Arrival at Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito. Transfer to Hilton Colon Hotel

Accommodation: Mercure 4*

Check in – 14:00

Breakfast

Ruco Pichincha 4696m Full Day

We pick you up at your hotel un Quito. Early in the morning we head to the Telefériqo cable cars where we ride the gondola up to 4000m with amazing views of Quito and the Andes. From here we start our trekking towards Ruco Pichincha 4696m, the beautiful rocky mountain overlooking Quito. We pass moorlands and the last section a small rocky easy hike. The trekking takes us about 5-6 hours total.

Includes:

-Professional mountain guide 

-Box lunch

-Private transportation in guide car

-Helmet

-Teleferiqo tickets

Return to the hotel

Accommodation: Mercure 4*

(Breakfast, Box Lunch)

Breakfast

Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and for adventure activities.

You are going to visit a butterfly farm where you will also be able to see orchids and an array of colourful humming birds. Mindo has a great biodiversity. The forest landscape is home to over 500 species of birds and 400 species of orchids.

You cross the forest area in a cable car, located approximately 30 meters above the ground, then we will walk through the woods.

Another of the most popular activities in Mindo is the zip-lining canopy runs between towers high in the forest.

Also you have a chocolate tour which includes a demonstration of the chocolate-making process .

Return to the hotel

Accommodation: Mercure 4*

(Breakfast)

Breakfast

Trekking Central Andes 5d/4n

We pick you up from your hotel in Quito.

The Pasochoa, an extinct volcano that is very fertile in consequence of the lava and the thousands of years that passed by the eruption. Covered in Andean forests and moorlands, you can find many different species of plants, trees, animals and insects. Our trekking takes about 6-7 hours in total. After reaching Pasochoa Summit (4’200 m / 13’779 feet) we head to our lodge to rest for the night.

 Accommodation: Lodge                         

(Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner).

Breakfast

We continue to Cotopaxi National Park. We start our tour at the edge of the stunning Limpiopungo lagoon at 3900m. Rumiñahui is a beautiful rocky mountain which its name means: face of rock: Rumi (piedra) Ñahui (cara). We hike to the summit and back in approx. 4-5h. We traverse beautiful moorlands and the last part to the summit is a fun rocky easy climb to Rumiñahui Central. The view is amazing to active Cotopaxi volcano, Sincholagua, Pasochoa and surrounding valleys. We return to our lodge to rest.

Accommodation: Lodge               

(Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner).

Breakfast

The journey takes us about 30min to the Virgin statue nearly at 4000m. The hike to the hut will take us about 2hrs and one hour back. Traversing moorlands and a small polilepis forest, the hike is very scenic with great views of the valley. If guests desire, we can try for the summit of Iliniza North adding additional 2 hours from the hut up, and 2 hours descent total.

Accommodation: Lodge                                               

(Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner).

Breakfast

We head to the central Andes. The Quilotoa Lake is one of Ecuador’s most spectacular sites, although relatively off the beaten path. The crater lake was formed when the volcano erupted many thousands of years ago. It is about 250 meters deep and is characterized by its stunningly bright turquoise color. We walk around the lake about 4-5 hours to complete the loop around the crater. Then we will be transferred south to Chimborazo province to our hotel to spend the night.

Accommodation: Lodge / Hotel                

(Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner).

Breakfast

Afrer breakfast we go for a wonderful trekking around the area and base of the mountain to admire the moorlands, views and meet the Andean camelid, alpacas and vicuñas. We reach the mountain refuges and reach up to 5000m at the base of the mountain. 

Transport will take us to Termas de Papallacta.

Papallacta is famous for its hot springs,. Papallacta is a small village in Ecuador located at an altitude of 3,300 m in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras on the road from Quito which leads into the Amazon jungle. Descending from the peak to Papallacta, one passes through the portal where the ecosystems transform from alpine to tropical jungle.

There are three important reasons to visit “Termas de Papallacta”: Health, recreation & relaxation.
The thermal baths are located on the banks of the Papallacta River in a unique natural environment; here we can find nine hot thermal pools and three cold water pools. The source temperature of the thermal baths varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 40°C (97°F to 104°F). Papallacta´s thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium, calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odorless, colorless but have a slightly salty taste.
The baths’ curative properties are anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and anti-rheumatic.

Accommodation: Termas de Papallacta 4*

(Breakfast, Lunch Box)

Breakfast

THE HEADWATERS RUN
(1 DAY TRIP, 27Km, CLASS IV-IV+)

The Quijos is set to become Ecuador’s premier whitewater trip with mile after mile of class IVIV+ rapids and spectacular jungle scenery. Expect to run more whitewater in a day than you’d do in a week elsewhere. This trip is for experienced rafters that are confident swimmers. No wimps please! Depart from your hotel in Quito or Magic Bean, 7:00 am. Drive to Baeza. On arrival you’ll be issued with wetsuits, life jackets and helmets. After a short drive to the put-in the Trip Leader will give a thorough safety briefing. Then you’ll split into groups for an intensive in-boat paddle practice with your guide. Once we set off we’re straight into the action but with some easier rapids to warm up. Along the way we’ll stop for a riverside picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll raft through the first canyons of the Quijos running big, technical rapids including the famous “El Toro” and the spectacular Linares canyon.
Season: September to February 

Includes: Professional guides, top-of-the-line rafting equipment, safety kayakers,
transportation to the river and back, a delicious riverside lunch, and unsurpassed safety.

Accommodation: Termas de Papallacta 4*

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast.

Time at Leisure enjoying Papallacta Hot Spring.

Continue to Baños.

Accommodation: Sangay 4*

(Breakfast)

Breakfast.

Baños is known as “The Gate of the Amazon Region.” Baños are located on the outside of the eastern range of the Andes. It is the perfect place to relax and explore. This small town is famous worldwide for its natural crystalline waterfalls.

Here you can see how it is made the famous “marshmallow” (candy, which is made from sugar cane).

Baños is the main tourist attraction for adventure, there are several ways to enjoy nature through hiking, horseback riding, cycling and rafting.

We will start the city tour and the visit the waterfalls: “Agoyán”, “Manto de la Novia” and “Pailón Del Diablo”.

Accommodation: Sangay 4*

(Breakfast)

Breakfast.

Free morning in Baños.
Rest at the hotel or optional activities. The guide will provide all the information.

Return to Quito: 4 hours. Free evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure 4*

(Breakfast)

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands.

Grand Majestic 4-day Cruise “A”                                               

(San Cristobal, Floreana, Española, Santa Cruz)

Day 1: Monday

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND

In the morning: San Cristobal airport arrival

You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning.

After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Grand Majestic staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

In the afternoon: El Junco Lagoon

Located in the highlands 19 kilometers from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, El Junco is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano. Rainwater feeds the lagoon. There are many farms and ranches in this area of San Cristobal Island, and sometime cows can be found near the lagoon.

Accommodation: Grand Majestic 5 *

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

FLOREANA ISLAND

In the morning: Post Office Bay

You will land on a beach and head to a spot where 18th century whalers placed a wooden barrel used as an unofficial mail box. The custom  continues  to this day with Galapagos visitors. So, don’t  forget your postcards,  and don’t  be surprised if the post card arrives to its destination before you even get home!

In the afternoon: Cormorant Point

Cormorant Point hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked  pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct:  The Green Beach is named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the Four Sand Beach is composed of white coral.

Afterwards: Devil’s Crown

You will have a chance to snorkel around Devil’s Crown which is the rocky remains of an offshore volcano sticking out of the water.

This is a great location to spot a wide range of marine creatures.

Accommodation: Grand Majestic 5*

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND

In the morning: Suarez Point

On the trail to Suarez Point you will have the chance to spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.

In the afternoon: Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet & Osborn Islet

This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

Accommodation: Grand Majestic 5 *

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

In the morning: Twin Craters

You will visit the Twin Craters located opposite to each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking.

Afterwards: Baltra Airport Departure

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

(Breakfast)