Luxury Ecuador & Galapagos Safari

Day 1 - Arrive Quito

Upon your arrival in Quito, you’ll take the complimentary airport shuttle to the Wyndham Airport and have some rest before the adventure begins tomorrow.

Wyndham Quito

The Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel is a convenient and comfortable choice for travellers passing through Quito, especially those en route to or from the Galapagos Islands. Strategically located near the airport, this hotel provides a peaceful and tranquil respite for guests looking to relax and unwind during their travels. Whether you're arriving in Quito, preparing for an adventure in the Galapagos, or winding down after exploring Ecuador, the Wyndham offers a comfortable stay and a convenient location.

Day 2 - Quito - Zuleta Region

This morning you’ll be collected and privately transferred to the heart of Ecuador's 'Avenue of Volcanoes'. The drive of approximately an hour and half will take you through rolling green hills and past verdant farmland on your way to your accommodation.

Hacienda Zuleta

A colonial working farm of 4,000 acres, the hacienda has 14 beautifully decorated rooms, all with their own fire place. Antique gardens along with cosy living and reading rooms offer a peaceful atmosphere. Virtually everything gracing your table will have come fresh from Zuleta’s organic garden and rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand.

Days 3 - 4 - Zuleta Region

Spend the next 2 days enjoying the stunning setting of Zuleta, learning about the local condor conservation project, or enjoy hiking on the nearby trails with a chance to spot the elusive Andean bear. You can also go birdwatching, biking, stargazing or just relax and take in the fresh air.

Zuleta Region

Zuleta is known for its Zuleteño horse, a unique mixture of Spanish – Andalusian, English and Quarter horses. The outcome of this crossbreeding is a robust, noble and smooth Andean horse with a perfect disposition for trail riding.

Day 5 - Zuleta – Mashpi Cloud Forest

After a couple of days in this idyllic, peaceful setting, you will be transferred approximately 4 hours to your next lodge, nestled in the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and a guided hike into the forest, keeping an eye out for birdlife.

Mashpi Lodge

Powered 100% by its own hydroelectricity and surrounded by exquisite rainforest bio-diversity its hard to believe the contemporary, sophisticated and intimate Mashpi Lodge is just 2 and a half hours from Ecuador’s bustling capital of Quito. Set in a 1,200 hectare private reserve on the western slopes of the Andes, your stay here is all about experiencing the wonders of the natural world. Designed to combine the highest levels of service and comfort, this modern lodge somehow manages to blend with its natural surroundings, becoming a luxury hideaway in the clouds. Floor to ceiling windows make sure you don’t miss a thing, reminding you of your complete immersion in this lush wonderland.

Day 6 - Mashpi Cloud Forest

The lodge is equipped with observation towers and the unique 'Sky Bike,' which allows you to explore the forest from up above. Also enjoy forest walks, visits to nearby licks and leks to view some of the abundant bird species found locally, or walks to nearby waterfalls.

ECU Etienne Delorieux E5sp18o40ya Unsplash

Mashpi Cloud Forest

Wake to the sounds of the dawning jungle before enjoying some of the excursions within the cloud forest. These may include forest walks, visits to nearby licks and leks to view some of the abundant bird species found locally, or walks to nearby waterfalls.

Day 7 - Mashpi Cloud Forest - Quito

Enjoy an early morning excursion in the rainforest, and then after breakfast head out on another guided activity through the beautiful cloud forest. After this excursion you will make your way back to Mashpi Lodge in time for lunch before you are collected for the drive back to Quito.

Casa Gangotena

This spectacularly-well restored historic mansion, situated on a plot that housed an Inca Temple, displays a fascinating contemporary design. Within the 31 guest rooms modern technologies sit alongside antiques and fine furnishings. Art Nouveau combines with Neo-Classical architecture and massive efforts have been made to preserve the buildings original details, including painted ceilings.

Day 8 - Quito - Galapagos

Prepare for an early pick up this morning as you are transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Met on arrival by an Infinity staff member and transferred to the yacht. Enjoy a 30-minute walk to the beach and later make your way to Breeding Centre David Rodriguez.

Quito

The atmospheric Old Town of Quito is a mesmerising place of grandiose buildings, immense green plazas and brilliantly white cathedrals, all worthy of exploring as part of your visit to Ecuador. Set at a dizzying altitude of nearly 3000 metres, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito is surrounded by volcanoes and the Andes mountain range. It is impossible not to be overwhelmed by the views of the city, sprawled along the sides of the long, narrow valley that envelops it. The many panoramic vantage points to be found make it one of the most spectacular settings to be found all South America’s major cities

Day 9 - South Plaza & Santa Fe

Santa Fe Island is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. In the afternoon, we head to South Plaza - small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colourful yellow and red land iguanas.

GAL St Galapagos Humboldt Penguin Shutterstock Jgolby

Wildlife in Galapagos Islands

The overwhelming biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin's seminal book "On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection". Such is the extent of the rigorous protection and respect for these islands that visitation numbers are tightly regulated, and the inimitably photogenic wildlife is fearless of man; a place where nature and man enjoy a rare equilibrium. Nowhere on earth is it possible to observe so many of the planet’s species at unfeasibly close range as the Galapagos Islands, which justifies its unwavering popularity as the pinnacle destination of any wildlife holiday.

Day 10 - Santa Cruz Island

This morning You will visit “Fausto Llerena” Giant Tortoises Breeding Center Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. After lunch, visit the Twin Craters.

St Galapagos Tortoiose Shutterstock Fotogrin

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz is the second largest of the Galapagos Islands, after Isabela, and the centre for tourism. Here you find the Galapagos Islands National Park Headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station, and its close proximity to Baltra means it is easily accessible to anyone visiting the archipelago. The island has a strange geology, comprised of two parts, the older 10 mile strip of land formed of uplifted submarine lava flows and the newer, larger part formed by volcanic cones and basaltic lavas. Then there are the twin craters of Los Gemelos, sinkholes surrounded by Scalesia forest. Each of the Galapagos ‘life zones’ are present on Isla Santa Cruz resulting in some fantastic wildlife, especially birds. Human development began here in the 20th Century, with villages established in the humid zone which were perfect for planting avocados, coffee, lemons, bananas and more.

Day 11 - 12 - Isabela Island

The morning visit is to Moreno Point, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, white-tip reef sharks and some sea turtles. After lunch, explore Elizabeth Bay, by a mix of hiking, snorkelling and panga ride, with possible sightings including penguins and blue-footed boobies.

Isabela Island

The sea-horse shaped island of Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands and at only one million years of age, it is also one of the youngest. Thought by many to be the most beautiful, Isabela is home to the typical white-sandy beaches, palm trees, rocky islets and mangroves you would expect from a pacific island. World renowned for its population of tortoises, there are five subspecies found on the island, each living in the calderas of the five remaining active volcanoes. These subspecies are thought to have developed as the slow moving creatures could not cross the topographical barriers that the volcanoes presented. On the west coast there is the Cromwell Current providing a feeding ground for fish, dolphins and whales. Birders will not be disappointed either, with Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants nesting nearby. Elsewhere on the island you can also spot Galapagos hawks, mangrove finches, brown pelicans, pink flamingos and blue herons.

Day 13 - Fernandina & Isabela

Land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site. In the afternoon, you visit Vicente Roca Point and snorkel, looking out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the Mola Mola.

GAL St Galapagos Black Spotted Eagle Ray Shutterstock Wildestanimal

When to Go

There are great whale shark sightings to be had at Darwin and Wolf Islands from June to November. Whales and dolphins are commonly seen between Isabela and Fernandina Islands from July to November when the Humboldt Current is more prominent and supplies more nutrient-rich waters to the archipelago.

Day 14 - Santiago & Bartholomew Islands

Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks, quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards and fur-seals bathing in the sun. This is also a great snorkelling site. In the afternoon, visit Pinnacle Rock and trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano.

GAL St Galapagos Bartolome Island Jess Kraft

Bartholomew Islands

Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. Take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands. You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkelling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.

Day 15 - North Seymour – Quito

On this final excursion, you will visit North Seymour, where you may see sea-lions, blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds and land and marine iguanas. After this final outing, you will be transferred to the airport on Baltra for your flight back to Quito.

Casa Gangotena

Day 16 - Depart Quito

It is time for your adventure to come to an end as you check out of your hotel (check out time 12:00) and transfer to the international airport to meet your flight home.

Location
Ecuador & The Galapagos

Luxury Safari

Andes & Cloud Forest

WHY BOOK THIS TRIP

Wyndham Quito

Hacienda Zuleta

Zuleta Region

Mashpi Lodge

Mashpi Cloud Forest

Casa Gangotena

Quito

Wildlife in Galapagos Islands

Santa Cruz Island

Isabela Island

When to Go

Bartholomew Islands

Casa Gangotena

Quito