Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Your driver will meet you at Quito airport holding a name sign, then transfer you by private vehicle to your hotel in central Quito. After you arrive, settle in and take time to rest from your flight.
- Day 2
Quito to Mindo
An early pickup from your hotel takes you into the cloud forest. You'll stop at Alambi conservation area for a short trail where you can spot hummingbirds, Andean cliff birds and mountain toucans. Lunch happens at Sachatamia Lodge with local dishes and cloud forest views, then you'll continue to Mindo village, which is famous for butterflies, orchids and over 400 bird species. The evening is free to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local dishes at Sachatamia Lodge with cloud forest views)
Included Activities
- Guided hike at Alambi conservation area
- Lunch at Sachatamia Lodge
Landmarks Alambi Conservation Area Sachatamia Lodge Mindo 
- Day 3
Mindo to Lasso
You'll drive to Mindo-Nambillo nature reserve and cross the green valley on a cable gondola. From there, a three-hour hike through Santuario de Cascadas takes you past multiple waterfalls with a chance to swim. Later you'll take a chocolate course and taste what you make. In the afternoon, you'll drive back through Quito's highlands to your hacienda hotel in Lasso, near Cotopaxi National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cable gondola crossing at Mindo-Nambillo nature reserve
- Three-hour guided hike at Santuario de Cascadas
- Chocolate course with tasting
Landmarks Mindo-Nambillo Nature Reserve Santuario de Cascadas Cotopaxi National Park 
- Day 4
Lasso to Baños
An early departure gets you to the colorful Andean market in Saquisili, which happens every Thursday. There you'll see locals wearing hand-woven traditional costumes expressing their identity and ethnicity. Next you'll head to the volcanic crater lake Quilotoa where you can hike about 300 meters down to the lake and return by mule, or just rest and take in panoramic views from the Shalala viewing platform. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Banos, a tourist town known for its pleasant climate, thermal springs, and local sweets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Saquisili Andean market
Optional Activities
- Hike approximately 300 meters down to Quilotoa crater lake and mule return
- Panoramic viewing from Shalala platform
Landmarks Saquisili Andean Market Quilotoa Crater Lake Shalala Viewing Platform - Day 5
Baños and Pastaza Canyon
You'll explore the Pastaza Canyon as it leads from Banos down into the Amazon rainforest. If you're up for adventure, you can take the Tarabita gondola through the canyon. A stop in Rio Verde includes a short walk to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall. In the afternoon, you'll visit Casa del Arbol, a tree house with a huge swing hanging high above the clouds at about 2600 meters, positioned right above the Pastaza Canyon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tarabita gondola through Pastaza Canyon
- Guided walk to Pailón del Diablo waterfall
Landmarks Pastaza Canyon Pailón del Diablo Waterfall Casa del Árbol 
- Day 6
Baños to Cotopaxi National Park
You'll drive along the Panamericana from Banos toward Cotopaxi National Park. A stop at Los Salasacas indigenous Kichwa community lets you see typical handicrafts and weaving art of the region. After entering Cotopaxi National Park, you'll walk around Limpiopungo lagoon at about 3800 meters elevation. Then you'll hike up the Cotopaxi slopes to 4500 meters, walking through lunar-like landscapes to the Jose Ribas hut at 4800 meters where you can see an impressive nearby glacier collapse. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at Los Salasacas indigenous community to view handicrafts and weaving
- Walk around Limpiopungo lagoon at approximately 3800 meters
Optional Activities
- Hike through lunar landscapes to José Ribas hut at 4800 meters and glacier collapse viewing
Landmarks Los Salasacas Indigenous Community Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon José Ribas Hut 
- Day 7
Quito to Galápagos Islands
An early pickup from your hotel transfers you to Quito airport. You'll fly to Baltra Island where your Galapagos nature guide meets you. From there you'll head to the highlands to see Galapagos giant tortoises on a ranch in their natural setting. After that, you'll continue to Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn about scientific work and turtle breeding programs. Then you'll transfer to your hotel in Puerto Ayora.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Galápagos giant tortoise ranch in the highlands
- Guided visit to Charles Darwin Station
Landmarks Baltra Island Charles Darwin Station Puerto Ayora 
- Day 8
Galápagos Island Boat Excursion
After breakfast, you'll board a boat to explore an untouched Galapagos island. Depending on what's available, you might visit North Seymour Island (known for magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies), South Plaza Island (featuring endemic yellow-reddish-brown land iguanas), Santa Fe Island (one of the archipelago's oldest with endemic land iguanas and tall cacti), or Bartolome Island (featuring Pinnacle Rock). Late afternoon you'll return to Santa Cruz.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided boat excursion to one of four Galápagos islands: North Seymour, South Plaza, Santa Fe, or Bartolome (subject to availability)
Landmarks North Seymour Island South Plaza Island Santa Fe Island Bartolome Island Pinnacle Rock - Day 9
Second Galápagos Island Boat Excursion
After breakfast, you'll explore a different uninhabited Galapagos island in a small group with your nature guide. Depending on which island you visited yesterday, you'll tour a different option from North Seymour, South Plaza, Santa Fe, or Bartolome (subject to what's available). In the evening you're free to wander around Puerto Ayora and check out the many small restaurants and entertainment options.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided boat excursion to one of four Galápagos islands: North Seymour, South Plaza, Santa Fe, or Bartolome (subject to availability)
Landmarks North Seymour Island South Plaza Island Santa Fe Island Bartolome Island - Day 10
Puerto Ayora to Isabela Island
Your morning is free in Puerto Ayora to do what you want. A recommended visit is Tortuga Bay, where at the far end you'll find Playa Mansa, a nice beach surrounded by mangrove trees where you might see sea turtles. There's also an optional chance to paddle your own kayak. In the afternoon a speedboat takes you to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island (about 2 hours travel). You can spend the rest of the day on the beach or take a short walk around this small, quiet fishing village where you'll stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Tortuga Bay and Playa Mansa beach
- Kayaking at Tortuga Bay
Landmarks Tortuga Bay Playa Mansa Puerto Villamil Isabela Island 
- Day 11
Isabela Island Sierra Negra Volcano Hike
You'll start with an active day hiking in Isabela's green highlands. After about 30 minutes you'll reach Sierra Negra volcano foothills and hike in a small group with a bilingual guide through untouched nature for roughly one hour to the crater rim. At the top you can enjoy the views of the vast crater floor. Then you'll continue along the huge crater rim across bare lunar lava landscapes to the small, still-smoking side crater of Chico Volcano. After a short break, you'll hike back the same way. You'll return to Puerto Villamil in the afternoon and spend the evening on the beach however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Sierra Negra volcano crater rim (approximately one hour)
- Guided hike across crater rim to Chico Volcano side crater
Landmarks Sierra Negra Volcano Chico Volcano 
- Day 12
Isabela Island Coastal Snorkeling Tour
After breakfast, you'll travel by boat in a small group with a multilingual guide from Puerto Villamil along the coast to Cabo Rosa, the southernmost point of Isabela Island. After 45 minutes you'll reach Roca Union, a small rocky island popular for Nazca boobies fishing. You'll continue to Los Tuneles, a huge formation of sea-washed lava tunnels considered the snorkeling paradise of the Galapagos. The afternoon is free to explore Puerto Villamil's quiet fishing village at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided boat tour to Roca Unión
- Guided boat tour to Los Túneles snorkeling area
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at Los Túneles
Landmarks Cabo Rosa Roca Unión Los Túneles - Day 13
Departure from Galápagos
Before sunrise you'll be picked up from Puerto Villamil for transfer to the harbor. A public speedboat takes you to neighboring Santa Cruz Island in just over two hours. You'll arrive in Puerto Ayora for a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant. After that, a private transfer takes you to the north side of Santa Cruz to Itabaca Canal. Your driver continues all the way to your airline's check-in counter at Baltra airport. From there you'll fly back to the mainland.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora)
Landmarks Itabaca Canal Baltra Airport
