Ecuadorian Chocolate Experience: Quito, Mindo & Guayaquil
The perfect vacation for those who crave adventure... and chocolate.
You know what goes great with capital cities, lush cloud forests, and colorful villages? Chocolate! On this sweet vacation package, you'll experience everything from tours of Quito, to chocolate tastings, to butterfly farms, to cacao plantation visits. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Ecuador, a fascinating country of wildlife, picture-perfect landscapes, and cocoa galore.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Quito (UIO), out of Guayaquil (GYE)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 2 nights in Quito at the Wyndham Garden or similar
- Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6 hours)
- Visit La Ronda with chocolate tasting
- 1 night in Mindo at the Sachatamia Lodge Rainforest Reserve, or similar
- Artisan Chocolate Tour
- Visit to Mindo Butterfly Farm
- One-way, economy-class flight from Quito (UIO) to Guayaquil (GYE)
- 2 nights in Guayaquil at the Hotel Wyndham, or similar
- Visit to a cocoa plantation, with lunch
- Guayaquil sightseeing tour (2.5 hours)
- Breakfast daily
*Please Note: These hotels do not accept children under 10 years old.
Great Ways to Explore
-
Stroll down "La Ronda," one of Quito's oldest streets, which is lined with traditional homes, small galleries, and quaint restaurants.
- Enjoy a full-day visit to a cocoa plantation, on which you'll be treated to an authentic lunch and a chocolate tasting.
-
Spend time in colorful Mindo, a subtropical town surrounded by cloud forests and natural beauty.
-
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation! Leave the driving and planning up to us.
-
While in Ecuador, be sure to taste local favorite foods such as ceviche, choclo, langostinos, and guinea pig - yes, you read correctly!
Satisfy your craving for travel - and chocolate - when you visit the quaint streets of Quito, the breathtaking beauty of Mindo, and the hustle and bustle of Guayaquil. This amazing vacation package will take you on a journey through Ecuador, from its capital city, to its volcano-lined forests, to its crop plantations, to its booming business center.
All accommodations have been hand-picked for you. You'll stay in awesome hotels, be driven around in comfortable rides, and be guided on unique tours. See a colorful spectacle at Mindo Butterfly Farm, indulge in a chocolate tasting on La Ronda in Quito, and enjoy a traditional lunch on a lush cocoa plantation.This is not your everyday vacation - it's an Ecuadorian journey with a little extra flavor.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Quito (UIO), out of Guayaquil (GYE)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 2 nights in Quito at the Wyndham Garden or similar
- Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6 hours)
- Visit La Ronda with chocolate tasting
- 1 night in Mindo at the Sachatamia Lodge Rainforest Reserve, or similar
- Artisan Chocolate Tour
- Visit to Mindo Butterfly Farm
- One-way, economy-class flight from Quito (UIO) to Guayaquil (GYE)
- 2 nights in Guayaquil at the Hotel Wyndham, or similar
- Visit to a cocoa plantation, with lunch
- Guayaquil sightseeing tour (2.5 hours)
- Breakfast daily
*Please Note: These hotels do not accept children under 10 years old.
-
Stroll down "La Ronda," one of Quito's oldest streets, which is lined with traditional homes, small galleries, and quaint restaurants.
- Enjoy a full-day visit to a cocoa plantation, on which you'll be treated to an authentic lunch and a chocolate tasting.
-
Spend time in colorful Mindo, a subtropical town surrounded by cloud forests and natural beauty.
-
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation! Leave the driving and planning up to us.
-
While in Ecuador, be sure to taste local favorite foods such as ceviche, choclo, langostinos, and guinea pig - yes, you read correctly!
Satisfy your craving for travel - and chocolate - when you visit the quaint streets of Quito, the breathtaking beauty of Mindo, and the hustle and bustle of Guayaquil. This amazing vacation package will take you on a journey through Ecuador, from its capital city, to its volcano-lined forests, to its crop plantations, to its booming business center.
All accommodations have been hand-picked for you. You'll stay in awesome hotels, be driven around in comfortable rides, and be guided on unique tours. See a colorful spectacle at Mindo Butterfly Farm, indulge in a chocolate tasting on La Ronda in Quito, and enjoy a traditional lunch on a lush cocoa plantation.This is not your everyday vacation - it's an Ecuadorian journey with a little extra flavor.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
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Day 1. Welcome to Quito!
Escape to colorful Quito, a charming city surrounded by soaring snowcapped mountains. Known for its treasures of colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, and sculptures, Quito boasts an amazing blend of Spanish, Flemish, and Moorish architecture. It's also only about 14 miles away from the equator!
Upon arrival, enjoy a convenient transfer to your first accommodation. Settle in, then begin exploring the city! You might want to check out the La Floresta neighborhood, lined with trendy restaurants and yummy food trucks. Treat yourself to some of Ecuador's specialties: llapingachos, langostinos, and ceviche!
Transfer from Quito airport (UIO) to Quito hotel
Check-in - Wyndham Garden Quito
Visitors to Wyndham Garden Quito will be in prime location, right in the heart of town. The vibrant area around the hotel includes La Carolina Park and main attractions such as Guayasamín Museum, the Quito Exhibition Center and the Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour reception desk, and other great amenities such as a bar and restaurant.
Day 2. Quito
Wake up with a smile - it's your first full day in Ecuador! Start your day with a pleasant breakfast, then journey off on a sightseeing tour of Quito. Immerse yourself in colonial history, stroll down some of Quito's oldest streets, chat with locals, and even enjoy a chocolate tasting! Visit the Equatorial Line Monument called "Middle of the World," where you will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of standing in both hemispheres at once!
Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6 hours)
The tour of Quito will introduce you to this culturally unique city. See the Independence Square with the Government Palace and the Cathedral (outside), admire the facade of church La Compania de Jesus. Afterwards, visit the famous hill of the old town, Panecillo (little bread) where you will see the angel statue “Virgen de Quito.”
Later, visit the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World” where you get a truly rare experience to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously! The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th-century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador.
Visit to La Ronda with chocolate tasting
Visit one of Quito’s oldest streets, “La Ronda.” An ancient path following the small Ullaguanga-Huayaco creek was the beginning of what is now called Calle La Ronda. The path was slowly lined with houses until the late 18th-century, when it is said to appear similar to today.
During the early 20th-century, La Ronda was the home of poets, musicians and politicians who left their mark on Ecuadorian history. The renovated street now has informational signs which detail some of these people and the houses they lived in. You will have the chance to meet some of the artists and talk to them about their work.
You will also enjoy a chocolate tasting and learn about the process of making great chocolate. See why Ecuador is one of the best countries in the world for growing fine cacao and learn more about cacao's history.
Day 3. Quito - Mindo
Indulge in an energizing breakfast, then relax on a two-hour drive from Quito to the small subtropical town of Mindo. Be sure to look out the window and take tons of photos along the way!
Located behind the volcano rich mountain chain of Pichincha, Mindo boasts the best of both worlds: the vast highlands and the tropical coast. Laden with cloud forests, impressive wildlife, and sparkling rivers, Mindo is the perfect destination for some rainforest adventure.
Once you're all settled in Mindo, you'll enjoy an artisan chocolate tour, and then a visit to a beautiful butterfly farm!
Transfer from Quito hotel to Mindo hotel
Check-in - Sachatamia Rainforest Reserve Lodge
Sitting serenely in an ecological rain forest reserve and enclosed on all sides by subtropic jungle, the Sachatamia Rainforest Reserve provides a tranquil resting spot for travelers, and also provides services to help unwind. Spa facilities, a game room, free private parking, a business center, a garden, an indoor pool and hot tub, and an a la carte gourmet restaurant is available to guests. An American breakfast is served daily, and free Wi-Fi is only available in the main house.
Rooms feature garden views, private bathrooms, and air conditioning. With tours and excursions available to be arranges, the Flor del Valle bus station 4 miles away, and the Mitad del Mundo Museum and Mariscal Sucre International Airport a quick drive away, the hotel is set up to give you a beautiful and full adventure.
Day 4. Mindo - Guayaquil
After breakfast, enjoy a convenient transfer to the airport and head to gorgeous Guayaquil! Known as the industrial and commercial center of the country, Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, is nestled on the western banks of the Rio Guayas. Its nautical, colorful vibe makes Guayaquil a fun hub of cuisine, culture, and nightlife.
Meet your transfer at the airport and relax during a quick ride to your next hotel. Spend the evening settling in and getting to know the city. You might want to check out the Malecon 2000!
Transfer from Mindo hotel to Quito airport (UIO)
Fly to Guayaquil!
Transfer from Guayaquil airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotel
Day 5. Guayaquil
A day filled with chocolate - a dream? Not anymore! Today, spend the day at a cocoa plantation, where you will experience the ins and outs of chocolate production, from the seeds and sowing of cacao, to the molding and cooling of velvety chocolate. During the day, you will also be treated to a typical costeño lunch, which will be served in the serene natural environment of the plantation.
Check-in - Wyndham Guayaquil
Well-located only footsteps from the historic Santa Ana Hill and close to the magnetic Malecon 2000, Wyndham Guayaquil keeps you close to the main attractions of the city. During your stay, you can enjoy a quick trip to Las Penas, the World Trade Center, the Simon Bolivar Convention Center, and more!
After a spirited day of sightseeing, take a dip in the rooftop pool or grab a snack at the on-site Restaurante Rio Grande. Each room in the hotel features free Wi-Fi, large windows, air conditioning, heating, and more.
Visit to a cocoa plantation, with lunch
Your cocoa dreams are about to come true! Spend the day visiting an incredible "hacienda of cacao," where you will learn all about the cultivation of cacao and the production of its yummy product - chocolate! After the tour, you will also enjoy a typical costeño lunch in the peaceful, natural atmosphere of the plantation.
The Hacienda El Castillo is situated in Cerecita, just south of Guyaquil. This massive property covers over 700 acres and is mainly used for growing cacao, mangoes, and hardwoods. Upon arrival, feel welcomed with some tasty cacao juice, plantain snacks, and cheese in the farmhouse.
During your visit, you'll walk around the plantation and experience the entire process - from the seeds, to sowing, to harvest, to fermentation, and to the drying of cocoa crops. Then comes the fun stuff - the visit to the chocolate factory! See how traditional equipment is used to develop artisan, top-quality chocolate. Watch as cocoa nibs are toasted, milled, grinded, conched, tempered, and more. Once it's all cooled, you'll have the opportunity to taste some deliciously smooth chocolate.
Day 6. Depart Ecuador
Fuel up with an energizing breakfast, then enjoy one more fun activity before you leave the beautiful country of Ecuador! Embark on a sightseeing tour of Guayaquil and feel assured that you've experienced all the must-sees that this city has to offer.
After the tour, squeeze all your souvenirs into your bags and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Spend your relaxing flight home dreaming about your next adventure!
Transfer from Guayaquil hotel to Guayaquil airport (GYE)
Fly home!
Guayaquil Sightseeing Tour
Explore beautiful Guayaquil, a city that perfectly balances tropical paradise and bustling metropolis. Get to know the most interesting parts of Guayaquil on this amazing tour! Visit the city's most impressive landmarks, like the pleasant Parque Simon Bolivar, the Gothic Cathedral, the magnificent Malecon promenade, and much more.
Guayaquil has experienced some historically devastating fires, which destroyed many of its beautiful wooden houses. Today, only the small quarter of Las Peñas remains preserved and is now the oldest picturesque village of the colonial Guayaquil. This village is home to many famous people, it's known as an artist's haven, and is filled with small open-air exhibitions of paintings and sculptures.
Venture to the border of the Rio Guayas, where you will see Italian renaissance style architecture and the Palacio de Gobernacion. Pass by the Cementerio Geneal, which is lush with palm trees, beautiful decor, and eye-catching flowers.