Compare Quito and Galapagos Basic by Gray Line Ecuador vs Ecuador Tour by Enable Holidays

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."

Day 1: Arrival (D)

Upon your arrival in Ecuador, you will be taken to your accessible hotel via adapted transportation. Once settled in, we will enjoy dinner in Quito and have a briefing about the tour to prepare you for the accessible adventure ahead.

Day 2: Cotopaxi National Park (B, D)

After enjoying a late breakfast, you’ll begin heading south in the Andes, where we will cross the Cotopaxi National Park and, if lucky, be able to admire the Cotopaxi snow-capped volcano. On the way, we will make a stop at a rose farm plantation where you can admire the process of growing one of the finest roses in the world. After that we will travel to Baños de Agua Santa, that is nested in the bottom of the Tungurahua active volcano. The group will then check into the hotel, and you will have time to wander around town and discover your surroundings.

Day 3: Baños (B, D)

This morning, you will the opportunity to try some of the local products and Baños’ market, before continuing to a cable car ride that takes you across the ravines of the Agoyán river. Once you’ve had time to take in the spectacular views provided by the mountains and waterfall, we will explore Baños further and witness the area from some of its best lookout points.

Day 4: Amazon (B, L, D)

Today we will be diving deeper into the Amazon basin of Ecuador, where we’ll follow the river ravine until we reach Tena City, nested in the amazon Napo province. The group will then make way to Huasquila Lodge, which is the only disabled holidays destination in the Amazon Region.

In the afternoon we will visit an indigenous community and have the chance to learn about their customs and traditions, where they’ll teach us to prepare guayusa, a local tea made from holly trees, and how to make the famous chichi, a fermented beverage made from grains, maize or fruit.

Day 5: Water Rafting in the Amazon (B, L, D)

We will start the day with a drive to the Anzu River where you’ll enjoy water rafting down calm rivers, giving us the chance to experience the magnificence of the Amazon. During the adapted excursion, we can stop at several points of interest to take pictures and relax on the river. After a long day of excitement, we will retreat to the accessible restaurant in your accommodation and rest for the remainder of the evening, chatting at the lodge, playing games and enjoying delicious tropical juice or wine.

Day 6: Amazon Jungle Hike (B, L, D)

Prepare to go off-roading! With the use of an off-road wheelchair, we will go hiking through the secondary rainforest and learn about medicinal plants from a native guide. The path into the rainforest is maintained by the lodge and includes stops along the way, including a small waterfall and one huge Ceibo tree. After lunch, we will visit local towns of Archidona and Tena, meeting some of the locals and enjoying some time in these cosy towns.

Day 7: Papallacta Thermal Baths (B, L)

Today, we leave the tropical rainforest to enjoy half a day taking an accessible tour in the Andes to visit one of the best adapted thermal baths and spas that Ecuador has to offer. Here, Papallacta, you can enjoy a chocolate bath or deep massage as well as the mineral healing volcanic pools, after which we will venture back to the hotel in Quito.

Day 8: The Middle of the World (B, L)

In the morning, we will discover Quito´s famous historical centre and admire its unique colonial architecture through an accessible wheelchair tour, which includes entering one of its churches and several plazas. In the afternoon you’ll encounter the “Mitad del Mundo” where we can get a photo on the line separating the northern and southern hemispheres. There are also several experiments in the interactive museum that you can take part in, with time to wander around the central plaza to buy local souvenirs or enjoy a cup of coffee.

Day 9: Galapagos Snorkel Adventure (B, L, D)

Our Galapagos adventure begins with a flight from Quito to San Cristobal Island, bringing you to your wheelchair accessible hotel in Galapagos, where we’ll have lunch and give you a briefing on the tour. In the afternoon we will snorkel at Lobería Beach, where you will encounter a sea lion colony, iguanas, sea turtles and more!

Day 10: Adapted Kayaking (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will visit Cristobal´s Giant Tortoise breeding centre, which is a great chance to take pictures of the famous turtles but also to make a short stop at El Junco Lake to enjoy a beautiful view of the island. In the afternoon we will go on an adapted kayaking adventure around the bay to see some birds, sea lions and hopefully more.

Day 11: Snorkel at Kicker Rock (B, L, D)

Today we will enjoy one of Galapagos’ highlights, snorkel at Kicker Rock. After breakfast, we will take a boat ride to this natural volcanic formation and have the chance to snorkel with rays, sea turtles and hopefully hammerhead sharks, with opportunities to see blue-footed boobies, gulls and frigate birds for those bird watchers among you.

In the afternoon, once you’ve rested, we will visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre to learn a bit about its history, present and challenges for the future. The final excursion of the day will be to the Tijeretas View Point, where you will be able to admire the island from the very top and witness the landscape in all its glory.

Day 12: The End (B)

After breakfast, we will have the last chance to enjoy the beautiful beach before we catch our flight to Quito and connect with international flights out of Ecuador.