Features

Day 1

Travel from Europe to Quito

Pick-up by your German-speaking guide at the airport. Transfer to the very beautiful colonial boutique hotel Patio Andaluz or Casona de la Ronda. First discussion of your dream trip.

The rest of the day is free to get used to, overnight in Quito. (Meals on the plane)

Day 2

Quito - City Tour

Today you will experience the charming capital of Ecuador, whose colonial city center has been declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.

Quito (2.850 m) is rightly called the most beautiful capital of Latin America.

You take a city tour: (see also note below) with the following highlights:

"Plaza de la Independencia" with the cathedral, "La Compañía" (former Jesuit church), "Panecillo" (viewpoint high above Quito) and much more

In the afternoon visit to the equatorial line and the associated museum. Overnight in Quito. F / - / -

Note:
The historic old town of the Ecuadorian capital is now car-free on Sundays!

In this way, the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site is to be protected from damage caused by noise and exhaust fumes.

The old town was built on the ruins of the former capital of the northern Inca Empire and has been completely preserved.

Day 3

Quito - at your disposal

 Free day in Quito. For example, you can take a trip to the local mountain, the Pichincha (4.782 m), and take the cable car

drive up (fare approx. 4 USD).

The Teleférico, the highest cable car in South America, takes passengers from 2.950 to 4.050 meters to the Pichincha volcano.

The total length of the cable car route is 2.5 km, which can be covered in just under a quarter of an hour.

Arrived on the "Cruz Loma", the visitor can expect a fantastic view of Quito and the Andes. Overnight in Quito. F / - / -

Day 4

Otavalo

Today's excursion takes you on the Panamericana Norte to Otavalo, on the way you pass Tabacundo, among other things, where you can catch a glimpse of the rose plantations.

Today you will visit the world-famous handicraft market in Otavalo with your German-speaking guide.

First we explore the Plaza de los Ponchos, which is the central point of the colorful market.

There you will observe the traditional Otavalo Indians dressed in traditional costumes and you can haggle for souvenirs.

For lunch you will visit the community of San Clemente, where you will eat with the members and also get to know their daily life and activities better.

It is a very special encounter! In the late afternoon you will stop at your hacienda near Otavalo. B / L / - 4 * Hacienda Cusin (standard double room)

Day 5

Otavalo papallacata

After breakfast you drive to the crater lake Laguna Cuicocha, the "guinea pig lake", where you can go for a hike.

From the middle of the approx. 3000m high and over 200m deep lake rise two small islands of volcanic origin, which are overgrown with a kind of reed.

Later you can stroll in the small streets of Cotacachi, famous for its high quality leather goods.

The next section of our journey takes you to the so-called “Oriente”, the Ecuadorian rainforest.

On the way you have several possibilities to observe the change of landscape and to visit the famous thermal baths of Papallacta.

In the afternoon, unwind and relax in the thermal springs of Papallacta.

Overnight in Papallacta. F / - / - 3 * Hosteria Termas de Papallacta 

Day 6

Papallacta-Cotopaxi National Park

Early in the morning drive on the Panamericana to the Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world.

If you want, you can go up from the car park for around 1 hour to the José-Rivas Refuge.

Afterwards you take an optional hike through the lahar fields along the Limpiopungo lagoon, a lake at an altitude of 3.800m.

which is located at the foot of the Rumiñahui mountain (lunch box included).

In the afternoon drive to the hacienda where we will stay overnight. F / LB / - 4 * Hacienda La Cienega (standard double room)

Day 7

Cotopaxi Baños

You continue towards Baños, a beautiful place at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano (5.016m).

Baños is a tranquil mountain town, which is also known as the "gateway to the jungle", as the highlands here gradually merge into the jungle region.

Today you take a trip to the picturesque surroundings of Baños with its numerous waterfalls, such as the "Pailón del diablo" or the "El Manto de la Novia".

Today you also have some time to explore the idyllic small town of Baños on a walk.

Afterwards you drive to a lookout point in Baños, from where you have a great view of the often active volcano Tungurahua.

Overnight in the best hotel in Baños with a great view of the city and the volcano.

In the afternoon you can enjoy some free time in the hotel's spa area. Dinner. B / - / A 5 * Hotel Spa Luna Runtun (standard double room)

Day 8

Baños / Chimborazo / Riobamba

 We leave Baños and drive over a scenic route to the imposing snow-capped volcano "Chimborazo", the highest volcano in Ecuador at 6.310 m.

Ascent to the 1st refuge at 4.800 m. Those who feel fit enough can climb from there to the second refuge (5.000 m).

Enjoy a fantastic view of the lunar landscape.

There is hardly any vegetation here, the landscape is bizarre, shaped by lava sand and with a little luck you will see rare vicuñas from the lama family. Short lunch break at the hut.

In the afternoon you will arrive in Riobamba. Here you have the opportunity to take a little stroll through town.

Dinner and overnight in a charming hacienda in Riobamba. F / - / -

Day 9

Riobamba / Alausi / Ingapirca / Cuenca

In the morning you take the Andes train from Riobamba via Alausí to Sibambe and cross the famous switchbacks.

A unique experience! In Sibambe the train turns around and goes back to Alausí. From Alausi the journey continues to the very beautiful colonial city of Cuenca.

On the way you will get to know the Inca ruins of Ingapirca in good weather.

Overnight in Cuenca in what is probably the most beautiful colonial boutique hotel in Cuenca called Mansion Alcazar. F / LB / -

Abbreviation LB = lunch box for the train journey

Important note:
If the train does not run due to technical problems, for example, the entire route is covered by bus.

Day 10

Cuenca-Guayaquil

Morning city tour through the colonial Andean city of Cuenca, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Cuenca, the "secret capital", is a cultural center and famous for its traditional handicrafts and ceramics.

At noon we continue towards the seething coastal metropolis of Guayaquil.

On the drive to Guayaquil we cross the high pass in the area of ​​the national park "El Cajas".

Here we make a short stop to marvel at the beautiful lagoon landscape.

Since there are no colonial boutique hotels in Guayaquil, we stay at the 4-star Hotel Wyhndam Guayaquil right on the banks of the Rio Guayas. F / - / -

Day 11 - Day 18

Galápagos cruise (7 or 8 days)

Catamaran with an English-speaking guide! (We have 3 dates in 2018 with a German-speaking guide, see dates!)

You will be brought to the airport, from where you will fly to Galápagos (non-stop flight of approx. 1 ½ hours, usually Boeing 727).

Here you will go on board the catamaran Treasure of Galápagos (7 day cruise) or on the catamaran Seaman Journey (here 8 day cruise!), Which will be your home for the next few days. 

Catamaran Treasure of Galápagos

More information about the Galapagos ships can be found in what is probably the most comprehensive Galapagos ship portal in the world at www.galapagos.de

Catamaran Seaman Journey 

You can request the current detailed route from us!

Full board during the cruise! (except drinks, tea and coffee included)

(We reserve the right to change the cruise route.)

The turquoise Galápagos sea invites you to snorkel 
(Rental fee for snorkeling equipment included during the cruise, available up to fin size 45!).

Day 18

Galapagos / Guayaquil / return flight to Europe

Disembarkation and flight back to Guayaquil, flight back to Europe in the evening. F / - / - (meals on the plane)

Day 19

Arrival in Europe

Arrival in Europe, onward flight to home airport. End of a dream trip.