GALAPAGOS AND RETIREMENT PARADISE TRIP –  ITINERARY

Because we know the place very well and we are lucky to have a community of friends that supports us, we can share with you exclusive activities and have a lot of fun, enjoying the wonders this country has to offer.

Experience two main Ecuadorian gems: the very European city of Cuenca and the Galapagos Islands

Cuenca is one of the best retirement destinations in the world. It is a quiet and safe city that must be savored with time. There are two main characteristics in Cuenca that we want you to experience: its art and its gastronomy.

ART: One of the best ways to truly get to know a city is through its artists. We will allow you to meet three of Cuenca’s most recognized artists (filigree, weaving, pottery) and see not only their work but also discover how they create it. It is a unique opportunity to meet a local artist in person.

GASTRONOMY: Cuenca combines two different gastronomic cultures: the Spanish and the native Ecuadorian. We have been in contact with some of the best chefs in the country. They are everything you can expect in the world of gastronomy: knowledgeable, passionate, and most importantly, eager to experiment, learn, and improve.

Ecuador emerges from the shadows of its gourmet neighbors to shine with its own light. The country presents itself as an exciting hub for South American cuisine thanks to a new generation of chefs who have rediscovered the region’s inexhaustible source of ingredients.

We will enjoy Cuenca visiting its artists, enjoying the food, and strolling through its cobbled streets, stopping for a coffee or a glass of wine.

DETAILED ITINERARY

 Thursday, June 2, arrival at Quito airport and transfer to the hotel in Quito

Friday, June 3 – Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuenca.

Transfer to the hotel in Cuenca.

At night we will visit the historic center of Cuenca

Dinner on a rooftop to admire the domes of the Cathedral.

Accommodation at a boutique hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Saturday, June 4  

We start the day by visiting the Turi viewpoint to admire the beauty of the city. Then we will visit the toquilla straw museum, where we will learn the origins and creation process of the famous and misnamed Panama Hats.

We will enjoy lunch at Tiestos, a true feast for all the senses.

In the afternoon, we will visit the traditional neighborhoods of Cuenca, and we will meet their artisans and their beautiful creations.

Accommodation at a boutique hotel in Cuenca.

Meals included: breakfast and gourmet lunch.

Sunday, June 5

The journey begins along the Santa Ana Valley and then high in the mountains, through very picturesque landscapes, which change along the way.

We will visit Chordeleg, a small town with many shops selling filigree jewelry in gold and silver. We will also see the weaver Jose Jiménez who produces the best shawls and scarves using waist looms and the ikat technique, where the threads are dyed to give a specific design before weaving.

Lunch with spectacular views of valleys and mountains

Accommodation at a boutique hotel in Cuenca.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Monday, June 6

Travel to the city of Guayaquil with a stop for gourmet lunch at Cacao Hacienda La Danesa.

The 4-hour drive itself is full of wonders, lakes on each side of the road, and spectacular views of how the landscape changes from mountains to sea level.

Hacienda La Danesa is a traditional dairy and cacao farm with over 145 years of rich heritage and history.  Family-owned and managed by the third-generation Olsen family, the farm offers a unique selection of tailor-made activities for guests, including horseback riding trails, hands-on artisan chocolate making, and other hacienda-related programs.

Guayaquil is the second-largest Ecuadorian city.

Accommodation at a first-class hotel in Guayaquil.

Meals included: breakfast and gourmet lunch.

Tuesday, June 7

Transfer to airport. From Guayaquil, we will take the flight to the island of San Cristóbal, where our adventure in the Galapagos Islands begins for five days, four nights.

AM: San Cristobal Island Arrival in airport and transfer to the boat. Briefing onboard
about the boat and the island.
PM: León Dormido (Kicker Rock): This small, distinctive island comprises two rocks which jut out of the ocean and
is home to a large colony of sea birds. Kicker Rock is an excellent dive site where you could see many reef fish as
well as hammerhead and Galápagos sharks. Sightings of large rays and turtles are common but not guaranteed.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Accommodation onboard deluxe catamaran.

Wednesday, June 8

AM: SANTA FE: Santa Fe is a volcanic uplift and hosts a forest of Opuntia cactus, which are the largest of the
archipelago, and palo santo. Weathered cliffs provide a haven for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and
sehar-waters petrels. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are often seen, as well as lava lizards. There is a
picturesque turquoise lagoon and calm waters where you can snorkel amongst sea lions.

PM: SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND: South Plaza has one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galápagos. It is
also home to marine iguanas and a hybrid iguana whose fathers are marine iguanas and mothers are land iguanas.
There are cliffs with spectacular views and a rocky trail circumnavigates the island displaying the combination of
dry and coastal vegetation zone. The island is home to enormous prickly pear cactus and the endemic succulent
sesuvian.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Accommodation onboard deluxe catamaran.

Thursday, June 9

AM: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND : The 2km trail crosses the inland of the island and explores the rocky coast,
passing colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. Daphne Major and Minor can be spotted in
the distance and body surfing sea lions play close to the shore. Along the shoreline marine iguanas, white coral
and black lava rocks complete the visit to North Seymour.

PM: MOSQUERA ISLAND: Located between North Seymour and Baltra is the small island of Mosquera. The island
consists is a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and tide pools. Created by geological uplift the island has a
flat look to it rather than the conical shape of the volcanically formed islands. Mosquera is a great place for
visitors to wander without the typical restrictions of the other islands. It is ideal for snorkeling, strolling on the
beach, and enjoying the animal life.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Accommodation onboard deluxe catamaran.

Friday, June 10

AM: DARWIN BAY: The beach is a coral beach where a 750m trail takes you through more seabird colonies. You
get to see the cliffs from the seaward side, which are home to a large red-footed booby colony. Once ashore the
number of birds seems overwhelming – Nazca boobies soar overhead, great frigatebirds display their pouches
while resting on the nearby rocks and plants, and mockingbirds scamper quickly across the sand.

PM: PRINCE PHILLIP’S STEP (EL BARRANCO): An extraordinary, steep path leads through a seabird colony full of
life, up to cliffs that are 25m high. At the top the trail continues inland, passing more seabird colonies in a thin
palo santo forest. Leaving the forest you can overview a rocky plain. You could get a view of masked and redfooted boobies, great frigate

Saturday, June 11

Half-day visit to the last attraction in the Galapagos and flight back to Quito.

End of tour.

Meals included: breakfast