Anahi Catamaran & Colonial Treasures of Ecuador - 10 Days

Brief itinerary

Friday - Arrive in Quito

Saturday - Colonial Quito                                                                     

Sunday - Colonial Cuenca                                                                  

Monday - Ingapirca Ruins                                                                   

Tuesday - Fly to Galapagos Islands /  San Cristobal island                   

Wednesday - Española island                                                                   

Thursday - Floreana island                                                                  

Friday - Santa Cruz island                                                                

Saturday - Santa Cruz island / Fly to Quito                                           

Sunday - Depart Quito                                                                       

Detailed itinerary

Friday             Arrive in Quito

Your guide will be waiting to escort you from the airport to your hotel. Overnight stay in a standard boutique hotel.

Saturday         Colonial Quito   (B, L, D)

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16^th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 2, 850 m. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compania, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the ‘Baroque school of Quito’, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. (whc.unesco.org)

You’ll set off from the modern part of the city and continue on foot through Quito’s Old Town to admire the colonial art and architecture of the XVI to XVIII centuries. Afterwards you’ll have the opportunity to take in spectacular views of both colonial and modern Quito from the “Panecillo Mirador” which the highest point on the valley floor.

A special treat is lunch at “El Ventanal” restaurant on San Juan hill. The restaurant is characterised by a cozy atmosphere, minimalist decoration and special attention to service. El Ventanal offers an extensive selection of international gastronomy with an Ecuadorian flavor. 

Sunday           Colonial Cuenca  (B, L, D)

Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca is set in a valley surrounded by the Andean mountains in the south of Ecuador. This inland colonial town (entroterra), now the country’s third city, was founded in 1557 on the rigorous planning guidelines issued 30 years earlier by the Spanish king Charles V. Cuenca still observes the formal orthogonal town plan that it has respected for 400 years. One of the region’s agricultural and administrative centres, it has been a melting pot for local and immigrant populations. Cuenca’s architecture, much of which dates from the 18^th century, was ‘modernized’ in the economic prosperity of the 19^th century as the city became a major exporter of quinine, straw hats and other products. (whc.unesco.org)

Today you’ll take an early flight to Cuenca. This is a peaceful city with colonial flair, glistening marble buildings ennobled with wrought iron balconies and huge wooden doors. Lunch is at a typical restaurant in the historic centre. Your guide will lead you on an exploration of the markets, churches, museums and craft shops for which the city is known. To the surprise of many, the Panama hat originated here. Dinner and overnight stay at a standard, superior or deluxe boutique hotel. 

Monday          Ingapirca Ruins  (B)

Departure from Cuenca to Ingapirca, the largest and most significant Inca site in Ecuador. The ruins, located just two hours to the north of Cuenca, date from the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

The Ingapirca ruins look like a small fortress. Some archaeologists think that its main elliptical platform structure (usnu), referred to as Temple of the Sun, was used for religious purposes. Its location on the Inca road that linked the northern and southern capitals of the Inca empire, Quito and Cusco respectively, suggests it may have also served as a resting point for chasquis – runners that carried messages for the royal court. The structure itself has outstanding Inca stonework. Its doorways and niches were designed in the trapezoidal shape that is the unmistakable Inca style.

You’ll enjoy a typical meal on site at the Posada del Inca restaurant before returning to Cuenca in time to catch your flight back to Quito. 

Tuesday Fly to Galapagos Islands/San Cristobal Island (B, L, D)

Pick up from your hotel early in the morning for a transfer to the airport to take your flight to Galapagos. A representative of Anahi Catamaran will be waiting for you at the airport.

La Lobería

The beach is 10 minutes from the airport of San Cristobal. It is a coral sand beach that has been named for the large number of sea lions that can be found resting there. Despite being outside the boundaries of the National Park, due to its great importance the park staff take responsibility for its care and maintenance. Flora to be found include button mangrove, white mangrove, chala, palo santo, cotton, Tiquilia, morning glory and other species of the littoral zone such as the cacho de chivo - it’s seeds the main source of food for several species of finches. In addition to sea lions, yellow warblers, frigates and various species of finches can be seen. On the rocks, marine iguanas, endemic to Galapagos, can also be found.

Highlands

The route from Puerto Baquerizo leads upwards to El Progreso. This small town was established as a penal colony in 1888 by Manuel Cobos. The prisoners were treated as slaves and developed a sugar cane and coffee plantation. The steep road narrows as it climbs the sides of the extinct volcano. At the summit visitors are treated to a spectacular view of the El Junco Lagoon. Rainwater and condensation have collected in the caldera for hundreds of years creating this haven for frigate birds. The lake supplies water both for the people of the island and for many of the tourist boats. Hiking around the lake offers views of practically the entire island including San Joaquin Hill, the island’s highest point.

Wednesday Española island (B, L, D)

Punta Suarez

This rocky land spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow hole where water spouts up to 30 metres into the air depending to the intensity of the surf.

Gardner Bay

Located on the north-eastern coast of Española, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.

ThursdayFloreana Island (B, L, D)

Cormorant Point

This site offers probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. It is also one of the largest in the islands. The lagoon is situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks, and other migratory birds. Of special interest are the two distinct beaches: the “Green Beach”, so coloured due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is composed of fine coral sand.

Devil’s Crown

The Devil’s Crown, located just off Punta Cormorant, offers some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos. In fact, the only way to see the Crown is by water. It is designated a Marine Visitor Site and no landings are allowed. Sometimes referred to as Onslow Island, this is an almost completely submerged volcano. The effects of erosion have transformed the cone into a series of jagged peaks resulting in it’s crown-like appearance.

Post Office Bay & Baroness Lookout

Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. We will continue to the north of the island and will ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista from the Baroness lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner loved this place and spent many hours watching the horizon. The view from the lookout takes in the coastline from Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and the wide forest of Palo Santo. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of her house.

Friday Santa Cruz island (B, L, D)

Charles Darwin Station

The great majority of visitors to Galapagos come here to observe and appreciate its natural wonders. You’ll learn how the protection and conservation of the islands is managed by visiting the National Park information centre, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity including Lonesome George - last of the Pinta species.

Santa Cruz Highlands

Journeying across Santa Cruz into the highlands visitors are delighted by the island’s variety of life and geology. Beginning at the coast and traveling across Santa Cruz the road departs from Puerto Ayora climbing through the agricultural lands and into the mist covered forests. Santa Cruz possesses all of the various life zones present in the archipelago. Travelling through these zones birders are enchanted. Whether it’s the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher or one of Darwin’s finches almost every bird present in the islands can be found here. The highlands also offer excellent opportunities for viewing wild Galapagos Tortoises.

Overnight in a hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Saturday Santa Cruz island/Fly to Quito (B,L)

Morning transfer to the airport in Baltra. On the way you’ll visit Los Gemelos, a pair of craters approximately 30 metres deep located on either side of the road to Baltra island where the airport is located. The holes may have been created by a volcanic explosion or be the result of magma chambers that formed below the surface.

Once you arrive in Quito, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel.

Sunday Depart Quito (B)