Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll land in Quito and connect with your guide at the airport for the drive to Swisshotel in the city center. The afternoon and evening are free for you to settle in, rest from your flight, or wander around the city on your own time.
- Start point
- Quito Airport Center, Vía Tababela - Yaruquí, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Quito)
Landmarks Pichincha 
- Day 2
Quito Historic Center and Middle of the World
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll walk through Quito's historic center, where Spanish colonial buildings from centuries past line the streets. Around midday, head north for about an hour to reach the Middle of the World monument and stop at an agave factory and museum. Back at the hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to historic center of Quito
- Visit to Middle of the World monument
- Visit to agave factory and museum in Ecuador
Optional Activities
- Shopping in colonial district
- Dining in colonial district
Landmarks Historic Center of Quito Middle of the World Monument (Equator) - Day 3
Avenue of Volcanoes and Cotopaxi National Park to Baños
Head south after breakfast through the Avenue of Volcanoes toward Cotopaxi National Park. You'll do a short walk at Limpiopungo plateau to see high Andean plants and birds, then drive up to 4,500 meters elevation. From there, trek to José Ribas refuge at 4,800 meters to view the glacier. In the afternoon, travel on to Baños.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Cotopaxi National Park
- Walk at Limpiopungo plateau
- Vehicle access to 4,500 m altitude with option to climb to José Ribas refuge at 4,800 m
Optional Activities
- Climb to José Ribas refuge at 4,800 m and walk to glacier beginning
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Plateau - Day 4
Baños Waterfall Route to Riobamba
After breakfast, walk through the tropical valley that serves as the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Check out the waterfall route, including the impressive Pailón del Diablo waterfall, as you move through the valley. Later, continue south to Riobamba.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to waterfall route in Baños
- Walk to Pailón del Diablo waterfall
Landmarks Pailón del Diablo 
- Day 5
Devil's Nose, Ingapirca Inca Fortress to Cuenca
Depart south after breakfast with stops at Balbanera Church and Colta Lagoon. Visit the Devil's Nose viewpoint and trek an ancient Inca road downhill to Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important Inca fortress, passing through mountain towns with indigenous communities. Arrive in Cuenca and explore this UNESCO World Heritage colonial city by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Balbanera Church
- Visit to Colta Lagoon
- Visit to Devil's Nose viewpoint
- Trek along ancient Inca road to Ingapirca fortress
- Visit to Cuenca colonial city
Landmarks Balbanera Church Colta Lagoon Devil's Nose Ingapirca Historic Center of Cuenca 
- Day 6
Cajas National Park to Guayaquil
Drive through Cajas National Park after breakfast, crossing a 4,200 meter pass and hiking around mountain lakes. You'll pass through different climate zones and see banana, cocoa, and rice plantations before reaching Guayaquil. Walk along El Malecón, visit Las Peñas historic district, and catch views from Cerro Santa Ana.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Drive through Cajas National Park
- Hike through mountain lakes area
- Visit to El Malecón promenade
- Visit to historic district of Las Peñas
- Panoramic view from Cerro Santa Ana
Landmarks Cajas National Park El Malecón Las Peñas Cerro Santa Ana - Day 7
Baltra Arrival and Charles Darwin Station
Head to Guayaquil airport early after breakfast for your domestic flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. Meet your National Park guide and spend about 40 minutes at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, then check out the Charles Darwin Station next door. Tour the VAN STRAELEN Interpretation Center to learn about endemic species and see giant tortoises and local wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
- Visit to Charles Darwin Station
- Tour of VAN STRAELEN Interpretation Center
- Guided walks to observe flora and fauna
Optional Activities
- Field activities with guided walks
Landmarks Fausto Llerena Breeding Center Charles Darwin Station VAN STRAELEN Interpretation Center - Day 8
Tortuga Bay and Upper Attractions
After breakfast, walk about 45 minutes to Tortuga Bay, one of the world's best beaches with white sand and coral. Swim and snorkel for a few hours, then return by foot or boat. Later, head to Rancho Primicia to see giant tortoises in their habitat, walk through Lava Tunnels to learn about volcanic geology, have lunch, and visit Los Gemelos de Santa Cruz volcanic craters. End the day watching the sunset with a coca drink.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch
Included Activities
- Walk to Tortuga Bay beach
- Swimming and snorkeling at Tortuga Bay
- Visit to Rancho Primicia with giant tortoises
- Walk through Lava Tunnels
- Visit to Los Gemelos de Santa Cruz
- Sunset viewing
Optional Activities
- Beach games at Tortuga Bay
Landmarks Tortuga Bay Rancho Primicia Lava Tunnels Los Gemelos de Santa Cruz - Day 9
Cerro Las Tijeretas and Beaches
Take the ferry to San Cristóbal Island very early in the morning. Visit Cerro Las Tijeretas north of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to see frigate birds from viewpoints. Continue to Punta Carola and Playa Mann, a 300-meter beach with dry forest vegetation where you'll spot sea lion colonies and marine iguanas. Surfing is an option if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Ferry to San Cristóbal Island
- Visit to Cerro Las Tijeretas with viewpoints
- Visit to Punta Carola and Playa Mann
- Observation of frigate birds, sea lions, and marine iguanas
Optional Activities
- Surfing at Playa Mann
Landmarks Cerro Las Tijeretas Galapagos Interpretation Center Punta Carola Playa Mann 
- Day 10
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport at your scheduled time for your flight back to the continent and onward to your final destination. Tour services end here.
- End point
- Isla San Cristóbal, Galápagos Islands, Galápagos 2001, Ecuador (Departure gate)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
