9-Nights The Best of Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi & the Galapagos

Goway Travel

Embark on this all-encompassing 10-day Ecuador vacation and discover this unique country's timeless culture and unparalleled natural phenomena. Begin in Quito, the nation’s capital, and enjoy three full days of cultural exploration and visiting one-of-a-kind landmarks.

Step out from your renovated 17th-century luxury accommodation into Quito’s renowned old town, one of the world’s first two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Navigate narrow cobblestone streets to incredible 16th- and 17th-century churches, including the iconic Monastery of San Francisco, which began construction five days after the city’s founding in 1534. Conclude your city tour with a delicious cooking class at Clarosucro Restaurante after collecting fresh ingredients from the Mercado San Francisco market.

Venture 30 minutes north of Quito to earth’s equator, passing through tropical forests and volcanic terrain. Plant your feet in two hemispheres and discover the cultural and historical significance of the region to both pre-Inca and Inca civilizations before visiting Casa Agave, a unique distillery specializing in traditional Miske.

Continue your adventure in the scenic foothills of Cotopaxi National Park. Marvel at the majestic views of the Andean highlands from your comfortable mountain lodge. Set out on tranquil lakeshore hikes and serene horseback riding through the vast grasslands surrounding the grand Sincholagua, Ruminahui, and Cotopaxi volcanoes.

Venture off the coast of Ecuador to the extraordinary Galapagos Islands, a wildlife refuge like no other in the world. Board the elegant M/Y Galapagos Sea Star yacht and spend five action-packed days exploring the volcanic-born archipelago renowned for its unique wildlife, including dancing blue-footed boobies, giant Galapagos tortoises, waddling Galapagos penguins, and the world’s only marine iguanas.

Vacation Inclusions

• Private arrival and departure airport transfers in Quito
• 3 nights in deluxe accommodations in Quito
• 2 nights in first-class boutique accommodations near Cotopaxi
• 4 nights in first-class Galapagos cruise accommodations
• Private-guided walking tour of Colonial Quito with cooking class
• Private-guided tour of "The Middle of the Earth" and Casa Agave
• Private transfer from Quito to Cotopaxi lodge
• Private-guided tour of Cotopaxi National Park
• Private-guided horseback riding tour
• Private transfer from Cotopaxi lodge to Quito Airport
• Domestic round-trip flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos
• Transfers in the Galapagos
• Galapagos excursions as mentioned in the itinerary (max 16 guests)
• Snorkeling equipment (masks, flippers and snorkel)
• Kayak equipment
• Galapagos National Park Fee
• Galapagos Transit Control Card
• Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1), 7 lunches, 4 dinners

Featured Destinations

Isla Baltra Isla Baltra Today Baltra is the most important airport of Galápagos and a small navy base for Ecuador. Baltra has suffered most from human settling and does not have any visitor sites. Many cruises start from the its harbour and already there pelicans and noddies will welcome you. To the north lies Mosquera, a small sandy bank with a large colony of sea lions. Go swimming and snorkeling on the beach.
Black Turtle Cove Black Turtle Cove Only accessible by a dinghy, the beautiful and tranquil bay of Black Turtle Cove is a protected national park. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and even sting rays raise their young around the mangroves. Travelers can take a day trip to discover this untouched Galapagos Island.
Sombrero Chino Islets Sombrero Chino Islets Just southeast of Santiago Island is Sombrero Chino, a tiny island with a rocky lava coast that gets its name from its appearance that looks like a Chinese hat. It's crescent-shaped white sand beach is home to thousands of sally light-foot crabs and sea lions. Walking on top fragile lava rock and snorkeling with penguins and possibily white-tipped sharks makes for an exciting experience.
El Barranco, Genovese Island El Barranco, Genovese Island El Barranco (Prince Phillip's Steps) is a port located on Genovesa Island in the Galapagos Islands. After hiking along a steep and rocky path, spectacular views can be enjoyed from a high cliff. El Barranco is home to Galapagos doves, red-footed boobies, Galapagos swallows and short-eared lava owls.
Darwin Bay Darwin Bay Darwin Bay is located in the Galapagos Islands where one side of the caldera on the horse-shoe shaped Genovesa Island collapsed. The submerged crater that resulted formed Darwin Bay. The steep cliffs that surround the bay provide homes for many seabirds, and there is a white sand coral beach that heads a half mile trail from the bay. Genovesa has developed a reputation as “The Bird Island” due to the numerous bird species that nest there which include swallow-tail gulls, storm petrels, Darwin’s finches, nazca boobies and red-footed boobies. Visitors to Darwin Bay can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and dinghy rides. In addition to seabirds, additional wildlife found near Darwin Bay includes rays, colorful reef fish, marine iguana and sharks.
Sullivan Bay Sullivan Bay Sullivan Bay is located on the southeastern region of Isla Santiago belonging to the famous Galapagos Islands. This destination is known for its lava fields that many visitors enjoy exploring. This area of the Santiago Islet was active only 100 years ago and volcanic overflows still are remnant today.
Isla Bartolome Isla Bartolome This small, barren island offers guests the opportunity to observe firsthand its volcanic formations and moon-like landscape.	Destination Guide
Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands The Galápagos Archipelago is a unique world heritage. Situated on the equator 600 miles off the coast of South America, this remote volcanic archipelago remains much as it was millions of years ago. Over the centuries, animal and plant life from the Americas reached the islands and gradually evolved into new forms. Many of its species are found nowhere else on earth. Since Darwin's famous voyage, its marine and terrestrial ecosystems have provided a wealth of information and source of inspiration for people through the world. The "Enchanted Islands" continue to play an important role in our understanding of life on earth. The Galapagos experience offers world travelers a way to step back in time, to visit an isolated, relatively untouched place on earth.	Destination Guide
Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi is located in Ecuador's Andes Mountains, and is known as the "Avenues of the Volcanoes." Visit Cotopaxi National Park and enjoy views of Cotapaxi Volcano, as well as the native flora and fauna near Lake Limpiopungo. The local Andean people honor this mountain as sacred, and Cotopaxi holds significant cultural value.	Destination Guide
Quito Quito Quito is a fantastic place to visit and the best place to start your Latin American journey. Quito is also the entertainment center in Ecuador with new bars and discos opening every week and also the best place to shop, either at the small souvenir shops or at big malls. Quito has many interesting cultural sites, historical sites, museums, private galleries, churches, exhibition centers, and theaters.	Destination Guide

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