Journey to the Center of the World
At 0.00.00° latitude and 9,350 ft above sea level, this trip to Ecuador starts at the very center of the earth.
It includes ancient Andean culture… medicine men… colorful, traditional attire… a 5-star Relais and Chateaux (which is ranked higher than a 5-star hotel)... unique spa experiences… sacred water holes guided by a shaman… gourmet cuisine… local festivities… master artisans… vibrant indigenous markets… centuries-old customs and traditions… and more.
You can take a trip to Ecuador with a regular tourist tour any time in your future and you’ll see all the churches, the equator line and maybe even shop in the famous markets of Otavalo.
But this coming May is your chance to see Ecuador in a much more authentic and photographic way.
Highlights/Trip Summary
It’s old-world Andean culture meets luxury dining and spa. Local medicine men, musicians, weavers, artisans and more. Plus you can add on the Galapagos while you’re there.
This trip includes:
5-Star accommodations: Spend three nights in a Relais and Chateaux with ultra-fine bedding and a fireplace in every room to take the chill off the nights.
Local Celebrations: Ecuador’s rich culture is steeped in shamanic ceremonies and community festivities. With our flexible schedule, we’ll be able to take advantage of both for a truly authentic experience.
Original Craftsmanship: Witness the art of traditional weavers and shoemakers, preserving skills passed down for generations – the last guardians of these trades.
Culinary Delights: Try cuy, participate in a cooking class, taste exotic fruits, and savor meals that are both an art and an experience.
Unique Spa Treatments: Indulge in everything from Andean chocolate massages, to lavender foot rubs and rejuvenating stem cell facials.
Lively local markets: That feature everything from music instruments to miniature toy llamas and leather handbags.
Blessings and cleansing from a shaman is a unique experience few people are lucky to have. Pretty soon they will all be gone and what’s left will be only tourist shows.
Natural wonders: From the patchwork mountains of Pululahua to the tranquil waters of Mojanda Lakes, nature’s beauty is on full display.
Join us May 19 - 26 for this unique experience.
Here’s what you can expect…*
*always subject to change based on weather and other circumstances
The airport code for your international flight is: UIO, Quito Ecuador.
If you choose to add-on the Galapagos, you’ll still fly in and out of Quito then take a separate, small flight to the Galapagos.
Day 1, May 19 - Quito- Arrive
Arrive and transfer to hotel. Several flights arrive during the night.
Please remember to hydrate for altitude!!
Meals: On your own on this arrival day. Your hotel is included in your fee.
Day 2, May 20 - Quito - Rest day with optional activities
(There is no charge for these optional activities.)
Optional welcome breakfast with an introduction to the country's diverse tropical fruits. Then optional transport to a chocolate workshop where you can see and hear how Ecuadorian chocolate is made (the third largest producing country in the world). Then optional transport to a very cool, nearby Basilica. Followed by optional lunch in the historic center.
In the evening, those who want sunset photos of the city skyline can be taken to a special viewpoint.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner from here on out.
Day 3, May 21- Pululahua,, the equator line, bizcochos
Following an early breakfast, we'll begin our journey with a visit to Pululahua — the best viewpoint for the Ecuador’s famous patchwork mountain.
We'll stop at the equator and try to balance an egg. Then hear how the Ecuadorian Amazon tribes used to shrink the heads of their enemies and see real-life shrunken heads.
We’ll have lunch at the midpoint of the world then finish our drive with an en route stop for the most famous biscuits and aloe vera juice.
There’s an option to try cuy (guinea pig) for dinner.
Day 4, May 22 – Otavalo + Ecudorian cooking class
In the morning we’ll participate in a traditional cooking class followed by a stop at the famous Otavalo market for gift shopping and souvenirs
Day 5, May 23– Agave shoes, Pachamanka, 5-star spa
Today we’ll have a demonstration of how agave shoes are made as well as enjoy a traditional Pachamanca ancestral lunch with a medicine man/healer.
Our hotel on these nights is a Relais and Chateaux with one of the most unique spas in the world.
One treatment is included in your tour fee. Others can be added in these evenings.
Cotacachi is also a leather village with lots of great shopping and good prices.
Day 6, May 24– Shaman blessing ceremony
Today is an authentic glimpse into the lives of local Ecuadorians.
We’ll start the day participating in a purification and blessing ceremony led by a local Shaman.
This takes many hours depending on the number of people who would like to seen and then blessed/cleansed of impurities.
It’s very sacred and special — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that requires a downhill (followed by an uphill) climb of about 30 minutes to get to the sacred water.
On our way in and out, with the help of the shaman who is well respected in the area, we can take candid photos of local people (with their consent).
In the afternoon, we’ll take a well-deserved rest followed by a scenic drive to Cuicocha lagoon.
Day 7, May 25– Flex day, spa, farewell dinner
This is an open flex day for things that pop up on the ground and for extra time at the spa (everyone on past tours says they want this).
One spa treatment is included in your tour fee. It can be taken here. Others can be added in the evenings of other days except the shaman day.
Cotacachi is also a leather village with lots of great shopping and good prices.
For those doing the land only portion of this itinerary this will be the ending point. We’ll share a meal this evening.
Day 8, May 26— Departure or carry on to Galapagos
Departure Day. For those continuing on to the Galapagos, we’ll transport you back to Quito where you can rest up before the next day’s adventure.
Want to make this a private trip?
Get Details Here
The Galapagos is an add-on through another agent. (May 26-June 1, 2024)
We did all this research to find the best boat and itinerary and then we didn’t fill enough cabins. So if you’d like to piggy back on our research, we can put you in direct contact with an agent and you can book it yourself. Depending on the time/date you register we may be able to help you with your flight, your overnight hotel and your transfers to get there and meet up with the boat.
Why we chose this boat, time, and itinerary:
We chose a luxury, catamaran because catamarans are smoother rides (less motion sickness).
The seas are calmer in May.
Day time temperatures are nice and comfortable — low 80s.
Warmer water means more comfortable snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles.
Our ground team has been on nearly every boat and on nearly every itinerary. With their advice, we avoided the highest-priced boats in favor of a luxury catamaran with a better itinerary. This choice saves you nearly $3,000 per person and ensures you get the best experience.
Going by boat instead of by land means we don’t spend more time driving than we do exploring and we get to see islands not reachable by land. We only pack and unpack once. And we eat better and avoid tourist stops.
The Galapagos portion is an add on through another agent. It is NOT run by Focused Escapes and not included in the Ecuador price.
Activity Level: MODERATE TO HIGH
Quito’s altitude of 9,370 ft presents the possibility of altitude sickness and you’ll be there for two nights. The key to managing this is proper hydration. We advise you to start hydrating at least two days prior to the trip and maintain regular hydration throughout your stay.
The journey to the sacred water hole with a shaman is the most physically demanding part of the trip. It involves a downhill walk for about 30 minutes, followed by an uphill climb for approximately 45 minutes. While breaks are certainly possible, this ascent can be quite challenging. However, active individuals between the ages of 60 and 80 have successfully completed this trek on prior trips.
For those preferring a less strenuous experience, an alternative option is available: a spa-like shamanic session at a luxurious 5-star spa at an additional personal expense.
If you have concerns about physical limitations, please contact us.
For all travel during the tour, we will be using comfortable mini buses or vans for transportation.
Full Price from: $4,500
All tips, gratuities and single supplement fees included. You won’t find a trip and instruction of this caliber for this price ANYWHERE!
Your registration includes:
Almost everything including your food and gratuities…
6 days of photography out and about in Quito, Otavalo and Cotacachi…
3 nights’ accommodation in a luxurious Relais and Chateaux…
All your single supplement fees so you don’t need to share a room with a stranger…
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, tea, water daily…
All activity and park entry fees…
Gratuities for your guides and hotel staff…
All in-country transportation
Pre-trip guidance including what to expect, what to pack travel tips, and more…
Time to rest when other tours run you ragged, wasting your time on boring tourist stuff…
Airport transfers are included if you stick to the itinerary but if you arrive early or stay late, you’ll need to arrange your own transfers through the hotel.
Your registration does NOT include:
Your roundtrip international flight (Quito airport code: UIO)
Equipment—you must bring your own camera and accessories (e.g., memory cards, tripod, etc.)
Alcoholic beverages (except where stated)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Covid-related expenses
Laundry and any other incidentals/room service you purchase along the way.
Galapagos portion of trip- if you want to add on Galapagos we will connect you with the other agency.
Our Commitment to Affordability
We pledge to offer expeditions at the best possible price.
We create tours for travelers, not tourists. Folks who want unique experience they wouldn’t likely find on their own. And we strive to make each and every expedition better than the last.
Many other tour companies use a simple formula, designed to shuffle tourists from one place to the next. They’ll use the same itinerary year after year, without making modifications. And that’s not who we are.
To keep our prices low, and our itineraries fresh, we stay on top of the trends, deals, and best-value opportunities that we can get our hands on. Often times $2,000-$3,000 less than what you’ll find elsewhere!
We guarantee: You’ll never find a better tour at any price.