WHO conform) when leaving Peru and entering Ecuador.

Contact us for your individual offer and tour