Compare Ecuador & Galapagos Islands by Rothschild Safaris vs Jewels of the Andes | Haciendas de Ecuador by Latin Adventures
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 15,000 | $ 2,800 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,154 | $ 350 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 5 Dinners |
| Description |
From history-rich Quito to the vibrant cloud forests of Mashpi Reserve to the remarkable and utterly unique Galápagos Islands, explore the best of what Ecuador has to offer. Visit Otavalo and its world-renowned indigenous markets full of color and life, while staying at one of Ecuador’s top haciendas; stand along the equator when you visit the “Middle of the World;” and relax in hot springs with views of the Andes and rolling hills. This is a trip you will never forget. |
Haciendas de Ecuador with its sceneries on this 8-day trip. Staying in a hacienda while visiting Ecuador has become a “must do” for any trip to the Ecuadorian Andes. Experience historical farmhouses that date back to the 16th century that has been renovated and changed into first-class hotels, lodges, and inns. Haciendas in most cases were founded by Spanish settlers who received large gifts of land from the Spanish and then later Ecuadorian government and managed expansive farms using the local indigenous population as laborers. Most haciendas nowadays are reduced to a small area of land around the historical house after centuries of land reforms and selling of land parcels to neighboring farmers. But many of the remaining houses maintain their original architecture, gardens, towering trees and old world ambiance. |
Days 1-2: Quito/ Hotel Casa Gangotena
Welcome to Ecuador! On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend your first two nights in Ecuador in luxury at Hotel Casa Gangotena, situated in the heart of Quito’s Old Town.
Spend your time here getting to know magnificent Quito, visiting the city’s historic district, enjoying this urban jewel and its artistic and architectural treasures. Drive to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the principal religious monuments of the New World, then visit the exact middle of the planet where the equator crosses the earth at latitude 0° 0’ 0”. Here you will be able to stand with one foot in each hemisphere!
Days 3- 7: Galapagos Islands/ M/V Eclipse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your adventure continues as we fly you to the Galápagos Islands to begin your 5-night cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse.
During your cruise your days will be filled with morning and afternoon excursions on different islands where you will can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife viewing all the while! Explore Cerro Brujo’s gorgeous beach, home to many sea lions and the place where Charles Darwin first stepped foot on the Archipelago; spot land iguanas, flocks of Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and different types of finches; or visit the inside of a lava tunnel!
Overnight: M/V Eclipse
Day 8: Pappallacta/ Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
This morning you will fly back into Quito for your drive to Termas de Papallacta. Here you can relax and refresh yourself, taking in the stunning mountain views while having a soak in the lodge’s hot springs, or enjoy a spa treatment.
Days 9, 10: Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve/ Mashpi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge
Continue your journey northwest into the Mashpi Forest Reserve, a 3,200-acre haven for wildlife and biodiversity. Here, you will stay at National Geographic’s Unique Lodge of the World – Mashpi Lodge – a modern architectural marvel of glass where nature takes center stage.
Afternoon activities in the reserve will be organized depending on your group’s size and physical conditions and weather conditions. Activities include visiting the observation tower to experience life in the forest from a height of 90 feet, taking a 200-yard aerial cable ride on the “Sky Bike” through the forest canopy and visiting the San Vicente waterfalls to discover the lush secrets this forest holds. Follow the Howler Monkey Trail, which passes through primary forest, on to the Life Center and Butterfly Pavilion.
Days 11, 12: Otavalo/ Hacienda Zuleta
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta
It’s time to leave the forest behind as you journey to Ecuador’s Otavalo region. Your first stop is Otavalo Indigenous Market, one of the largest and best-known in South America. After some time perusing the local wares, you will continue on to enjoy lunch at Hacienda Zuleta – an amazing jewel tucked away amid several volcanoes.
A host of optional activities await you here, including easy mountain biking along the hacienda grounds, or a short hike around beautiful “Guinea Pig Lake.” Visit Cotacachi´s Leather Market and a family of weavers who not only have amazing wares but will demonstrate for you how they weave on their traditional back-strap looms and make striking colors from local plants. Around the corner lives a family of musicians, where you will get a feel for authentic Andean music and watch as they craft perfectly-tuned Andean flutes.
Day 13: Your Journey Ends
Today you will be transferred to Quito International Airport for your international flight home.
Day 1: Arrive in Quito
Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena
When you arrive in Ecuador’s capital of Quito — which lies at 2,800 meters above sea level at the foot of the Pichincha Volcano — you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel.
Day 2: Quito City Tour – Cable Car – Mitad del Mundo
Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena
This city tour and Teleférico is a full day tour which includes the Basilica Church, where you will make a brief stop and next visit the “San Juan Mirador” from where you will have a beautiful view of The Colonial Center of Quito. After walking through the colonial streets, you will then stop at the Independence Plaza to admire the Cathedral and the Government’s Palace. Then you will visit La Ronda Street, The Company Church, Santo Domingo´s Church, The Sagrario´s Church and San Francisco´s Church, which was built during the 17th century. After visiting the historical site, you will go to the Teleférico. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the city with views of beautiful valleys, snow-capped mountains and the capital Quito. From a point of more than 13,000 feet (4000 m) high, you will enjoy magnificent views. In the afternoon, you'll will go to Mitad del Mundo which is located fifty minutes from the northwest of Quito (Ecuador). You will visit the current equatorial line and straddle the two hemispheres. In addition you’ll have the chance to participate in several experiments at the Intiñan Museum. Things like watching water go down a drain in a different direction only inches away from either side of the equator, or balancing an egg on a nail, or using an ancient sun dial are some examples of what you can experiment here. Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena
Day 3: Otavalo Market – Leather Shops – Hacienda La Zuleta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta
Early in the morning, we will travel to the north along the Panamerican highway through a charming mountain scenery. We will arrive at Cayambe town and have breakfast at Hacienda La Compañia. We will continue to Otavalo and visit the Indigenous market. For centuries, regional markets played an important role in the life of the Indians, and were regular gathering places for trade and socializing. The colorful local markets of the Andean valley are famous for their fine handicrafts. The Otavalo Indigenous market dates from the pre-Inca times and is famous for its textiles. Otavalo is the most famous indigenous market in South America. The Otavaleños barter in silence, in contrast to the raucous noise of other markets. You will have time to visit this famous market and walk through the narrow cobbled, streets filled with Otavalo Indians wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. We stop for lunch in one of the most charming estates in the field. In the afternoon, we will visit the leather shops in Cotacachi. Then we will go to the Hacienda Zuleta, where we will assign one of the lovely rooms overlooking the garden. We will receive a welcome drink and a typical side dish, while its owner tells the story of the hacienda. At dinner we will enjoy a delicious soup, salads and organic vegetables produced on the farm. We will also have the choice of beef, trout or chicken, all following traditional family recipes.
Day 4: Hacienda Zuleta – Condor´s Path - Embroidery center - Private Library Galo Plaza
Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta
Before the Condor's Path, early risers can go hiking to see the birds or be part of the process of milking cows on the farm. After a country breakfast at the ranch, we will take the Condor´s path, a moderate walk to see condors, archaeological ruins of the Caranqui culture and observe trout farming. The tour can also be done on horseback. Enjoy a picnic lunch if the weather permits; otherwise, lunch will be served at the Hacienda. After lunch, we will visit the embroidery center, part of the foundation of the estate, and the cheese factory. In the afternoon, we will visit the private library of Galo Plaza, former President of Ecuador and Secretary of the OAS (Organization of American States), whose family owns the ranch. After dinner, we will have time to relax in the warmth of the fireplace or enjoy stargazing in the central courtyard.
Day 5: Hualilagua of Jijón - Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Overnight in Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
If you want to wake up early, you can enjoy a walk by the Hacienda Zuleta or a short ride. After breakfast, we will travel south to arrive at the Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijón. Lunch will be served in a charming dining room. Continuing south along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', we will arrive at the Hacienda San Agustin de Callo. Following in the footsteps of the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt, we will discover what he called the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' in 1802. This magical route is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. In the past, its natural beauty nourished the mythology of early cultures and later encouraged the Spanish to settle in their skirts. Streams and rivers travel from the mountains to the small villages of adobe houses and farmland. Hacienda San Agustin de Callo is located at the foot of the imposing Cotopaxi volcano. After that if the weather allows, we will visit the Cotopaxi National Park on horseback or bicycle. Back at the ranch, we will meet in the room to delight us with cocktails offered by the owner, who will give an overview of the history of the hacienda. We will enjoy dinner with house specialties including lamb, shrimp and vegetables grown in the garden on the farm.
Day 6: Local Indigenous Market - Activities in Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Overnight in Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
After a delicious buffet breakfast, we will visit a local Indigenous market. Color is the essence of ancient Indian markets of the Ecuadorian highlands, the native dress of men and women, stacked skeins of yarn, the blue sky, the brightly colored handmade designs in sweaters and the splendid paintings in Tagua; all these products and handicrafts are displayed in the squares with colorful fruits, vegetables and costumes provide countless opportunities to take pictures. Horse riding.
Day 7: San Agustin de Callo – Termas de Papallacta Spa
Overnight in Casa Boutique Gangotena.
We will enjoy a delicious breakfast in San Agustin de Callo, then we will head to Termas de Papallacta Spa in where you will experience an unforgettable day in a unique and friendly atmosphere, in the midst of a unique natural environment, where the combination of hot springs and the comfort will provide experiences of relaxation and rest.
Day 8: Travel back home
Transfer to the airport for the return trip.
