Highlands and Islands Adventure

Visit Quito

After breakfast we will head to Teleférico or cable car, which is located in the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano and where you will enjoy of a complete and outstanding view of the city; on a clear day you can see some volcanoes like Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Antisana. The attraction is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3.117m (10,226 ft) to 3,945m (12,943 ft). When we arrive at the upper station we will do some walking around and enjoy different amazing views. We will then drive to Quito’s downtown  to a traditional “colonial style” restaurant where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we will discover the Cathedral, located in Independence Square. With its neo-colonial style, it is one of the most traditional churches in Quito. Built in the 16th century, this church has been part of the city since its founding and to this day preserves most of the ancient traditions of the colonial era. You will also visit the Compañia church, which is the best example of baroque architecture in South America. With its amazing gold-leaf altar, this church is one of the most magnificent buildings of Quito’s Colonial Quarter. No visit to Quito is complete without a visit to the Panecillo hill, crowned by sculptor Bernardo de Legarda’s towering Virgin Mary monument, which keeps watch over the city. El Panecillo is the perfect viewpoint of the whole colonial city. Return to Casa Centro for our overnight stay. (Breakfast/Lunch).

Rose plantation visit and Cooking in the clouds

We leave Quito in the morning and head South to Machachi, a highland town located at the Heart of the Avenue of Volcanoes. This is a 1 hour drive from Quito. We will visit NatuFlor, a farm that counts with over 25 hectares of cultivated greenhouses and 81 rose varieties. Due to their privileged location, their roses receive twelve hours of sun  guaranteeing a unique quality, longer and thicker stems, vibrant foliage, intense colors and higher durability. At the farm, you will witness the process of rose cultivation from the start until they are ready to be exported. We continue our trip to Hacienda El Porvenir for a tasty, wholesome lunch. In the afternoon we will participate in our Cooking in the clouds lessons, which are perfect for you to experience the regional culture, the highland family traditions and the use of antique cooking instruments in an informal and friendly environment. The class starts with cooking lessons or our famous cheese empanadas, followed by the elaboration of aji, which is a very important sauce part of the Ecuadorian cuisine. The recipe varies from home to home. Here at Hacienda El Porvenir you will learn how to make it the traditional way, on a stone mortar and seasoned with various herbs and spices. At last we will learn how to prepare the delicious canelazo, a traditional hot drink that is served on celebrations on the Highlands of Ecuador. After the class the participants will enjoy their preparations next to a crackling fireplace. Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. (Breakfast/Lunch).

Horseback riding Rumiñahui Volcano

In the morning we will have a delicious, nutritious farm breakfast. Then we can learn from our Chagra Guide the local cowboy skills including horse handling and care instructions, followed by a brief riding lesson from our guides before we set out on our horses. Wearing the typical dress of the chagra (Ecuadorian cowboys), we ride out across the slopes of the dormant volcano, Rumiñahui. A respected chagra from the area will come with us and share some of his deep knowledge of the country’s life. The ride lasts for approximately 4 hours. Back in the farmhouse, a tasty local lunch will be ready on our arrival. In the afternoon we will go on a walk through an amazing route to the lower part of the hacienda, where you will visit the remains of the andean woods and understory. During the walk you will visit the Manto Blanco waterfall, and if we get lucky we will be able to observe the birds of the paramo. You will go across the reforestation project for the restoration of the high andean habitat, a project that we are carry out since 1992. Then you arrive to the San Juanes viewpoint area, where you can observe more than 10 volcanoes, one of them Cotopaxi. After that you return to the house. Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. (Breakfast/Lunch).

Mountain biking or Native forest hike and Cotopaxi High Rope Course

Today we offer two options for families so that they can get what’s best for their interests and skills. These activities have to be chosen in advance for logistic reasons:

• Mountain Biking: After a wholesome country breakfast, we provide each guest with a mountain bike (29 ners for adults and good quality mountain bikes for kids). The Hacienda has several biking circuits so that you can enjoy a morning of highland trails explorations at your own pace. This bike trip can last approx. 2h30 hours, through patches of Native forest, farmland and highland trails. Return to the farmhouse for a delicious lunch.
• Native Forest Hike: After a wholesome country breakfast, we drive to Santa Rita Ecological Reserve, a private conservation area in the Cotopaxi Area with fantastic remains of native forest, petrified lava streams, glacial rivers, and waterfalls. We will hike through native forest trails, learning about the ecology of the place. A 2-hour loop will finish on the campsite. Return to Hacienda El Porvenir to enjoy lunch.

During the afternoon, we enjoy the Cotopaxi High Rope Course, a circuit designed for both kids and for adults. This is a perfect activity for bonding and strengthening family bonds. 1H30 activity time approx Children from 6 years of age and up.  Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. (Breakfast/Lunch).

Cotopaxi National Park Visit

Have you ever think about how it is possible to have glaciers on the Equatorial line? Have you ever wonder how it is to climb an active volcano? Would you like to discover why ancient explorers pointed out Cotopaxi as one of the most beautiful mountains in the World? This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in a fantastic day trip of exploration to the Iconic Cotopaxi National Park. Home of the biggest flying bird in the world: the Andean Condor. Home of herds of wild- truly wild- horses. Where migratory birds stop by to get some rest on their way South.
The location is the perfect place to learn about Andean Geology.  On our visit, we reach the car park below the Cotopaxi’s Refuge, where we begin our short hike up to the climbing hut (Refugio José Ribas) at 4,800m. (15,744 ft).  It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of the Volcano on this short hike. Once back in the vehicle, we continue on our way driving down to Limpiopungo Lake, where a wholesome box lunch will be served. A vast territory with ancient Inca military fortresses plains full of volcanic rocks from past eruptions where we will learn how to recognize the oldest stones. Great chances of learning and connecting with nature during this final day of our Highland Family Adventure. At the end of the afternoon, we return to Casa Centro in Quito. (Breakfast/Packed lunch).

Interpretation center, hike and snorkel Tijeretas

After a morning flight from the mainland to San Cristobal Island, we continue to our hotel for an energizing lunch, introductions, and a short overview of our trip. Our Galapagos adventure starts with a visit to the local Interpretation Center where we learn about the unique wildlife, geology, natural history, and social dynamics of the Galapagos. Now that we know a little more about the islands we make our way to our first stop, Frigate Hill, where we might spot many of the unique avian species of the Galapagos. As we hike over natural lava rock trails our guides tell us all about the Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti surrounding us, as well as blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds and finches that we spot in the vegetation and sea cliffs. In addition to the diverse wildlife, this walking tour provides marvelous views of the rugged coastline and the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno below us. During the return trip we stop at beautiful Carola Beach for a dip, where we snorkel and swim with sea turtles and sea lions while enjoying a lovely sunset on the beach. We return to the hotel for a gourmet seafood dinner after which you can set out to explore the friendly, laid-back town and visit the colony of endemic Galapagos sea lions next door. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).

Snorkel in San Cristobal’s northern coast

Today we explore the northern coast. We either visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) or Punta Pitt. The visiting site depends on the week day and the Galapagos National Park regulations. On our exploration trip we make sure to search the nearby coves and cliffs for sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies. Here we have the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions in their favorite playground. As we snorkel, we might see eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and thousands of tropical fish. If we’re lucky, we may even come across hammerhead sharks. As the sun sets on our day under the waves, we return to the hotel to for a relaxed evening. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).

Discover Isabela’s beaches, lagoons and islets

Our journey continues to Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. It ?s constantly changing and evolving due to the six shield volcanoes, rendering it one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet. At our arrival we settle into our hotel. We then set out on a one-of-a-kind hike that will take us through an incredible variety of coastal ecosystems, along the way we spot giant tortoises, flamingos, and other wildlife as we pass through white sand beaches, the alluring poison apple forest, a gaping lava tube, dark mangroves and brackish lagoons. After a nourishing lunch we set out to explore Tintoreras, a group of small islets filled with hidden coves and isolated beaches. Here we find the endemic Galapagos penguin, as well as reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions. At the end of the day, we retire to our hotel. We finish the evening with a delicious dinner and an optional stroll down the expansive beach and the sand streets of idyllic Puerto Villamil. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).

Explore the Santa Cruz Highlands

Early in the morning, we travel to Santa Cruz Island. After checking in we head to El Chato nature reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the Galapagos giant tortoise. It is an honor to hike among these fascinating, gentle giants, who on average live to be over 175 years old. El Chato is also home to many pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets and the beautiful vermillion flycatcher. Our hike continues through some incredible lava tunnels created by flowing magma. Legend has it that the buccaneers who once frequented the Galapagos used these deep caves to hide Inca gold plundered from Spanish ships! After some pirate stories from our guides we head up to Los Gemelos, a pair of deep volcanic sinkholes at the high point of Santa Cruz. The path takes us through a forest of endemic Scalesia trees covered in ferns and epiphytes where we’ll keep a lookout for the resident short-eared owl. In the late afternoon, we get ready to celebrate our once-in-a-lifetime trip with a delicious farewell dinner. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).

Flight to Quito and flight home
Early in the morning, we transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland and bid a fond farewell to the Galapagos. At the airport we will wait for our flight to return home. (Breakfast).