Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
A driver meets you at the airport holding your name sign and drives you to your hotel in Quito. The ride takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
- Day 2
Quito Historic Center, Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua
Your guide picks you up to walk through Quito's UNESCO World Heritage historic center, seeing La Plaza de la Independencia, La Iglesia de San Francisco, and the Basilica del Voto Nacional. After that you'll head to Mitad del Mundo where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere and visit the Intiñan Museum. From there, you'll explore the unique Pululahua crater with its impressive landscapes and endemic bird species.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Quito historic center
- Visit La Plaza de la Independencia
- Visit La Iglesia de San Francisco
- Visit Basilica del Voto Nacional
- Visit Mitad del Mundo monument
- Intiñan Museum visit and experiments
- Visit Pululahua dormant volcano crater
Landmarks/POIs La Plaza de la Independencia La Iglesia de San Francisco Basilica del Voto Nacional Mitad del Mundo Intiñan Museum Pululahua - Day 3
Otavalo Town & Province of Imbabura
You'll drive about two hours north to the Province of Imbabura. Stop in Cayambe to taste traditional bizcochos biscuits, then check out San Pablo Lake before reaching Otavalo. Walk through the famous indigenous artisan market at Plaza de Los Ponchos to find colorful textiles and handcrafts. You can visit Cotacachi for leather goods or explore the Cuicocha lagoon where you might see Andean flora and possibly the Andean condor. Parque Condor (Wednesday-Sunday) is optional if you want to learn about birds of prey conservation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Otavalo Indian Market at Plaza de Los Ponchos
- Explore indigenous artisan market
Optional Activities
- Taste Cayambe bizcochos traditional biscuits
- Visit Cotacachi for leather goods shopping
- Cultural experience visiting local families in Cotacachi
- Hike around Cuicocha Lagoon - collapsed volcanic crater
- Visit Parque Condor (Wednesday-Sunday) - bird of prey conservation center with flying bird show
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Los Ponchos San Pablo Lake Cayambe Cotacachi Cuicocha Lagoon Parque Condor - Day 4
Cotopaxi National Park
A scenic 1.5-hour drive south through the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' takes you to Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano. You'll explore the tundra-like environment of Cotopaxi National Park with hikes offering chances to see unique Andean landscape, local flora and fauna including wild horses, Andean condors, llamas, and highland birds. Depending on conditions, you can hike to the main Jose Rivas refuge at 4,810m near the snowline or up to 5,000 meters to see Cotopaxi's glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park
- View Avenue of the Volcanoes landscape
- Hike in tundra-like terrain
Optional Activities
- Hike to Jose Rivas refuge at 4,810m near snowline
- Hike up to 5,000m to view Cotopaxi glacier (depending on conditions)
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi Volcano Cotopaxi National Park Jose Rivas Refuge - Day 5
Quilotoa Crater Lake
You'll drive through indigenous lands passing local markets in Saquisili (Thursdays) or Pujilí (Sundays). The route goes through the Zumbahua canyon with photo opportunities. Later you'll visit an indigenous family to learn about local culture. At Quilotoa crater filled with crystal-blue water, you can walk down to the rim and water's edge, hike the loop around the volcano, or enjoy the views from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Quilotoa crater lagoon
Optional Activities
- Visit local markets in Saquisili (Thursdays) or Pujilí (Sundays)
- Visit indigenous family
- Walk down from crater rim to water's edge at Quilotoa
- Kayak rental at Quilotoa Lagoon
- Hike loop around Quilotoa volcano crater
- Mule rental to ride back up from crater bottom
Landmarks/POIs Quilotoa Crater Lake Zumbahua Canyon Saquisili Market Pujilí Market - Day 6
Baños Adventure Capital
Head to Bañós, Ecuador's adventure capital in the Andean highlands under Tungurahua volcano with lush green mountains around it. The town is named after its famous hydrothermal springs. You'll explore the town and visit the historic Cathedral. Optional thermal baths are available, or you can venture out to the Valley of the Waterfalls. Visit the famous 'Swing at the Edge of the World' at Casa del Árbol or hike to the impressive Pailón del Diablo waterfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Baños town
Optional Activities
- Bike and quads rental in town
- Walk around Baños village
- Shopping for handicrafts
- Visit historic Cathedral with impressive paintings
- Visit thermal baths - public or private
- Visit Casa del Árbol swing at edge of world with zip line
- Visit Pailón del Diablo waterfall in Valley of the Waterfalls
- Horseback riding
- Canyoning
- Bungee jumping
- Ziplining
- White water rafting
- Hiking
Landmarks/POIs Baños Cathedral Casa del Árbol Pailón del Diablo Tungurahua Volcano Valley of the Waterfalls - Day 7
Itamandi Eco Lodge Arrival
Early this morning you'll leave Bañós and travel to Arajuno bridge to board a motorized canoe for a 20-minute upriver journey through tropical forest to Itamandi Eco Lodge. Along the river winding through the jungle you'll experience the Amazon rainforest. The lodge welcomes you with tropical snacks and a briefing from a naturalist guide. After lunch and relaxation, an evening night hike with flashlight lets you observe nocturnal wildlife including fishing bats, owls, insects, tarantulas, toads, frogs, and snakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorized canoe ride upriver to lodge
- Welcome at Itamandi Eco Lodge
- Night hike in Amazon jungle
Landmarks/POIs Arajuno Bridge Itamandi Eco Lodge - Day 8
Amazon Forest & Kichwa Community
After breakfast, you'll walk through primary and secondary rainforest for about 2.5 to 3 hours with your naturalist guide. In the afternoon, you'll meet an Amazonian Kichwa community to learn about their daily lives and jungle interaction. You can participate in preparing 'chicha', a traditional fermented yucca drink, and taste it along with traditional dishes. Community children perform traditional dance and locals sell handcrafted goods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided rainforest walk through primary and secondary forests
- Visit Amazonian Kichwa community
- Learn about indigenous way of life
- Participate in chicha preparation
- Taste traditional indigenous dishes
- Watch traditional dance performance
Optional Activities
- Purchase indigenous handicrafts
Landmarks/POIs Amazonian Kichwa Community - Day 9
Saladero de Parrots & Return to Quito
Early this morning you'll take a 15-minute canoe ride upriver to visit the Saladero de Parrots, a unique natural mineral lick where hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather for minerals from the clay wall. You'll observe these colorful birds in their natural behavior. The tour ends at 9:30 am with a 20-minute motorized canoe ride back to Arajuno bridge. Your guide then takes you back to Quito to stay at your hotel near the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Saladero de Parrots visit - parrot and parakeet mineral lick observation
- Return canoe ride to Arajuno bridge
Landmarks/POIs Saladero de Parrots - Day 10
Santa Cruz Highlands & Tortoise Ranch
A driver picks you up from your hotel and takes you to Quito airport for your Galápagos flight. You'll arrive at Baltra Airport and take a bus to Itabacca Channel, crossing by ferry to Santa Cruz Island. A Spanish-speaking driver takes you through the lush green highlands featuring Scalesia trees before reaching Puerto Ayora. You'll visit a Galápagos tortoise ranch where giant tortoises roam freely along with pintail ducks, yellow warblers, and finches. If time allows, visit an illuminated lava tunnel with natural ceiling up to 20 feet high.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight Quito to Baltra, Galápagos
- Bus transfer Baltra to Itabacca Channel
- Ferry crossing Itabacca Channel
- Visit Galápagos tortoise ranch with free-roaming giants
- View highland wildlife - pintail ducks, yellow warblers, finches
- Optional visit to illuminated lava tunnel
Optional Activities
- Visit illuminated lava tunnel (depending on time)
Landmarks/POIs Baltra Airport Itabacca Channel Santa Cruz Highlands Galápagos Tortoise Ranch - Day 11
Tintoreras Islet
At the designated time, you'll arrive at Puerto Ayora passenger pier to check in for a speedboat to Isabela Island. A water taxi ($1 per person) takes you from the pier to the speedboat. The journey takes 2 to 2.5 hours to Puerto Villamil. You'll pay the $10 per person island entrance fee, then walk up the boardwalk to meet your driver for hotel transfer. Later you'll take a speedboat to Las Tintoreras islets south of Puerto Villamil and explore lava fields for about 40 minutes. You'll see marine iguanas, Sally light-foot crabs, pelicans, Galápagos penguins, and lava cranes. Snorkeling in turquoise water brings encounters with sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, manta rays, and possibly penguins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Speedboat transfer to Isabela Island
- Las Tintoreras islet visit - lava field exploration
- Snorkeling at Tintoreras with equipment included
- Marine wildlife viewing - marine iguanas, sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays
Landmarks/POIs Las Tintoreras Puerto Villamil - Day 12
Cabo Rosa Tunnels & Return to Santa Cruz
You'll visit Cabo Rosa tunnels, the most spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling site on Isabela Island, with shallow, calm, and very clear water forming a sea sanctuary. Unique lava flow formations create arcs and tunnels above and below water. You'll see seabirds like albatross, flamingos, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds. Spot tortoises, iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes amid colorful volcanic lava and xerophytic desert vegetation. The speedboat ride back to Santa Cruz takes 2 to 2.5 hours. A water taxi takes you from the speedboat to Puerto Ayora pier, then you walk or take a taxi to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (On-board)
Included Activities
- Snorkeling at Cabo Rosa tunnels with equipment included
- Speedboat return transfer to Santa Cruz Island
- Wildlife viewing - seabirds, marine life, Galápagos species
Landmarks/POIs Cabo Rosa Tunnels - Day 13
Uninhabited Island Excursion & Snorkeling
You'll spend the day exploring one of the uninhabited Galápagos islands on a navigable excursion with guided hike and snorkeling time. Lunch is served on board the yacht. The destination is chosen daily from options like North Seymour with frigate birds and endemic land iguanas, South Plazas with dramatic cliffs and red algae, Bartolomé featuring iconic Pinnacle Rock with a 364-step climb, or Santa Fe with white sand beach and huge cactus trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (On-board yacht)
Included Activities
- Guided hike on uninhabited island
- Snorkeling with equipment included
- Lunch on board yacht
Landmarks/POIs North Seymour Island South Plazas Island Bartolomé Island Pinnacle Rock Santa Fe Island - Day 14
Santa Cruz to Quito
At the scheduled time, a Spanish-speaking driver takes you from Puerto Ayora to Itabacca Channel. You'll board the ferry for $1 per person to Baltra Island. The 'Bus Lobito' costs $5 per person to Baltra airport. You'll fly from Galápagos to Quito, where a driver meets you and takes you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry from Santa Cruz to Baltra Island
- Bus Lobito transfer to Baltra airport
- Flight Baltra to Quito
- Day 15
Departure from Quito
Today you'll transfer from your hotel to Quito airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
