Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
An English-speaking driver meets you at Quito airport with your name on a sign and takes you by private transfer to your hotel. You'll have time to check in and rest after traveling.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Pick up at Quito International Airport )
- Day 2
Otavalo
After breakfast, you head to the indigenous market in Otavalo, which is especially busy on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You'll walk through sections filled with colorful blankets, handmade ponchos, alpaca shawls, wooden masks, and jewelry while your guide explains local crafts and the culture behind them.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Otavalo Indigenous Market
- Guided market exploration with cultural commentary
Landmarks/POIs Otavalo Indigenous Market 
- Day 3
Quito City Tour
This morning focuses on Quito's colonial center starting with the Basilica Church, a notable neo-gothic building. You'll see Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, and Archbishop's Palace, then tour San Francisco de Quito Church. Later that afternoon, a 35-minute drive takes you north to the equator line where the Intiñan Museum has interactive exhibits and experiments you can only do at that exact location.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Basilica Church visit
- Plaza Grande (Independence Square) exploration
- San Francisco de Quito Church visit
- Intiñan Museum visit with interactive exhibits
Landmarks/POIs Basilica Church Plaza Grande San Francisco de Quito Church Intiñan Museum Mitad del Mundo Monument - Day 4
Cotopaxi National Park
Starting early, you head south on the Avenue of Volcanoes toward Cotopaxi volcano at 5897 meters. Your guide discusses the flora, fauna, and volcanic history as you hike through paramo landscape to Limpiopungo Lake at 3850 meters, where hummingbirds and wild horses appear. Later you'll ride horses across the slopes of Ruminahui volcano while wearing traditional chagra dress, learning about country life from a local cowboy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi National Park visit with guide commentary
- Hike to Limpiopungo Lake through paramo landscape
- Horseback riding for approximately 2 hours with brief riding lesson
- Traditional chagra dress provided
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lake Rumiñahui Volcano - Day 5
Quilotoa Crater Lake and Tigua
You visit Quilotoa Crater Lake atop an extinct volcano where mineral-rich water shows emerald or bluish-green colors depending on the season. The hike down to the lagoon and back up takes time, though you can rent a mule if preferred. On the return, you stop in Tigua village to see a painting demonstration and watch local artists work on their masks and paintings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Quilotoa Crater Lake visit
- Crater hike (hiking or mule rental available)
- Tigua village visit with painting demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Quilotoa Crater Lake Tigua Village - Day 6
Quito to Galapagos Islands
A private transfer takes you to Quito airport for your included flight to Baltra in the Galapagos. Your guide meets you and takes you to Los Gemelos, unique crater formations, then to a highland ranch where Giant Tortoises live naturally and you can explore a lava tunnel. Lunch happens at the ranch before you head to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Baltra
- Los Gemelos (Twins) crater formations visit
- Local highland ranch visit with Giant Tortoise observation
- Lava tunnel excursion
- Transfer to Puerto Ayora
Landmarks/POIs Los Gemelos Galapagos Giant Tortoise Reserve 
- Day 7
Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay
This morning you visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where staff explain local ecosystems and conservation work, and you see tortoises, land iguanas, and other species. In the afternoon, you walk to Tortuga Bay beach with white sand and clear Pacific water perfect for surfing or just spending time relaxing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Charles Darwin Research Station visit with interpretation center
- Tortuga Bay beach walk and visit
Optional Activities
- Surfing at Tortuga Bay
Landmarks/POIs Charles Darwin Research Station Tortuga Bay 
- Day 8
Galapagos Islands Exploration
You visit multiple islands to see the archipelago's different wildlife and geology. Las Bachas has white sand beaches and coastal birds like flamingos. North Seymour features a 2-mile trail through Palo Santo trees where sea lions, land iguanas, and frigate birds appear. Sullivan Bay and Bartolome show volcanic landscapes, and Bartolome's 600-meter boardwalk climb reaches views of Pinnacle Rock and Galapagos penguins. Santa Fe shows giant Opuntia cacti and unique iguanas. South Plazas and Punta Carrion have prickly pear cactus and large iguana colonies.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Las Bachas wet landing with snorkeling and swimming
- North Seymour dry landing trail (2 miles)
- Sullivan Bay dry/wet landing with volcanic landscape viewing
- Bartolome Island visit with boardwalk and panoramic viewpoint
- Santa Fe Island wet landing with trail walk and snorkeling
- South Plazas and Punta Carrion island visit with snorkeling
- Snorkeling equipment use
Landmarks/POIs Las Bachas Beach North Seymour Island Sullivan Bay Bartolome Island Pinnacle Rock Santa Fe Island South Plazas Island Punta Carrion 
- Day 9
Galapagos to Papallacta
A private transfer takes you from your hotel to Baltra airport for your included flight back to Quito. From Quito, another transfer takes you east over the Eastern Cordillera to Papallacta, climbing to 4065 meters before descending to 3300 meters. On clear days you see Antisana Volcano and paramo highlands with birds, wild horses, and possibly spectacled bears. You finish by relaxing in the naturally heated thermal springs warmed by volcanic activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Baltra to Quito
- Papallacta thermal hot springs visit
Optional Activities
- Short hike in Papallacta area
Landmarks/POIs Antisana Volcano Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 10
Departure
Your English-speaking driver picks you up at your Papallacta hotel and takes you back to Quito Airport, bringing your Ecuador tour to a close.
