Luxury & Romance in the Galápagos - 7 Days

Highlights

• Learn the art of Ecuadorian cuisine in a Quito cooking class
• Visit a working hacienda and enjoy ranch activities outside Otavalo
• Cruise to uninhabited isles in the Galápagos and see exotic animals
• Enjoy couples massages at your luxury hotel between island adventures 

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Visit Mitad del Mundo, Agave Museum & Cooking Class

Welcome to Ecuador! You and your partner are in for a whirlwind weeklong adventure, beginning on the historic streets of Quito. Ecuador's capital lies in the Andean highlands and has quite a history—it was one of the first major settlements by the Spanish in their conquest of the New World in the 16th century, and the city's historic center has retained many landmarks from this era. There's also rich Indigenous history in this region, which you'll discover later on with a trip into the highlands.

You'll not only see Quito's colonial history upon arrival—you'll be staying in it. At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to the Old Town and Casa Gangotena. 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.

You can enjoy the luxurious accommodations later; after dropping off your bags, meet another driver/guide and travel north of the city to Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), a park dominated by the 98-foot-tall (30 m) Monument to the Equator. It marks the precise location of the equator, the invisible line that divides the Earth's Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Then, visit the Agave Museum to taste the fine spirits Ecuador has created using a plant normally associated with Mexico. End the day in the kitchen of a historic colonial home for a traditional Ecuadorian cooking class. 

Day 2: Transfer to Otavalo, Activities at Hacienda Zuleta

Your driver will pick you up early for the two-hour ride north to the mountain town of Otavalo, passing dazzling highland scenery and stopping several times to enjoy the surroundings. Otavalo is famous for its massive local market, selling everything from textiles and handicrafts to jewelry and traditional sweets. You'll be traveling to the countryside just outside of town and Hacienda Zuleta, a colonial-era farm dating to the 17th century. It offers beautifully appointed rooms decorated with antique furniture, hand-embroidered linens, and local artwork—many also feature private fireplaces.

Once here, the hacienda will arrange specific activities tailored to your interests. One popular option is a private embroidery lesson during which you'll learn traditional methods of producing Ecuador's famous textiles under the guidance of local experts. For something more active, you can opt for a scenic bike or horseback ride around rugged highland trails. Foodies should head back into the kitchen for a private cooking experience with the hacienda's chef, featuring produce picked straight from the garden. 

Day 3: Transfer to Quito, Fly to the Gálapagos, Couples Massage & Dinner

Time to say goodbye to the highlands and hello to the islands. After breakfast, you'll transfer back to Quito and board a two-hour flight to the Galápagos. You'll arrive on Baltra, an islet adjacent to Santa Cruz, one of the Galápagos' 13 main islands. At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz's south side. 

Just south of town is your accommodation: Finch Bay Galápagos. This waterfront hotel provides resort-style luxury on the islands, featuring an eco-friendly design and a gorgeous freshwater pool. The spacious rooms and suites offer private terraces with hammocks, plus modern baths with rainfall showers. The hotel offers kayaks and bicycles for guest use, and when you get hungry, you can grab a bite at the Finch Bay Restaurant, which specializes in fresh seafood utilizing locally sourced ingredients.

After dropping off your bags, you'll take the edge off the flight with a relaxing couples massage offered by the on-site spa. The masseurs will tailor the treatment to your preferences, using soothing techniques to release tension and promote calm. Later in the evening, a table awaits at Finch Bay Restaurant, where you'll enjoy a maiden romantic dinner to cap your first night on the islands. 

Day 4: Cruise to an Uninhabited Galápagos Island

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, and Santa Fé.

At each one, you can 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 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. At around 4 pm, you'll return to the ship and relax on deck as you cruise back to the port and return to your hotel.

Day 5: Kayaking at Divine Bay, Evening Cocktail Class

Grab a paddle and hit the water because this morning, you and your partner will transfer to the coast for a kayak tour. You'll arrive at Divine Bay, an oasis of tranquility home to a diverse range of animal species. Due to the surrounding volcanic rocks and mangroves, the bay is naturally protected from the waves, so you can expect smooth sailing during this two-hour ride. As you go, keep your eyes open for herons, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, and much more. There will also be time to relax on the beach and/or go snorkeling. 

Afterward, feel free to spend the day back at the hotel enjoying its amenities or lazing on the beach. Later, you'll participate in a fun cocktail workshop led by expert mixologists. Learn the art of handcrafting tasty and visually appealing tropical cocktails with all the bells and whistles—a great skill to take back home and impress your friends at your next party!

Day 6: Cruise to More Uninhabited Islands

Return to the port this morning and embark on another day of luxury island hopping. Cruise between more uninhabited islands, enjoying the views from the sun deck and stopping on shore at one to enjoy nature hikes and do some wildlife photography. Just like during the first charter, a decadent lunch will be served on board, complete with tropical cocktails. More snorkeling is in store later in the afternoon, after which you'll return to port and your hotel.

Day 7: Visit a Galápagos Organic Coffee Farm, Fly to Quito, Depart

The fun ain't over yet! Discover the Galápagos' famed coffee on a visit to a working farm near Puerto Ayora. See the production process and all the effort that goes into harvesting these beans, which thrive in the volcanic soil. Know that this is no commercial plantation—the farm is part of a social responsibility program that promotes land conservation. While here, you'll meet the growers, stroll the fields, and witness the process of harvesting, drying, and roasting the beans. There will, of course, be a tasting, and you can pick up a bag or two to take home.

At the end of the tour, you'll hop in the car and transfer back to Isla Baltra and the airport. There, you'll board a flight back to mainland Ecuador in time to catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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