We Love —
- Exploring the city of Quito from its historical sites to its natural wonders.
- The plethora of optional excursions available to enjoy on free days.
- Experiencing the wonders of the Puerto Lopez and seeing the wildlife of the region.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Itinerary In Brief —
The cosmopolitan Quito is a city of contrasts, located high in the Andes. Expect a warm and relaxed, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture with market stands and artisans mixed with a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.
The city's historic centre is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can discover the Carondelet Palace, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the Botanical Gardens and the Plaza Grande.
Puerto Lopez is a quiet fishing village and is the perfect base from which to explore the natural wonders and plentiful wildlife on the coastline of Ecuador.
Our offers:
7 nights
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Day 2: Quito
Day 3: Quito
Day 4: Quito -Riobamba
Day 5: Riobamba - Cuenca
Day 6: Cuenca
Day 7: Cuenca
Day 8: Cuenca - Guayaquil
3-Night Puerto Lopez Extension:
Day 9: Guayaquil
Day 10: Puerto Lopez
Day 11: Puerto Lopez
Day 12: Puerto Lopez - Guayaquil
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Days 1-4
Day 1: Quito
Arrival and welcome at Quito airport by your English speaking guide.
Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at your leisure.
Night in Quito
Day 2: Quito
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a free day in the city of Quito and choose one of the two optional excursions to explore the city!
Choose between a 4-hour historical tour of Quito. You will start in the north of the city with a tour of the most important commercial areas, where most of the hotels in Quito are located.
You will then go to the historical centre to visit the Basilica of the National Vote, where you will make a brief stop and then head on to the Plaza de la Independencia, where, through a pedestrian route, you will be able to see the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Church of the Compañía, known for its impressive ornaments and gold altars. You will then continue to the Church of San Francisco built in the 17th century. (Entrance to the churches is not included). This will be followed by a museum visit and a tour of more important, historical areas in Quito.
Or opt for the 3- hour Mitad Del Mundo Tour where you go north to the "Mitad del Mundo", where you can see the monument that separates the northern and southern hemispheres of the planet. You will learn about the history of this monument.
Lunch and dinner are not included.
Overnight in Quito.
Day 3: Quito
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day in the city of Quito.
Choose between the 8-hour Otavalo Craft Market Excursion or the 12-hour Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Lake excursion.
Day 4: Quito - Riobamba
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive south along the famous avenue of volcanoes, where you can observe (depending on weather conditions) various elevations such as Cotopaxi, Illinizas, among others.
Lunch is included in a community restaurant.
Continuation to the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, where you can see the highest volcano in Ecuador. Chimborazo (6 310 m). Walk through the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve.
Panoramic tour of the city's historic centre.
Complimentary dinner and overnight in Riobamba.
Days 5-8
Day 5: Riobamba - Cuenca
Breakfast at the hotel in Riobamba, departure to the south of the country, visit of the church of Blabanera, the oldest in Ecuador, then a stop is made at the Laguna de Colta.
Lunch not included
Continuation to the south, you will cross typical Andean landscapes, and go to the ruins of Ingapirca, the most important Inca construction of Ecuador. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Cuenca and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at own expense and overnight in Cuenca.
Day 6: Cuenca
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the beautiful city of Cuenca, a jewel of Spanish colonial architecture built on the ruins of the Inca village of Tomebamba. Then you will visit the Museum of Aboriginal Culture which has the best archaeological collection in the city.
Lunch not included
In the afternoon, you can choose between free time to walk around the city (without a guide) or visit a famous orchid plantation located in Gualaceo with a guide (entrance fee of $7 not included).
Dinner at own expense and overnight in Cuenca
Day 7: Cuenca - Guayaquil
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to a toquilla straw hat factory and its museum. Departure from Cuenca to continue towards the Pacific coast. You will cross the national park El Cajas and its lake at 4000 meters of altitude: La Toredora.
Lunch not included
In the afternoon, arrive in Guayaquil, the main port of the country and visit the Malecón 2000, the Seminario park where you can see iguanas, the cathedral of the government palace and the district of Las Peñas.
Dinner at own expense and overnight in Guayaquil
Day 8: Guayaquil and Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Puerto Lopez or an international flight home.
Puerto Lopez Extension
Day 8: Guayaquil - Puerto Lopez
Breakfast at the hotel in Guayaquil followed by the transit to Puerto Lopez.
Check-in and settle into the hotel.
Dinner at own cost and night at the hotel.
Day 9: Puerto Lopez
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit the island of La Plata.
La Plata Island has curiously the same kind of vegetation as the famous Galapagos archipelago, except that it is not a volcanic island. You can find species of seabirds such as herons, pelicans, frigates, falcons, masked boobies, blue and red-footed boobies and also albatrosses, with their mating ritual which is a unique spectacle. There are opportunities for swimming and diving.
From mid-June to the end of September, it is possible to observe humpback whales that come to the equatorial area for the mating period and give birth in the warm water of the Pacific Ocean, precisely on the coast of Ecuador.
Packed lunch
Return to Puerto López
Dinner at your own expense
Night at the hotel.
Day 10: Puerto Lopez
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit the beach of Frailes, a small isolated bay with grey-white sand, the most beautiful bay on the coast. You can tour the bay in 2 hours, passing by a viewpoint with a breathtaking view.
Visit the Agua Blanca community, here you can learn about the remains of the Manteña culture, admire the dry and tropical forests, or enjoy the medicinal properties that are attributed to the waters of its sulphur lagoon.
Lunch at your own cost
Return to Puerto López
Dinner at your own cost.
Night at the hotel.
Day 11: Puerto Lopez- Guyayquil - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Guayaquil airport.
Arrival at Guayaquil airport and flight back to the UK.
Your Hotels —
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
You will stay in a Standard Room or similar in these hotels during the tour:
- Quito: Ibis Hotel
- Riobamba: Hotel Casa Real
- Cuenca: Carvallo Hotel
- Guayaquil: Hotel Unipark
Your Dining Choices
This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay.
Your Optional Excursions —
Optional Quito City Your
Enjoy a historical tour of Quito where you will start in the north of the city with a tour along the most important commercial areas, where most of the hotels in Quito are located.
Optional Tour of Mitad Del Mundo
You will go north to the "Mitad del Mundo", where you can see the monument that separates the northern and southern hemispheres of the planet. It was built in the 18th century when the French scientific expedition defined the exact position of the equator line that divides the world. This includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex where you can enjoy the cultural experience of the attractions of this incredible place.
Optional Otavalo Craft Market Excursion
Departure from Quito to take the North Pan-American Highway to Cayambe, where passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious "Cayambe Biscuits", a type of biscuit or bread, made in a clay oven (accompanied by sheet cheese or sweet milk). We will then have a brief stop at "Miralago", to admire a magnificent view of Lake San Pablo, we will continue until we reach Otavalo where the indigenous people of the region, "Otavalos", make their fabrics.
Those who wish to do so can choose between staying in this area and our bus will pick them up on the way back to Cotacachi (they will not have this visit) or continue the visit to Cotacachi, well known for its clothing and leather crafts. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit an Andean instrument workshop "Ñanda Mañachi" located in Peguche.
Once in Cotacachi, you will have enough time to visit the town, the leather shops and free time for lunch (not included). Return to Quito and pick up the passengers who stayed in Otavalo (meeting point and time established by the Gray Line Ecuador guide).
** The bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up the passengers who stayed at this stop, after which it will return to Quito with those who are on board.
Optional Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Lake Excursion
Early morning departure to take the "Panamericana Sur" highway enjoying beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems, as a clear example of the majesty of the Andes. You will continue to Cotopaxi National Park, reaching the foothills of the impressive active volcano. You will visit the park's museum, the Limpiopungo lagoon and, with an interesting walk, we will reach the Chuquirahuas forest at 4200 meters of altitude. (Weather permitting).
You will then arrive at the Quilotoa volcano, which has an impressive turquoise lagoon in its crater, making it one of the most beautiful landscapes in Ecuador. You will then take a short walk to enjoy the magnificent view of the volcano (weather permitting).
Free time for lunch (not included).
Your Journey to Ecuador —
Flights:
You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers:
It may be possible to add return airport transfers at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee (flight inclusive offers only - subject to availability). For inbound transfer arrangements, please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
Your Destination —
A city located high in the Andes, cosmopolitan Quito is a city of contrasts. Expect a warm and relaxed, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture with market stands and artisans mixed with a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene. The city's historic centre is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can discover the Carondelet Palace, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the Botanical Gardens and the Plaza Grande.
Visit the Quito Cathedral, the Government Palace and the Archbishop's Palace. Be sure not to miss a jacchigua show and try llapiganchos (fried potato pancakes). Head to Mitad del Mundi, where you'll visit the monument to the Equator - Quito is sure to win you over!
