Compare Ecuador & Galapagos - Roundtrip and Photography Tour by Andean summit adventure vs Quito and Galapagos Basic by Gray Line Ecuador

Day 1: Arrival in Quito

Transfer to the hotel. Meet and greet your photo coach & guide in the evening. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.

Day 2:

We start early and dive into Quito’s historic center. We visit magic squares, stroll through the streets, and admire colonial style buildings. We check out the best view points: the towers of Basilica del Voto Nacional & El Panecillo. At night we visit El Ventanal for breathtaking views and an optional dinner. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.

Day 3:

Time to leave Quito, but not without having visited the Middle of the World, the Equator. In the afternoon we arrive in the indigenous town of Otavalo and visit the Plaza de Ponchos (handicraft market). Hotel Indio Inn, Otavalo.

Day 4:

After breakfast we drive up to the Lagunas de Mojanda, surrounded by the famous “Paramo” grass lands, below mystic FuyaFuya summit. In the afternoon we continue to Ibarra, the white city. Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi.

Day 5:

Breath-taking nature awaits us today in the National Park El Angel, close to the Colombian border. Landscape and flora will make us feel like in a fairy-tale. We spend the night in Ibarra. Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi.

Day 6:

Today we head south, towards Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon we’ll try to get the mirror of Cotopaxi volcano in Limpiopungo Lake. We spend the night in the park. From the lodge we enjoy amazing views of the surrounding volcanos. Tambopaxi Lodge.

Day 7:

Let’s take it easy today – Cotopaxi Park has plenty of options for great pics. According to weather and conditions we decide what’s the best option for a productive day: a visit of owls caves, the Refuge José Ribas & glacier or some Inka ruins. Tambopaxi Lodge.

Day 8:

We leave Cotopaxi park after breakfast and head to the next hot spot: Quilotoa crater lake. We appreciate typical country side on our way up and try to get a hold of Quilotoa lake with the afternoon sun. Blacksheep Inn.

Day 9:

In the morning we visit the view point at Quilotoa lake for some more good perspectives. In the afternoon we continue to Baños de Agua Santa. Gamboa Spa Hotel.

Day 10:

We visit Fincapalmonte, in the cloud forest close to Baños, incredible variety of orchids and typical flora wait for being captured by us. Rivers, birds and more will contribute to an unforgettable day. Gamboa Spa Hotel.

Day 11:

Stunning waterfalls and the famous swing at the end of the world at the Tree House are today‘s main attractions. With a bit of luck we will even see volcano Tungurahua overlooking the town. At night we continue to Quito. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.

Day 12:

Flight from Quito to Galapagos. We visit Cerro Tijeretas and have the first opportunity to discover Galapagos wildlife. Some leisure time in the evening allows us to visit Darwin Bay and the Malecon. Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro.

Day 13:

By boat we go to Lobo Island and during the tour we have the chance to swim with the sea lions. In the afternoon the white sands of Ochoa Beach and its fauna await us in all its glory. Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro.

Day 14:

From San Cristobal we continue by boat to Santa Cruz today. Our main target is the famous Tortuga Bay. In addition to countless animals we see the impressive lava tunnels. Hotel Deja Vu.

Day 15:

An excursion to one of the following islands is our today’s program: Bartolome, Plazas, Seymour Norte or Santa Fe. Each of the islands offers breathtaking fauna and flora to create unforgettable photos. Hotel Deja Vu.

Day 16:

Departure from Galapagos and flight back to Quito (or Guayaquil). We enjoy a last day in Ecuador on Hacienda La Jimenita, with wonderful gardens, wildlife as well as some culinary highlights. Hacienda La Jimenita.

Day 17:

After breakfast we have some free time at the Hacienda for a wrap up of our photo tour through Ecuador. Transfer to the airport.

Day 1:

Transfer Airport / Hotel.

Day 2:

Breakfast. 1914 Original trolley city tour of Quito + Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World

We will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.

Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop during which the passengers will be able to climb up to its high domes, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the ""Winged Virgin"", where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.

We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated,

and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city. (Entrance to churches are not included).

We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World”.

We go to the ""Middle of the World City"", where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.

Day 3: Transfer Hotel to the airport for your flight to Galapagos.

Welcome at the Baltra airport and transfer by public buses to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. (Transfer operates daily at 13h00). Accommodation.

**It will be possible to operate transfers without visits and without guide at the following times: 10h00 and 15h00** (previous request)

Day 4:

In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 40minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, with white sand and green mangroves. “Playa mansa” is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach.  Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, tour around the bay on board a yacht, starting with a visit to “La Lobería”, named because of the presence of sea lions. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel. Then we proeed with our tour to the “Canal del Amor”, a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in “Playa de los Perros”.  Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora.

*Note: shipping used in this excursion is a boat engine with capacity for 16 people. This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Day 5:

Free day to choose any extra activities of your own choice and accommodation

Day 6:

Meals: Breakfast

Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a bus of your airline that takes you to the airport. On the way to the airport, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the craters “Los Gemelos”, crater holes formed by the collapse of materials, surrounded by scalesia’s forests. (Transfer operates daily at 07h00, 09h00 and 12h00). Includes only transport."