Itinerary
Day 1
Depart USA
Fly from your departure city in the USA to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. At an altitude of just over 9,000 feet, Quito is the second highest capital city in South America. Swissotel
Day 2
Quito
Tour the wonders of this UNESCO city, with its colonial architecture and magnificent churches filled with colonial art. This afternoon, travel by cable car to over 12,000 feet, for a beautiful panorama of Quito and the surrounding mountains. You will also visit the Equatorial Line Monument. Swissotel
Day 3
To Galapagos
Fy to the Galapagos Islands and transfer to your 3 bedroom private villa for the next 4 nights. Species found here exist nowhere else and, because of the isolation of the islands, the wildlife remains uninhibited and approachable. Within walking distance of your villa, you will first visit the Charles Darwin Station, a breeding center and Giant Tortoise habitat. Villa Escalesia
Days 4-7
Galapagos Islands
With your private yacht, you can visit the islands of Bartolomé, North Seymour & Bachas Beach, South Plaza & Punta Carrión Beach and Santa Fe. The itinerary is subject to change. Stop and snorkel in these beautiful waters. Villa Escalesia
Day 8
to Quito
Disembark and fly to Quito. Transfer to the Swissotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Swissotel
Day 9
Andean Cloud Forest
Travel into the Andean cloud forest to a private hacienda at the foothills of the Antisana Volcano (19,000 feet). Have lunch and explore the private home and gardens of a local ornithologist who has created a haven for one third of the over 120 species of hummingbirds found in Ecuador. Alternatively, you could stop at a local school, where the staff reintroduces raptors such as hawks and falcons as well as condors to their natural environment. You will have the opportunity to practice falconry. Later visit a weaver’s home. Your hacienda, built in 1691 is the centerpiece of a 4,000-acre working farm. Hacienda Zuleta
Day 10
Andean Cloud Forest
Spend the day enjoying Hacienda Zuleta. Horse back ride or hike, visit their dairy and cheese factory, organic garden, tree nursery, trout farm, embroidery workshop, a condor rehabilitation project, and archaeological remains from 800 A.D. Hacienda Zuleta
Day 11
Indian Villages
This morning you depart the hacienda to visit the famous Otavalo Indian Market and other Indian towns in the area such as Cotacachi (famous for its leather goods) and Peguche (weavers workshop). Enjoy lunch at a charming inn by San Pablo Lake and return to Quito in the afternoon. Swissotel
Day 12
Indian Villages
Today you transfer to the airport for your international flight to the United States.
