Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and get transferred to your hotel in Quito's city center, which takes about an hour. After settling in, you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site capital on your own time. Take it easy this first day and get oriented to the city.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Quito Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito's picturesque plazas
- Browse market stands
- Visit traditional artisans and fourth-generation hat makers
- Explore vibrant culinary scene
- Experience nightlife
Landmarks Mariscal Sucre International Airport Quito Historic Center 
- Day 2
Cotacachi - Cuicocha - Quito
Head out to Otavalo, Ecuador's largest indigenous city, where you'll walk through the famous market checking out colorful textiles, paintings, carvings, and handpainted bowls. Try some street food while browsing the stalls, then continue to Cotacachi for free time shopping leather goods. In the afternoon, stroll around the volcanic crater lake Cuicocha with your guide explaining the high-altitude flora, fauna, and lake history (optional boat ride available). You'll head back to Quito for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Otavalo indigenous market
- Browse artisan stalls for textiles, paintings, carvings, and handpainted bowls
- Explore Cotacachi
- Stroll along shores of Cuicocha crater lake
- Guided tour of high-altitude flora and fauna
Optional Activities
- Taste street food (salted mango or fritada con mote)
- Boat ride around two islands in Cuicocha
Landmarks Otavalo Indigenous Market Cotacachi Cuicocha Lake - Day 3
Mindo Cloud Forest
This day takes you into the lush cloud forest of Mindo on the Andes' western slopes. You'll visit a butterfly farm, trek to waterfalls, go river tubing, zipline between treetops, and try locally made chocolate and coffee. Mindo has over 500 bird species, so watch for them throughout the day. Late afternoon brings you back to Quito for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit butterfly farm
- Trek to waterfalls
- River tubing
- Zipline between treetops
- Taste locally made chocolate and coffee
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching excursions
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest 
- Day 4
Quito Historic Center to Baños
Walk through Quito's Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the largest well-preserved historical complex in the Americas. The winding streets have magnificent houses and buildings from the 15th century, plus several churches to check out. You'll see the street called 'De las 7 Cruces,' used as the axis for Catholic processions during Holy Week. After lunch, you'll depart toward Baños de Agua Santa for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Quito Historic Center
- Visit 15th-century churches
- Explore 'De las 7 Cruces' street
Landmarks Quito Historic Center De las 7 Cruces Street 
- Day 5
Baños
Ride the scenic Ruta de Cascadas toward Rio Verde, seeing multiple waterfalls along the way. Take a short hike to El Pailón del Diablo where water drops 265 feet through the cloud forest. Later in the afternoon back in Baños, dip in thermal pools, explore the Catholic churches, or visit Casa del Arbol to swing at the edge of a mountain with panoramic views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ride along Ruta de Cascadas (Waterfall Route)
- Hike to El Pailón del Diablo waterfall
Optional Activities
- Bathe in thermal pools
- Visit Catholic churches
- Visit Casa del Arbol and swing
Landmarks Ruta de Cascadas Rio Verde El Pailón del Diablo Casa del Arbol - Day 6
Archidona
Arrive at the lodge, have lunch, then rest before walking to a waterfall where you can swim. During the tour you'll see medicinal plants, a lagoon, the Huasquila tree, and hang from a vine. Return for dinner with a 'frog concert' from the lagoon. Later, join an interactive chocolate session learning the whole process from roasting cacao beans to grinding and tasting dessert with fruits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner accompanied by a 'frog concert' from the lagoon in front of the restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Walk to waterfall and bathe
- View medicinal plants and lagoon
- Experience hanging from a vine
- Chocolate session with learning about cacao processing
Landmarks Archidona - Day 7
Archidona
After breakfast, trek through primary and secondary jungle for about 3 hours. You'll cross a 120-meter cave with fruit bats, visit the 'Golondrinas' waterfall and swim there, then tour a Guayusa plantation and factory. After lunch, visit a Kichwa Community for typical dances, cultural learning, and preparing 'chicha' from manioc. Dinner features regional specialties, followed by a 40-minute night walk spotting frogs, grasshoppers, insects, and possibly bio-luminous fungi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with specialties from the region)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Jungle trek through primary and secondary forest (approximately 3 hours)
- Cave exploration with fruit bats
- Visit Golondrinas waterfall
- Swim in waterfall
- Tour Guayusa plantation and factory
- Visit Kichwa Community
- Participate in traditional dances
- Learn Kichwa culture and traditions
- Help prepare traditional 'chicha'
- 40-minute night walk and nature observation
Landmarks Golondrinas Waterfall Kichwa Community - Day 8
Amazon Lodge Departure
Have breakfast and check out from the Amazon Lodge. As you travel, notice how the landscape shifts from thick jungle to Andean mountains as you leave the Amazon region behind.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Check out from Amazon Lodge
- Day 9
Cotopaxi National Park
See Cotopaxi, Ecuador's second highest volcano at 5,897 meters with its snow-capped cone. Start at Lake Limpiopungo watching for bird species and wild horses, then stroll around the lake in the Andean environment. Head into Cotopaxi National Park's rugged terrain and hike to Padre Rivas Refuge at 4,830 meters for volcano views. The hike is relatively short with no technical challenges. You'll arrive on Santa Cruz Island for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast or standard breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Limpiopungo
- Stroll around lake with high-altitude flora and fauna observation
- Hike to Padre Rivas Refuge
- View Cotopaxi Volcano
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching
- Spot wild horses
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Lake Limpiopungo Cotopaxi National Park Padre Rivas Refuge - Day 10
Santa Cruz Island Arrival
Arrive at Baltra Airport where your guide meets you for the scenic journey to Santa Cruz Island. After checking into your hotel, spend leisure time exploring this remarkable town and the path Charles Darwin took. After lunch, take a small boat to La Loberías, a small islet with sea lions, and snorkel around them and tropical fish. Continue to Shark Channel for white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies, then Canal del Amor for sea turtles. Walk 10 minutes to see marine iguanas, visit Las Grietas with its fresh and salt water cliffs, then head back to Puerto Ayora for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast or standard breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Scenic transfer from Baltra Airport to Santa Cruz Island
- Small boat tour along Santa Cruz Bay
- Snorkel at La Loberías
- Visit Shark Channel
- Explore Canal del Amor
- Walk to see marine iguanas
- Visit Las Grietas
Landmarks Baltra Airport Santa Cruz Island Puerto Ayora La Loberías Shark Channel Canal del Amor Las Grietas 
- Day 11
Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park's main headquarters in Puerto Ayora. The station, founded in 1959, runs famous tortoise breeding programs and houses important scientific centers. You'll learn about research institutes studying ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, plus see how the National Park Directorate manages and protects the islands' natural resources and habitats.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
- Learn about tortoise breeding programs
- Explore Galapagos National Park headquarters
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station Puerto Ayora - Day 12
Santa Cruz Island Free Day
No planned activities today means you have complete freedom to explore the island's beauty however you want. Relax on the beach, enjoy the local town, or look into optional activities available for an extra cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling or diving excursion in Galapagos waters
- Guided wildlife tour to observe unique species
- Boat ride to nearby islands such as North Seymour or Bartolome
- Kayaking or paddleboarding adventure
- Scenic hike to viewpoints such as Cerro Mesa or Los Gemelos
- Spa treatment or yoga session
Landmarks North Seymour Island Bartolome Island Cerro Mesa Los Gemelos - Day 13
Galapagos Island Excursion
Depending on National Park permits, you'll sail to one of these islands: Santa Fé, South Plaza, Bartolé, or North Seymour. Watch the turquoise waters and rocky shorelines as you travel, then hike through natural habitats with your guide. Look for giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and other wildlife. After exploring the morning, you'll have lunch on deck, then relax on pristine beaches and swim in clear waters before returning to town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Scrumptious lunch on deck)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Boat journey through Galapagos waters
- Guided hike through island ecosystems
- Wildlife observation (giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies)
- Swimming in crystal-clear waters
- Beach time on pristine beaches
Landmarks Santa Fé Island South Plaza Bartolome Island North Seymour Island - Day 14
Puerto Ayora Departure
If you have time before your airport transfer, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a final walk through Puerto Ayora. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel at the scheduled time and take you to Itabaca Channel for the ferry crossing. From there, the public shuttle bus takes you to the airport terminal where your program ends with your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
- End point
- Isla Baltra, Galápagos Islands, Galápagos 2001, Ecuador (Baltra Airport Galapagos)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hotel pickup and transfer to Itabaca Channel
- Ferry crossing at Itabaca Channel
Optional Activities
- Last-minute souvenir shopping
- Final stroll through Puerto Ayora
Landmarks Itabaca Channel Puerto Ayora
