Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll land at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and get driven to your hotel in Quito. The drive gives you a chance to settle in and get oriented to the city before exploring tomorrow.
- Day 2
Quito Old Town and Middle of the World
Start by walking through Quito's colonial center, checking out the narrow streets and historic plazas that make the old town so interesting. Then head north to the equator line monument and Inti Ñan museum where you can actually stand at latitude 0 and try some hands-on experiments that prove your exact location.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Ecuadorian lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town colonial architecture
- Visit to Plaza Grande (Independence Square)
- Visit to La Compañía Jesuit Church
- Exploration of La Ronda neighborhood
- Visit to Plaza San Francisco and Church
- Visit to Equator Line Monument
- Entrance and tour of Inti Ñan Museum (Path of the Sun)
Landmarks Plaza Grande (Independence Square) La Compañía Church La Ronda Plaza San Francisco San Francisco Church Monument to the Equator Line Inti Ñan Museum - Day 3
Northwest Cloud Forest
Drive northwest from Quito toward the Cloud Forest, and you'll notice the vegetation changing dramatically as you climb. Trek through the misty forest looking for hummingbirds and butterflies, then stop at an artisanal chocolate factory to see how they work. Head back to Quito by evening.
Included Activities
- Forest trek in Northwest Cloud Forest
- Hummingbird and butterfly observation
- Visit to Artisanal Chocolate Factory
Landmarks Northwest Cloud Forest (Chocó) 
- Day 4
Papallacta Hot Springs to Cuenca
Travel through the Andean landscape to Papallacta, a small town situated between two volcanoes. Spend time at Termas de Papallacta hot springs and walk around the nearby forest. After lunch, drive to the airport and fly south to Cuenca, arriving as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Termas de Papallacta hot springs resort
- Forest exploration in the Andes near Papallacta
Landmarks Papallacta Hot Springs Cayambe Volcano Antisana Volcano - Day 5
Cuenca City Tour
Get a panoramic view of Cuenca from El Turi viewpoint, then walk through the colonial city center to see the plazas, cathedral, and flower market. Stop by a Paja Toquilla hat factory to learn how they make Panama hats traditionally. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Panoramic view from El Turi viewpoint
- Visit to Plaza Calderón
- Visit to Cathedral
- Visit to Plaza de las Flores
- Visit to Paja Toquilla (Panama) Hat Factory
Optional Activities
- Observation of Cholas Cuencanas performing spiritual rituals or cleansing ceremonies (if tour falls on Tuesday)
Landmarks El Turi Viewpoint Plaza Calderón Cuenca Cathedral Plaza de las Flores - Day 6
Cajas National Park to Guayaquil
Leave Cuenca and drive through Cajas National Park where you'll see high-altitude grasslands, then gradually descend toward sea level as the vegetation shifts dramatically. Pass through coastal regions where cacao and bananas grow, arriving in Guayaquil by early evening.
Included Activities
- Traverse of Cajas National Park
Landmarks Cajas National Park - Day 7
Guayaquil City Tour
Explore Guayaquil by car, driving along the main avenues and stopping at Seminario Park to see the iguanas. Visit Malecon 2000 to check out the waterfront and La Rotonda monument, then spend time in Las Peñas with its wooden colonial houses, art galleries, and climb up to Santa Ana Fort for views over the city.
Included Activities
- City tour by car along main avenues
- Visit to Seminario Park
- Visit to Malecon 2000
- Visit to La Rotonda Monument
- Exploration of Las Peñas historic quarter
- Visit to Santa Ana Fort with panoramic view
Landmarks Seminario Park Malecon 2000 La Rotonda Monument Las Peñas Santa Ana Fort - Day 8
Arrival in Galápagos
Fly from Guayaquil to Baltra, where an English-speaking naturalist guide meets you. Cross to Santa Cruz Island and have lunch at a highland farm. Visit a tortoise reserve to see giant Galápagos tortoises in their natural environment, then check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a farm in the highlands)
Included Activities
- Visit to Tortoise Reserve to observe giant tortoises in natural habitat
Landmarks Baltra Airport Itabaca Channel Santa Cruz Island - Day 9
Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay
Spend the morning at Charles Darwin Research Station learning about conservation work happening on the islands. After lunch, walk through a giant cacti forest to reach Tortuga Bay beach where you can see marine iguana nests. Then head to another beach section surrounded by mangroves where pelicans, blue-footed boobies, gulls, and frigate birds hang out.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Exploration of Tortuga Bay
- Walk through giant cacti forest
- Beach exploration with marine iguana nests observation
- Observation of pelican colonies, blue-footed boobies, gulls, and frigate birds
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station Tortuga Bay 
- Day 10
Island Boat Tour and Snorkeling
Take a boat tour to one of the nearby inhabited islands, North Seymour, Bartolome, Santa Fe, or South Plaza, each one having different wildlife and natural habitats. Snorkeling from the boat is included and one of the highlights. Return to Santa Cruz Island in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Boat tour to neighboring island (North Seymour, Bartolome, Santa Fe, or South Plaza)
- Snorkeling activity
Landmarks North Seymour Island Bartolome Island Santa Fe Island South Plaza Island - Day 11
Las Grietas, Playas Alemanes, and Puerto Ayora
Visit Las Grietas, a natural formation with narrow volcanic cracks filled with clear water perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Then head to Playas Alemanas (German Beaches) for pristine sandy shores and more time in the water. In the afternoon, explore Puerto Ayora, the largest town here in the Galápagos.
Included Activities
- Visit to Las Grietas
- Swimming and snorkeling at Las Grietas
- Visit to Playas Alemanes
- Exploration of Puerto Ayora
Landmarks Las Grietas Playas Alemanes Puerto Ayora - Day 12
Free Day in Puerto Ayora
This day is yours to spend however you like in Puerto Ayora. Walk around the town, check out local shops and restaurants, or find a quiet beach. It's a good chance to experience the islands at your own pace without a scheduled itinerary.
Landmarks Puerto Ayora - Day 13
Galápagos to Quito
Get driven from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport and fly back to the continent. A driver meets you in Quito and takes you to your hotel for the night.
- Day 14
Quito to Otavalo
Drive north from Quito to Otavalo, stopping at a rose plantation and Jesuit hacienda to learn how Ecuador grows roses and grab some snacks. Visit San Pablo Lake and see a Totora house to understand traditional aquatic grass crafts. Arrive in Otavalo for lunch and walk through the Plaza de Ponchos textile market before settling into your hacienda.
- Meals
- Snack (Snacks served at the Jesuit hacienda), Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to rose plantation and hacienda
- Observation of Ecuadorian rose production process
- Visit to San Pablo Lake
- Visit to Totora House and market
- Exploration of Plaza de Ponchos textile market
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Plaza de Ponchos
Landmarks San Pablo Lake Plaza de Ponchos Otavalo - Day 15
Cotacachi, Cuicocha, Cayambe, and Return to Quito
After breakfast at the hacienda, head to Cotacachi town to browse the leather market full of jackets, belts, purses, and shoes at good prices. Then drive to Cuicocha National Park to see an active volcano and its central lake. Stop back in Cotacachi for lunch, then drive to Cayambe to try bizcochos (traditional biscuits) before returning to Quito.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Cotacachi leather market
- Visit to Cuicocha National Park
- Observation of active volcano and lake at Cuicocha
- Traditional biscuit (bizcochos) tasting in Cayambe
Optional Activities
- Shopping for leather goods in Cotacachi
Landmarks Cotacachi Cuicocha National Park Cayambe - Day 16
Departure
Get driven from your hotel to the airport for your international flight home, ending your Ecuador tour.
