This 16 day tour includes a 5-day Galapagos cruise on a 100-berth ship; visits Quito, the capital of Ecuador surrounded by volcanoes in the Andes; and travels through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, takes you on the Devil's Nose railway and visits Cuenca, Ecuador's most beautiful city.
Itinerary in brief |
| Day 1: | Fly from UK to Quito (3 nights). |
| Day 2: | Optional Colonial Quito excursion. |
| Day 3: | Optional Otavalo excursion. |
| Day 4: | Fly to the Galapagos islands and transfer to your ship, the Galapagos Explorer (4 nights). |
| Day 5: | Galapagos excursions. |
| Day 6: | Galapagos excursions. |
| Day 7: | Galapagos excursions. |
| Day 8: | Final excursion on the Galapagos before your flight back to Quito (3 nights). |
| Day 9: | Optional Bellavista Cloud forest excursion or Papallacta Spa excursion. |
| Day 10: | Free day in Quito. |
| Day 11: | Drive to Riobamba stopping at a refuge in Chimborazo National Park (1 night). |
| Day 12: | Early morning train ride along the Devils nose. Afternoon journey to Cuenca (2 nights). |
| Day 13: | Tour of Cuenca. |
| Day 14: | Morning free in Cuenca, afternoon flight back to Quito (1 night). |
| Day 15: | Flight back to the UK. |
| Day 16: | Arrival in the UK. |
Overview
The Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s great destinations and a visit to the remote islands is an incredible wildlife experience. As you sail around the archipelago, visiting the different volcanic islands, each unique, you have the opportunity to observe different land and marine creatures at incredibly close quarters. The islands were never connected to the mainland, so the animals that did make it here were completely isolated. As there are no natural predators on the islands, the animals have no fear, allowing you to walk right up to them.
The Galapagos Explorer II is a comfortable cruise ship, with 100 passengers. The 5-day cruise visits a range of islands, allowing you to see the bird and animal life on the islands, as well as snorkel in the surrounding seas.
Quito, the elegant capital of Ecuador, is situated high in the Andes at 2,800m, and has a beautiful colonial centre. From here, you can visit the traditional market town of Otavalo and explore the nearby Bellavista cloud forest, home to toucans and hummingbirds. The nearby Quilotoa area is excellent for trekking, with a beautiful emerald-green volcanic crater lake,
canyons and traditional villages. The hot springs of Papallacta are an
excellent spot for relaxing in volcanic waters or for walking in the mountains. Quito is only 15 miles from the
equatorial line, and ‘the middle of the world’ can be visited.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes, running south of Quito through the centre of Ecuador, passes the snow-capped Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes. You then ride the amazing Devil’s Nose railway, enjoying the spectacular scenery as the train descends the canyon on a zig-zag carved into the rock! You also visit Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city, where you can explore the lovely colonial centre and buy a Panama hat directly from a factory where the hats are produced. Please note that it is no longer permitted to sit of the roof of the Devil's Nose train.