15 days tour

Unforgettable Ecuador Tour (15 Days)

Unforgettable Ecuador Tour (15 Days)

This tour includes:

Flights

Flights Included: Cuenca - Galapagos Galapagos - Quito

Transport

Our Ecuador tours utilize a variety of transportation including private vans/ cars, comfortable tourist buses, flights, canoes, etc. We use a mix of private/ public transportation to provide travelers with the safest and most efficient transportation in each area. If you have additional questions, just ask!

Guide

All of our tour leaders are exceptional! They are fluent in English and Spanish. They are from the local areas where they guide and are among the very best guides available in each region. Our tour leaders treat our travelers like friends, showing visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.

Meals

Some meals are included. We have tried to balance flexibility and convenience regarding meal options. For this reason, we include meals on any of our tour days when you are traveling off the beaten path where restaurant choices are limited. For example, meals are usually included on all of the rainforest and Galapagos segments of our Ecuadorian tours. In the major cities, where there are a wide variety of restaurants, very few lunches or dinners will not be included, to allow our travelers the flexibility of choosing their own food preferences. Your tour leader or hotel staff can recommend some great restaurant options. (Please check itinerary for detail on meals included each day.)

Accommodation

In Ecuador, we use charming accommodations that are locally owned and characteristic of the area. They can best be compared to small, family run bed and breakfasts, although you can also easily find international chain hotels around. All the hotels we have selected for the tours have private bathrooms, hot water, and clean comfortable rooms. Most are located within walking distance of the town center and the reception generally speaks English. You can also find historic haciendas in the Ecuadorian countryside, which provide comfortable accommodations complete with walking or horseback riding trails that trail through nearby orchards or forests.

Not included:

Insurance

Trip insurance is not included in your trip cost. Ecuador Express highly encourages purchasing insurance as the unforeseeable is just that, unforeseeable. Shortly after registering for your trip your Trip Specialist will send you information if you wish to purchase travel insurance through us, or please feel free to do this with your local insurance company.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Unforgettable Ecuador Tour (15 Days)

  • Day 1 Day 1: Quito
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Quito

      After being picked up from the Mariscal Sucre International airport we will take you to the hotel and provide you with an evening welcome meeting. All general information about the 15 day tour will be provided by one of our destination experts. Roomโ€™s distribution will be provided at the hotel. Relax at your hotel in Quito for the night, and prepare for your adventure!

  • Day 2 Day 2: Quito / Machachi / Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Quito / Machachi / Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

      The adventure begins in Eloy Alfaro Train Station at Chimbacalle, from where we depart southwards to the โ€œAvenue of the Volcanoesโ€. Pichincha, Atacazo, Pasochoa, the Viudita, Rumiรฑahui volcanoes, among others flank the railway. The road descends through the โ€œjungles of Panzaleoโ€ where the wood for building the churches of Quito came from, through grasslands, croplands and haciendas. In Tambillo and Machachi you can enjoy the cuisine and culture of the chagras, the Ecuadorian cowboys. In El Boliche, the recreation area of Cotopaxi National Park, we discover its singular flora and fauna in an easy walk, then return to Machachi for lunch (not included) and the chance to visit the โ€œGranja La Estaciรณnโ€, a beautifully kept farm home of native and exotic animals. Tonight, we will stay in a hacienda hotel where we will enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Cotopaxi National Park.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Cotopaxi / Quilotoa Lake / Saquisili / Pujili / Zumbagua / Ilinizas National Park / Banos
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Cotopaxi / Quilotoa Lake / Saquisili / Pujili / Zumbagua / Ilinizas National Park / Banos

      After a magical breakfast in the Cotopaxi foothills, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world we will go to the lagoon of Quilotoa. We will pass through the indigenous markets of Saquisili, Pujili, and Zumbahua. We continue to the viewpoint of the Quilotoa lagoon located at 3800 meters above sea level, in the ecological reserve of the Ilinizas. The color of the water depends on the sunlight, so it can be emerald green, bluish green or almost yellow; creating a magical unique experience. We will descend walking (approx 45 min) to the caldera where the lagoon is located. The return will take about 90 min approx. Villagers offer the option of horseback riding (optional). We will visit the indigenous community of Tigua, where its inhabitants will share their history, traditions, legends and customs through miniature paintings. In the afternoon we will arrive to the city of Baรฑos.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Banos
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Banos

      After relaxing in the hot springs, we will have breakfast at the hotel. Later we will visit the zoo and you will have the rest of the day free to experience this picturesque little town. There are endless activities to do in Baรฑos so choose your favorite and enjoy your time here. Our guide tour will have many suggestions and alternatives for you!

  • Day 5 Day 5: Banos / Puyo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Banos / Puyo

      We enter the jungle and experience the majestic landscapes, rivers and mountains. We will go along waterfall route (Agoyan, pailon del diablo and mantle of the bride). After lunch we continue our journey further into the jungle until we reach our hotel in Palora.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Puyo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Puyo

      This day will be for full enjoyment of nature, we will go on a jungle tour through rivers and trails. You will enjoy many activities such as tubing, rafting, canoe tours, and more! All this while appreciating the magnificent wildlife and biodiversity that are unique to this part of the world.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Puyo / Macas / Chordeleg / Cuenca
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Puyo / Macas / Chordeleg / Cuenca

      On our way to Cuenca we will pass through Macas a beautiful small town of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Then we will go through Gualaceo and Chordeleg, famous villages for their silver and gold jewelry elaboration. We will visit one of the fabrics where they prepare jewelry. Lunch, in the afternoon, we will visit the multiple handicraft stores of Cuenca city.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Cuenca / Ingapirca
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Cuenca / Ingapirca

      In the morning we will visit the Ingapirca Ruins, one of the most important infrastructures of the Inca period. Then we will return to Cuenca for a city tour of the main tourist attractions of Cuenca, this city is considered a Cultural Heritage for its immense colonial wealth, we will visit the Cathedral, with its magnificent blue domes, โ€œPlaza de las Herrerรญasโ€ , โ€œParque de las Floresโ€ , after lunch In the afternoon we will visit Monument to the โ€œChola Cuencanaโ€, a symbol of the city, the โ€œTomebambaโ€ Canyon and the Turi viewpoint.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Cuenca / Isla Santa Cruz
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Cuenca / Isla Santa Cruz

      Transfer to the Airport. In the morning we depart from Cuenca to Baltra Island and transfer to Santa Cruz Island. Accommodation in HOTEL PALMERAS. In the afternoon we will go to a private RANCH located in the highlands of the Island. We will walk along paths surrounded by the rich vegetation of the island. In this area we will find a large number of freshwater turtles in their natural state. We will go through a lava tunnel that is approximately 800 meters long. We will also visit the Twin Craters. Tour not guided, exclusive for sighting and photography.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Isla San Cristobal
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Isla San Cristobal

      6am pick up from hotel. Departure from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Pick up of hotel 06h00. Departure from Santa Cruz to San Cristรณbal at 07h00โ€ฏโ€ฏ Scheduled visits:โ€ฏ * Kicker Rock: One of the most impressive landmarks of the Islands, It consists of two giant volcanic rocks that tower 140 meters tall. From a distance it looks like a gigantic sleeping lion, which is why it has its name in Spanish โ€œEl leon dormidoโ€. Between the two rocks a channel is formed, an ideal spot for snorkeling, where you will see sharks, hammerhead sharsk, endless types of tropical fish, rays, turtles, sea lions, and more. This area is known as "marvelous marine world". Box-lunch on board the boat.โ€ฏ * Manglecito Beach: This stop consists of two visiting areas: the mangrove area and the beach area. The mangrove area provides a perfect location for interpretation and observation of marine birds, whereas the beach area is used as a solely recreational area. There is a lagoon here where it is common to see Galapagos ducks, among other endemic and native species. The presence of a rocky reef on one side of the island produces waves that are ideal for surfing. The return to Santa Cruz Island is at approximately 3:00 p.m.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Tortuga Bay
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Tortuga Bay

      Breakfast. We will visit the Charles Darwin Scientific Station in the morning. This is a research center for the conservation of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon will go walk along along a trail that will lead us to the magnificent and impressive beach TORTUGA BAY. It is characterized by its white sand beach and by the presence of a longitudinal dune that divides it into two beaches that contrast completely, thus, the one is calm and closed, ideal for kayaking; the other one of strong and open waves, ideal for surfing.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Isla Bartolome
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Isla Bartolome

      In the morning, weโ€™ll have an early departure to Bartolome Island. Where we will visit one of the most beautiful places of the archipelago with breathtaking landscapes. We will be able to observe the landscape of the two bays of Bartolomรฉ, it is separated by a dune populated partially by mangroves. In one of these bays we will see Pinnacle Rock, a famous leaning tower of natural rock and a beach of golden sand where we can have a refreshing swim. On the other bay, we can find a beach of white sand and crystal-clear waters. We will see the colorful Galapagos crabs, penguins and sea lions. Breakfast and lunch aboard the yacht.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Quito / Papallacta
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Quito / Papallacta

      After breakfast we will fly to Quito. From here we will go to Papallacta, one of the most captivating and relaxing hot springs in South America.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Papallacta / La Mitad Del Mundo / Quito
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Papallacta / La Mitad Del Mundo / Quito

      After leaving from Papallacta we will visit the world-famous monument of the middle of the world and the intiรฑan museum. We will have city tour in the afternoon and explore the city, and at night we will enjoy a farewell dinner followed by a Jacchigua Ballet presentation. This performance is considered the best folkloric representation in the continent.

  • Day 15 Day 15: Quito
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Quito

      We will be taken back to the โ€œMariscal Sucreโ€ International Airport, to catch our flight back to our city of origin. End of Tour!

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 2 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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