Enchanting Ecuador

Day 1 : Quito

Arrive in Quito where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 : Quito

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Quito, Ecuador’s cultural capital, on a guided city tour exploring its historic landmarks. Ascend to the lofty Virgen de El Panecillo, set on a hill renamed Panecillo (“little bread”) by the Spanish due to its bread-like appearance. Rising 3035 meters above sea level in Quito’s colonial district, it boasts stunning vistas and is crowned by the 45-metre Virgin of Quito statue, crafted by Spanish artist Agustin de la Herran Matorral.

Experience the rich heritage of Independence Square, the historic hub of Quito, with its Presidential Palace and Cathedral, commemorating the heroes of the First Cry of Independence. Discover the baroque splendour of the Church Compania de Jesus, a 17th-century baroque masterpiece adorned with golden domes, one of Latin America’s finest churches. The vast architectural wonder of the San Francisco Church and Convent, houses 3,500 colonial art pieces and illustrates the Legend of Cantuna, a folklore about outsmarting the Devil.

Day 3 : Quito > Otavalo

Today, head for the Andean Highlands to explore Otavalo, steeped in centuries of culture and history. At the Otavalo Market, known as Plaza de Los Ponchos, dive into Ecuador’s largest market. Originating in the 16th century as a hub for indigenous trade, it is now a treasure trove of textiles, jewellery, instruments, and crafts — an immersive cultural delight. Also visit a nearby vegetable market to view an array of locally grown produce.

Step into the artisan community of Peguche, a small and picturesque place known for its weavers and musicians. Depending on time, you may visit Miguel Andrango’s Tahuantinsuyo weaving workshop to witness the ancient art of traditional weaving. Or you may visit Jose Cotacachi’s workshop and discover colourful textiles created on a pedal loom.

Stop for lunch – a culinary experience where each dish offers a contemporary interpretation of Ecuador’s ancestral heritage.

Next experience Tayta Gundo Kaya Wasi, the Andean House of Music, a cultural space in Peguche dedicated to celebrating and preserving the musical heritage of the Andean worl. Discover equatorial bamboo varieties used for crafting Andean wind instruments and later join an interactive acoustic concert, playing along with the musicians and learning indigenous history through music.

Day 4 : Otavalo > Quito

Today, you will be met and transferred back to Quito where you will enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, free to explore further.

Day 5 : Quito > Cotopaxi National Park

Begin at the Sanqolqui market, a lively local market just outside Quito and a wonderful introduction to the flavours of the Ecuadorian highlands. Visit Decoflor, a flower plantation set among the green landscapes of Cotopaxi Province. Learn about the process behind these remarkable flowers and discover how rose production also supports local employment in the surrounding communities.

Next you will explore the breathtaking Cotopaxi National Park. Step into a highland landscape of vast paramo grasslands, volcanic plains and rugged slopes, where Cotopaxi’s snow-capped cone rises above the open scenery. This high-altitude ecosystem is home to unique flora and fauna adapted to wind, cold and open skies, creating a striking natural setting at every turn. Enjoy lunch in a rustic hacienda-style setting surrounded by nature.

Day 6 : Cotopaxi > Banos > Riobamba

Visit the lush riverside town of Banos with its famed Basilica, an architectural masterpiece, then travel along the beautiful Route of the Waterfalls to Puyo, delving into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Amidst this verdant terrain, ecological pathways, airy gondolas, and suspended bridges weave through a tapestry of over 60 cascades nestled within the lush canopy.

As the route descends from the Andes to the Amazon, it unveils some of the nation’s most renowned waterfalls, including the majestic Manto de la Novia and the captivating Agoyan. An unmissable stop is the Pailon del Diablo, an 80 metre waterfall bearing an uncanny resemblance to the visage of the devil.

NB: Occasionally the road between Riobamba and Cuenca is closed, in which case you will overnight in Banos instead of Riobamba.

Day 7 : Riobamba > Cuenca

Embark on an immersive journey through Ecuador’s rich cultural tapestry on your travels to Riobamba and Cuenca. Just outside of Riobamba is the Palacio Real Community, offering the chance to witness Andean culture, agriculture, handicrafts and in particular, the significance of the llama to the local people.

En route to Cuenca visit the mesmerizing Ingapirca Ruins, a testament to Ecuador’s Canari and Inca heritage. These ruins, known as the “Wall of the Inca,” feature a pre-Hispanic Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon, Inca Trail and more. Conclude with a visit to the Inti Sisa Foundation in Guamote, perched on Chimborazo’s slopes. Engage with locals, learning about the foundation’s educational programs spanning music, English and sewing. These are unique opportunities to witness community-driven initiatives fostering cultural exchange and educational growth.

Day 8 : Cuenca World Cultural Heritage Site

Discover Cuenca’s historic centre, where iconic landmarks narrate the city’s vivid heritage. You day starts with a stop by Panadería Todos Santos, a beloved traditional bakery in one of the city’s historic neighborhoods. The aroma of fresh bread, the warmth of the wood-fired oven and the sight of bakers shaping dough by hand offer a delicious glimpse into local tradition. Along Calle de las Herrerías, discover the flavours of humitas and quimbolitos, adding a sweet and comforting note to the day.

Discover Cuenca’s artistic side through the work of the Vega family, whose ceramic workshop and gallery overlook the city. Here, handmade pottery turns local imagination into colour, form and texture.

Ascend to Turi scenic lookout for a mesmerizing vista, capturing Cuenca’s mosaic of vibrant rooftops and verdant parks. Marvel at the Old Cathedral’s colonial elegance, a testament to Cuenca’s rich history, boasting ornate wooden sculptures and baroque altarpieces within its ancient walls.

Visit the Sagrario Church, built in 1557 and admired for its colonial character, wooden sculptures, paintings and Baroque altarpieces. Nearby, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, rises with its brick facade, marble details and three iconic blue domes, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Continue along Santa Ana Street and the colourful Flower Plaza, where fresh blooms fill the air with fragrance and daily life moves among petals, voices and market rhythm. Nearby, Seminario San Luis offers one of Cuenca’s most beautiful interior courtyards, with gardens, shops, restaurants and a beautiful view of the cathedral domes. A gourmet lunch adds a sophisticated pause to the day.

Stroll along the Tomebamba River and through El Barranco, one of Cuenca’s most emblematic neighborhoods. Finish your day with a visit to Homero Ortega Hats, step into the story of the iconic Ecuadorian hat often misnamed as the “Panama hat”.

Day 9 : Cuenca > Gualaceo & Chordeleg

Follow the mountain roads through a landscape shaped by the region’s Cañari heritage, where small, cultivated plots, known locally as chakras, climb the green hillsides beside scattered homes and rural communities.

Visit Luis Enrique Uyaguari Quezada’s guitar workshop, where the warm scent of wood fills the air and every instrument begins with patience, precision and an experienced hand. Watch as selected pieces of wood are carved, shaped and assembled, gradually acquiring the curves, resonance and character of a finely crafted guitar.

Discover Chordeleg, home to skilled goldsmiths like the Jara family, who master the town’s intricate filigree technique. Visit Ecuagenera, a family-run center in the Gualaceo Valley devoted to the cultivation, research and conservation of orchids. Learn about the care behind these remarkable species and discover the extraordinary diversity of orchids found throughout Ecuador.

Enter an ikat workshop, where colour, rhythm and memory come together on the loom. Observe how traditional macanas, or shawls, emerge line by line beneath the practiced hands of local artisans. Passed from one generation to the next, this intricate technique continues to bring life to scarves, bags and other pieces that carry the identity of the Gualaceo Valley.

Enjoy a countryside lunch that brings together Ecuadorian cuisine and international dishes, with an emphasis on organic ingredients from local gardens and nearby producers.

Day 10 : Cuenca > Guayaquil

As you journey toward Guayaquil, seize the chance for one last embrace of the Andes. El Cajas National Park is a breathtaking natural haven, home to the Tomebamba and Yanuncay Rivers, with an ever-changing canvas of paramos, wetlands, Andean rainforests, and polylepis forests. Home to over 40 mammal species and 150 bird species, it’s a vibrant habitat awaiting your exploration.

Venture to the lower section of Llaviuco Lagoon, where the enchanting elfin Andean rainforest echoes the melodious tunes of the Andean toucan. Descending toward the coast, notice the transformation into lush tropical greenery as you approach sea level.

Day 11 : Guayaquil

Explore Guayaquil’s vibrant coastal allure on this cultural tour, tracing the lively banks of the Guayas River. Wander along the expansive Malecon 2000, a riverside promenade, watching boats glide through the river’s currents. See the historic structures at the Administration Plaza, and the green iguanas of Seminario Park, seeming to be posing for cameras in their natural habitat.

Cross over to the monumental Metropolitan Cathedral, a stalwart witness to four centuries of port city history. Meander through Las Penas, a charming neighbourhood adorned with colonial houses, art galleries, and an artistic vibrancy. Follow this vibrant path to the tranquil Santa Ana Port, offering picturesque views of the Guayas River.

Discover the Heritage Cemetery of Guayaquil, an esteemed resting place adorned with statues crafted by European, American, and Ecuadorian sculptors in Carrara marble. Designated as a National Cultural Heritage site, it hosts revered figures — presidents, artists, poets, and Independence heroes.

Explore the Historical Park of Guayaquil, where restored architecture, tropical gardens and scenes of traditional coastal life recreate different chapters of Ecuador’s past. Enjoy an author-driven Ecuadorian lunch in a refined heritage setting.

Day 12 : Fly Guayaquil > Galapagos Islands

You will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, your journey begins with a scenic drive to the Itabaca Channel, where you will embark on a ferry to Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy lunch before venturing to a nearby reserve renowned for its remarkable population of giant tortoises in their natural habitat — the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Here, these gentle creatures roam freely, grazing on grass and basking in serene ponds. The reserve also offers the chance to explore intricate lava tunnels that add to the adventure.

As your visit concludes, transfer to the harbour to board the M/Y Isabela II for your choice of two Galapagos cruise itineraries – the Seabird Sanctuary Expedition explores the northern islands, and the Islands of Fire Adventure explores the western islands.

Days 13 – 15 : Galapagos Islands Cruising

Enjoy wildlife viewing, swimming/snorkelling, island excursions, walking, and a visit to the Giant Tortoise Interpretation Centre, accompanied by expert naturalist guides keen to share their passion for this pristine environment with you. The diverse wildlife of each unique island is astounding, including giant tortoises, blue footed boobies, sea lions and a variety of marine birds.

Day 16 : Galapagos Islands > Guayaquil

This morning you will be transferred from the dock to Baltra Airport for your flight back to Guayaquil where the journey concludes.