Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll land in Quito and connect with your guide and group at 6pm for a briefing about what's ahead. If your flight gets in early, there's time to walk through the old town on your own, though you can also arrange a guided day trip if you let them know beforehand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito's old town
- Day trip around Quito and surrounding area (must be requested in advance)
Landmarks Quito Old Town 
- Day 2
Quito to Isabela Island
After flying from Quito to Baltra, you'll head to Puerto Ayora and then take a speedboat across to Isabela Island. The crossing gives you a chance to spot whales and dolphins between July and October. This island sits on six shield volcanoes and stays geologically active.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Baltra
- Transfer to Puerto Ayora
- Speedboat transfer to Isabela Island
Landmarks Isabela Island - Day 3
Isabela Island
You'll snorkel through lava tunnels carved by ancient volcanic eruptions, navigating crystal-clear water through formations that look like a maze. Sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, and Galápagos penguins show up regularly. Later in the day, pick optional activities like more snorkeling at Concha de Perla, surfing lessons, biking, or visiting the tortoise hatchery near your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Snorkeling in the lava tunnels
- Boat trip to the lava tunnels
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at Concha de Perla
- Surfing lessons
- Biking
- Visit to giant tortoise hatchery
- Relax on Isabela's white sand beaches
Landmarks Lava Tunnels Concha de Perla - Day 4
Isabela Island
Hike up to Sierra Negra's crater edge to look down into a six-mile-wide lava-filled crater from this active volcano that last erupted in 2018. If you've got the energy, head to Chico Volcano to see its overgrown landscape and colorful lava. In the afternoon, kayak around Tintoreras Island watching for whitetip reef sharks, penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hiking to Sierra Negra crater
- Kayaking in Tintoreras
- Snorkeling in Tintoreras
Optional Activities
- Hiking up to Chico Volcano
Landmarks Sierra Negra Volcano Chico Volcano Tintoreras Island - Day 5
Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island
Take a speedboat from Isabela to Santa Cruz, watching for marine life on the crossing (July through October). After checking in at your hotel, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the islands' native species and conservation work. By afternoon, drive to El Chato reserve in the highlands to walk among giant tortoises and see pintail ducks, herons, and frigatebirds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Speedboat transfer to Santa Cruz
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Hiking through El Chato reserve in the highlands
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station El Chato Reserve Puerto Ayora - Day 6
Santa Cruz Island to Quito
Have breakfast in the Galápagos one last time and grab final photos with sea lions. Then head to Baltra airport for your flights back to the mainland and Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Baltra airport
- Flight from Baltra to Quito
- Day 7
Quito
This day is yours to explore Quito on your own schedule. Check out colonial architecture and museums, wander through local markets, or take day trips to nearby spots depending on what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito independently
- Visit nearby attractions and surrounding areas
- Day 8
Quito to Baños
Drive south from Quito along the volcanic route with colorful Andean fields around you. You'll reach 3657m elevation before arriving at Cotopaxi National Park to hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon at the base of Rumihiahui Volcano, with views of Cotopaxi. From there, continue through Llanganates National Park to Baños at the Amazon's edge, where nightlife and salsa dancing keep things going.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hiking around Limpiopungo Lagoon at Cotopaxi National Park
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lagoon Rumihiahui Volcano Llanganates National Park Baños - Day 9
Baños
Mountain bike from Llanganates National Park down through cloud forest toward the Pastaza River Canyon, passing Andean farms with views of Baños and Tungurahua Volcano. The route is mostly downhill with waterfalls along the way. Later you'll explore Baños town and visit the famous swing where a National Geographic photo contest winner took his award-winning shot in 2014.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mountain bike tour through cloud forest to Pastaza River Canyon
Optional Activities
- Explore Baños town
- Visit the swing at the end of the world
Landmarks Tungurahua Volcano Pastaza River Canyon - Day 10
Baños to Llanganates National Park - Jungle Lodge
Start at Veil Waterfall and take a cable car crossing the Pastaza River, then descend to Pailón del Diablo, Ecuador's second-highest waterfall. Walk deeper into the jungle where Incas hid gold 600 years ago, hiking through tropical rainforest past waterfall gorges with a local Kichwa guide explaining the unique plants and animals. You'll spend the night at a jungle lodge run by an indigenous family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cable car crossing over Pastaza River at Veil Waterfall
- Canyoning through Llanganates National Park
- Hiking through tropical rainforest
Landmarks Veil Waterfall Pailón del Diablo Llanganates National Park - Day 11
Amazon Jungle to Papallacta
After safety instructions, raft down the Jatunyacu River, a clear-water river known for fast currents and jungle scenery. Navigate through big waves, play games in the water, and explore canyons before finishing with a guide-prepared picnic. In the afternoon, head back toward the Andes with a stop at Guango Reserve to see hummingbirds. End the day soaking in hot volcanic springs at Papallacta surrounded by mountain terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic prepared by guides)
Included Activities
- Rafting on Jatunyacu River
- Stop at Guango Reserve for hummingbird viewing
- Access to hot volcanic springs in Papallacta
Landmarks Jatunyacu River Guango Reserve Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 12
Papallacta
Breakfast and final goodbyes mark the end of your journey today. You'll head back home carrying photos and memories from the Andes, Galápagos, and Amazon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
