Luxury Quito & Galápagos Experience - 7 Days

Highlights

• Stroll Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town and go wine tasting
• See giant tortoises on nature hikes in Isla Santa Cruz's highlands 
• Stay in a luxury villa set amid a protected highlands estate
• Go bird-watching, kayaking, and explore uninhabited islets in the Galápagos

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Dinner at Kriollo

Welcome to Ecuador! In just a week, you'll enjoy the colonial highlights of mainland Quito, as well as seafaring adventures and nature hikes in the Galápagos. To start, you'll arrive in the nation's capital, a historic metropolis nestled high in the Andes. It's one of the most well-preserved cities in the Americas, and as such, its central Old Town has been bestowed with UNESCO World Heritage Status.

At the airport, your driver will pick you up for the 45-minute ride into the city and Casa Gangotena. Located in the heart of the Old Town, this luxurious 5-star hotel is situated in a beautifully restored mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Each of its elegant rooms and suites is outfitted with mod-cons and luxury amenities, from flat-screen TVs to plush bedding. You can dine at the hotel's gourmet restaurant, which celebrates traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, enjoy a smart cocktail at the classic mahogany bar, or relax in the garden amid lush greenery.

After settling in, you'll enjoy a very special welcome dinner at nearby Kriollo. Run by Michelin-starred chefs, this chic restaurant specializes in Ecuadorian cuisine, emphasizing traditional flavors and ingredients while presenting them with a modern twist. Within the cozy ambience, you'll dine on exciting plates of jazzed-up favorites, like ceviche de camarón (shrimp ceviche), locro de papa (an Andean potato soup), and seco de chivo (goat stew). The tempting dessert menu features Ecuadorian classics like tres leches cake, flan, and helado de paila (fruit sorbet).

Day 2: Quito City Tour, Visit Chaupi Winery

After breakfast, you'll meet a local guide for a private walk through Quito's colonial center to see firsthand why it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the intricate stone carvings in the church of La Compañía de Jesus and wander the 16th-century Iglesia San Francisco cloisters. Wrap up the historical center leg of your tour with a walk down La Ronda, once a pre-Columbian walking trail, now a romantic pedestrian street full of cafés, live music venues, and eclectic shops.

Afterward, head into the mountains east of the city and Chaupi Winery. Ecuador may not be known globally for its grapes, but Chaupi is one highland operation blazing the trail for the nation's burgeoning wine industry. Amid grand views of the mountains and Quito below, you'll stroll the vineyards as an expert winemaker guides you through each stage of the production process, from harvesting the grapes to fermentation and aging in oak barrels. In addition, you'll visit the cellar for a private tasting of some of the winery's best labels paired with various snacks and tidbits.

Day 3: Fly to the Galápagos, Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz, Nature Hike

You're off to the islands! Return to the airport early and board a two-hour flight to 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. You'll arrive at Baltra, an islet adjacent to Isla Santa Cruz, one of the Galápagos' 13 main islands. A driver will pick you up at the airport for the transfer to the interior highlands and your hotel.

The 4-star Royal Palm Hotel sits on a private 470-acre (190 ha) estate located in the lush Miconia highland forests of Santa Cruz. Part of the Curio Collection of Hilton Hotels, this is where your once-in-a-lifetime Galápagos adventure begins. Expect spacious villas with private terraces (some with Jacuzzis), a lagoon-like swimming pool, and a wellness center with a sauna and a range of spa treatments. There's also an on-site restaurant, Royal Palm, that offers al fresco gourmet dining complemented by an impressive wine cellar that spans the world.

After settling in, discover the beauty of the surrounding wilderness on an easy 20-minute nature hike. The trail will lead you to an area that's a natural habitat of the highly endangered Miconia robinosniana plant. Also, here are rare birds, including the famed Darwin's finches. This is a paradise for birders and offers excellent opportunities for nature photography—all without leaving the Royal Palm's property.

Day 4: Galápagos Hidden Gems Cruise

Rise and shine! Spend your first full day in the Galápagos cruising around some of this archipelago's hidden gems in style on a private charter. This full-day tour begins early at the port in the main town of Puerto Ayora, where you'll board a vessel and set sail to uninhabited islands and islets. Depending on the specific itinerary, these might include Seymour Norte, Bartolomé, Plaza Sur, or Santa Fé.

At each one, you'll immerse yourself in the archipelago's unspoiled natural beauty and encounter the iconic wildlife that has made the Galápagos a bucket-list travel destination. Watch for the famed blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and playful sea lions that relax on the beaches and occupy the rocky coastline. Lunch will be a delectable spread served on board, refueling you for the adventures ahead.

As the afternoon sun dips, don your snorkeling gear and hop in the water to spend time with marine animals like tropical fish, sea turtles, sea lions, and perhaps even Galápagos sharks. Not to worry, though, as in the entire recorded history of these islands, there has never been a fatality due to shark attacks. Afterward, return to the ship and relax on deck as you cruise back to the port and return to your hotel.

Day 5: Visit Cerro Mesa, Spa Treatment & Night Bird-Watching

This morning, you'll head to the top of Santa Cruz on a trip up to Cerro Mesa Reserve. There, at 1,607 feet (490 m) above sea level, you'll be treated to prime views of a huge crater, a remnant of the time when Santa Cruz was still a volcanically active island. On the way there, you'll likely spot the wild Galápagos tortoises that inhabit the reserve.

After enjoying the views, you'll return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying some pampering. If you like, spend a couple of hours in a lounger by the pool before indulging in an aromatherapy massage with essential oils in the privacy of your own room. Or try a massage with locally sourced chocolate oil to relieve muscle tension! 

In the evening, newly reinvigorated, you'll set off on a one-hour night hike around the hotel property. This is a great time to spot some of the islands' most famous nocturnal avian species. One highlight is the short-eared owl, whose numbers flourish on the protected Royal Palm estate. They're active at night as this is when they're hunting prey out in the open. At the end of the hike, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 6: Morning Kayaking Adventure, Visit Charles Darwin Center, Dinner at Almar

Wake up for an early breakfast, then grab a paddle and head to the coast for a scenic kayaking excursion along Santa Cruz's coast. It's a great activity for adventurers, as the small kayak allows you to visit hidden bays and coves that larger boats can't access. As you paddle, keep an eye out for marine iguanas, sea lions, turtles, rays, and even small Galápagos sharks. In the mangroves, you can spot pelicans and herons; near the cliffs, you might see blue-footed boobies or frigatebirds.

After the ride, you'll transfer just outside Puerto Ayora to the Charles Darwin Research Center. Here, scientists worldwide work 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 around the station. Later, you'll return to your hotel.

Your final dinner in the Galápagos is a special affair to celebrate the last night of your trip. Head into town and Almar Restaurant, where your table awaits on a spacious deck right overlooking the water. Here, you'll enjoy a meal of Ecuadorian and international favorites, including the freshest seafood on the islands. Even better, the dinner is complemented by gorgeous sea views and the lulling sounds of the ocean.

Day 7: Plant a Tree Program, Fly to Quito, Depart

The overriding ethos of the Galápagos is conservation, as it's vital to preserve this biosphere reserve for future generations. This morning, you'll pitch in and help with the effort in a reforestation initiative run by the Royal Palm Hotel. Specifically, you'll plant a Miconia robinsoniana. This ecosystem is the only natural habitat for this endemic highland shrub, and planting your own tree contributes to the future life of the forest. It's the most rewarding way to cap your time in this ecological wonderland!

Later, you'll meet your driver for the ride back to the airport. There, you'll board a plane back to Quito in time to catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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