South America · Ecuador
Fifteen days in Ecuador with a private driver: Quito, the Amazon rainforest, the Andean villages of Salinas and Guamote, Ingapirca and Cuenca, then four nights in the Galápagos on San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz.
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Indicative price from
€3,699
per person
This itinerary is a starting point: we'll adapt it with you in your tailor-made proposal.
Request informationA journey through Ecuador's three worlds. From colonial Quito you descend into the Amazon rainforest, with a local guide and a meeting with the communities who live there, then climb back up to Baños, among waterfalls and volcanoes.
Next comes the most authentic side of the Andes: Salinas de Guaranda, a village known for its cheese, chocolate and wool cooperatives, the indigenous market of Guamote, the Inca ruins of Ingapirca and Cuenca, a colonial city and UNESCO site.
From Guayaquil you fly to the Galápagos: two nights on San Cristóbal and two on Santa Cruz, among sea lions, iguanas and giant tortoises. Before heading home, the Otavalo market.
Private trip with a Spanish-speaking driver and local guides in the Amazon and Salinas; Galápagos flights included.
15 days in the programme
Welcome to Ecuador. Departure from Italy on a scheduled flight to Quito. On arrival, private transfer to the hotel.
The colonial capital. A day devoted to Quito, whose historic centre is a UNESCO site: Plaza Grande, the Compañía church and the San Francisco monastery. On request, with an Italian-speaking guide.
Into the rainforest. The descent from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. With a local guide you explore the forest and meet the communities who live there. Lunch and dinner included.
Waterfalls and volcanoes. Last hours in the forest, then back up to Baños, at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano. Along the way, the waterfalls of the Ruta de las Cascadas, such as the Pailón del Diablo.
The cooperative village. Transfer to Salinas de Guaranda, a high-altitude village known for its community cooperatives making cheese, chocolate and wool goods. A visit with a local guide.
The indigenous market. Transfer to Guamote, among the indigenous communities of the highlands. Its weekly market is one of the most authentic in the Andes.
The Inca site and the colonial city. Heading south with a stop at Ingapirca, the most important Inca archaeological site in Ecuador, with its Temple of the Sun. On to Cuenca.
To the coast. A morning in Cuenca's historic centre, a UNESCO site, between the blue-domed cathedral and the toquilla straw hat workshops. Then the road descends from the Andes through El Cajas National Park to Guayaquil.
Flight to the Galápagos. Flight to San Cristóbal island and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. A first encounter with the sea lions, which rest even on the waterfront.
Sea lions and frigatebirds. A day on the island: the sea lion colony at La Lobería, Cerro Tijeretas with its frigatebirds and the beaches along the coast. On request, a boat trip to Kicker Rock.
Crossing by boat. Boat crossing to Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz island. Time for the Charles Darwin Research Station and the harbour.
Giant tortoises and lava tunnels. A day in the island's highlands: the giant tortoises roaming free at Las Primicias ranch and the lava tunnels. A free afternoon, perhaps at Tortuga Bay beach.
Back to the Andes. Transfer to Baltra airport, across the Itabaca Channel, and flight to Quito. On arrival, transfer to Otavalo, in the north of the country.
The market and the flight home. A morning at the Otavalo craft market, in Plaza de los Ponchos. Transfer to Quito airport and flight home. Night on board.
End of the trip. Arrival in Italy.
