Ecuador is the smallest country in the Andes Mountains and one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in South America. Thanks to the diversity of the native cultures, the well-kept colonial architecture, the volcanic scenery and the lush forests, this country has more points of interest within its borders than those of a country twice its size. Ecuador ranks as one of the richest countries in the world when it comes to its variety of animals and flora. Ecuador is considered one of the safest and most comfortable countries for travelers.

Ecuador’s tropical climate allows for tourism any time of the year, and the fact that it lies on the equator keeps the weather stable all year long. The weather in Ecuador is fickle and has a tendency for extremes. The only sure thing that can be said about the weather in Ecuador is that it is totally unexpected, and it’s not rare to experience all 4 seasons in one day. Never the less, and despite all this, the fact that Ecuador is located on the equator, gives one the opportunity to tour Ecuador on most days of the year, and anywhere in the country: the Andes, the rain forests, the beaches and the Galapagos.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

WEDNESDAY: ARRIVAL QUITO

Arrival Quito, Ecuador, where we will be met by staff from Shai Bar Ilan Geographical Tours at the hotel. Quito is without a doubt the prettiest city in South America.

DAY 2

THURSDAY: QUITO, MINDO CLOUD FOREST

The western slopes of the Pichincha volcano are dressed with a wonderful dense ecosystem: the cloud forest, where is located Mindo.

DAY 3

FRIDAY: QUITO COLONIAL & MITAD DEL MUNDO

Colonial city tour: Explore the bustling streets and plazas in the largest colonial town of the Americas and first UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

DAY 4

SHABBAT: QUITO

After prayers and breakfast, we shall go for a walking tour of Quito. Today you will visit the Central Bank Museum, which has permanent collections of archaeological, ethnographic, colonial and republican art, as well as old photographs.

DAY 5

SUNDAY: QUITO, QUILOTOA LAKE

The Quilotoa is one of the most beautiful places in the Ecuadorian Highland due to it is a lagoon inside a crater, just like Cuicocha. Quilotoa comes from two quichua words, “Quiru” that means tooth, and “Toa” which is queen.

The lagoon has elliptical shape and its diameter is about 2 miles. From the superior border to the lagoon there are 1310 ft approximately. The lagoon is mostly green, but its color varies according to the luminosity, it can change to blue and even yellow. The water has a great mineral composition like sulphur hydrogen and carbonic gas which makes the water not for human consume, however people from the zone use this water for animals. In a sunny day you can see from here some of the Andes Range like the Illinizas to the north. Visit to Local Market in Pujili Village on the way.

DAY 6-9

MONDAY-THURSDAY: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE 4D/3N IN THE GALAPAGOS LEGEND LUXURY BOAT

Morning Flight to the Islands: Quito – Galapagos Islands – Quito.
Today we fly out to the Galapagos Islands for a fascinating cruise around the Islands. This is a volcanic group of Islands that rose from the ocean approx 4-10 million years ago.

Man discovered the islands in the year 1535, and just like any other place, started destroying his surroundings. The animals, that weren’t yet familiar with humans, didn’t run away, and the sailors massacred them mercilessly, both for food and for pleasure. In addition, they also unleashed goats, cats and dogs that destroyed the area. The sailors took the giant tortoises back with them on the ships as a supply of fresh meat. Later they butchered the tortoises too for their fat. For these reasons and others, dozens of unique species became extinct.

DAY 6

MONDAY: BALTRA AIRPORT - HIGHLANDS TORTOISE RESERVE (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)

Departure from Quito to Baltra (2½ hours flight). Passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

DAY 7

TUESDAY: EL BARRANCO, PRINCE PHILIP’S STEPS - DARWIN BAY (GENOVESA ISLAND)

Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropicbirds fly overhead, switching between their nests and the bay, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site.

DAY 8

WEDNESDAY: DRAGON HILL (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND) - SANTA FE ISLAND

Dry landing. Walk by a brackish lagoon to see flamingos. The trail leads across typical dry zone vegetation. Keeping up until Dragon Hill, see an important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas, offering lovely views of the anchored boats and neighboring islands.

DAY 9

THURSDAY: BACHAS BEACH (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND) - BALTRA ISLAND AIRPORT - QUITO - OTAVALO

Wet landing. On the north side of Santa Cruz; behind the beach lies two small flamingo ponds were iguanas sunbathe, see coastal birds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as well as interesting native vegetation like red and black mangrove, salt bushes.

DAY 10

FRIDAY: OTAVALO, COTACACHI VILLAGE, CUICOCHA LAKE

Today we will visit Cotacachi Village A  small town nearby Otavalo, its narrow streets is full of stores that sell a great variety of leather goods.

DAY 11

SATURDAY: OTAVALO

After prayers and breakfast, we shall go for a walking tour of Otavalo. The most famous indigenous market in Ecuador is held here.

DAY 12

SUNDAY: OTAVALO – PARQUE CONDOR – BACK HOME

Today we will visit Parque Condor, a rocky outcropping above Otavalo.  But the stone pathways are not natural, they were laid to connect the numerous aviaries built to house condors, falcons, eagles, and hawks.