Expert: Tom Damon, president, Southwind Adventures
Length of trip: Two weeks
Highlights: Exploring Quito's Old Town, the breathtaking
Andean lake region and tropical rainforest, and the exotic wildlife of the Galápagos Islands
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN QUITO
Check into the Hotel Patio
Andaluz (above) in Quito's colonial
Old Town and rest up from
your flight.
DAYS 2 & 3: ANDEAN LAKE REGION
Take a shuttle or a
private car two hours north
to the Lake District (above).... Stay at
the Hacienda Cusin(above), a fully restored
17th-century inn. It's at an
elevation of 8,500 feet, so
take an acclimatization walk
through the gardens before
dinner at the inn's restaurant.
Browse market towns
like Otavalo, known for
the intricate weavings and
textiles created by local
artists.... For lunch or dinner
I like the colonial charm
and crackling fireplace at
Hacienda Pinsaqui.
DAY 4: ANDEAN LAKE REGION TO THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST
Take in the
scenery via horseback
(arrange the ride through
the hacienda's stable) or
hike around Lake Cuicocha....
Lunch on fresh trout at
El Mirador, overlooking
the lake.... Drive about three
hours down the western
slope of the Andes, through
forested mountain gorges,
past waterfalls, crystalline
streams, and snow-capped
volcanos.... Check into the
Arashá Tropical Rainforest
Resort & Spa.
DAYS 5 & 6: TROPICAL RAINFOREST
Arashá is an
eco-friendly resort with a
full-service spa and natural
spring-fed mineral pools;
it's also located in the region
with the largest variety of
amphibians in the world.
There's a lot going on here,
so create your own itinerary—
my favorites include nature
hikes through the rainforest
to waterfalls, fishing (the
resort will cook what you
catch), and whitewater
rafting.
DAY 7: BACK TO QUITO
Leave the resort in the early
afternoon and check back into
the Hotel Patio Andaluz....
Head to dinner at Quito hot
spot Zazu—the ceviche
martini here is a must!
DAY 8: THE GALAPAGOS
Fly to Baltra Island, in the
Galápagos, where you'll
then board the M/V Eclipse, a small cruise
ship that will take you to Las
Bachas, on Santa Cruz Island,
a major egg-laying beach for
sea turtles.... Look for marine
iguanas and flamingos on
shore, then return to the boat
for dinner.
DAY 9: THE GALAPAGOS
Wake up to the sunrise over
Puerto Egas on Santiago
Island, home to a black lava
shoreline and intertidal
wildlife like the Galápagos
fur seal.... On Bartolomé
Island, hike to a summit
with a panoramic view of
the nearby islands and
Pinnacle Rock.... Back at the
beach, snorkel among the 307
species of fish; a short walk
then leads to a bay where
you'll see white-tip reef sharks
and marine turtle nests.
DAY 10: THE GALAPAGOS
In the morning take a short
walk up Cerro Dragón
(Dragon Hill) for views of the
bay and glimpses of iguanas....
During the afternoon
disembark at Rábida, one of
the best snorkeling sites in
the Galápagos.
DAY 11: THE GALAPAGOS
Wake up to morning light
shining on the summit of
Darwin Volcano.... Later,
take a boat ride and spot
blue-footed boobies as well
as penguins and marine
iguanas.... In the channels
between Fernandina and
Isabela Islands, you might
spot whales and dolphins.
DAY 12: THE GALAPAGOS
Explore the black lava
fields of Punta Espinosa on
Fernandina Island, snorkel
at Punta Vicente Roca on
Isabela Island, or just relax
aboard the M/V Eclipse.
DAY 13: THE GALAPAGOS; BACK TO QUITO
Disembark
at the town of Puerto Ayora
on Santa Cruz Island and tour
the Charles Darwin Research
Station, where you'll come
face to face with some of the
remaining 11 subspecies of
giant tortoise found on the
islands—honestly, a lifechanging
experience....
Stroll the shops in town
before heading to the airport
on Baltra Island for the return
flight to Quito.... Finally,
check back into the Hotel
Patio Andaluz and have a
romantic last dinner at Mea
Culpa wine bar/restaurant.
DAY 14: FLY HOME
