Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll land at Quito's airport and get picked up for the drive to your hotel in the Quito district. Check-in happens at 3 PM, so you'll have time to drop your bags, freshen up, and get settled before dinner. It's a relaxed first day to adjust to the altitude and timezone.
- Start point
- Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Pick up at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dann Carlton Hotel or similar )
- Day 2
Quito to Baños de Agua Santa
After breakfast, head south from Quito along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, passing through Latacunga and Pujilí. Once you reach Cotopaxi National Park, you'll stop at the Interpretation Center and take a short hike around Limpiopungo lagoon. If you're up for it, there's an option to push toward the first shelter. Grab lunch, then continue on to Baños de Agua Santa for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel), Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Samari Spa & Hotel or similar )
Included Activities
- Visit Cotopaxi National Park Interpretation Center
- Explore Limpiopungo lagoon
- Short hike in Limpiopungo valley
- Optional climb to first shelter
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon - Day 3
Baños de Agua Santa
Spend the day in Baños walking through the Valley of the Waterfalls. You'll see Pailón del Diablo, Ecuador's largest waterfall, plus Manto de la Novia and the Tree House. Your guide and driver stay with you all day, so you can arrange optional activities like canopy rides or rappelling whenever you feel ready. It's flexible, so pace it however works for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Samari Spa & Hotel or similar )
Included Activities
- Exploration of Baños town
- Visit Valley of the Waterfalls
- See Pailón del Diablo waterfall
- Visit Manto de la Novia waterfall
- Visit Tree House
Optional Activities
- Canopy tour
- Rappelling at waterfalls
Landmarks Pailón del Diablo Manto de la Novia Waterfall 
- Day 4
Baños de Agua Santa to Riobamba
Leave early for Chimborazo National Park and start with a 20-minute hike through the canyon to check out local plants and wildlife. Then trek from the first refuge at 4,800m through the second at 5,000m and out to Condor Cocha lagoon. After lunch at a local community, your guide drives you to Riobamba for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local community)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Abraspungo Hacienda or similar )
Included Activities
- Hike in Chimborazo National Park canyon
- Trek from Carriel brothers refuge to Whymper refuge
- Visit Condor Cocha lagoon
- Lunch at local community
Landmarks Chimborazo National Park - Day 5
Riobamba to Cuenca
On the way to Cuenca, you'll stop at Ingapirca, Ecuador's most significant pre-Columbian site. Wander through the stone structures built by the Cañari and later expanded by the Incas, including the Temple of the Sun. From there, head to Cuenca, a colonial city with charming cobblestone streets and plenty of character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El Dorado Hotel or similar )
Included Activities
- Visit Ingapirca archaeological site
- Explore Temple of the Sun
Landmarks Ingapirca - Day 6
Cuenca
Head out to Chordeleg to see traditional crafts like gold, silver, filigree, wood, and ceramics. You'll have free time to shop around the Central Park and church area. Later, check out the Food Market of Gualaceo and try some Hornado, which is roasted pork. Back in Cuenca, tour the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Plaza de las Flores, and the August 10 Market with its colorful produce and traditional Chola clothing.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El Dorado Hotel or similar )
Included Activities
- Explore old town of Chordeleg
- Visit Gualaceo Food Market
- Cuenca city tour
- Visit Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Visit Plaza de las Flores
- Visit August 10 Market
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Chordeleg
Landmarks Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Plaza de las Flores - Day 7
Cuenca to Guayaquil
Transfer to Cajas National Park and explore the Llaviuco zone at 3,100 meters. Do a 45-minute to 1-hour level hike through the woods, then head to Tres Cruces at 4,160 meters for views. Check out the Lake Toreadora Interpretation Center, then hike 2 hours through Polylepsis Forest past Totoras and Patoquinuas lakes. After lunch, leave for Guayaquil.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel), Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tryp by Wyndham Hotel or similar )
Included Activities
- Hike in Llaviuco zone, Cajas National Park
- Visit Tres Cruces viewpoint
- Visit Lake Toreadora Interpretation Center
- Hike through Polylepsis Forest
- Visit Totoras and Patoquinuas lakes
Landmarks Cajas National Park - Day 8
Guayaquil to Santa Cruz (Galapagos)
Leave your hotel and head to Guayaquil Airport for your flight to the Galapagos. After landing at Baltra, your guide picks you up and takes you to a highland ranch to see giant tortoises in their habitat. Have lunch at the ranch, then explore the Lava Tunnels and Twin Craters. Finish up at Charles Darwin Station to learn about Galapagos geology and conservation.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at the ranch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Solymar Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit giant tortoise ranch in highlands
- Explore Lava Tunnels and Twin Craters
- Visit Charles Darwin Station
Landmarks Charles Darwin Station 
- Day 9
Santa Cruz
Get picked up early (6 or 7 AM) from your hotel and board a small vessel at Puerto Ayora. Depending on park availability, you might head to Santa Fe, Pinzón, or Floreana. Hike, snorkel, swim, and spot endemic wildlife and plants. By evening you'll head back to Santa Cruz.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Solymar Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Small vessel excursion to Santa Fe, Pinzón, or Floreana
- Hiking excursion
- Snorkeling and swimming
- Wildlife and sightseeing
Landmarks Santa Fe Island Pinzón Island Floreana Island - Day 10
Santa Cruz to Isabela
Take the speedboat to Isabela Island at 6:30 AM (about 2 hours). After arrival, your guide takes you to the hotel with free time in the morning. Walk to the nearby flamingo lagoon if interested, or visit the tortoise breeding center. In the afternoon, explore Las Tintoreras, a chain of small islets where you can snorkel and spot sea lions, turtles, iguanas, rays, and sharks.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa de Marita Hotel or similar )
Included Activities
- Speedboat transfer to Isabela
- Visit Las Tintoreras islets
- Snorkeling at Tintoreras
Optional Activities
- Visit flamingo lagoon
- Visit tortoise breeding center
Landmarks Las Tintoreras - Day 11
Isabela to Santa Cruz
After breakfast, take the boat to Cabo Rosa (45 minutes away) where lava flows have created lava tunnels. Spot penguins, blue-footed boobies, turtles, sharks, rays, seahorses, and tropical fish. The tour takes about 5 hours. In the afternoon, speed back to Santa Cruz by boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Solymar Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Boat excursion to Cabo Rosa
- Visit lava tunnels
- Wildlife viewing at Cabo Rosa
- Snorkeling at Cabo Rosa
Landmarks Cabo Rosa - Day 12
Santa Cruz to Baltra / Departure
Have breakfast, then transfer to Baltra for your flight back to the mainland. Fly to Quito or Guayaquil and connect with your international departure.
- End point
- Baltra Island, Galápagos, Ecuador (Drop off at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands )
- Meals
- Breakfast
