Quito and Canoa

Arriving in Quito you will catch a short flight out to the coast, transferring by road from Manta. After that journey, we recommend unwinding on the coast at Canoa – a charming and peaceful Pacific fishing village with just one paved street and stunning beaches.

Unwind on Canoa's tranquil beaches.

In route back to the airport, visit Bahía de Caráquez, a lovely port and ecocity.  

After devastating natural disasters in the late '90s Bahía de Caráquez was rebuilt as an ecocity, with organic gardens, ecoclubs, recycling projects and an organic shrimp farm.
 
To get from the coast to the highlands, you will transfer at Quito’s airport. When necessary to overnight in Quito you’ll stay in a restored classical colonial home with an excellent Old Town location for accessing evening cultural events.

After rafting the whitewaters of Baños de Agua Santa, relax in a thermal bath.

Baños de Agua Santa

For thermal baths or whitewater rafting, the small town of Baños de Agua Santa is a choice option.  There is an excellent zoo and many opportunities for mountain and canyon exploration while hiking, biking, or on horseback.  There is also an exciting adventure spa located in Llanganates National Park.

Mindo

In the mountains we recommend the Alpine village of Mindo near the first area in South America to be designated an important bird area by Bird Life International – Chocó – home to the Milpe Bird Sanctuary.

The prolific biodiversity of the Bellavista cloud forest is a result of its location in a transitional zone between the humid rainforest and snow capped volcanic peaks.  Here you are surrounded by ecological reserves with excellent opportunities for observing wildlife, tubing rivers, hiking to waterfalls, or exploring the jungle canopy on zip lines.
 

Otavalo is known for its world famous artisan weavers.

Otavalo

Heading north across the equator you’ll find Otavalo, home to world famous weavers and a large Saturday market that brings artisans from dozens of villages to meet international tourists. The rest of the week, Otavalo is a quiet base for exploring nearby artisan villages and workshops. Otavalo lies between two volcanoes surrounded by lakes. Don’t miss it. On your way, have your picture taken with one foot in each hemisphere.

Galápagos Islands
 
The Galápagos Islands option is expensive but worth the investment for wildlife enthusiasts.  It is the highlight of many visitors' Ecuador experience. 

Puerto Ayora, at Isla Santa Cruz, is the hub of most activity in the Galápagos.

We book only luxury boats with highly rated crews because we’ve heard too many stories of an uncomfortable week at sea.  

Bartolome and Santiago Islands

Allow 8 extra days and budget $4000 per person. Your flight will depart Quito and you’ll be met at the airport by ship’s crew for your exploration of the islands.  For information on what awaits you here, visit the Galápagos Conservancy.

Enjoy this opportunity to swim with an amazing diversity of undersea life diving in the Galápagos.