Albatross
Summary of nights: 18 days, 16 nights: Quito 3; Riobamba 1; Cuenca 3; Guayaquil 1; Galápagos 7; Quito 1.
Cultural Ecuador – where time stands still, age-old craft villages and traditional costumes thrive.
Andean landscapes of ice-dipped volcanoes and fertile plains cut through by verdant valleys.
Quito – historic capital in a dramatic high-altitude mountain setting.
Cuenca – city with a graceful colonial heart; seek out the cobbled lanes, churches and mansions.
Galápagos – the enchanted islands teem with land and marine fauna.
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 Fly UK to Quito.
Days 2 Explore both the colonial and modern districts of Quito.
Day 3 Take an optional tour to the famous market town of Otavalo.
Day 4 Drive south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Riobamba.
Day 5 Travel by road and rail to Cuenca, visiting the inca site of Ingapirca en route.
Days 6-7 Optional excursion to Cajas national park or relax and enjoy the museums and markets of Cuenca.
Day 8 Short flight to Guayaquil.
Days 9-15 Fly to the Galápagos Islands for your 7-night cruise.
Day 16 Return to Quito.
Day 17 Fly UK, arriving day 18.
Trip Profile
Transport: 3 flights from 45 minutes to 3 hours; 2 scenic road/rail journeys; 7 day cruise on small motor yacht.
Accommodation: Superior medium class hotels, .
Meals: Breakfast daily, full-board in Galápagos (7 days).
Guides: Our tour leader will accompany you on the mainland, in the Galápagos you are guided by local naturalist specialists.
Included excursions: City tour of Quito including the Equator line, visits to villages and farms between Quito and Riobamba, shore excursions on Galápagos cruise.
A few days to spare?
Extend your trip by adding on a few days at the beginning or end of your tour on a tailormade, private basis. Click here to see our most popular extensions to the Albatross Tour or contact one of our consultants for more inspiring ideas.
|  The giant tortoise on the Galápagos is one of the major attractions
 Cotopaxi volcano accompanies us on our journey south
 Panama hats in fact come from Cuenca, Ecuador
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