Walk hand in hand through a mystical outdoor playground with this handcrafted Ecuador and Galapagos honeymoon with yacht cruise. Enjoy near-exclusive access to indigenous forests, resplendent Pacific islands, and exotic volcanic worlds. A wildlife realm engulfs the adventure, meaning there are no regrets if you decide to watch it unfold from your 5-star rooms. Just step outside to be amongst basking sea lions, soaring condors, mating seabirds, and the evocative delights of an evolutionary world.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Presidential Luxury in the Andean Highlands
Hidden amongst thousands of hectares of indigenous forest is the weekend home of the former Ecuadorian president. The Hacienda Zuleta has a 300-year history, and a rustic charm is omnipresent. Reddened tiles slope above wooden frames while broad windows overlook a landscape dappled with horses and llamas. Full of cobblestone and opulent carvings, the central courtyard could be a historic town square; natural wood fires and thick exposed beams decorate the guest rooms. For almost 100 years, this hacienda has been in presidential hands. It has entertained visiting royalty and world presidents. And now, it has opened its doors to a handful of guests.
Arrive at Quito International Airport and you'll be transferred directly to the hacienda, a two-hour journey with sweeping panoramas over the Andes. Stop for lunch en route and then meander into a private forest that's a haven for condors and spectacle bears. This isn't a hotel or a lodge. It's an exclusive escape into a property that reflects discerning presidential tastes. Every meal, every painting, every historic piece of furniture has its place, combining to create an adoring getaway from the world. All meals are included and served at your request, wine and cheese tasting takes you through the evening, and there's a wonderful sense of privacy as you settle into the Andes.
What's Included:
Day 2 - 3
A Private Outdoor Playground for Adventures
Day 4
Walking Hand in Hand Amidst the Giant Tortoises
Day 5
Beautiful Bird Sites on a Small Luxury Cruise
Day 6
Swimming with Sea Turtles and Galapagos Penguins
Day 7
Endemic Wildlife in the Remote Western Galapagos
Day 8
A Red Beach Filled with Sea Lions
Day 9
Romantic Indulgence on Secluded Isabela
Day 10 - 12
Three Days of Bliss on a Remote Pacific Ocean Island
Day 13
Departure
Trip Highlights
- Start the honeymoon in regal style, with three nights at the wonderfully opulent Hacienda Zuleta, a residence that has housed visiting presidents and royalties for over a century
- Horse ride and hike through a private nature reserve, where you can eat picnics on Andean slopes and spot condors in the wild
- Savor the eclectic natural splendor of the Galapagos Islands with a 6-day luxury cruise on an intimate eight-person vessel
- Embark on the best Galapagos tours of the eclectic wildlife: swim with sea lions, snorkel with sea turtles, walk beside giant tortoises, and boat ride along cliffs of Galapagos penguins
- See the many colors of the islands as you discover white beaches, blue-footed boobies, and the red chests of magnificent frigates
- Complete the trip with four days of Pacific escapism on Isabela Island
- Tailor a program of private activities to explore Isabela or settle back and savor the coastal wonder of the island
Detailed Description
Ecuador's supreme natural playground provides an idyllic base for romance and indulgence. On the mainland, Andean mountains are speckled with snow, standing above thick forests and secluded valleys. Out in the ocean, The Galapagos Islands provide an endearing sense of escapism, standing adrift amidst Pacific blue. With these resplendent landscapes as the starting point, your Galapagos honeymoon and yacht cruise can be as active or as quiet as you wish. There's always an elegant vista from the private balcony, and a perpetual sense of exclusivity as you spend 13 days discovering the surreal highlights of Ecuador. And there's always an opportunity to indulge in once in a lifetime experiences, like swimming with sea lions, riding presidential horses, and discovering beaches that rarely receive footprints.
At the heart of this itinerary is a 6-day luxury Galapagos cruise. You travel through the remote western and central parts of the archipelago, connecting islands that showcase the evolutionary wonder of birds, reptiles, and marine creatures. There are only six other passengers on the boat, and there's lots of space, helping ensure privacy as you traverse the Pacific blue. Guided Ecuador and Galapagos Islands tours provide intimate encounters, from penguins to reef sharks, sea turtles to blue-footed boobies, and endemic reptiles to flightless cormorants. Morning and afternoon activities reveal natural history while the other hours are enjoyed lazing on the boat, with only dolphins and whales interrupting the ocean views.
You begin your honeymoon at Hacienda Zuleta, the former weekend home of two Ecuadorian presidents. Many royal visitors and foreign presidents have been entertained here over the decades, and it has only recently opened its doors to a handful of public visitors. Set on thousands of hectares of Andean valley, it provides you with an untamed outdoor playground to explore on foot or by horseback. Wooden fireplaces dominate elegant living rooms, exquisite meals are all forged from organic ingredients, and there's a serenity that every honeymoon should start with.
After the Galapagos cruise, you complete the romantic getaway with four nights at a lodge along the southern shore of Isabela Island. Even when you're doing nothing here, you feel the immersion in nature. Sea lions dot the beaches, huge seabirds soar past at sunset, and the peaks of volcanoes provide the omnipresent backdrop. So lay back, relax, and indulge in the evolutionary brilliance of the island. A private guide can customize outdoor adventures that take you walking along active volcano rims, kayaking in Pacific bays, and snorkeling with a world of pelagic giants. It's a serene culmination to the trip, offering a private space amongst a vast natural playground.
Starting Price
$15,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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