National Geographic Unique Lodges of Ecuador

On this day, you’ll visit the Historic Center of Quito. This marvelous place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. On this day, we will stroll through Independence Plaza where we’ll see the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. After that, we visit La Compañia de Jesus and San Francisco Church and Convent with their impressive, gilded and baroque interiors, respectively. The tour ends at a lookout point with a spectacular view of Quito.

At the end of the tour you’ll be taken back to the JW Marriott Hotel. Overnight in Quito.

Rise and shine for the next part of your adventure! Guests will be picked up at approximately 8:00 a.m. and taken to the Mashpi Reserve – a 1,300 hectare (3,200 acre) swath of cloud and rainforest that is located within the Metropolitan District of Quito. Upon arrival, Mashpi’s staff will take your luggage to your room. Shortly after that, you’ll be invited to lunch followed by an introductory briefing regarding the Lodge. After that, it’s time to head out and explore!

Throughout the following days at Mashpi Lodge, you will get to have a guided experience of the natural wonders of the Reserve while staying at the spectacular, National Unique Lodge of the World that is Mashpi Lodge.

The sweet songs of the birds around the Lodge in the early morning will help you begin this new day with a smile! On this morning, you’ll have different options for how you wish to begin: you can either start at the crack of dawn for a hike around the surrounding forest with your guide. Alternatively, you can choose to have a relaxing morning and sleep-in for a little longer, enjoy breakfast at the restaurant and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at our Samay Wellness Center. After that, you can head out into the forest with your guide, where an exciting day of discovery in the forest awaits!

At the end of your excursions, you’ll head back to the Lodge in time for dinner. Overnight at Mashpi Lodge.

On this day, you’ll partake in one last early-morning excursion before getting ready to take your transfer back to Quito. Lunch will be provided on the way back.

Upon arriving in Quito, you’ll be dropped off at the JW Marriott Hotel to spend the rest of your day as you see fit.

Overnight in Quito.

On this day, you’ll take a transfer to Quito’s airport in time for you to catch your flight to the Galapagos.

Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel – Complete Program

Once you arrive in Baltra Airport, one of our representatives will take you across the Itabaca Channel for you to board our shared transfer. From here, you’ll be taken to Santa Cruz Island’s Highlands, to visit a Galapagos Giant Tortoise Sanctuary. Here you’ll enjoy a tasty lunch and get to spend some time with these majestic animals.

Once you’ve enjoyed your time in the highlands, you’ll be transferred to the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel. Once there, you’ll get settled in, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, and enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel.

Throughout the next three days, you’ll be free to choose from a plethora of Finch Bay’s daily activity options. These include: visits to nearby islands, visits to the Highlands of Santa Cruz, and visits to Tortuga Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station.

For more information on these activities, be sure to view the “Full-day Land Activity Options” and “Yacht Exploration Options” tabs below!

On the final day, you’ll enjoy breakfast and hop on your transfer to the airport, from which point you’ll take a flight to the mainland and connect to your international flight home! Farewell!

Option 1 – Highlands: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnels & Lunch (guided)

Enjoy the gentle Giant Galapagos Tortoises as slowly make their way through the dense foliage and bush of the highlands of Santa Cruz. The area is teeming with life and spectacular lava tunnels.

Option 2 – Tortuga Bay, Charles Darwin Research Station & Lunch (guided)

The stunning, white sand beach of Tortuga Bay is considered by many to be the most beautiful stretch of coast in the Galapagos archipelago. The Research Station is an interpretation center open to the public where you may also view their tortoise breeding program as well as giant tortoises in captivity.

Option 1 – North Seymour

Experience a live biology lesson with land and marine iguanas, Nazca- and blue-footed boobies, frigates, sea lions and fur seals.

Option 2 –Santa Fe

Walk along rocky terrain to find the island’s highlight: the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, patiently waiting under the enormous and giant cacti for falling fruits and pads.

Option 3 – Bartolome

Here, you will get to enjoy one of the Galapagos’ most famous views: the tilted Pinnacle Rock, the golden beach of Bartolome and the impressive lava fields of Santiago Island.

Option 4 – South Plaza

Admire the vast volume of dozens of frolicking sea lion pups, patrolling alpha male sea lions, basking marine and land iguanas, stunning red crabs and various Darwin finches.