Botanical Wonders of Ecuador with Denver Botanic Gardens

Ecuador is home to more than 10% of the world’s plant species. This 8-day exploratory trip hosted by Panayoti Kelaidis, Director of Outreach & Senior Curator at Denver Botanic Gardens, will showcase the country’s staggering flora. We’ll visit a variety of habitats from the Andean Highlands and Cotopaxi Volcano to lush rainforest and cloud forest reserves. There’s also time to enjoy Quito’s historic center, Quito Botanical Gardens, and a rose production facility.

A 5-day Galapagos extension with stays on Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands is also available. You can book both the mainland and Galapagos itineraries for a 14-day experience or either itinerary independently based on your interests.

About Your Denver Botanic Gardens Host, Panayoti Kelaidis: Since 1980, Panayoti has represented Denver Botanic Gardens in educational, professional and promotional endeavors as an expert in horticulture. He also acts as a liaison to botanical societies, professional horticulture organizations and green industry members. He helped create Plant Select®; designed and implemented numerous gardens; and has led tours to Asia, Europe and South Africa. He works with rock garden, perennial, native plant and succulent societies nationally and internationally, and has served on the boards of horticulture societies. Panayoti has received numerous awards, including the 2000 Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal from the Scott Arboretum and the 2003 Liberty Hyde Bailey medal of the American Horticultural Society, two of the highest honors in American horticulture.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Thurs, Jan 11): Arrival to Quito ~ Upon arrival to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), you’ll be transferred to your hotel conveniently located in the heart of Quito’s Historic District.

Accommodations: La Casona de la Ronda

Meals: None

Day 2 (Fri, Jan 12): Quito ~ We’ll spend our first full day in Ecuador exploring Quito. At more than 9,000 feet above sea level, Quito is the world’s second highest capital city. We’ll go even higher for a bird’-eye view of Quito with a gondola ride at Teleférico. On board the gondola, we’ll be swept up another 3,600 feet along the eastern slope of Pichincha Volcano. There’s time for a botanical walk at the top before heading back down to the city and to a local restaurant for our Welcome Lunch.

This afternoon, we’ll explore Quito Botanical Garden (QBG.) Ecuador ranks in the Top 20 for botanical diversity in the world and QBG showcases a variety of the country’s native flora.

Accommodations: La Casona de la Ronda

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 (Sat, Jan 13): Cayembe Rose Plantation ~ Many travelers are surprised to learn that Ecuador is the world’s leading producer and exporter of cut roses, many of which are grown in the Andean Highlands outside Quito. Known for their huge blooms, long stems, and color varieties, Ecuadorian roses are distinct in the international flower market. We’ll visit a historic rose plantation and hacienda in Cayembe today to learn about the entire growing and selling process.

Accommodations: La Casona de la Ronda

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 (Sun, Jan 14): Quito to Chilcabamba & Cotopaxi ~ After a relaxed morning and lunch in the city, we’ll make our way to Chilcabamaba Mountain Lodge and the Andean Highlands, our home for the next two nights. Chilcabamba lies in a gentle valley circled by the rugged peaks of four towering mountains. For those ready to hit the trail on arrival, there’s a self-guided trail that highlights local flora as it traverses to a unique viewpoint of Cotopaxi, Ecuador’s most beautiful volcano. Cotopaxi National Park’s northern entrance is only 6 kms away from the lodge.

Accommodations: Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5 (Mon, Jan 15): Cotopaxi National Park ~ Today we head to Cotopaxi National Park, one of Ecuador’s most beautiful protected areas. On a clear day, it’s possible to see Cotopaxi’s peak from parts of Quito, but its majesty can only truly be experienced from within the borders of the park. When the weather cooperates, views of its snow-capped, almost symmetrical cone-like summit are awe-inspiring. Our hike starts at the Pita River which provides essential drinking water to hundreds of thousands of Quiteños as Ecuador’s capital city residents are known. Its source is the pristine glacial melt water of Mount Cotopaxi. The Pita’s rushing waters will accompany us throughout much of today’s exploration.

Once we enter the park, we head towards Pucara de Salitre Archeological Site where we have the opportunity to observe a variety of Andean species. We might encounter wild horses, deer and llamas that make the park their home, as well as spectacular highlands flora and breathtaking scenery. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the park so we can spend the entire day here. We’ll end at Limpiopungo Lake where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to the lodge.

Accommodations: Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6 (Tues, Jan 16): Cotopaxi & Pita River to Quito ~ This morning, we’ll visit Santa Rita Ecological Reserve to learn about the Pita River watershed. The Pita River, whose water comes from Cotopaxi’s glacier, is an important water source for Quito. There’s time to explore the reserve’s high Andean montane forest as we walk along trails with petrified lava to a beautiful waterfall. After lunch at Chilcabamba, we’ll make our way back to Quito.

Accommodations: Swissotel Quito

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 (Wed, Jan 17): Quito to El Pahuma Orchid Reserve to Chocó Reserve & Mashpi Lodge ~ As we make our way to Mashpi Lodge, our home for the next two nights, we’ll stop at El Pahuma Orchid Reserve. El Pahuma is a 925-acre cloud forest reserve that provides a home to over 300 species of orchids and a uniquely diverse group of stunning montane forest species.

Located on a scenic plateau, Mashpi Lodge features breathtaking views of the surrounding forested mountains and their unique ecosystems. Like a cathedral to the natural world, Mashpi is a perfect blend of luxurious comfort and engagement with one of the world’s most stunning environs.

Accommodations: Mashpi Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8 (Thurs, Jan 18): Chocó Reserve ~ Located at the center of the lush Choco rainforest, Mashpi Lodge offers an excellent base to immerse in the wonders of our surroundings. Teeming with life in all of its forms – from birds and butterflies to frogs and fungus – there will be plenty to discover as we explore the trails near the lodge today.

Accommodations: Mashpi Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 9 (Fri, Jan 19): Chocó Reserve to Quito ~ We have a final morning to continue exploring Chocó Reservebefore making out way back to the international airport. There’s time to stop and enjoy a hummingbird hotspot and butterfly garden on the way. For those departing this evening, we’ll arrive to the airport in time for your evening flight home. Those staying for the Galapagos extension will spend the night at a hotel conveniently located a few minutes from the airport in preparation for our morning flight tomorrow.

Accommodations: None for those departing today. Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel for those continuing to Galapagos tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DETAILS – MAINLAND TRIP:

Price for Mainland Trip: $5500* per person based on two double sharing double occupancy accommodations; add $100 per person for non-members of Denver Botanic Gardens. If you prefer private accommodations on single occupancy basis, add $1600*.

Includes: accommodations, airport transfers on arrival and departure days, in-country transportation and guides, trip host from Denver Botanic Gardens (Panayoti Kelaidis), meals as listed, activities and entrance fees as listed, and basic travel insurance (pre-departure cancellation benefits can be added to the insurance policy for an additional cost).

Excludes: flights, room upgrades, passport fees, upgraded travel insurance policy with pre-trip cancellation and interruption benefits, optional activities, taxis, and personal expenses

*Price is based on payment by check. Credit card fees, if applicable, will be assessed at time of payment based on card used.

Group Size: Min 6, Max 9 + DBG Host and Guide

Important Information: Itinerary has been built to allow flexibility to accommodate activities and sightseeing. Every effort will be made to carry out all activities as planned and advertised, however, trip leaders reserve the right to make alterations, deletions, or modifications to the itinerary deemed necessary due to circumstances beyond their control.

Reserve Your Spot For The Mainland Trip Now!

Galapagos Islands with Denver Botanic Gardens

Day 1 (Fri, Jan 19): Arrival to Quito and transfer to hotel.

Accommodations: Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel.

Meals: None

Day 2 (Sat, Jan 20): Quito to Galapagos Islands (Baltra and Santa Cruz Islands) ~ Morning flight to Baltra Island. The tiny island of Baltra was a military base during the Second World War and has been the Galapagos’ principal airport for many years. The good news is that to protect the local environment, the airport has been rebuilt using the most advanced environmental techniques to reduce emissions and energy use. This is the first ecological airport in the world. Our island adventure begins right after our arrival. We’ll head to the Santa Cruz Highlands and a tortoise reserve for our first introduction to the Galapagos’ unique flora and geologic history. Our day ends with a visit to the iconic Charles Darwin Research Station.

Accommodations: Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 (Sun, Jan 21): Neighboring Island ~ Today we’ll cruise to a neighboring island – either North Seymour, South Plazas or Bartolome Island – aboard a motorized yacht. Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for birds and marine animals. We’ll enjoy an island nature walk before returning to Santa Cruz Island.

Accommodations: Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Important Note: Today’s island visit will be determined based on national park regulations and is subject to change without prior notice.

Day 4 (Mon, Jan 22): Santa Cruz Island ~ We’ll spend the day visiting a variety of Santa Cruz highlights including lava tunnels, Garrapatero Beach, and Cerro Mesa. Kayaking is available from Garrapatero Beach for those interested.

Accommodations: Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5 (Tues, Jan 23): Santa Cruz to Isabela Island ~ We depart Sana Cruz this morning for our morning speedboat transfer to Isabela Island where we’ll spend the next two nights. Isabela Island is one of the younger islands in the archipelago providing an interesting contract in geology, flora and fauna to Santa Cruz. Our adventure begins with a tour of Tintoreras, a group of small islands named for resident reef sharks. Here, it’s possible to see many of Galapagos’ iconic species – sea lions, sea turtles, rays, penguins, pelicans, and Blue-footed Boobies. This is a Galapagos in miniature! There’s time to snorkel after our nature walk. Don’t be surprised if some of the penguins or sea lions jump in to play alongside you in the water!

For those comfortable exploring by bike, it’s possible to bike the Wetlands Trail this afternoon. This bike ride takes you through the mangroves as you pass by beaches and historic sites. If lucky, we’ll also see Galapagos tortoises along the way.

Accommodations: Albemarle Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6 (Wed, Jan 24): Isabela Island ~ Volcanic eruptions created all of the islands in the Galapagos, and you will get to see this geologic process first-hand as we explore Isabela on foot today.

We have the whole day to explore the Isabela highlands. We start by hiking up to the crater of the massive Sierra Negra volcano, and then onward to the rim of the Volcan Chico. This fascinating walk usually begins with some morning fog and drizzle which sometimes persists in the shadow of the volcano, adding to its mysterious character.

When we reach the rim of Sierra Negra crater, the second largest crater in the world after the Ngorongoro in Tanzania, we’ll see the real reward for our efforts.

Later, as we head towards Volcan Chico, we may get the feeling we are walking on Mars due to the unique landscape. While it appears to be utterly desolate, a closer look reveals living organisms that have managed to survive here. From its rim, we will enjoy more amazing views along with lava tubes and fumaroles. There’s time to enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to town.

Accommodations: Albemarle Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Total hiking distance today ~ 16 km.

Day 7 (Thurs, Jan 25): Departure ~ Morning speedboat transfer back to Santa Cruz Island and road transfer to Baltra Airport in time for our flight back to the mainland.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DETAILS – GALAPAGOS TRIP

Price for Galapagos Trip: $5225* per person based on two double sharing double occupancy accommodations; add $100 per person for non-members of Denver Botanic Gardens. If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $780*.

Includes: accommodations, airport transfers on arrival and departure days, certified naturalist Galapagos guide, trip host from Denver Botanic Gardens (Panayoti Kelaidis), meals as listed, round-trip flights (Quito-Baltra), national park entrance fee, INGALA transit card, and basic travel insurance. Pre-departure cancellation benefits can be added to the insurance policy for an additional cost.

Excludes: international flights, passport fees, room upgrades, upgraded travel insurance policy with pre-trip cancellation and interruption benefits, optional activities, taxis, and personal expenses

*Price is based on payment by check. Credit card fees, if applicable, will be assessed at time of payment based on card used.

Group Size: Min 6, Max 9 + DBG Host and Guide

Important Information: Itinerary has been built to allow flexibility to accommodate activities and sightseeing. Every effort will be made to carry out all activities as planned and advertised, however, trip leaders reserve the right to make alterations, deletions, or modifications to the itinerary deemed necessary due to circumstances beyond their control.

Reserve Your Spot For The Galapagos Islands Trip Now!