Location: Quito
Day 1 - 11 Dec 2019
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Content: We took a 8 hours American Airlines flight from JFK Airport to Mariscal Sucre International Airport via Miami. Flight was extremely comfortable, well designed airport located far from city.
JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Content: Rented a car from airport rental services and took a 30 min drive to our hotel. Rooms were big enough and clean loaded with all amenities and hospitality was fabulous. We didn't had dinner at the hotel as it was served on board.
Location: Quito
Day 2 - 12 Dec 2019
Basilica of the National Vow
Content: Started our morning with a delicious buffet breakfast. Taking a 10min drive from hotel we reached Basilica of the National Vow, which is a biggest neo gothic church in South America. Stunning architecture loaded with history, walking to tower is steep but its worth the view.
Independence Square
Content: Taking a short drive after exploring the cathedral we reached Independence Square also known as Plaza Grande which is symbol of the executive power of the nation. Amazing place with some great buildings around the square, best preserved town with lot of culture.
La Briciola
Content: While heading towards "Middle of the world" we took a stop at a Italian restaurant and had lunch, ordered two types of pasta and lasagna both were incredible and service was great. Worth trying this place.
Middle of the World
Content: After lunch took an hour's drive towards Middle of the World also known as mitad del mundo which means The Equator. It consists of a planetarium, a monument and museum, the best thing is it is located on 0 degree. Spent our evening and returned back to our hotel.
Location: Mashpi
Day 3 - 13 Dec 2019
Mashpi Lodge
Content: Checked-out from hotel and took 2 hours drive to The cloud forest in the immediate surroundings of Mashpi Lodge, place consist of birds and other wildlife. We saw the various wildlife species there and the view were amazing.
Mashpi restaurant
Content: Dropping off our luggage walked towards the Mashpi restaurant where we had our lunch. The ambiance was beautiful with good service but the food was average.
The Life Center
Content: In the evening headed towards The Life Center. It is a place to know about and explore in Mashpi lodge itself. Seating on the wooden deck we admired the scenery and spotted species of butterflies and moth.
Location: Mashpi
Day 4 - 14 Dec 2019
Mashpi waterfall
Content: After a buffet breakfast started hiking towards Mashpi waterfalls passing through Mashpi Reserve we saw many beautiful forming small waterfalls, cascades and pools. Highly recommended to explore the beauty.
Hummingbird Garden
Content: Walking through Mashpi reserve we reached Hummingbird Garden. There are many inhabiting species of humming birds, we saw many hummingbirds feeders and fruit feeders. This is a paradise for photographers.
Panoramic terrace
Content: After exploring Hummingbird Garden, with a short walk reached Panoramic terrace. Enjoyed first light on the terrace, watching and hearing a menagerie of birds stirring around the Lodge.
Mashpi restaurant
Content: Returned back and had our dinner at a restaurant located in the lodge itself, Ordered steak which was average in taste and service was okay.
Location: Mashpi
Day 5 - 15 Dec 2019
Mashpi Lodge
Content: Started our morning with a delicous scrambelled egg omlette and a coffee enjoying the beauty of the nature and observing various species of birds chirping.
Location: Quito
Day 5 - 15 Dec 2019
JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Content: Later we took 2 hour drive returning back to Quito. Checked-in to a hotel where the rooms were big and clean with a great hospitality.
URKO Cocina Local restaurant
Content: Spending our day relaxing at a pool side bar, in the evening taking a short drive reached a Ecuadorian restaurant for our dinner. Had dinner at the chef's table where the chef decided what to offer. Food was delicious and well presented, staff was polite and attentive.
Location: Quito
Day 6 - 16 Dec 2019
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Content: With a pleasant sunrise started our morning with an hour drive to Mariscal Sucre International Airport from where we boarded a 3 hour Tame Airlines flight to Seymour Airport. It is the Only airport which serves as entrance to the Galapagos island, airport is small and has lot of shops.
Location: Puerto Ayora
Day 6 - 16 Dec 2019
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
Content: Taking 1 hour drive from airport we checked in to the hotel. It had Great ambiance, cozy rooms, relaxing and soft bed.
Location: Baltra
Day 6 - 16 Dec 2019
Santa Cruz
Content: Dropping off our luggage and with a short drive passing through the highlands visited a ranch to see the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in its natural environment.
Charles Darwin Station
Content: After exploring the tortoises, we headed towards Charles Darwin Station where we took a part in a national park’s breeding program and learnt about how the tortoise breeding is done.
La Garrapata Galapagos Restobar
Content: While returning back to our hotel we took a stop at a local restaurant for our dinner. Ordered octopus which was well cooked and taste was amazing, presentation was decent and service was top notch. Highly recommended for sea food lovers.
Location: Baltra
Day 7 - 17 Dec 2019
South Plaza Island
Content: After breakfast boarded a yacht and sailed towards South Plaza Island, which is a small island in Galapagos Islands formed by lava up streaming from the bottom of the ocean. Spent some hours walking and watching the bird life where a guide provided us lot of information about flora and fauna grown here.
Bartolome Island
Content: Later with a short boat ride visited Bartolome Island, which is a volcanic islet in the Galapagos Islands. Saw various types of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations and returned back to our hotel.
Kiosko de Renato
Content: Had some rest and in the evening visited a local restaurant for our dinner. Sea food was well displayed from which we choose lobsters for our dinner, great taste and price was reasonable.
Location: Baltra
Day 8 - 18 Dec 2019
Las Grietas
Content: As it was our leisure day. Walking by the hotel we planned to visit Las Grietas which is a swimming basin and enjoyed our morning in the pool and returned back to our hotel.
Camino a las grietas
Content: Later taking a water taxi visited Camino a las grietas which is a scenic spot. Passing through the beach on rocky hard pathway we reached the spot which was a quiet beautiful site. Snorkeling is highly recommended and need some skills and shoes to climb.
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
Content: After a relaxing evening at the hotel, we had dinner at a pool side restaurant. The restaurant had wide range of vegan food and food was also delicious, with a fabulous hospitality by the staff.
Location: Baltra
Day 9 - 19 Dec 2019
North Seymour Island
Content: Started our morning with a short boat ride to North Seymour Island, it is a small island formed with submarine lava formation. Walked around wandering bird nesting and watching yellow land iguanas.
Rabida Island
Content: Rabida Island also known as Isla Rabida which is one of the Galapagos Islands. A unique place with red sand with some great scenery and cute birds. Need walking shoes and water.
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
Content: Returned back to our hotel and had our dinner with a glass of wine. Chef's special dish was served to us which was very delicious and juicy. Loved the taste and gesture.
Location: Baltra
Day 10 - 20 Dec 2019
Seymour Airport
Content: Checked out of hotel and took 1 hour drive to Seymour Airport from where we boarded a 8 hours American Airlines flight to JFK Airport. Flight was extremely comfortable and crew provided the best service.