Luxury Ecuadorian Andes & Galápagos Escape - 14 Days

Highlights

• Dine at Quito's finest restaurants, visit rose farms, and taste rich chocolate
• Hop between beautiful Galápagos isles, like Fernandina, Santa Cruz, and Isabela
• Visit a giant tortoise breeding center and swim with sea lions on snorkeling trips
• Pamper yourself with spa treatments on beautiful Isla San Cristóbal

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Chocolate Tasting

Welcome to Ecuador! This South American nation offers natural beauty, rich history, Indigenous culture, and unrivaled biodiversity—the perfect place to enjoy a two-week luxury holiday. You'll arrive in the capital, Quito, which is nestled in the dazzling Andes highland region and surrounded by towering peaks and volcanoes. 

You're only here overnight, so you'll stay near the airport at EB by Eurobuilding, a 5-star hotel that doesn't skimp on class and comfort. Its well-appointed rooms and suites feature adjustable beds with luxury linens, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. There's also a swimming pool where you can relax in a lounger amid views of Quito's surrounding green hills. And in case you want a midnight snack, the hotel offers 24-hour room service. Save your appetite, though, because, in the evening, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner to kick off this memorable Ecuadorian adventure.

Later, you'll receive a tasty introduction to Quito's heritage with a chocolate tasting. Held at a local chocolate production facility, you'll learn how Ecuador cultivates a great deal of cacao (cocoa), then turns the beans of this fruit into decadent chocolate. During this one-hour tasting experience, you'll not only sample different types of chocolate but also learn about the history of cocoa in Ecuador.

Day 2: Fly to the Galápagos, Transfer to Cruise Ship, Visit Sullivan Bay

Get ready for your trip to the islands! Early this morning, you'll return to the airport and catch a two-hour flight to Isla Santa Cruz in the Galápagos. This archipelago of 13 main volcanic islands needs no introduction. One of the most biodiverse spots on Earth, the islands' ecosystems attracted Charles Darwin and inspired his theory of natural selection. A driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the port, where your home for the next 10 days awaits.

The Trimaran Horizon is a luxury cruiser outfitted with eight elegant and spacious staterooms, each with its own private balcony. Her amenities include a modern lounge, bar, al fresco dining area, and an extensive solarium with Jacuzzi. No matter where you decide to spend your time in this mobile luxury hotel, you'll be treated to fine views of all the spectacular scenery this archipelago offers.

After receiving a warm welcome from the crew, the ship will get underway, cruising to the first destination on this bucket-list itinerary: Sullivan Bay. Located on Isla Santiago, it features a sandy shore surrounded by lava fields. The lava is relatively recent, only about 100 years old, and though it appears desolate, you can find animals here like green sea turtles, blue herons, and oystercatchers. After a hike, you can enjoy a refreshing swim with the option to do some snorkeling.

Day 3: Cruise to Fernandina & Isabela: Visit Vicente Roca & Espinoza Point

First thing this morning, the boat will cruise to Espinoza Point on Isla Fernandina. During a hike here, you'll spot some of the world's most fascinating animal species—so have your camera ready! A highlight is the flightless cormorant, which after thousands of years isolated here, lost the ability to fly and has evolved to use its wings like fins for swimming. This species was integral to Charles Darwin's theories on evolution, and it remains a remarkable symbol of the Galápagos' unique ecosystem.

In the afternoon, the boat will cruise across a channel to neighboring Isla Isabela, the largest of the Galápagos isles. On the northwestern coast, you'll enter a dark cave below a spectacular arch at Vicente Roca Point. The calm waters inside this cave are well-protected and thus a brilliant spot for snorkeling. Expect to see various species of sharks, penguins, seahorses, and the giant mola (sunfish).

Day 4: Day Trip to Tagus Cove & Urbina Bay

Start the day with an early morning trip to Tagus Cove on Isabela. Here, you'll stroll along the sea cliffs, keeping an eye out for penguins and other aquatic birds. You can also hike to a viewpoint overlooking Darwin Lake, which has a saline content higher than the sea. You can also spot several volcanoes from this location. During the hike, notice the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs and cove—it's been written over the centuries by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers.

Later, you'll head to the west coast of Isabela to Urbina Bay. Nature is larger than life here, and the coastal plain at the bay is home to wild prehistoric giants, such as the largest land iguanas on Earth. You may also see giant tortoises. Optional activities include hiking and snorkeling, where you'll likely spot marine iguanas feeding underwater.

Day 5: Day Trip to Elizabeth Bay & Moreno Point

Enjoy an al fresco breakfast as the ship cruises to Elizabeth Bay on the east coast of Isabela. This area contains many rocky islets you can explore by Zodiac as you search for penguins and blue-footed boobies. Also, with abundant marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkeling amid schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and even sea turtles.

In the afternoon, you'll head over to Punta Moreno (Moreno Point). Lava eruptions many years ago left craters here that formed crystal tide pools. These are now habitats for birds like pink flamingoes, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules. Peer deeper into the pools, and you may see white-tip reef sharks and sea turtles.

Day 6: Cruise to Isla Santa Cruz: Visit Charles Darwin Station

Say goodbye to Isabela as you cruise east to Isla Santa Cruz. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora, you'll disembark and head to the famous Charles Darwin Research Center just outside town. Here, scientists worldwide work together to protect the flora and fauna of the Galápagos. Environmental projects include water analysis, protection of endemic wildlife, effects of tourism on nature, and other pressing issues. Visit the Galápagos tortoise rearing station to see where these animals are raised before being released into nature, and keep an eye out for land iguanas who live nearby.

Day 7: Cruise to Isla Floreana: Visit Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point

The ship will cruise south of Santa Cruz to Isla Floreana this morning. At the north side of the island is your first destination: Post Office Bay. A short walk from the beach here leads to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, it remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. In the spirit of tradition, visitors today often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.

You can also swim and relax on the beach here, where, in addition to sea lions, you may spot Pacific green turtles, golden rays, and Galápagos penguins. This is the only place in the southeastern archipelago where penguins reside. Another option is to climb the small basaltic cone of the Baroness Lookout for fine coastal views.

After lunch on board the ship, you'll visit nearby Cormorant Point, which forms the extreme north cape of Isla Floreana. At the landing beach, you'll be welcomed by a small Galápagos sea lion colony. Note the beach's greenish sand, a result of the high percentage of glassy olivine crystals. Meanwhile, the "flour sand" beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of even finer coral sand that feels powdery smooth on the feet. You can spot schools of stingrays in the shallows, and Pacific green turtles come ashore here to bury their eggs (seasonal).

Day 8: Cruise to Isla Santa Fé & San Cristóbal: Visit Isla Lobos

Return north this morning to visit Isla Santa Fé, one of the smaller of the Galápagos' main islands. You'll arrive on the north coast, home to a beautiful small bay. There are two hiking trails here: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a forest of tall prickly pear cacti.

Later, you'll visit Isla Lobos, a small islet off the southwestern coast of Isla San Cristóbal. The name translates to "Sea Lion Island," which is apt because Lobos abounds with frolicking sea lions who will happily welcome you into their natural habitat. There's also great snorkeling and wildlife spotting here, as you'll likely spot blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

Day 9: Cruise to Isla San Cristóbal, Disembark, Visit Tortoise Breeding Center

It's time to leave the high seas. This morning, you'll disembark the Trimaran Horizon on Isla San Cristóbal. Here, you'll find the Golden Bay Galápagos, a specialty boutique hotel with a gorgeous waterfront location right on Playa de Oro (Golden Beach). Its spacious rooms feature double beds, French tubs, private terraces, and floor-to-ceiling windows with sea views. You don't have to travel far to observe the local wildlife, either, as the sands fronting the hotel are home to sea lions and blue-footed boobies.

After settling in, you'll transfer to the island's southeastern side to visit the David Rodriguez Breeding Center. This conservation initiative serves to protect endemic Galápagos tortoises to increase their population. These animals are raised here from hatchlings and reared in a habitat as close to their natural environment as possible. Get close to the magnificent creatures as you hike around the center's trails, where you can admire tortoises in different stages of growth, from hatchlings to 120 days old. At this point, they're released into the wild.

Day 10: San Cristóbal Free Day & Wellness

Today is all about relaxing and recharging your batteries. At your hotel's on-site spa and wellness center, you'll enjoy a suite of therapies to rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul. Let the highly qualified therapists help you find balance and revitalization using ancient techniques and natural products for a holistic experience in paradise. Spend the remainder of the day by the pool, swimming at the beaches around the island, or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping in town. Pro tip: Playa Mann is an excellent spot to watch the sunset over Isla San Cristóbal.

Day 11: Fly to Quito, Day Trip to Papallacta Hot Springs

Bid farewell to the Galápagos as you board a plane this morning for the flight back to Quito. At the airport, a driver will pick you up, and you'll transfer about 1.5 hours southeast of the city to the famous Papallacta hot springs, where you'll soak in volcanic waters. Situated at 12,100 feet (3,700 m) in an evergreen páramo (Andean high grasslands) landscape, this area is renowned for its healing waters. You'll spot the giant Artisana volcano looming above if the weather is clear.

You'll also spend time at the Termas de Papallacta Resort and Spa, which offers nine warm and three cold pools at various temperatures, plus an on-site spa with multiple health and beauty treatments, including hydromassage, a Turkish steam bath, and a mud wrap. It's also a great spot to enjoy a relaxed lunch and try local dishes such as fresh-grilled trout. 

Day 12: Quito History Tour, Convent Cooking Class

Time to explore Quito! This morning, you'll meet a bona fide historian for a private guided tour around Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town. This jaunt will take you down cobblestone streets to famous landmarks, including the neo-Gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional and the 17th-century San Francisco church and convent. During the tour, you'll also see famous works by renowned local artists, like Oswaldo Guayasamín, who left an indelible mark on Quito's (and Latin America's) artistic heritage. And your guide will be there every step of the way to offer insight and historical perspective.

Day 13: Helicopter Tour, Rose Farm Visit & Cotopaxi Horseback Ride

Your penultimate day in Ecuador delivers a packed itinerary. Leave Quito early on a 1.5-hour ride south to Cotopaxi National Park, a pristine nature reserve covering 129 square miles (334 sq km) in the highlands. When you arrive, you'll take to the skies on a private one-hour helicopter ride over these awe-inspiring highland landscapes. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the soaring peaks, snowcapped cone of the iconic Cotopaxi volcano, and other landmarks like Laguna La Micacocha and Laguna Muertepungo.

But that's not all—when you touch back down on land, you'll hop in the saddle for a two-hour horseback ride around Cotopaxi. Later, step into the colorful world of Ecuador's renowned floral industry on a private guided tour of a local rose farm. This country is one of the world's leading exporters, and on a visit to the rose plantation, you'll see firsthand the process of cultivating these prized blossoms. Gain insight into the meticulous care that goes into nurturing these captivating flowers, known for their vibrant colors and exceptional fragrance.

Back in Quito, you'll cap your time in the country with a 5-star meal at Urko. Located in the colorful La Floresta neighborhood, this popular restaurant takes a holistic view of the dining experience. Savor the delicious results of this ethos as you enjoy its famous tasting menu, which changes regularly to reflect the freshest ingredients determined by optimum agricultural cycles. Expect variations on tasty morsels like fresh ceviche, Amazonian fish, quinoa risotto, and a celebration of tubers like root vegetables and potatoes.

Day 14: Free Morning in Quito, Depart

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and you deserve to take it easy. After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you can spend the rest of the morning strolling the streets of Quito's historic center. Cram in as much sightseeing as possible (this area dates back to the early 16th century, after all), and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. If you like, ride the teleférico (cable car) up Pichincha volcano for spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains. Later, at the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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