Trace the route of Alexander Von Humboldt as you discover all that Ecuador has to offer in this diverse and exciting itinerary.
Start your trip with two nights in Quito in one of the city’s top hotels complete with a half day tour. From here, you will fly to the Amazon to board an exciting cruise along the Amazon river. Sail deep into the Amazon, spotting wildlife and visiting local communities. After a night back in Quito, you will continue in Humboldt’s footsteps as you start your journey along the Avenue of Volcanoes. Your private guide will take you down through beautiful scenery, travelling from Quito and finishing in Cuenca. Along the way you will stay in charming haciendas, visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa lake and, Riobamba and finishing in the pretty city of Cuenca. From here, continue to Guayaquil for one night before flying out to the Galapagos islands. Enjoy five nights exploring the Galapagos by boat and on land, staying in a luxury hotel and a luxury tented camp.
Trip Highlights
Tour Quito’s colonial centre and enjoy a chocolate-making experience.
Cruise the Amazon River aboard the Anakonda Cruise, exploring the Napo River and its wildlife.
Visit Cotopaxi National Park and Limpiopungo Lagoon along the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Riding the famous Devil’s Nose train before exploring Cuenca’s historic centre.
Explore the Galápagos Islands aboard the Grace Yacht with wildlife encounters and activities like kayaking and snorkelling.
When to go
This itinerary can be enjoyed year-round. Quito and the cloud forest have fairly consistent temperatures, though the cloud forest can be wetter from March to May. The Galapagos Islands are also a year-round destination, with warmer, calmer seas from December to May and cooler, drier weather with more active wildlife from June to November.
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The children all loved the Galapagos and would highly recommend it as a family holiday destination.
– Humboldt Client
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive in Quito and transfer straight to your hotel for the next two nights.
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Enjoy a full-day private tour of Quito’s beautifully preserved colonial centre, visiting iconic landmarks such as Plaza Grande, La Compañía de Jesús, and the San Francisco Monastery, with a stop to make your own chocolate at an artisanal cacao shop. Continue to the Middle of the World to stand on the equator, visit the main monument, and explore the Intiñan Museum before returning to your hotel.
This morning you will take a flight to Coca where you will board your cruise along the Amazon.
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On arrival in Quito, your guide will accompany you to the Cotopaxi volcano and then on to your hacienda for the night.
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This full-day tour follows Alexander von Humboldt’s Avenue of the Volcanoes, visiting Cotopaxi National Park with its snow capped peaks, Andean moorlands and the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano. Highlights include a walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon for birdwatching and views of wild horses, plus lunch at a local hacienda before returning to the city.
This morning you will depart for a tour of the Quilotoa Lake before checking in to your hacienda for the night.
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Enjoy a ride on the famous Devil’s Nose train and then continue to the charming city of Cuenca for the next three nights.
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Fly back to Quito for one night before your departure to the Galapagos.
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This morning you will fly to the Galapagos to start your journey aboard the Grace Yacht.
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On these days, you'll be busy exploring the Galapagos islands, guided by your ship's crew. You'll see all the wildlife on offer on land and swimming around you, and have the option to take part in many activities, including kayaking, snorkelling, exploration on land, or relaxing on the boat.
Where to stay
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