Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll land at Quito Airport where a representative meets you with help for luggage and arranges your transfer. The drive to your hotel takes you through the Andean landscape, so you'll see the terrain as you head to check in. After that, the evening is yours to settle in and rest up for the days ahead.
- Start point
- Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Airport Arrivals gate, Our team will receive you with your name's card)
- Day 2
Quito UNESCO Center & Mitad del Mundo
Breakfast comes first, then you'll walk through Quito's Historical Center with its cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. La Compañía de Jesús, Plaza Grande, and the Basilica del Voto Nacional are on your route. From there, you head to Mitad del Mundo to stand right at the equator with each foot in a different hemisphere. By afternoon, you'll browse local craft markets with colorful textiles, jewelry, and pottery from artisans.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Quito's UNESCO-listed Historical Center
- Visit to La Compañía de Jesús
- Visit to Plaza Grande
- Visit to Basilica del Voto Nacional
- Visit to Mitad del Mundo monument
- Browse local craft markets
Landmarks/POIs La Compañía de Jesús Plaza Grande Basilica del Voto Nacional Mitad del Mundo - Day 3
Otavalo & Cotacachi Markets
After breakfast, you travel to the highland towns of Otavalo and Cotacachi. In Otavalo, the indigenous market shows off vibrant textiles, handmade crafts, woven scarves, ponchos, and jewelry from local makers. Then it's on to Cotacachi where you'll walk through quaint streets and check out high-quality leather jackets, bags, and accessories. Throughout the day you see volcanic peaks and lakes surrounding the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Otavalo indigenous market
- Visit to Cotacachi leather goods shops
Landmarks/POIs Otavalo Indigenous Market Cotacachi - Day 4
Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, you head into Cotopaxi National Park where snow-covered peaks and vibrant highland landscapes fill your view during the drive. You can hike to Limpiopungo Lagoon to spot wild horses and Andean condors, or go to Rincón del Valle for closer looks at Cotopaxi volcano. The day offers varied scenery with native plants and wildlife throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Cotopaxi National Park
- Hike to Limpiopungo Lagoon
Optional Activities
- Hike to Rincón del Valle for closer view of Cotopaxi volcano
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lagoon - Day 5
Quito to Galápagos (Baltra to Puerto Ayora)
After breakfast, you transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to Baltra. When you arrive, a representative meets you and transfers you to your Puerto Ayora hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is relaxed, letting you take in the island atmosphere and get ready for the Galápagos experiences coming up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 6
Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnels & Los Gemelos
After breakfast, you visit a giant tortoise reserve to watch these creatures and learn how they fit into the Galápagos ecosystem. You'll stroll through endemic forests and watch native birds in the trees. Next comes a visit to lava tunnels shaped by volcanic eruptions from millions of years ago. The day finishes at Los Gemelos Craters, two impressive sinkholes with vibrant vegetation where you spot endemic birds and take in views before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit giant tortoise reserve
- Explore endemic forests
- Walk through lava tunnels
- Visit Los Gemelos Craters
Landmarks/POIs Giant Tortoise Reserve Los Gemelos Craters - Day 7
Seymour Island Wildlife Tour
Breakfast at the hotel starts your day, then you travel to Seymour Island, an uninhabited spot known for dramatic landscapes and wildlife. You'll walk along volcanic shores and explore rugged terrain while watching sea lions and frigatebirds. Blue-footed boobies show off their vibrant blue feet and distinctive courtship dances, and you get to see nesting behavior in this untouched setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Two-island yacht tour to Seymour Island
- Walk along volcanic shores
- Wildlife observation (sea lions, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies)
Landmarks/POIs Seymour Island - Day 8
Departure from Galápagos
After breakfast, you transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to Quito. Once you arrive, you'll have a brief stop before your flight home. If you've arranged an extension, your next flight goes to Guayaquil instead, with transfers already set up for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 3-night extension to Guayaquil for $699 per person including flight from Baltra to Guayaquil, airport transfers, 3 nights at a 4-star hotel, day tour of Guayaquil, full-day private tour including cocoa farms, cocoa plantation visit with chocolate-making experience, guided city tour featuring Las Peñas, Malecón 200, and Parque Histórico, and hotel pick-up/drop-off
