Best of Ecuador and Galapagos

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

Detailed Itinerary

You will be met by our representative at Quito’s airport to be transferred for two hours into Ecuador’s stunning highlands. Cradled in an Andean valley at 9,600 feet above sea level, historic Hacienda Zuleta Lodge offers guests a raw and authentic experience steeped in four centuries of Ecuadorian history and tradition.  The working farm sprawls over 4,000 acres and has been owned and operated by the family of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, former president of Ecuador, for over 100 years. Guests are warmly welcomed in the historic home, which features antique gardens, family heirlooms, hand-embroidered linens and cozy fireplaces in each of the 20 guest rooms. A condor and spectacled bear conservation project, pre-Incan burial mounds, indigenous handicraft cooperatives and a working farm are all tied into Zuleta's sustainable community tourism initiatives which can be explored by guests on foot, horseback, bike and vehicle.

Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta (Lunch & Dinner)

At the agreed upon time, your driver will meet you at the hotel to begin your drive to Mashpi Lodge. Located three hours and a world away from the bustle of Quito, Mashpi Lodge offers nature lovers an oasis of calm and luxury, enveloped within the swirling mists of the Ecuadorian Chocho Bioregion. The surrounding region is a haven of biodiversity boasting more than 400 species of birds, including some 35 endemic, and lush forest that is 80% primary growth.  Monkeys, peccaries and even puma make their homes inside the Reserve crisscrossed with waterfalls between dramatic, verdant hills. Guests discover the flora and fauna through naturalist led hikes, excursions to hummingbird feeding stations and observation towers, talks detailing ongoing research projects and by pedaling through the canopy on the tandem Sky Bike. Environmental immersion continues within the eco-lodge; all 22 guest rooms boast floor to ceiling glass windows which open to allow in the chorus of birdsong, best enjoyed while soaking in the Philippe Stark-designed bathtubs. Spa treatments highlight products from the surrounding forest and the restaurant features exquisite and innovative Ecuadorian cuisine with a focus on native ingredients.

Overnight at Mashpi Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy a final morning of activities at Mashpi Lodge before your driver will escort you out of the cloud forest into the heart of colonial Quito, the nation’s capital. Since opening in 2011, Casa Gangotena has consistently been ranked not only as Quito's top hotel but also as one of the finest in the entire continent. The elegant property is located in a restored mansion dating from 1926, in the heart of Quito's UNESCO World Heritage colonial center. From the hotel's meticulously preserved terrace, one has a commanding view of Plaza de San Francisco and is just a short walk from every major historical attraction. More than just a grand hotel with first rate service, Casa Gangotena is awash in history and gives visitors an insight to what life would have been like for the high society of Quito during the turn of the 20th century. Each room has its own unique history to tell and each served a different purpose when it was used as a family mansion.

Casa Gangotena offers complimentary daily experiences exclusively for its guests ranging from Rum and Chocolate tasting to historical walks of the mansion and surrounding plazas. And don't forget to take advantage of their classic tea time!

Once you’ve settled in at Casa Gangotena, you and your guide will spend the following day exploring the city surrounding you. Journey through diverse neighborhoods for a look at both colonial and modern Quito, and visit top Quito attractions such as historic plazas, churches and colonial buildings, like the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop Palace, the Municipal Building (City Hall), and the Cathedral. The visit to Compañia church cannot be missed, one of the most impressive of Latin America, then visit San Francisco Church, one the of great religious buildings of the New World. Finally, head to the most famous hill in Quito, Panecillo viewpoint, where you'll notice the contrast between colonial and modern Quito.

Enjoy your evenings at leisure exploring colonial Quito. Unique local culinary experiences can be arranged upon request.

Overnight at Casa Gangotena (Breakfast)

After flying from Quito to Baltra on the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz, your adventure will begin immediately. After passing through Baltra Airport’s VIP arrival section, you’ll be met by your Galapagos Safari Camp guide. The first stop is Los Gemelos or “the Twins”: two overgrown lava tunnels that formed massive sink holes when they collapsed. The larger of the twins is 2,300 feet deep and almost 1,300 feet wide! On a short hike around the rim, your guide will point out the birds of the endemic Scalesia forest such as Galapagos doves and eight species of Charles Darwin’s finches. Next is a visit to a tortoise reserve. The reserves of Santa Cruz are home to Giant tortoises with domed shells and short necks to accommodate the environment of the island. The many trails of the highlands, including those around the camp, lead to sightings of the reluctant giants resting in ponds and slowly traversing the land.

You’ll then make your way to the highlands’ underground lava tubes, created centuries ago by the Santa Cruz volcano. The tubes formed when the lava at the surface cooled, insulating the molten lava underneath. As the lava flowed, it left these tubes in its wake. Some of the tunnels on Santa Cruz go for miles and are 60 feet high. Local folklore says that they were used by pirates to hide out and store supplies. Descend into the caves for a mysterious look into the island’s formation, following a lit path with your guide through cavernous tunnels dating back at least one million years. Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the lookout, and a four-course, tapas-inspired meal in the main lodge before retiring for the evening.

For your second and third days at GSC, early mornings finds you on a motor yacht to one of the neighboring, uninhabited islands close to our island of Santa Cruz: North Seymour, Bartolomé, Plazas and Santa Fe. Each island is an endemic treasure to explore and enjoy. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is among the largest in the world, and snorkeling off the boat is highly recommended. Islands are selected based on seasonality and weather conditions but regardless of the island you visit expect a day filled with hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and animal observation. Islands like North Seymour play host to blue-footed booby and frigate mating colonies. Land iguanas also frequent the area, seen along the 2-mile trail that circumvents the island. Back on board the yacht, lunch in between morning and afternoon excursions. You’ll then head back to camp sunset refreshments and a gourmet dinner await.

On your final day in the Galapagos, you and your naturalist guide will explore everything the island of Santa Cruz has to offer. A morning drive takes you to the eastern part of the island. Cerro Mesa Reserve offers spectacular views of the largest crater on the island, exotic plants and seven unique subspecies of finch, plus the elusive vermilion flycatcher. After lunch, explore Garrapatero Beach with its stunning contrasts of mangroves, black lava, white sand and turquoise water — including a flamingo lagoon. Kayaking and mountain biking are optional.

Overnight at Galapagos Safari Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy the serene nature and peace of the camp on your final morning. Relax, walk, swim or enjoy the sunrise from our viewpoint before departure to the airport. You will then fly to either Quito or Guayaquil to your final destination. Consider some possible extensions as described in the “Expert Notes & Customization” section below!

(Breakfast)

• 10 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)

• Daily breakfast

• All meals, snacks and soft drinks at Hacienda Zuleta, Mashpi Lodge and Galapagos Safari Camp

• Additional meals as specified in the itinerary

• Small group excursions with fellow guests at IHacienda Zuleta, Mashpi Lodge and Galapagos Safari Camp

• Privately guided touring in Quito

• All ground transfers between airports and accommodations (internal flights not included)

• All entrance fees as described

• Traveller Made ® Member Agency benefits at participating hotels:

  • Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

  • Early check-in and late check out (subject to availability)

  • Bespoke welcome room amenities upon arrival

  • $100 property credit

  • **benefits vary by property; member properties in this itinerary are: Mashpi Lodge and Casa Gangotena

• *Not included: additional activities at Hacienda Zuleta, gratuities, visas (including Galapagos Islands visa and fees to be paid directly at airport), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described below, items of a personal nature

• Depending on your arrival time and city, the order of destinations on your customized itinerary may change in order to optimize routing logistics.

• For those looking with international flights in or out of Guayaquil, we highly recommend adding a two-night stay at Hacienda La Danesa. Like Hacienda Zuleta, this unique family-run property offers the perfect blend of relaxation and activities steeped in nature. It’s a quick one-hour drive from the airport. We will gladly incorporate this into your itinerary.

• For those looking to explore the westernmost part of the Galapagos, we strongly suggest a visit to Isabela Island. Because the accommodations on the island are not on par with those featured in this itinerary we have included it but recommend it to anyone interested in a land-based experience with emphasis on water activities and more adventurous excursions. A two-night extension can easily be added (and a night can be removed from Galapagos Safari Camp).

• For those who prefer cruising in the Galapagos (or a combination of land-based accommodations and cruising), this is an easy substitution. Galapagos cruises generally range from 3 - 7 nights in duration with each yacht and itinerary focusing on a different region of the archipelago. There are only a couple of true 5-star yachts to properly complement the rest of itinerary and we will be happy to assist you in planning around these specific yachts’ departures.

• While as safari enthusiasts we think Galapagos Safari Camp is one of the best spots in South America, for those looking for more traditional luxury we recommend Pikaia Lodge, located nearby in the Santa Cruz Highlands. For those looking to be closer to the beach, Finch Bay is an excellent choice.

• An extension trip to Machu Picchu can be easily added to this itinerary, either before or after.