Anahi Catamaran & Natural Treasures of Ecuador - 10 Days

Brief itinerary

Friday - Arrive in Quito

Saturday - Papallacta Hot Springs                                                        

Sunday - Papallacta San Rafael Waterfall - Papallacta                          

Monday - Quito                                                                                   

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        Papallacta Hot Springs (B, L, D)

Departing Quito you will climb east up to Papallacta located on the lip of the Amazon basin. The area is known for its hot springs and curative sulfate alkaline thermal waters.

Here at 3, 800 metres above sea level, you have the chance to relax at one of the many volcanically-heated pools that are part of the Termas de Papallacta Resort and Spa. The facilities include a first-class hotel, a spa and a restaurant offering local and international cuisine with its main specialty: fresh trout.

After lunch at the resort you will have the opportunity to take a short walk along the Papallacta River to see the local flora, characterized by the polylepis (“paper tree”), unique for the unusual texture of its bark.

In the evening you can relax with another soak or take an optional treatment at the spa. Dinner and overnight stay at Termas de Papallacta. 

Sunday           Papallacta - San Rafael Waterfall - Papallacta (B, L, D)

Today you’ll explore the Quijos Valley from the lakes of the high country Paramo to the exuberant jungle surrounding Cascada San Rafael.

You’ll travel down the valley, stopping at historic Baeza and further on take a 15 minute hike in to Ecuador’s highest and most spectacular waterfall, Cascada San Rafael. You’ll marvel at the sight of the entire Quijos River plunging 145m (480ft) into the basalt cauldron below.

On a clear day, from the Reventador River you will see the active volcano of the same name and you may see the explosions and flowing lava.

Return to Papallacta to spend another lovely night relaxing at the pools. Dinner and overnight stay at Termas de Papallacta. 

Monday         Quito  (B, L, D)

Return to Quito to have lunch at “El Ventanal” restaurant. It offers an extensive selection of international gastronomy with an Ecuadorian flavor.

The city is especially beautiful by night. You will enjoy the colonial part of the city and the site of the floodlit churches. The Panecillo lookout will be the next stop for a panoramic night time view of Quito.

Dinner is at Theatrum restaurant. It offers an extraordinary menu of vanguard Mediterranean cuisine with Ecuadorian flare, where seafood, fish, meat, poultry and duck combine with fine aromatic herbs and local and imported ingredients. 

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 (its 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 on the intensity of the surf.

Gardner Bay

Located on the north-eastern coast of Española, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkelling, 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 not only flamingos, but also 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 its 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)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or stay to explore a little more of Ecuador.