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Itinerary Starting In Quito

Day 1:

Transfer Airport/ Hotel in Quito. Accommodation.

Day 2: Sumerge into Ancestral Otavalo Culture

Meals: Breakfast

Departure from our designated hotels in Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce).  After admiring Lake San Pablo, we will arrive at the Otavalo Market, the largest in America, where the indigenous people of the area, known as "Otavalos", one of Ecuador's most recognized ethnic groups, make and sell their textiles and handicrafts.

Passengers may choose between to stay in this area and enjoy more time from the market and our bus will pick them up at the end of the tour (they will not have the visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha), or continue with the journey to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an Andean instrument workshop ""Ñanda Mañachi"" located in the area of Peguche, to spend some special moments with the local people and understand the Andean culture.

In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included).

Later we will visit the Ecological Reserve where the Cuicocha lagoon is located, inside the crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, which originated after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. And if the weather permits it will be possible to make a walk by the lagoon, that is to say sailing in the crater of the volcano in small boats (with additional cost).

** Bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up passangers that stayed there, and after that will return to Quito and their respective hotels or starting point.

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast

1914 Original trolley city tour of Quito + Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World

We will visit the historic centre, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.

Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the ""Winged Virgin"", where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political centre of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.

We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighbourhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city. (Entrance to churches are not included).

We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World”.

We go to the ""Middle of the World City"", where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.

Day 4: Excursion Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Meals: Breakfast

Depart from Quito where you enjoy the journey to the highlands of Ecuador admiring the beautiful view, ideal for taking pictures, brief stop Cotopaxi National Park (entrance not included), arrival at Riobamba city, and accommodation in a typical hacienda.

*If it is not operating the Cotopaxi National Park due to volcanic activity, you will visit the Quilotoa volcano and the unique turquoise lagoon situated in his crater.

* Does not include access to the Cotopaxi National Park.

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast departure to the train station located in Alausí. From her we’ll enjoy a train ride towards the famous “Devil’s Nose”, a magnificent work incrusted in the Andes, (train ride takes approx. 2 hours). Continue to Cuenca visiting the Inca ruins in Ingapirca (does not include entrance), arrival and accommodation in Cuenca.    

Operation of the train is subject to modifications with our previous notice.

Day 6: City Tour Cuenca

Meals: Breakfast

We will travel through the city visiting the Calderon Park, the New and the Old Cathedral, the Flower Market, Modern Arts Museum. We continue the tour to the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory to observe the complete process of manufacturing. We will also observe the “broken bridge” and finally visit the tourist balcony of “Turi” where we can see a panoramic view of the whole city of Cuenca.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer Cuenca / Guayaquil. We leave from Cuenca to “Cajas National Park” known for its glacial lakes and high mountain vegetation. Here we will walk through this beautiful place to see some of the lakes and primary forest. We will also visit “3 Cruses” which forms the continental water division. We will walk to observe this curious place. From this point we will begin a dramatic decline to reach the coast of Ecuador. Starting we will begin observing the Andean mountain scenery and then ending up seeing totally different vegetation of the Ecuadorian Coast with large plantations of bananas and cocoa beans. Arrive to Guayaquil.

Day 8: City Tour Guayaquil

Meals: Breakfast

Traveling along the main streets and avenues of the city we will visit the Seminario Park, The Guayaquil embankment, La Rotonda; the colonial neighborhood of Las Peñas, where we can admire the magnificent wood architecture.  From here we can take a panoramic view of Guayaquil and the Guayas River.

Day 9: Transfer Hotel / Airport for your flight to Galapagos

Meals: Breakfast

Welcome at the Baltra airport and transfer by public buses to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. (Transfer operates daily at 13h00). Accommodation.

**It will be possible to operate transfers without visits and without guide at the following times: 10h00 and 15h00** (previous request)

Day 10:

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 40minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, with white sand and green mangroves. “Playa mansa” is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach.  Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, tour around the bay on board a yacht, starting with a visit to “La Lobería”, named because of the presence of sea lions. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel. Then we proceed with our tour to the “Canal del Amor”, a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in “Playa de los Perros”.  Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora.

*Note: shipping used in this excursion is a boat engine with capacity for 16 people. This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Day 11:

Meals: Breakfast

Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Bartolomé & Bahía Sullivan, Seymour & Bachas, Plazas & Punta Carrión, Santa Fe or similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.

** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

Day 12:

Meals: Breakfast

We will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a public bus that takes you to the airport. On the route from the hotel to the canal, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the craters ""Los Gemelos"", crater holes formed by the collapse of materials, surrounded by scalesia's forests. (Transfer operates daily at 07h00, 09h00 and 12h00). Includes only transport.

Itinerary Starting In Guayaquil

Day 1:

Transfer Airport / Hotel. Lodging

Day 2: Transfer Hotel / Airport for your flight to Galapagos

Meals: Breakfast

Welcome at the Baltra airport and transfer by public buses to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. (Transfer operates daily at 13h00). Accommodation

**It will be possible to operate transfers without visits and without guide at the following times: 10h00 and 15h00** (previous request)

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Bartolomé & Bahía Sullivan, Seymour & Bachas, Plazas & Punta Carrión, Santa Fe or similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.

** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

Day 4:

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 40minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, with white sand and green mangroves. “Playa mansa” is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach.  Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, tour around the bay on board a yacht, starting with a visit to “La Lobería”, named because of the presence of sea lions. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel. Then we proceed with our tour to the “Canal del Amor”, a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in “Playa de los Perros”.  Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora.

*Note: shipping used in this excursion is a boat engine with capacity for 16 people. This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast

We will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a public bus that takes you to the airport. On the route from the hotel to the canal, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the craters ""Los Gemelos"", crater holes formed by the collapse of materials, surrounded by scalesia's forests. (Transfer operates daily at 07h00, 09h00 and 12h00). Includes only transport.

Transfer Airport / Hotel in Quito, Lodging.

Day 6: Sumerge into Ancestral Otavalo Culture

Meals: Breakfast

Departure from our designated hotels in Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce).  After admiring Lake San Pablo, we will arrive at the Otavalo Market, the largest in America, where the indigenous people of the area, known as ""Otavalos"", one of Ecuador's most recognized ethnic groups, make and sell their textiles and handicrafts.

Passengers may choose between to stay in this area and enjoy more time from the market and our bus will pick them up at the end of the tour (they will not have the visit to Cotacachi and Cuicocha), or continue with the journey to the town of Cotacachi, recognized for leather clothing and crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an andean instrument workshop ""Ñanda Mañachi"" located in the area of Peguche, to spend some special moments with the local people and understand the Andean culture.

In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included).

Later we will visit the Ecological Reserve where the Cuicocha lagoon is located, inside the crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, which originated after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago. And if the weather permits it will be possible to make a walk by the lagoon, that is to say sailing in the crater of the volcano in small boats (with additional cost).

** Bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up passangers that stayed there, and after that will return to Quito and their respective hotels or starting point.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast

1914 Original trolley city tour of Quito + Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World.

We will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.

Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the ""Winged Virgin"", where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.

We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city. (Entrance to churches are not included).

We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World”.

We go to the ""Middle of the World City"", where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.

Day 8: Excursion Avenue of the Volcanoes

Meals: Breakfast

Depart from Quito where you enjoy the journey to the highlands of Ecuador admiring the beautiful view, ideal for taking pictures, brief stop Cotopaxi National Park (entrance not included), arrival at Riobamba city, and accommodation in a typical hacienda.

*If it is not operating the Cotopaxi National Park due to volcanic activity, you will visit the Quilotoa volcano and the unique turquoise lagoon situated in his crater.

* Does not include access to the Cotopaxi National Park.

Day 9:

Meals: Breakfast

departure to the train station located in Alausí. From her we´ll enjoy a train ride towards the famous “Devil’s Nose”, a magnificent work incrusted in the Andes, (train ride takes approx. 2 hours). Continue to Cuenca visiting the Inca ruins in Ingapirca (does not include entrance), arrival and accommodation in Cuenca.   

 ** Operation of the train is subject to modifications with our previous notice

Day 10: City Tour Cuenca

Meals: Breakfast

We will travel through the city visiting the Calderon Park, the New and the Old Cathedral, the Flower Market, Modern Arts Museum. We continue the tour to the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory to observe the complete process of manufacturing. We will also observe the “broken bridge” and finally visit the tourist balcony of “Turi” where we can see a panoramic view of the whole city of Cuenca.

Day 11: Transfer Cuenca / Guayaquil.

Meals: Breakfast

We leave from Cuenca to “Cajas National Park” known for its glacial lakes and high mountain vegetation. Here we will walk through this beautiful place to see some of the lakes and primary forest. We will also visit “3 Cruses” which forms the continental water division. We will walk to observe this curious place. From this point we will begin a dramatic decline to reach the coast of Ecuador. Starting we will begin observing the Andean mountain scenery and then ending up seeing totally different vegetation of the Ecuadorian Coast with large plantations of bananas and cocoa beans. Arrive to Guayaquil.

Day 12: City Tour Guayaquil

Meals: Breakfast

Traveling along the main streets and avenues of the city we will visit the Seminario Park, The Guayaquil embankment, La Rotonda; the colonial neighborhood of Las Peñas, where we can admire the magnificent wood architecture.  From here we can take a panoramic view of Guayaquil and the Guayas River. Transfer to take international flight.""

Day 1 : Quito

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Quito. On arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 : Quito

Enjoy a guided city tour of Quito.

Day 3 : Hacienda Cusin

Travel north along the Pan America highway through pretty villages to your rural hacienda.

Day 4 : Quito

An early start to visit the colourful and vibrant market at Otavalo. You will have time to explore and perhaps barter for goods before returning to Quito for the night.

Day 5 : Riobamba

Travel down the Avenue of Volcanoes with your private guide, exploring en route and enjoying the views of Cotopaxi.

Day 6 : Cuenca

Onward to Cuenca, with a train ride along the Devils Nose.

Day 7 : Cuenca

Explore Cuenca colonial city with your guide, including one of the famous panama hat factories.

Day 8 : Guayaquil

Travel by road through the beautiful El Cajas National Park all the way to sea level and Guayaquil.

Day 9 : Galapagos Islands

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to the Galapagos islands. Here you will be met by a member of your hotel who will take you to your accommodation.

Day 10 : Galapagos Islands

Today you'll take a yacht trip to either North Seymour Island or Santa Island. At North Seymour, you can take a guided walk through woods of palo santo trees in order to observe colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. At Santa, you'll follow your guide on a short hike through opuntia cacti, looking out for land iguanas, lava lizards and sea lions.

Day 11 : Galapagos Islands

Today you'll visit the crescent-shaped Plazas Islands by yacht. These small islands are dense in wildlife and plant life. Prickly pear cacti and the low-lying succulent plant sesuvium (which changes hues with the seasons) carpet the island. You have a good chance of seeing sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas.

Day 12 : Galapagos Islands

Today you'll visit Bartolomé Island. Here, you can climb to the island's summit for far-reaching views over the surrounding islands. It's a geologically intriguing place, with tuff cones and lava formations. The sea here is often busy with sea lions and penguins so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled.

Day 13 : International return flight

You will fly back to the mainland to connect with your international flight home.

Day 14 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.