QUITO, the capital of Ecuador, is 9,200 feet high in the Andes and located only 13 miles from the &#8220;Middle of the World&#8221;, the Equatorial Line. Set in a hollow at the foot of the Pichincha Volcano, Quito is surrounded by hills and several snowcapped mountains. Its historic center or &#8220;Old Town&#8221;, known for its treasures of Colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and carvings, and the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish, and Moorish architecture, is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Altogether the city has 86 beautiful churches and monasteries from the 16th and 17th centuries, earning its title &#8220;Convent of America&#8221;. Nearby is Quito&#8217;s &#8220;New Town&#8221; and its heart La Mariscal, a bustling area with ethnic and international restaurants, coffee shops, handicraft market and a lively nightlife.

Welcome to Quito! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude.

Quito

Start today&#8217;s tour in the historic district, or &#8220;Old Town&#8221; and see the Archbishop&#8217;s Palace, the Cathedral and the Monument dedicated to the heroes of 1809 and their &#8220;First Cry of Independence&#8221; from Spanish monarchy. On the way to San Francisco Square, visit the Jesuit church of La Compa&#241;ia, before heading to the Equatorial Line Monument called the &#8220;Middle of the World&#8221; and stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously.&#160;(B, L) 

Visit the famous indigenous Otavalo open market and wander around various stands set in the central square.  Shop for hand made textiles, wooden decorations, Andean musical instruments, hats, jewelry and a variety of local souvenirs.   Our guide will take you to visit the nearest town called Peguche which is known for its weavers and to visit a workshop of wind instruments.  The next village is Cotacachi, were its residents are skilled manufactures of leather goods, and then we will head to the crater lake Cuicocha which will amaze guests with its beautiful setting. Guests will return to Quito for an overnight stay.&#160;(B)

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight back home. (B)

Quito to USA (or extend your stay)

QUITO GETAWAY

Night Scene of Plaza Grande

Statue of the Virgin Mary in Quito

Downtown Quito

Church in Quito

Equatorial Line Monument

What&#8217;s the best way to see Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands? How about enjoying the best of both worlds, exploring by land and sea! On this thrilling Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands vacation package, the opportunities to enjoy this fascinating part of the world are virtually unlimited! Come explore Ecuador&#8217;s cities of Quito and Guayaquil plus off-the beaten path gems of Otavalo, Peguche &amp; Cuicocha. Travel to Ecuador and have the once in a lifetime experience of standing in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously at the Equatorial Line Monument. Discover handmade Indian crafts at the world-renowned Otavalo market and shop for unique gifts and mementos to share. Marvel at Laguna Cuicocha, a crater lake situated at an altitude of 3000 meters. Meet an indigenous family in their traditional house in the tiny native village of Peguche. Then embark on an adventure and enchantment packed Galapagos travel package cruise! As you sail along and reach amazing new ports, observe prehistoric iguanas, giant tortoises, birds, plants, beautiful volcanic landscapes, lava cones and magma flows. Swim and snorkel among exotic marine wildlife. Share in naturalist led shore excursions and briefings explaining the geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna of the islands. Delve into the treasures of hard-to-reach Galapagos Islands as you sail. Relax and rejuvenate or bask in the sun on board your comfortable cruise ship. Great adventures are yours for the taking right here!

Welcome to Quito! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude.

Arrival in Quito

Start today&#8217;s tour in the historic district, or &#8220;Old Town&#8221; and see the Archbishop&#8217;s Palace, the Cathedral and the Monument dedicated to the heroes of 1809 and their &#8220;First Cry of Independence&#8221; from Spanish monarchy. On the way to San Francisco Square, visit the Jesuit church of La Compa&#241;ia, before heading to the Equatorial Line Monument called the &#8220;Middle of the World&#8221; and stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. (B)

Early breakfast and shuttle from the hotel to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos for an exciting Galapagos Island Cruise. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the port to board your cruise vessel. Every day you will wake up to the most idyllic landscapes and visit two new places. Every island and visitor site offers you different geographical landscapes, fauna and flora and every corner of the archipelago will be filled with wildlife, from blue-footed boobies in their mating dance, to giant tortoises, to lazy sea lions sunbathing by the shore to fast swimming penguins. You will return to the ship for a varied lunch-buffet and have some free time to relax by the pool, or the sun terraces or Jacuzzi on the open decks while you arrive at your next port. Get on a dinghy ride with a Galapagos naturalist expert and learn more about geology, evolution, human history and biology. You can start with a hike through natural paths and have close encounters with the inhabitants of the area. Then have some free time to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the beach or you can choose to snorkel, do some kayaking or take a glass bottom boat adventure. (B,L,D)

Quito | Galapagos Islands Cruise

Early breakfast and shuttle from the hotel to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos for an exciting Galapagos Island Cruise. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the port to board your cruise vessel. Every day you will wake up to the most idyllic landscapes and visit two new places. Every island and visitor site offers you different geographical landscapes, fauna and flora and every corner of the archipelago will be filled with wildlife, from blue-footed boobies in their mating dance, to giant tortoises, to lazy sea lions sunbathing by the shore to fast swimming penguins. You will return to the ship for a varied lunch-buffet and have some free time to relax by the pool, or the sun terraces or Jacuzzi on the open decks while you arrive at your next port. Get on a dinghy ride with a Galapagos naturalist expert and learn more about geology, evolution, human history and biology. You can start with a hike through natural paths and have close encounters with the inhabitants of the area. Then have some free time to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the beach or you can choose to snorkel, do some kayaking or take a glass bottom boat adventure. (B,L,D)

Upon your return to the ports of Baltra or San Cristobal you will be transferred from the ship to the airport in time for your departure flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B)

Galapagos | Guayaquil

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight back home. (B)

Guayaquil to USA (or extend your stay)

BEST OF ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS

Basilica of Quito

Turtle and Tons of Fish, Galapagos Islands

Stay on Board Unique and Unforgettable Cruise

Guayaquil

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this enchanting city at your own pace. Situated at the foot of the volcano Pichincha, Quito is well known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and carvings as well as its magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture.

WED I ARRIVAL IN QUITO

After breakfast at your hotel, join in a full-day tour of the city beginning in the historic district, or &#8220;Old Town&#8221; where you will see the Archbishop&#8217;s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Monument dedicated to the heroes of 1809 who fought for independence from Spain. On the way to San Francisco Square, visit the Jesuit church of La Compa&#241;ia, before heading to the Equatorial Line Monument called the &#8220;Middle of the World&#8221; where you can stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. (B)

THU I QUITO

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a short 30-minute flight to Coca. Upon arrival in Coca you will be escorted to the Rio Napo to embark on a motorized waterborne vessel for an hour and a half sail down river. Enjoy the rainforest landscapes along the Napo riverbanks as you glide along. Later, board the MANATEE Amazon Explorer Vessel for your fascinating 3-day cruise to explore the unique and remote areas of the rainforest as you navigate through the Napo and Aquarico rivers in Yasuni National Park. (B,D)

FRI I QUITO I COCA

Have breakfast onboard and then head out to visit the Panayacu River delta&#8217;s flooded forest. See Laguna Panacocha, meaning piranha lake in Quechua, that is home to the infamous Piranha, water monkey fish, and the white caiman. Try to spot these and other inhabitants like pink river dolphins or squirrel monkeys as you take a canoe ride along the river. For lunch, enjoy a delicious barbeque at a nearby campsite. This afternoon, venture along one of the trails and explore the reserve&#8217;s fascinating flora and fauna. (B,L,D)

SAT I AMAZON REGION

This morning, visit a &#8220;parrot clay lick&#8221; and enjoy one of the most exciting and colorful spectacles in the Amazon as hundreds of tropical birds feed on the clay. Along the banks of Yasuni National Park, you will find one of the biggest parrot clay licks, a natural clay formation caused by erosion where parrots, parakeets, and macaws go daily to lick the clay that is said to help in their digestion. The impressive spectacle showcases the colorful diversity of the birds as well as an incredible array of sounds. Afterwards, visit the Quechua Cultural Center where members of the local community will share firsthand, information about their culture, customs, and daily life. Prior to sunset go to the observation tower that offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Amazon basin. (B,L,D)

SUN I AMAZON REGION

After breakfast, you will take a 60-minute canoe ride back to Coca harbor. From there, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito for your connecting flight back home. (B)

MON I COCA I QUITO TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)

QUITO & THE AMAZON

Embark on an unforgettable Ecuador vacation package cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Board the MV CORAL I or II, unique and functional luxury motor yachts that offer a perfect combination of classic beauty and exquisite style. On this exciting cruise to the Galapagos Ecuador travel package , you will become part of the natural surrounding with ample windows offering panoramic views. Every single detail has been taken into consideration to make your stay on board unique and unforgettable. The Jacuzzi, sun, and shadow decks give you multiple places to relax. The social areas and the bar are conducive to enjoyable socializing. Coral I accommodates 36 passengers in 19 cabins divided in 3 decks. Coral II accommodates 20 passengers in 11 cabins divided in 3 decks. Both boats offer cabins equipped with air conditioning, phone service for internal, local and international calls, video system with LCD TV, music, safe-deposit box, and private bathroom. It&#8217;s a trip to Ecuador&#8217;s Galapagos Islands you&#8217;ll cherish always.&#10;&#10;THE CORAL I AND II are unique and functional luxury motor yachts: a perfect combination of classic beauty and exquisite style. The materials used in the decoration convey a pleasing sensation of warmth and comfort that will transport you into a marine environment.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - CORAL I & CORAL II

Travel to Ecuador and have a cruise adventure in the Galapagos Islands. Your cruise trip to the Galapagos Islands sails aboard the Legend, with a maximum of one hundred passengers. You will enjoy exclusive service and personalized attention, as you indulge in the gorgeous views from any of the outer decks, and enroll in one of the countless activities in the social areas. Our facilities focus on both mind and body and provide you with special places to rest or relax in a peaceful, harmonious setting. The Legend has 57 cabins, divided into 5 categories. All cabins are equipped with air conditioning, phone service for internal, local and international calls, video system with LCD TV, music, safe-deposit box, and private bathroom. Some of the cabins have panoramic windows and a terrace. All excursions throughout your Galapagos Islands vacation package cruise are provided by multilingual naturalist guides. There are also specialized lectures and conferences, exquisite gastronomy, and snorkeling and kayaking activities. The philosophy here is based on respecting the environment, making friends and having fun while learning, upholding the highest standards of service and comfort. Enjoy the local gourmet cuisine, a wide variety of exotic fruits and the world&#8217;s best flavors, special menus for children as well as delicious vegetarian dishes or meals for those who have special diets.&#10;&#10;Aboard the LEGEND, with a maximum of one hundred passengers, you will enjoy exclusive service and personalized attention as you indulge in the gorgeous views from any of the outer decks, and enroll in one of the countless activities in the social areas.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - GALAPAGOS LEGEND

The M/V Santa Cruz II was constructed in 2002 and refurbished in 2015. It offers excellent standards, first class service, a professional crew, knowledgeable multilingual Naturalist guides, and menus featuring tasty international cuisine as well as Ecuadorian dishes. There are 50 spacious cabins that accommodate up to 90 passengers. Spread across the vessel&#8217;s five decks, there are many social areas which you can enjoy during your cruise.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-SANTA CRUZ II

The M/Y Yacht Isabela II is a motor Yacht that will allow you to discover the unique world of the Galapagos with wildlife encounters, breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. Accommodating up to 40 guests, the 20 cabins were designed to make you feel at home, creating a stylish, tranquil ambiance and unforgettable experiences.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-YACHT ISABELLA II

The M/Y La Pinta (accommodating up to 48 guests) offers a relaxed expedition atmosphere, with plush outside cabins; the highest standards of service; international cuisine plus celebrated Ecuadorian dishes, and all the amenities that make a Galapagos Expedition the trip of a lifetime.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-LA PINTA

A Complete Diving Cruise or a full Naturalist Cruise&#10; The Ping&#252;ino Explorer (with 8 Cabins) is one of the only boats authorized by the Galapagos National Park to offer two types of itineraries: an 8 day complete diving cruise visiting the most renowned islands for diving (Darwin and Wolf) and 8 days as a naturalist cruise, where you will be able to explore the most outstanding flora and fauna, enjoying the best landscapes in the most remarkable spots in the Galapagos Islands. All dives are done from a diving platform, allowing easy access to all the best diving sites.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-PINGÜINO EXPLORER

The Millennium Catamaran (accommodating 16 passengers) is a First-class cruiser offering an elegant and comfortable way to visit the Enchanted Islands. It is specially designed for cruising and exploring the Galapagos Islands!

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-MILLENNIUM CATAMARAN

Experience the Galapagos Islands in the most comfortable way you can imagine! Get on board our First-Class Catamarans and enjoy your cruise to the most beautiful places on the Islands. The Archipell I &amp; II each have 8 large, beautiful and spacious cabins all with ocean views.

CRUISING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-CATAMARAN ARCHIPELL I & II

Travel to Ecuador&#160;and The Galapagos Islands where indigenous culture with European influences and a paradise for nature lovers welcome you at every turn. Ecuador&#8217;s vibrant culture is as distinctive as the hand-woven tapestries of its local artisans. Take time to explore her fascinating cities on a meticulously planned&#160;Ecuador vacation package&#160;like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil with expert guides. Stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously&#160;at the Equatorial Line Monument. Explore ancient ruins, shop for handmade crafts and leather goods, and taste flavorful Ecuadorian recipes. Delve into breathtaking nature from mountains, rivers, and the Amazon jungle, to thermal baths and ecological reserves &#8211; the outdoor adventures abound. Venture on to the Galapagos Islands and see some of the world&#8217;s most unusual species at Galapagos National Park such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. A mega-diversity hotspot awaits you on your ultimate&#160;Ecuador travel package&#160;with Central Holidays.

Travel to Ecuador for vibrant culture, splendid cities, breathtaking nature, adventure, and more!

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