02 Santa Fe

Ecuador Highlands

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  • Duration Icon

    Duration

    7 Nights

  • Hotel Comfort (140 X 140 Px)

    Trip Comfort

    Essential

  • Overnight Islands (140 X 140 Px)

    Trip Highlights

    Cloud Forest and Galápagos Islands

  • Prices From

    Price From

    $ 2,039 per person

Discover the Ecuadorian highlands with this exclusive tour featuring some of the country's most stunning nature and exotic wildlife. From island-hopping and snorkeling, to forest hikes and birdwatching, this action-packed 8 day itinerary will reveal the majestic highlands that Ecuador has to offer.

Trip Highlights:

  • Roam around the colonial capital Quito and uncover its past with an educational walking tour
  • Immerse yourself in the Andean mountains and unwind in the magical cloud forest
  • Discover grand waterfalls where colorful hummingbirds flit around
  • Admire the gentle giant tortoises in their natural habitat, an icon of the Galápagos Islands 
  • Spend the day island-hopping around the archipelago, spotting rays, dolphins and rare sea birds

Example Itinerary

La Pinta Santa Fe Couple & Iguana
Shutterstock 04.25 Quito Center

Day 1 | Transfer in Quito

You will be welcomed by an English-speaking assistant and a private transfer from Quito Mariscal Sucre airport to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz

Chaski 4.25 San Francisco Sunset

Day 2 | Walking Tour of Quito

You will begin your trip in the colonial capital of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautifully preserved architecture. Explore cobblestone streets, historic churches like La Compañía and San Francisco Monastery, and visit La Ronda to learn about traditional crafts and life in this historic city.

Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz

Meals: breakfast

Chaski 4.25 Bellavista Lodge

Day 3 | Cloud Forest

On day two, you will travel from Quito to the cloud forest to enjoy scenic mountain views before arriving at the Bellavista lodge. Settle in, watch hummingbirds and explore forest trails with expert guides to reveal unique vegetation and birdlife. In the evening, discover an incredible variety of moths, some still unknown to science, in this magical ecosystem.

Accommodation: Bellavista

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Chaski 03.25 Ecu Mainland Cloud Forest Mashpi Lodge Landscape Rainforest (1)

Day 4 | Cloud Forest to Quito

Start the day with an early morning bird hike to discover more about the colorful denizens of the forest. After breakfast, you can then embark on an adventurous hike to a waterfall hidden deep in the forest, or simply admire the fascinating hummingbirds. You wil have lunch then take a final short hike in the forest, or a peaceful siesta, until it is time to leave back in Quito.

Accommodation: Casa de Hacienda La Jimenita

Meals: breakfast and lunch

01 Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

Day 5 | The Galápagos Islands

From Quito, you will board a flight to Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galápagos Islands. You will be picked up by bus to go to the Itabaca Channel, where the transfer will be waiting to take you to a private giant tortoise reserve. Here, you will have lunch and be able to see giant tortoises in the wild. Later, you will transfer to Puerto Ayora for the night.

 

Accommodation: Mainao Hotel

Meals: breakfast and lunch

05 South Plaza Island

Day 6 | Yacht Tour To Uninhabited Islands

You will enjoy cruising on a motor yacht alongside attentive crew and a knowledgeable naturalist guide as you experience the remote islands in comfort and style.

You will spend the day visiting the North Seymour and Bachas, South Plazas, Sullivan Bay and Santa Fe or Bartolomé Island. Along the way, you could spot leaping rays and jumping dolphins, all while enjoying the vastness of the Pacific. 

Accommodation: Mainao Hotel

Meals: breakfast and lunch 

Chaski 4 25 Tortuga Bay

Day 7 | Las Grietas and Tortuga Bay

From Puerto Ayora's main pier, you will take a water taxi to the Other Side Pier and start a short walk to Las Grietas. This stunning geological formation is made up of two impressive rock walls with an elongated crystal-clear water pond ideal for snorkeling. After a walk through a deciduous forest, you will reach one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago where you can enjoy a special kayaking ride around the bay.

Accommodation: Mainao Hotel

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Chaski 4.25 Twin Craters

Day 8 | Los Gemelos

In the morning, you will visit Los Gemelos on Santa Cruz Island - two large craters that were once underground magma chambers. After, you will transfer overland to Baltra and take a flight (not included) back to mainland Ecuador.

Meals: breakfast

Inclusions

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Not Included

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Where You Will Stay

Chaski 5.25 Patio Andaluz

Hotel Patio Andaluz

Hotel Patio Andaluz is an elegant boutique hotel in a colonial style house with stunning inner courtyards flooded with light and colorful gardens. Located just a stone's throw from Independence Square, this hotel makes for the perfect base to explore the Quito, before relaxing after a full day of sightseeing in the charming rooms.

Chaski 4.25 Bellavista Lodge

Bellavista

Bellavista lodge offers a unique ecotourism experience in Ecuador's magical cloud forest. The ideal destination for those seeking adventure and connection with nature, you will enjoy exotic birdwatching, expert-guided trails and educational experiences, along with stylish rooms that blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature. 

Chaski 4.25 Hacienda La Jimineta Room

Casa de Hacienda La Jimenita

Featuring comfortable and luxurious suites, an on-site restaurant with cozy fireplaces and an extensive garden, Hotel Casa de Hacienda La Jimenita is the perfect place to unwind. The suites in Casa de Hacienda La Jimenita feature private bathrooms with vertical hydromassage showers, hand-made furniture and splendid scenic views of the nature reserve.



Screenshot 2025 02 17 At 12.13.32

Mainao Hotel

This small friendly hotel is in an idyllic location, away from the downtown’s hustle and bustle. The Arabic-Moroccan construction, with peaceful gardens and patios, makes it the ideal place for resting and relaxing. The light, stylish rooms are will make you feel at home and are equipped with everything you need for an unforgettable stay.

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