Tours from Ada Tours

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour of Quito with a visit to the Equator line. Duration of the excursion day including transfers - 8 hours. During the city tour of Quito, you will see captivating panoramas, churches, domes, and roofs that are historical relics. You will learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends, and traditions.Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and is located at an altitude of 2800 meters. Despite the earthquake in 1917, the city has the best-preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors are examples of the Quito School of Art, which represents a blend of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish, and indigenous art. Artists of this school worked with stone and wood to give shape to the most important religious events. After a one-and-a-half-hour walking tour exploring the Old Town, you will understand why Quito was the first city in the world to be included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list. Quito got its name from the Kitu tribe that inhabited the region long before the Spanish conquest. In 1533, Sebastian de Benalcazar seized the city, which was initially the capital of the Inca Empire, and in 1541, it was declared a Spanish city. Its full name is San Francisco de Quito. The city served as the capital of the Quito state until the end of Spanish colonial rule. The Franciscan order was the first to establish itself in Quito. The Franciscans immediately began the construction of a monastery, which became a center of education and art, featuring its own schools of painting and sculpture (the Church of San Francisco is visited during the tour). Around the main square, Plaza Grande, stand the country's key buildings: the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, and the City Hall. We will visit the best example of colonial art in the city—the Jesuit Church, whose facade is adorned with intricate carvings. Quito is the capital city with many contrasts, which you can appreciate by visiting the Old Town and the new districts. A beautiful view of the entire city awaits you from the Panecillo viewpoint with the statue of the Virgin Mary with wings, the patroness of the city. We head to the "Middle of the World" (the equator line). There are two places to visit the equator line, and we will visit both places: 1.) City of Mitad-del-Mundo. The City of Mitad-del-Mundo is a tourist and commercial center where visitors can discover a monument erected in memory of the geodetic expedition of 1736, which established the passage of the equator at this location. The "Middle of the World" tourist complex is owned by the prefecture of Pichincha province, Ecuador. It is located in the San Antonio parish of the Quito Metropolitan District, north of the center of Quito. The headquarters of the Union of South American Nations is being built on the complex grounds. Between 1979 and 1982, a 30-meter monument was erected, marking the spot where, it was believed, the equator passed. A line, symbolizing the equator, extends from the center of the monument, and over the years, countless tourists have crossed it. However, in reality, the entire structure is located 240 meters south of the actual equator, which was accurately determined in the 20th century thanks to the advent of GPS positioning systems. 2.) Intiñan Museum. In this museum, we can conduct a series of experiments explaining the impact of the equator line on natural forces. Additionally, you will receive information about the culture of ancient peoples, and we will see a series of totems from various South American cultures. Traditional dwellings of different cultures in the country, such as a house with items belonging to an indigenous family that lived in this area many generations ago, are also displayed here. Return to the hotel. Accommodation at Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast).

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Quilotoa crater lake. Duration of the excursion day including transfers - 10 hours. Duration of the transfer Quito-Quilotoa - 2 hours; Quilotoa-Baños - 3.5 hours. Excursion altitude - 3900m. Overnight altitude - 1800m. Average temperature during the excursion - +10°C. Next, we will continue our journey westward to the Central Andes of Ecuador. We will follow the route known as the "Puyo Route," passing through the town of Quilotoa. Upon arriving at Quilotoa crater, we will visit a viewpoint overlooking the crater lake and have the opportunity to stroll through the indigenous community. Optionally (depending on the group's interest), we may descend on foot to the lake's edge, go kayaking, and return on mules. Kayaking and mule ride services are not included in the tour cost. Mule rides are unofficial, offered by local residents, and are only available until approximately 3:00 PM. Stops: viewpoints, crater lake. Transfer to the hotel. Free evening. Accommodation at Samari 5* hotel www.samarispa.com (breakfast).

Breakfast at the hotel. We will drive north from Quito, passing by the Middle of the World monument and the equator. Then we will head west. We will stop at a viewpoint overlooking the extinct Pululahua volcano. From here, we will head towards the Pacific coast. After approximately 2 hours of driving, we will arrive at the Tulipe Archaeological Museum to explore and learn about the Yumbo culture. We will see pools and structures built in this location. After an hour and a half, we will reach the entrance to the Mashpi Reserve, covering 1300 hectares—a haven for wildlife and biodiversity. We will continue our journey to the lodge, arriving around 12:00-12:30. Guests will be welcomed with a refreshing drink and then escorted to their rooms. Typically, this is followed by an introductory talk before lunch and a short time for relaxation. After lunch, activities begin. The specific activity chosen depends on factors such as group size, the physical condition of guests, and weather conditions. After dinner, we can take an evening stroll. Accommodation at Mashpi Lodge, Wayra Room. "Wayra" Rooms (19 rooms). Description The area of each room is 34 m2. Fifteen of these rooms are equipped with double beds. Three pairs of these rooms are interconnected and are perfect for families or friends: 4 rooms are located on the second floor, and 2 rooms are on the first floor. All rooms are equipped with: • Wardrobes and safes; • Luxurious bathroom and hairdryer; • Tables, chairs, and furniture; • Bathrobe and slippers. (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

On the last day, you'll have a very early breakfast, followed by another activity. We'll return to the lodge and depart. Before departure (at 13:30), we will enjoy lunch. We'll cross the Andes and head east to the capital. We'll arrive at the hotel in Quito between 16:00 and 17:00 (depending on traffic, hotel location, and the number of passengers). Accommodation at Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast, lunch).

Early in the morning, you will depart from the hotel by bus to the Itabaca Channel, where a yacht ready for departure will await you. You will spend the day in a unique corner of the Earth with beautiful sandy beaches, otherworldly surroundings, crystal-clear waters, and some endemic species of flora and fauna. During the two-hour sail, you will have a unique opportunity to see dolphins and other sea creatures very close to the yacht. Embark to Bartolome. You will embark on a hike uphill for about 30 minutes, crossing an almost lunar landscape to reach the highest point of the volcanic island. From there, you will be treated to breathtaking views of Santiago, Seymour Norte, Baltra, Santa Cruz, Rabida, and the tiny Chinese Hat Island, as well as the famous Pinnacle Rock – remnants of an ancient collapsed volcano. This place is a habitat for some bird species. The landscape from the summit is an emblem of the Galapagos Islands, captured by many photographers. Next, a change of clothes is in order for a visit to the beach. During the boat ride, our guests will observe Galapagos penguins (only 50 centimeters tall), standing at the base of the cliff or swimming at bullet-like speed in the crystal-clear waters of the ocean. There will be time for beach relaxation or snorkeling: the shallow sea provides an opportunity for swimming and snorkeling alongside Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, sea stars, rays, sea turtles, and a variety of exotic, colorful fish. Additionally, you may spot several endemic island species: marine iguanas, sea lions, and pelicans, among others. Lunch on board follows this amazing adventure. The day will conclude with a return to the hotel in the evening. You will have a free evening to stroll around Puerto Ayora. Accommodation at Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (breakfast, lunch)

(by speedboat) Departure at 07:00 towards Isabela, a beautiful island with a great variety of wildlife. The journey will take approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival at the main dock of Puerto Villamil (the only small settlement on the island), we will head to the marshy lands, where you will see different species of mangroves, a network of small lagoons with volcanic formations, and exotic fauna, including flamingos, royal terns, among others. The journey will continue to the information center, where you will learn more about the work of the Galapagos National Park in preserving unique flora and fauna. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to Tintoreras – a small island located south of Puerto Villamil, in the center of the bay with turquoise water. Here, you can spot sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and rays. It is a famous resting place for reef sharks, which you can see after a short walk on the solidified lava. After the excursion – transfer to the hotel on Isabela Island. Accommodation at Iguana Crossing 4*, Ocean View room www.iguanacrossing.com.ec (breakfast, lunch)

- 05:30 Early morning transfer to the pier. Boarding a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island (2.5 hours). Arrival – transfer to the airport with a driver only, no guide – 1 hour. Flight to the mainland after 12:00 PM. Arrival at Baltra Airport – check-in for the flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Minimum recommended layover is 4 hours. (Breakfast)