Explore the best of Ecuador and the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands on this exciting and cultural adventure-packed 12-night journey, where our expert guides will show you iconic landscapes and a few hidden gems along the way. Begin your Ecuadorian adventure in the country\u2019s colonial capital Quito, by staying at the historic Casa Gangotena, located right in the heart of this UNESCO-class city. Next, you\u2019ll become a true explorer as you delve deep into the tropical Amazon rainforest, then, out of the jungle, we\u2019ll lead you up to the rustic Hacienda Zuleta, peacefully sat atop the awe-inspiring Andes. Finally, we\u2019ve organized for you to jump on board a luxury yacht, where you\u2019ll wind through the beautiful, blue coves of the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands and observe some of the world\u2019s most exotic wildlife.<\/p>\n
Where better to start your Ecuadorian adventure than in the capital Quito, where for two nights you\u2019ll rest up in luxury at the elegant mansion-turned-hotel \u2013 the Casa Gangotena. Centrally located 40 minutes from the airport, the Casa Gangotena overlooks the grand Plaza de San Francisco. A former Inca settlement bordered by Andean volcanoes, Quito is steeped in culture, and thanks to being so perfectly preserved, its old, bustling town center earned its status as one of the world\u2019s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so take a step back in time as you amble around its charming, cobbled streets on our captivating city tour. From age-old churches and plazas to fascinating museums and galleries, you\u2019ll be amazed by this city\u2019s rich colonial heritage, and having planned for you to meet the local artists, you\u2019ll be equally amazed by the range of colourful and contemporary art paintings. Since Ecuador is famous for its chocolate production, we’ve also arranged for you to try your hand at some chocolate making and testing as you go. Before you brave the jungle, you\u2019ll taste the true flavor of Ecuador as you learn to cook up an assortment of authentic local dishes at the Zazu restaurant.<\/p>\n
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From the city, we\u2019ll whisk you deep into the jungle for an unforgettable three-night experience. Settle in at Napo Wildlife Center in the heart of the Amazonian Yasuni National Park before setting off to trek ancient waterfall trails and spot rare rainforest wildlife in a natural paradise unlike any other. Be sure to see the unique parrot clay licks that the area is so well known for. Completely immersed in pristine nature, you\u2019ll be enraptured by this magical jungle realm before you make your passage high into the Andes.<\/p>\n
In the beautiful, town of Otavalo, you\u2019ll rest up for two nights at Hacienda Zuleta. An old 16th<\/sup> century working farm with a unique and spectacular view over the enchanting Andean Mountains, the colonial, yet cosy Hacienda is crammed with rustic culture. We\u2019ve prepared a local archaeologist and novelist to accompany you through the ancient Pre-Incan ruins so you\u2019ll gain a fuller picture of the region\u2019s rich past. Beyond its incredible history, the Hacienda also offers a wide range of activities within its superb landscape, from trekking and horse-riding to cycling and sewing. Having horse-ridden down the valley to visit the Hacienda\u2019s own Andean condor rehabilitation aviary, lounge on the courtyard and experience the wonder of traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. A step away from the Hacienda, we\u2019ll ensure you visit the mountain town of Otavalo, where you\u2019ll saunter its old streets and be charmed by its markets and artists \u2013 don\u2019t forget to buy your authentic, souvenir poncho. After this culture pocket, we\u2019ll drive you back to Quito before your flight to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands.<\/p>\n For your last chapter, a swift two-hour flight will take you west over the Pacific Ocean into Baltra Island airport in the stunning, seldom-seen Gal\u00e1pagos Island archipelago. From there, you\u2019ll hole up for four nights aboard the luxurious Elite where you’ll have plenty of time to both unwind on deck as well as explore one of the Pacific\u2019s most treasured gems. From your first island stop to your last, you\u2019ll meander through the Gal\u00e1pagos\u2019 coves and bays, where you\u2019ll be enthralled by the beautiful volcanic island scenery, and even more so by the locals. Abundant in flora and fauna, and where Darwin\u2019s theory of evolution found inspiration, the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are bursting with wildlife, from their Giant tortoises and diverse bird species to their wide and exotic sea life \u2013 you can even grab a chance to snorkel with sea lions. Having travelled the most part of the Gal\u00e1pagos puzzle, we\u2019ll fly you under two hours to Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador before you embark on your journey home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Explore the best of Ecuador and the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands on this exciting and cultural adventure-packed 12-night journey, where our expert guides will show you iconic landscapes and a few hidden gems along the way. Begin your Ecuadorian adventure in the country\u2019s colonial capital Quito, by staying at the historic Casa Gangotena, located right in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":210934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["Ecuador & the Galapagos"],"class_list":["post-184289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-ecuador-the-galapagos","month-april","month-august","month-december","month-february","month-january","month-july","month-june","month-march","month-may","month-november","month-october","month-september","type-experience","need-to-discover","need-to-challenge","what-adventure","what-unusual","who-couple","who-family","who-honeymoon","who-solo","who-with-friends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYour Gal\u00e1pagos Island Getaway<\/h2>\n