You're flying to Quito. The highest capital city in the world (2,800 m) will captivate you with its spectacular location in the heart of the Andes, even on your approach to landing! You'll spend two nights in Quito. (Distance: approx. 40 km; Travel time: approx. 45 min.)

Welcome to Ecuador! Travel along the famous Pan-American Highway to the Equator, located just 20 km from the capital city. Ever wanted to stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time? This unique opportunity awaits you at the "Mitad del Mundo" Equator Monument. The nearby Intiñan Museum vividly illustrates the forces at work at latitude 0° and invites you to try some experiments with gravity. Prepare to be amazed! On your way back to town, you make a quick stop for lunch and try empanadas, the typical pastries, in various flavors. Chicken, beef, or cheese – which empanadas do you like best? Afterwards, you'll explore the historic old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) on a leisurely stroll. You'll wander through the colonial streets of the old town, founded in 1534, across the Plaza Grande with its historic cathedral and the imposing Government Palace. For a little refreshment, your tour guide will treat you to a typical "Helado de Paila," a local ice cream made from a mixture of fruit juice, sugar, and sometimes spices, or a coffee. To end the day, you'll travel to Itchimbia Park and enjoy what is arguably the best view of Quito's Old Town and Panecillo Hill from a café. Savor the atmosphere with a warming drink courtesy of your tour guide. Perhaps try the national drink, "Canelazo," a kind of Ecuadorian mulled wine. Your hotel, located in the new town, offers you the opportunity to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Explore the area with an evening stroll and visit one of the many restaurants nearby. Your tour guide will be happy to provide recommendations. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 80 km; Travel time: approx. 2.5 hours)

Today you will dedicate to the traditions of the indigenous Ecuadorian population. Early in the morning, you will leave Ecuador's capital and travel north to the Imbabura province. Along the way, you will repeatedly encounter the traditionally colorful Andean inhabitants, passing through magnificent valleys and imposing mountain landscapes. In the small indigenous village of Peguche, known for its colorful ponchos, a local family will show you how these traditional garments are made. Music is an integral part of everyday life in Latin America. Afterwards, you'll see which local instruments are used in Ecuador. Fancy a bit of exercise and nature? Stretch your legs with a short hike to the Peguche waterfall (easy, approx. 3 km, walking time: approx. 1 hour). Afterwards, you'll head towards Otavalo. During the drive, you'll stop in Cotacachi. If you're feeling peckish, you'll have the opportunity to try the local specialty, "Carne colorada," a delicious Ecuadorian stew. Your itinerary also includes a visit to the Quicocha crater lake of the long-extinct Cotacachi volcano (4,939 m). Your guide will gladly explain why the lake is also known as Guinea Pig Lake during a walk along the crater rim. You'll spend the night in Otavalo. (B) (Distance: approx. 160 km; Travel time: approx. 3.5 hours)

For many years, Ecuador's most famous indigenous market has been held in the Plaza de las Ponchos in Otavalo, a town of 60,000 inhabitants. Here, the tradition-conscious locals gather to offer their wares: Let yourself be swept along by the crowd and stroll through a sea of colorful fabrics, interesting handicrafts, and past exotic food stalls and barefoot porters. Enjoy the authentic atmosphere and the lively bustle of the market. If you're already thinking about souvenirs, be sure to ask your tour guide to show you the Ecuadorian way of haggling and bargaining! The afternoon is a bit more relaxed. Unwind in the hot springs of Papallacta against the backdrop of the breathtaking Andean mountain panorama. Let your mind wander and bring the day to a peaceful close. You will spend the night at the hotel by the Papallacta thermal baths. (B) (Distance: approx. 140 km; Travel time: approx. 2.5 hours)

The "Avenue of the Volcanoes" takes you to Cotopaxi National Park today. The snow-capped giant Cotopaxi, at 5,897 meters, is the highest freestanding active volcano in the world. With this impressive volcano at your back, you'll hike for about an hour and a half along the Limpiopungo Lagoon, situated at 3,830 meters. Keep your eyes peeled; you might spot the enormous Andean condor or encounter some of the shy wild horses! Afterwards, you'll continue on to Riobamba. En route, you'll stop at a traditional indigenous market. Browse for souvenirs and mingle with the locals. You'll spend one night in Riobamba. (F) (Distance traveled: approx. 300 km; travel time: approx. 5 hours)

Today, a true highlight of your trip awaits! You'll travel to Alausí, where you'll visit the Tolte community and gain an authentic insight into their way of life. From the community, you'll descend a stepped path to a viewpoint overlooking the famous rock formation known as the "Devil's Nose." A tasting of the national drink, Guarapo, will round off your visit to the community. In the afternoon you will visit the ruins of Ingapirca in the province of Canar. With its well-preserved courtyards, terraces, temples, fortress and the 15th-century Temple of the Sun, the ruins represent the most important Inca monument in Ecuador. In the evening, you'll check into your hotel in Cuenca (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Look forward to your stay in this beautiful Ecuadorian city, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and picturesque location, surrounded by impressive mountains and rivers. Cuenca is famous for its historic buildings, narrow streets, and the charming Plaza Mayor, which forms the heart of the city. It's also a cultural center with many museums, churches, and markets that reflect the vibrant life of the locals. To end the day, you'll visit a beautiful rooftop terrace on Cuenca's main square and enjoy a refreshing drink. 2 nights in Cuenca. (B) (Distance: approx. 280 km; Travel time: approx. 5.5 hours)

You'll spend the whole day immersed in the colonial charm of Cuenca, a city with a fascinating blend of cultures and countless churches. Your city tour begins in the historic old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you can look forward to seeing the New and Old Cathedrals, the Museum of Modern Art, Calderón Park, and visiting a hat factory, among other sights. You'll also stroll through the flower market, where you'll be greeted by a vibrant array of colors and intense aromas. The tour concludes with a visit to the Mirador de Turi viewpoint, offering a beautiful view of the city with its red-roofed houses and church domes, framed by an impressive mountain backdrop. Those feeling adventurous can then take the opportunity to sample the traditional Ecuadorian dish "cuy asado"—grilled guinea pig. The afternoon in Cuenca is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Wander through the streets of this beautiful colonial city, browse the shops, and indulge in the local cuisine. Optionally, you can participate in a cooking class with spectacular views over Cuenca, where you'll learn how to prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes and create your own delicious meal (optional, bookable on-site, price depends on the number of participants; for 4 people, approximately USD 40 per person). (F) (Distance: approx. 10 km; travel time: approx. 20 min.)

Today you'll experience the change in vegetation and climate firsthand as you leave the mountainous landscape and head towards the coast. On the scenic drive towards Guayaquil, you'll climb to nearly 3,000 meters and cross Cajas National Park. With its volcanic landscape, countless glacier-fed lagoons, and pristine nature, Cajas National Park offers fantastic views of fascinating vegetation and perhaps even a glimpse of some wildlife. Along the way, you'll stop at a cacao hacienda and immerse yourself in the world of one of Ecuador's most important export products, from bean to chocolate. During a tour, you'll learn how cacao is cultivated, harvested, and processed into delicious chocolate. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Guayaquil, Ecuador's most populous city, where the first thing you'll notice is the temperature difference. You'll travel to the waterfront promenade and, after a short but steep climb, reach the Cerro Santa Ana viewpoint. It's a bit of a workout, as you'll ascend 444 steps, but it's worth it, because once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the tropical Pacific metropolis and the ocean. Afterward, you'll immerse yourself in the vibrant city life and soak up the urban atmosphere. Together with your tour guide, you'll enjoy a refreshing drink at a nearby street café and relax while taking in the city's vibrant energy. Your tour guide will be happy to recommend restaurants for dinner. You'll spend one night in Guayaquil before departing for the Galapagos Islands the following morning. (B) (Distance traveled: approx. 180 km; travel time: approx. 3.5 hours)

Today's the day! We're off to the Galapagos Islands, the fascinating archipelago in the Pacific Ocean and a true paradise for nature lovers, scientists, and adventurers. Here, you'll encounter animals found nowhere else in the world, including giant tortoises, penguins, sea lions, iguanas, and many bird species such as blue-footed boobies and albatrosses. And you'll get closer to the animals than you might currently imagine. At the airport, you and your tour guide will take your domestic flight to Baltra (entrance to Galapagos National Park and transit pass not included: approx. USD 220). You'll then take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island and cross it by bus to reach the port. During this journey, you'll pass through some of the island's diverse climate zones, home to a largely endemic flora and fauna. At the Santa Cruz port, you'll board a public speedboat that will take you to your destination for the day, Isabela Island. Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos Islands and is known as a true natural paradise for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscape of volcanoes, lagoons, and expansive beaches. After settling into your hotel, stretch your legs with a stroll along the beach and, with a bit of luck, observe some of the island's wildlife in its natural habitat. 2 nights on Isabela. (B) (Distance: approx. 50 km; Travel time: approx. 1.5 hours, + 5 minutes ferry transfer, + 2 hours island transfer to Isabela)

You can spend the morning on Isabela today entirely as you wish. Weather permitting, a three-hour hike to the Sierra Negra volcanic crater is worthwhile and can be booked locally (optional, price depends on the number of participants, approximately USD 50 per person for 2-4 people). The nearby mangrove bay is also easily accessible on foot. You can also explore the underwater world off Isabela Island while snorkeling or simply relax on the beach and unwind. Your tour guide will be happy to assist you and offer suggestions. Just before Isla Isabela lies the small island of Las Tintoreras, only about a 15-minute boat ride away. You'll set off for this island as part of a group excursion in the afternoon. Here, you'll walk across white-flecked lava fields and past mangrove groves, constantly having to dodge the fearless marine iguanas and sea lions that like to bask in the sun right in the middle of the path. Whitetip reef sharks are clearly visible in a small channel nearby. After your time ashore, you'll have the opportunity to snorkel around the island and discover the fascinating underwater world from a different perspective. (F) (Distance: approx. 3 km; Travel time: approx. 10 min.)

Early in the morning, the speedboat will take you back to Santa Cruz. First on the agenda is a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora – a must for all visitors to the archipelago. Here you'll learn more about the islands' development and the conservation efforts, especially those for the Galapagos giant tortoises. The famous tortoise Lonesome George, the last survivor of his species from Isla Pinta, once lived here as well. Afterward, you'll travel to the island's highlands and visit a ranch where you can experience the spectacular giant tortoises in their natural habitat. You'll have the unique opportunity to observe these gentle creatures up close. It's hard to imagine how long some of these tortoises have lived. A delicious lunch will also be served at the ranch. After freshening up at your hotel on Santa Cruz, you'll take a water taxi in the afternoon along the lava coast to Tortuga Bay. There, on the white, fine-sand beach, you can relax among countless marine iguanas and listen to the chorus of finches and other bird species. After a short walk through sprawling cactus forests, you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the sea. You'll spend two nights on Santa Cruz. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 50 km; Travel time: approx. 1.5 hours + 2 hours island transfer to Santa Cruz)

Today, another spectacular island in the Galapagos archipelago awaits you. For example, South Plaza, which captivates visitors with its striking vegetation and abundance of iguanas and bird species. Among others, you can observe swallow-tailed gulls, frigatebirds, tropicbirds, and blue-footed boobies. Several sea lion colonies also inhabit this rocky island, and you'll be greeted with loud barks upon your arrival. Or you could visit the small lava plateau of Seymour Norte, which rises from the ocean floor. Here, you can witness a true natural spectacle: during courtship, male magnificent frigatebirds inflate their iridescent red throat pouches and rattle their beaks seductively to impress the females. Besides other bird species and sea lions, you might also encounter a unique species of land lizard. Or you could travel to Bartolomé Island, where the distinctive volcanic landscape and the view from the lookout point will thrill any amateur photographer. You can observe the colorful underwater world while snorkeling at the offshore reef. (F/M) (Distance traveled: approx. 80 km; travel time: approx. 1.5 hours + approx. 1.5 hours to 4 hours boat trip) (Please note that due to government regulations on tourism in the Galapagos archipelago, it is not possible to specify in advance exactly which of the many uninhabited islands you will visit. You will receive the exact itinerary on site.)

"Goodbye Galapagos Islands!" Today it's time to say goodbye to the Galapagos Islands. You'll fly back to your home country overnight via Quito. (F) (Distance: approx. 45 km; Travel time: approx. 1 hour + 5 minutes ferry transfer)

Back in Europe – with images of volcanoes and friendly animals in my mind.