Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, Ecuador's cultural hub and a UNESCO World Heritage Site sitting right on the equatorial line. Depending on when you get in, there's time to wander through the old town before things get going. At 6pm, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for an orientation and to let your body adjust to the altitude.
Optional Activities
- Day trip to explore Quito's old town and surrounding area (can be arranged in advance)
Landmarks Pichincha Volcano Quito Old Town 
- Day 2
Quito - Mindo
Head north from Quito to the Equator Monument Complex where you can stand in both hemispheres simultaneously. From there, stop at Pululahua crater, which is actually inhabited despite being volcanic, then continue to Mindo, a small town surrounded by cloud forest. You'll visit a chocolate maker to see how cacao goes from bean to finished product, and you'll get to try a fresh brownie or hot cocoa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Equator Monument Complex
- View Pululahua crater
- Chocolate maker tour with tasting
Landmarks Equator Monument Complex Pululahua Crater Mindo Cloud Forest - Day 3
Mindo
Spend the morning in the cloud rainforest using cable cars and walking trails near waterfalls where toucans, hummingbirds, and other colorful birds hang out. In the afternoon, you can choose optional activities like whitewater rafting, tubing, or ziplining through the trees if you want something more active. Later, head to the butterfly farm to watch giant butterflies that just came out of their cocoons and hopefully land on your hands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cloud forest exploration with cable cars and waterfalls
- Butterfly farm visit
Optional Activities
- Whitewater rafting
- Tubing (large tires tied together through rapids)
- Ziplining (13 courses high above treetops)
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest Mindo Butterfly Farm - Day 4
Mindo - Otavalo
Drive north through the highlands on the Panamericana toward Otavalo, a famous indigenous city. Walk through narrow cobblestone streets where indigenous people in traditional blue ponchos sell handicrafts like textiles, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and tapestries at good prices. By afternoon, go to Cotacachi to check out leather goods and grab some excellent Ecuadorian coffee in the main square. End at the historic Pinsaqui estate for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Typical Andean cocktail as welcome drink)
Included Activities
- Otavalo indigenous market exploration
- Cotacachi leather goods shopping and village exploration
Landmarks Otavalo Market Cotacachi - Day 5
Otavalo - Papallacta Hot Springs
Visit the Cotacachi Cayapas nature reserve to see the clear waters of an active volcano. Hike for about an hour around the Cuicocha crater lake rim, then take a boat out to the crater center to see volcanic bubbles and activity. Head to Pijal village for hands-on time with the Sacha WarmiKuna Women Project, where you'll help make traditional Aji salsa, eat lunch with fresh organic ingredients, and learn about their textile weaving. Finish by relaxing at the Papallacta thermal spa overlooking the Andes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch with Sacha WarmiKuna Women Project using fresh organic produce harvested by the women)
Included Activities
- Cuicocha crater lake hike and boat trip
- Sacha WarmiKuna Women Project cultural experience and traditional lunch
- Textile weaving demonstration
Optional Activities
- Purchase handmade scarves from local women
Landmarks Cotacachi Cayapas Nature Reserve Cuicocha Crater Lake Pijal - Day 6
Papallacta - Cotopaxi National Park - Quito
After one last soak in the hot springs, drive south on the Panamerican Highway to Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano. Visit the park's information center, then drive across the paramo to Lake Limpiopungo for a short walk where you'll see various birds and get a view of Cotopaxi's nearly symmetrical cone surrounded by plants, wildlife, and Inca ruins. Return to Quito for your final dinner on the mainland.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi National Park information center visit
- Lake Limpiopungo walk
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi Volcano Lake Limpiopungo - Day 7
Quito - Galapagos Islands
Head to the airport for a domestic flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. After arriving, take a ferry through Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island. Drive to the highlands and visit a private ranch to see the legendary Galapagos giant tortoises and check out lava tubes formed by flows. Have lunch, then settle into your hotel where your guide outlines what comes next. The rest of the evening is yours to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Flight to Baltra Island
- Ferry transfer to Santa Cruz Island
- Giant tortoise ranch visit
- Lava tubes exploration
Landmarks Baltra Island Itabaca Channel Santa Cruz Island - Day 8
Santa Cruz - Academy Bay
Take a half-day boat tour of Academy Bay where you'll swim and snorkel with fish, marine life, and curious sea lions. Keep an eye out for blue-footed boobies and reef sharks. Stop at a viewpoint, then walk Playa de los Perros where iguanas sun themselves. The deep red rocks, tall cacti, and turquoise water make for great photo spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch box)
Included Activities
- Academy Bay half-day tour
- Snorkeling with marine life and sea lions
- Blue-footed booby viewing
- Playa de los Perros walk
Landmarks Academy Bay Playa de los Perros - Day 9
Santa Cruz - San Cristóbal
In the morning, do a guided tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about species found only in the Galapagos and the conservation work happening there. By afternoon, head to the Santa Cruz dock and take a boat (about 2.5 hours) to San Cristobal Island. Your guide will meet you when you arrive, and the evening is free to explore this island on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Charles Darwin Research Station guided tour
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station San Cristóbal Island - Day 10
San Cristóbal - Isla Lobos
After breakfast, take a boat trip to Isla Lobos where you'll see marine animals along the way. The guided tour lets you spot frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions, and sometimes sharks. Walk and relax on the white coral beaches of San Cristobal, go for a swim, and then head back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch box)
Included Activities
- Isla Lobos boat excursion
- Isla Lobos guided tour with wildlife viewing
- White coral beaches of San Cristóbal
Landmarks Isla Lobos Puerto Baquerizo Moreno - Day 11
San Cristóbal - Quito
Start with a free morning on San Cristobal Island. Later, transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight back to the mainland. When you land in Quito, someone will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Quito
You have the whole day to yourself in Quito. Rest if you need it, explore more of the city, or just hang out at your hotel and take it easy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Departure
Your trip ends today. Head home or continue on to your next destination, taking all your memories and photos from Ecuador with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
