11-Nights Tailor Made Ecuador & Galapagos by Land - Luxury Tailor Made Travel from $16,045

Itinerary Details

Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made Ecuador & Galápagos by Land

Day 1 Quito, Ecuador

Arrive in Quito, the charming capital of Ecuador, where you are met and privately transferred to your hotel.

This morning, join your guide for a walking tour of colonial Quito with its endless art treasures and flowering balconies. Marvel at San Francisco Church and its museum of religious art as well as La Compañía, with its glittering gilded walls. Visit bustling Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral of Quito. Later, head to Panecillo Hill to admire wonderful views of the city and surrounding Andean peaks. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure with time to experience Quito’s distinctive ambience as you wish.

Fly to Cuenca, a hidden treasure considered by many Edcuador’s most beautiful city. Declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, Cuenca has preserved valuable cultural and architectural features in its historic center. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel, and then set out on a guided walk of the city’s cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and picturesque sites. Start at Plaza San Sebastian on the western edge of colonial Cuenca and wend your way through the narrow lanes to the Museum of Modern Art, which exhibits works by many of Ecuador's contemporary artists. Continuing toward the city center to visit Cuenca's renowned flower market and its dazzling displays of arum lilies, orchids and roses. View the neo-Gothic New Cathedral with its distinctive blue domes that dominate the skyline and stop by the Homero Ortega hat factory that produces superb toquilla straw hats.

Head outside the city to Bellavista Equestrian Hacienda, located in the cattle zone of Tarqui, for a horseback ride through the Andes. First, get to know your mount and then saddle up for a ride that takes you to a local hacienda offering great views of the mountain range and the moorlands. Return to your hotel for lunch. Afterward, journey to Piedra de Agua Fuente, a spa and thermal fountain built almost entirely in volcanic limestone for relaxing therapy treatment in a unique and exclusive setting that may include springs, volcanic mud, steam massages and steam baths.

Today, join your private guide for an exploration of Ingapirca — meaning Inca wall in Quichua — the most important complex of ruins in the country. Built on top of Cañari constructions dating back to 1200, the site was used as a political and religious center until the Incas conquered the Cañaris and started to construct a temple in 1460. As you take in its impressive hand-carved stonework, learn how it served as a site for sun worship and as a calendar for agricultural purposes. View other key aspects of the complex, including the place of the virgins of the sun and the Inca baths. Also visit the small museum on site to view artifacts from both Cañari and Inca civilizations. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch on site, followed by an afternoon at leisure.

Rise early to start an adventure in El Cajas National Park, situated high in the Andes between 10,500 and 14,760 feet and comprising 69,00 acres bursting with flora, fauna and impressive rock formations. View some of its 235 glacial lakes, which feed into breath-taking waterfalls, some headed toward the Pacific while others flow to the Amazon. Walk with your guide through this vibrant wilderness lush with páramo (high altitude grasslands) and impressive microflora including colorful flowers, mosses, lichen and other fungi. As you trek through Cajas, listen to the wild birds singing in the background and watch for any of the 125 species living here, including the endangered Andean condor, violet-tailed metal tail, sword-bill, shining sunbeams and sparkling violet-ears. Lose yourself in its pristine environment that includes wetland and bird conservation zones of international importance. Afterward, return to Quito.

This morning, fly to Baltra, your gateway to the Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival, enjoy VIP lounge access as you are assisted with entry procedures before ferrying across the channel to Santa Cruz Island and transferring to Pikaia Lodge, arriving in time for a light lunch, perhaps enjoyed on the pool terrace. Relax and familiarize yourself with the lodge and its facilities. Walk, jog or cycle the five miles of trails within the lodge boundaries or take a swim in the pool.

Embark the exclusive 105-foot luxury yacht ‘Pikaia I,’ a stable vessel custom-built for exploring, for a day of discovery in the Galápagos Islands. Depending on the day of the week, you may visit one of the following islands, islets or beaches:

Santa Fe, known for having one of the most beautiful coves in the Galápagos. Endemic species include the Galápagos hawk, Galápagos snake, rice rats, different types of finches and the Galápagos mockingbird.

South Plaza, the southern partner of two small crescent-shaped islands that lie just 600 feet off the east coast of Santa Cruz.

Bartolome with its renowned Pinnacle Rock, a towering spear-headed obelisk that rises from the ocean’s edge and is the best-known landmark in the islands. Galápagos penguins walk precariously along narrow volcanic ledges at its base. Sea lions snooze on rocky platforms, ready to slide into the water to play with passing snorkelers.

Sombrero Chino, which features a cove ideal for swimming and snorkeling amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins.

Bachas Beach, located to the northeast of the Santa Cruz coast. It is the most important beach for seeing sea turtles, flamingos and migratory birds.

Afterward, as you cruise back to your lodge, you are at leisure to rest, shower or freshen up in your air-conditioned private cabin; soak in the Jacuzzi; join a discussion with guides; sunbathe or watch for seabirds or dolphins.

Today, discover Santa Cruz Island, choosing from a number of activities. Opt to explore the Los Gemelos Sinkholes and Scalesia Forest, see the giant tortoises at a farm in Rancho Chato II, view the stunning lava tunnels of Santa Cruz Island, tour the Charles Darwin Scientific Research Center famous for the captive breeding of giant turtles or stroll the town of Puerto Ayora, including the fish market frequented by sea birds.

Set off again aboard ‘Pikaia I’ for another full day of island exploration, including opportunities for hiking and snorkeling. Visit two fascinating islands during morning and afternoon excursion, which may include:

Cerro Dragon, or Dragon Hill, which combines decades of land iguana preservation with splendid landscapes and rocky surfaces as well as places to snorkel.

Mosquera Islet, located between the islands of North Seymour and Balhas and boasting one of the archipelago’s largest populations of sea lions, where you may also spot orcas on the hunt.

Sullivan Bay, a site of great geological interest, covered by solidified and wave-shaped lava flows located at the south-east side of Santiago Island, where you may enjoy a nice dip in clear blue water at the edge of the lava stream.

North Seymour, an uplifted island formed by lava, where sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant and you can hike a loop trail from which diverse Galápagos wildlife may be viewed.

Guy Fawkes, two crescent-shaped islands on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island, where the walls of the islets are eroded, full of cavities in some parts and sporting huge rocks covered in black coral in others.

Then, cruise back to the comfort of our lodge for dinner.

This morning, fly back to mainland Ecuador, arriving in Quito with the rest of the day at leisure, free to rest or perhaps explore city landmarks, such the Central Bank Museum to see pre-Inca relics, or any of a number of impressive Baroque cathedrals.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your departing flight.