Ecuador Disovery

TEC102: 18 Days Private Tour of Quito - Otavalo - Cotopaxi National Park - Banos - Riobamba - Cuenca - Guayaquil - Galapagos Islands - Quito
Tour Type: Private Tour, any parts of the itinerary can be customized
Guide: English-speaking driver guide, experienced and knowledgeable
Vehicle: Air-conditioned car, spacious and comfortable
Accommodation: 3 to 4-star hotels, also be open to your own choice
Meals: Authentic local cuisines and western-style food for your choice
From USD5049USD4549Free Inquiry
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Day 1 Arrival in Quito, Airport Pick-up
When you land on Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito, you will see our driver guide waiting for you at the exit of the airport. Then you will be transferred to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito
Day 2 Take Quito city tour, Visit the center of the world
Today the driver guide will escort you to explore the city of Quito, the first stop of your Ecuador private tours. First, go to Basilica del Voto Nacional, which has an impressive neo-Gothic facade. Then we will visit the Plaza de la Independenci, White Cathedral, and Government Palace from the outside. Next, go to Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus, a splendid Jesuit church. After, climb to El Panecillo to see the statue of the Virgin Mary. Then we'll visit the Intinan Solar Museum, and you can try to balance the egg on the end on the magnetic line. Finally we will visit Mitad del Mundo, which divides the northern and southern hemispheres. After the tour, send you back to the hotel for rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito
Day 3 Visit Mindo Cloud Forest
After breakfast, we will drive three hours to Mindo Cloud Forest. On the way, make a stop at the Alambi area to see hummingbirds and other birds. Upon arrival in Mindo Cloud Forest, you can join fun outdoor activities such as cabling, hiking, and visiting butterfly gardens or orchid gardens. Finally drive back to the hotel in Quito.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito
Day 4 Enjoy Otavalo Indian Market tour
Today we are going to the famous Otavalo Indian Market by car. On the way, we will pass by the Quitsato Sundial on the equator line and stop for a short visit. Another mid-way stop is Cayambe Town where you can taste delicious local snacks. Arriving at Otavalo Indian Market, one of Latin America's largest markets, you'll find a wide range of fine crafts. After that, we will come to Laguna Cuicocha which is located in the crater of the volcano. Finally, proceed to Cotacachi Town, home of leather, where you can buy some leather products from the indigenous people. After the day's sightseeing, send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito
Day 5 Visit Cotopaxi National Park
Today the driver guide will accompany you to Cotopaxi National Park in the Andes Mountain, about 1.5 hours' drive away. There, you will see snow covered Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. Then hike to the Limpiopungo Valley. The next stop is the Padre Rivas Refuge, where you can see how it is like at an elevation of nearly 16,000 feet. Tonight stay at a hotel near Cotopaxi National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hacienda La Cienega
Day 6 Take Quilotoa Lagoon full day tour, Transfer to Baños
Today the driver guide will pick you up from the hotel and head to Quilotoa Lagoon to continue the best Ecuador private tours. Because of the affluent mineral content of the lake, the lake appears to be turquoise under the sun. You can stroll along the lake or nearby paths to capture the magnificent views. Finally we will drive to the hotel in Baños.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Monte Selva Hotel
Day 7 Explore El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, Transfer from Baños to Riobamba
After breakfast we will head south along "Avenue of Waterfalls", named so because it is lined with many natural waterfalls. We will stop at the Rio Verde village to visit the famous El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall. Then drive for 1.5 hours to Riobamba to stay overnight in a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Mansion Santa Isabella
Day 8 Visit Ingapirca Inca ruins, Transfer to Cuenca
Today the driver guide will accompany you to visit Ingapirca Inca Ruins, once a holy site occupied by the Inca Empire in Ecuador. It is considered to be the most important pre-Columbian archaeological site in the country and the best preserved Inca complex in Ecuador. After that we will drive to Cuenca and check into a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Victoria
Day 9 Cuenca city tour, Visit Panama Hat Musuem
Today we will visit scenic sites in Cuenca city, including the museum, Catedral Nueva de Cuenca, Catedral Vieja de Cuenca, and Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla to learn more about the city's history and culture. Then go to the world-famous Panama hat factory and museum, where you can appreciate a wide variety of hats.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Victoria
Day 10 Take Cajas National Park tour, Transfer to Guayaquil
Today we will drive to visit Cajas National Park. It is located over 4,000 meters above sea level, covering 70,000 acres and gathering more than 700 lakes. After arriving, we will hike in the primitive forest, admiring the special trees of the Andeans Highlands and beautiful lakes along the way. Later, we will drive about three hours to Guayaquil, and stay in a local hotel tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Continental Guayaquil
Day 11 Guayaquil city tour, Visit Parque Historico
We will spend the day in Guayaquil. In the morning, visit Malecon 2000 by car. The 2.5-kilometer riverside avenue is home to many fountains, sculptures, monuments, museums, street parks, shops and restaurants. Then we will go to Las Penas and climb the 444 steps to overlook the city and the Guayas River. Finally, have a leisurely wander in Parque Historico Park, which is divided into wildlife areas and cultural areas.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Continental Guayaquil
Day 12 Fly to Galapagos Islands, Visit Tortuga Bay on Isla Santa Cruz
After breakfast, the driver guide will send you to the airport to fly to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, the local guide will escort you by ferry to Isla Santa Cruz, then change to a car to send you to the hotel at Puerto Ayora. In the afternoon, the guide will accompany you to Tortuga Bay. There, you can see white tip sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas and colorful fish; you can also take part in kayak at your own expense.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casita de la Playa
Day 13 Snorkel in Las Grietas, Transfer to Isla Isabela
After breakfast, the guide will accompany you to hike to Las Grietas Canyon where you can enjoy snorkeling. Because the water in this canyon is seawater, you can see red crabs and various seabirds. After lunch, take the speed boat to Isla Isabela and check in a local hotel for overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Isabela Beach House
Day 14 Trek to Volcano Sierra Negra, Sail to Las Tintoreras Islet
In the morning, the guide will pick you up and head to the Volcano Sierra Negra by car. The volcano is 20 km away from Puerto Villamil and owns the second largest crater in the world. We will prepare delicious box lunch for you at noon. After visiting the volcano, return to the hotel for a short break. In the afternoon, take a boat to Las Tintoreras Islet. It is a small island south of Port Villamil with clear water and beautiful scenery, where you can see penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas, not to mention a variety of tropical fish. After the tour, take the boat back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Accommodation: The Isabela Beach House
Day 15 Shared Lava Tunnels Snorkeling tour
Snorkeling is a must for any visitor coming to Isla Isabela. Today, we will take a boat to Lava Tunnels, which is west of Isabela and a great site for snorkeling. Along the way, you will have chances to see huge turtles, manta rays, penguins, sharks, and blue-footed boobies.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Isabela Beach House
Day 16 Return to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
After having breakfast, take a two-hour speed boat to go back to Isla Santa Cruz and check in the hotel. In the afternoon we will walk around the Charles Darwin Research Station and its Interpretation Center for visit. Founded in 1959, the Charles Darwin Research Station has been dedicated to protecting, restoring and sustaining the ecology of the archipelago for decades. This is a very meaningful visit in your best Ecuador private tours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casita de la Playa
Day 17 Galapagos Islands departure, Return to Quito
The driver will send you to Baltra Airport after breakfast, which will take around 45 minutes on the way. Then you can catch the flight back to Quito. Upon arrival the local driver will transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Carlton Quito
Day 18 Quito Departure, Airport See-off
Your Ecuador private tours will draw to an end today. You will be sent to the airport on time by our driver. Wish you a nice trip home!

Meals: Breakfast
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Special Deal
10% off - book 60 days before, 5% off - book 30 days before
Travelers2-3 Travelers4-5 Travelers
Year RoundUSD5439 USD4899USD5049 USD4549
  • Prices are per person on twin sharing basis.
  • The prices in red reflect 10% discount.
  • Any part of the itinerary e.g. tour length, activities & hotels can be tailored to your individual interests.
Price Includes
  • Economy class airfare of Guayaquil - Galapagos - Quito
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Service of English speaking driver guides as itinerary specifices
  • Services of private air-conditioned vehicles
  • Entrance fees for mentioned sights visited
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Quito Entrance Fee
  • Galapagos TCT Card & Galapagos Park fee USD100 per person
Price Excludes
  • International flights into and out Ecuador
  • Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Ecuador visa fee
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