Honeymoon in Ecuador

Quito Airport - Quito

Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel.

On your arrival, you will be offered Ecuadorian roses, which are considered the most beautiful in the world.

You will spend the night at Anahi hotel in Quito.

Quito Historic Center - Quito

Quito, Ecuador's capital, is a real treasure between the volcanoes of Pichincha, Cayambe and Antisana. At an elevation of 2830 meters, it is the second highest capital in the world.. It was the first city classified by the UNESCO in 1978 and its historic centre is the biggest and best maintained in Latin America.

Departure at 8:30am: to get a good idea of the city, we will firstly go to the Panecillo, a small hill over the city with a statue of the Quito' Virginp, with a splendid 360º view.

You will then have a visit of Quito's colonial centre:

• the church of the Compañia de Jesus
• the church of San Francisco
• the Grand Place where are located the Presidential Palace (Carondelet) and Quito's Cathedral. At 11 am, you will attend the changing of the guard of the Palace.

And now, exclusively and just for you :

You'll participate to a PACARI chocolates tasting.

You will learn about the process of elaboration of a great cocoa. You'll know why Ecuador is the best country to produce a cacao fino and also learn about the cocoa history in the world. You'll have the privilege to taste 10 different types of PACARI chocolates.

Pacari works directly with small producers and assure a great remuneration for their hard work, in order to preserve the genetic diversity of ecuadorian cocoa.

This cooperative has been rewarded multiple times at an international levek for the quality of the products and the social work they have done.

An unforgettable experience to share without moderation with those we love.:

It is the end of the day in Quito, the lights are shining on the colonial houses of the century neighbor, full of mysteries and legends. In the steps of your guide, almost coming from a book of History, with his period clothes and sayings, let’s go to the historical center for going back the old loves stories of Quito.

You guide will invit you to discover the house of María Agusta Urrutía, a philanthropist aristocrat from XX century, who knew lots of secrets from contemporary lovers.

Then, follow your guide and climb the numerous steps, take the hand of your lover and close your eyes.

Surprise : Quito is shining down, Quito is yours.

Quito Eterno is an educative and cultural project focused on the history and heritage of Quito. In order to share their knowledge and passion of Quito and its mysteries, they use the theater and their guides are always actors.

"La hermosa Quito, delicada ciudad que, como la flor del taxo, crece salvaje entre las quebradas de los Andes". (Quito the beauty, sweet city, as the flower of taxo, grows wild in the Andean ravines)

You will spend the night at Anahi hotel in Quito.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Quito - Cochasqui - Cayambe - Cotacachi

You will get out of Quito direction to Otavalo, passing through one of the regions where they grow the famous ecuadorian roses and you will appreciate a beautiful landscape made of numerous summits of the northern Andes.

Visit of the Cochasqui pyramids, classified as World Heritage and considered as the most important archeological site North of the Equatorial Andes. The site is composed of 15 pyramids and 20 funeral mounds built by the Quitus Cara Indians in the IXth century. There are different interpretations concerning the function of the pyramids: ceremony places, houses for important people or even astronomical observatories. The site still keeps many mysteries... which we will try to learn more about.

You will stop for about 2 hours in a plantation of roses. Ecuador is one of the first countries that export roses in all the world, and actually the roses of Ecuador are considered to be the most beautiful of the world. They are produced at 2500 meter of altitude, that's what makes them to have such strong and intense colors. The minerals that come from the Cotopaxi and Cayambe volcanoes make the rosebuds to grow enormously.

You will spend the night at Hacienda Pinsaqui. This historical sport has been built in 1790 so as to be a textile workshop, employing at that time 1000 persons. This place is an invitation to share its magical and romantic atmosphere. Across the centuries, Pinsaqui received many famous peoples, among them the General Simon Bolivar, Ecuador's libertador, who stayed there for its trips to Colombia. In those times, the peace treaty between Colombia and Ecuador has been signed and is known as the "Pinsaqui treaty". The actual hacienda keeps the genuine character of this period, as well as the antique furniture. It remains a perfect stage for antiques lovers.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Otavalo - Cuicocha Lake - Quitsato - Quito

Visit in the morning of the famous Otavalo's Indigenous market, the most significant in the Ecuador's Andes, where you can meet the "Otavaleños" with their espadrilles, their brown felt hat and blue ponchos. They are the wealthiest indians in Ecuador and excellent sellers.

The main market is on Saturdays with the cattle market just outside town. On other days the market is also hold on the Los Ponchos square.

Visit of the Cuicocha lake in the ecologic reserve of "Cotacahi - Cayapas" , one of the most beautiful in Ecuador with a shiny blue water.

At the centre of a former crater at 3064 meters, the nature lovers will enjoy a very various vegetation (orchids, "elephants ears"...) with more than 400 species identified there.

Lunch at the restaurant "Balcon 2 Hemisferios", almost on the Ecuador line.

You will stop at the latitude 0º, where a circular platform of 54 meters of diameter materializes a huge sundial and the equator line. The phenomena observed in the place will be explained to you, as well as how the local peoples used to integrate them in their dayly activities. An opporetunity to reconnect with what is an agriculture agenda, and what it means, between the sky and nature.

You will leave Quitsato to arrive to Quito.

You will spend the night at Anahi hotel in Quito.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Coca - La Selva Lodge

Reception at the airport of Coca, in private transportation, you will be taken to the boat and go down the Napo River (2H a 3h ), where you will observe different species of birds and monkeys. You can enjoy a picnick and a bottle of water during the tour.

Reception with a welcome cocktail, you will install in your room at La Selva Jungle Lodge where you can relax for the ride.

Especially for the honeymooners: you can choose the time you want to receive a massage at the lodge's Spa and then enjoy the jacuzzi.

La Selva Lodge

After breakfast the guide of the lodge will make a brief introduction about the ecosystem of the region. You can enjoy various activities proposed by leaving the lodge. These are organized according to the weather, the season and the number of participants. You can hike through the jungle, bird watching, canoeing, see a butterfly garden and meet the natives of the region.

Especially for honeymooners: at one of your evenings at Selva Lodge, enjoy a canoe trip or kayak on Lake Garzacocha at sunset. With your local guide, you can observe the wildlife at dusk and enjoy a drink of your choice listening to the sounds of nature.

La Selva Lodge

New day to take enjoy this dumping in the Amazonian forest. The detail of possible activities this day will be given to you on the spot.

Specially for the honeymooners: during one of your evenings in Selva Lodge, meeting at your reserved table nothing that for you two where a waiter will be at your disposal exclusively for a dinner of the most romantic and personalized.

La Selva Lodge - Coca - Quito Airport - Cotopaxi Park

Specially for the newlyweds: your breakfast will be served to you in your suite.

After the breakfast you will take a typical boat to join Coca.

You will have a domestic flight from Coca to Quito.

Reception at Quito airport by a spanish-speaking driver and transportation to your hotel.

From the airport you will go straight toward Cotopaxi National Park.

You will spend the night at El Porvenir Hacienda in the Cotopaxi Park.

Suite

Dinner included.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Cotopaxi Park - Pailon del Diablo - Banos

Riding out from Porvenir, located a few minutes from the Cotopaxi National Park. Horseback riding on trails that border the Cotopaxi volcano for about two hours of an unforgettable scenery. You are at 3.600 meters of altitude, in the middle of the Andes, where used to pass by the famous Inca Trail, with one of the most beautiful snowy summits of the continent, as your backdrop. Take a breath and enjoy this pure air...

Transport to Baños, a nice town to walk around. The basilica of "Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa" is worth to see and you can go swimming in one of the thermal pools.

You will stop in Pailon del Diablo, the country's most famous waterfalls which you will be able to see from closer from a sightseeing platform. Further on the road, following the inca style, you can use a suspended basket called locally tarabita to cross the Pastaza and reach a waterfall called "Manto de la Novia".

You will spend the night at Sangay Spa Hotel.

You will have a Abhyanga massage (60 minutes).

Night in Suite Plaza (Plaza Sangay).

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Banos - Ingapirca

Visit of the Casa del Arbol (Tree House) on the heights of Baños.

This site is known for its swing over the void. Which makes the delight of youngs, and the kind fright of the dads; it is the place which allows a great moment of exchange and diversion in family and the opportunity to admire a very beautiful landscape, between the volcano Tungurahua, the sight on Baños and the entrance of the Pastaza canyon towards the Amazonia.

You can also have fun with the small installation of canopy and listen to the presentation on the history of the eruptions made by the guard of the Military Geographical Institute.

On the way south you will arrive to Ingapirca which is an arqueological site and belonged to the Incas. Afterwards, you will stop at the Colta lake and at the Balbanera church which is first one built in Ecuador in 1534.

Ingapirca means "inca stone wall" in the canari language, and indeed a site where the rock is full of legends and history. Ingapirca was founded by the Inca Huayna Capac in the XVth century. The impressive fortress used to contain a temple, sheds and an observatory with amazing exemple of mortar free stone constructions. It was though to be a tambo (relay) along the Inca way from Quito to Cuenca. The locals also see a puma's shape in the ruins. After a visit of the site you will find the Inganahui after walking a bit away. This Inca face rock sculpted by the wind and the rain may had inspired the Incas to found Ingapirca there.

After returning to the main site, you will have the opportunity to visit the museum dedicated to this place discovered by the french scientist La Condamine.

Night at Posada Ingapirca next to the archeological complex.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Ingapirca - Cuenca - Gualaceo

You will travel to the beautiful city of Cuenca by vehicle, following a scenic road in the middle of the Andes with views over the colored fields and the mountains around.

On the way, you will visit also the Ecuagenera company a leader in the orchids culture in Latine America with 20 greenhouses over 5 hectares and more than 2000 orchids species and hybrid species. This family company founded in 1992 is dedicated to the orchids conservation and exportation.

The city of Cuenca (2 550 m) is undoubtedly as charming as its former name of Guapondelic tells "the valley as great as the sky". This colorful and lively city with superb historic buildings was classified as a World Heritage by the UNESCO since 1999. The best way to feel the warm colors of Cuenca is to walk around its paved streets, along the white houses with roman tiled roofs and flourishing wrought iron balconies. Colonial art treasures can also be discovered in Cuenca in the churches and convents from the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries.

Your instructor will pick you up at your hotel and you will start your private salsa lesson (1h / up to 5 people). A great session to get experience and then perform at night on Cuenca's dancefloors.

You will spend the night at Santa Lucia hotel in Cuenca.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Cuenca - Cajas Park - Guayaquil

You will follow up Western cordillera to Cajas park from Cuenca where you will enjoy stunning views over the many lakes of this protected area.

You will make a stop in the Cajas National Park, for a short walk around so as to appreciate the andean landscapes.

Journey to get to Guayaquil, Ecuador's biggest city and economical capital.

Down from the mountains you will pass by fertiles lowlands with huge orchards and banana plantations before arriving to Guayaquil.

Today you will discover the colonial area of Las Peñas and admire there the architecture and the many art galleries. From the Santa Ana fort you will enjoy a scenic view over Guayaquil and the Guayas river.

You will spend the night at Grand Hotel in Guayaquil.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Guayaquil Airport - Baltra - Santa Cruz

Private transfer with a spanish-speaking driver to Guayaquil airport.

Domestic flight Guayaquil - Baltra.

GALAPAGOS FLIGHT - SANTA CRUZ ARRIVAL - INTERPRETATION CENTER FAUSTO LLERENA

In the morning, you will arrive at Santa Cruz Island. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by the Grand Majestic staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

In the afternoon, you will visit “Fausto Llerena” Giant land tortoises breeding center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies arekept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.

English-speaking guide in a private transport (if you are from 1 to 3 persons, your guide will also be your driver).

Genovesa

GENOVESA ISLAND (Darwin Bay - El Barranco) This island located to the north-west of the archipel (14 km ² without any human population) is the refuge for one of the largest marine birds colonies of the Galapagos Islands. The coast is made of cliffs. This is the most pristine island, due to the remoteness. It was the last island opened to tourism. This is a paradise for ornytologists and photographs, thanks to the incredible variety of birds. This is the only place where you can see the three species of boobies: Blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and red-footed boobies. Also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Lava Owls, Galapagos Swallows, and Galapagos Doves. This white-sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (0,8km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.

Rabida - Chinese Hat

RABIDA ISLAND - CHINESE HAT ISLET

In the morning, you will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colourful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida’s famous maroon sandy beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive to a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes.

The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

In the afternoon, you will visit Chinese Hat Islet. This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

San Cristobal - Lobos Island

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND ( Witch Hill - Lobos Island)

In the morning, you will visit Witch Hill. Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

In the afternoon, you vist will involve an excursion to Lobos Island which means “Sea Lion Island.” This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, playful, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

San Cristobal - Guayaquil Airport

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND - RETURN FLIGHT

In the morning, you will visit the Interpretation Center. This site is part of an environment project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents,

climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as discovery and colonization of the islands.

After your visit, you will transfer to the San Cristobal airport to catch your flight to Guayaquil or Quito on mainland Ecuador.

Domestic flight San Cristobal - Guayaquil.

Free connection with your international flight.