Highlights
- See the equator at the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument
- Visit a local family in the Indigenous Kichwa community of Añangu
- Spot parrots, toucans, macaws, and other tropical birds in Yasuní National Park
- Explore an uninhabited island in the Galápagos
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito & Get to Know the City | Quito |
| Day 2 | Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & Mitad del Mundo | Quito |
| Day 3 | Explore Local Culture at Otavalo Market & Hike at Cuicocha Lake | Quito |
| Day 4 | Fly to Coca, Transfer to Yasuní National Park & Napo Wildlife Center | Yasuní |
| Day 5 | Visit the Parrot Clay Lick & Kichwa Community, Rainforest Hike | Yasuní |
| Day 6 | Climb a Canopy Tower, Enjoy a Rainforest Hike & Canoe Rides | Yasuní |
| Day 7 | Río Napo Canoeing Excursion, Transfer to Quito | Quito |
| Day 8 | Fly to Isla San Cristóbal Island | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 9 | Tour of Isla San Cristóbal: Highlights, Beaches & Marine Life | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz, Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 11 | Explore an Uninhabited Island | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Isla Isabela, Excursion to Los Túneles | Isla Isabela |
| Day 13 | Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano | Isla Isabela |
| Day 14 | Puerto Villamil Bay Paddleboarding, Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 15 | Depart the Galápagos |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Quito & Get to Know the City
Welcome to Ecuador! Your flight will touch down in Quito, the country's capital city, where a private driver will pick you up and take you to your accommodation. During the 45-minute trip, they'll introduce you to Quito and give you a rundown of the itinerary for the next day.
After settling into your hotel, you'll have the rest of today to explore. Sitting in the valley of the dramatic Cotopaxi volcano, Quito has an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,850 m) above sea level, making it the second-highest capital city in the world. You're in for a fantastic adventure here, from the incredibly well-preserved colonial center to the lively bars and nightclubs around Plaza Foch. Take a walk through Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, the largest urban park on the continent, or ride the TelefériQo to the top of Cruz Loma for dramatic views of the city's skyline.
Day 2: Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & Mitad del Mundo
This morning, a guide will pick you up for a walking tour of Quito. Start in the colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to numerous historic buildings and squares. You will visit Plaza Grande and the beautiful churches of La Compañía and La Basílica. Then, you'll walk down La Ronda, the oldest street in Quito. Around midday, head to a traditional cooking class. There, you'll learn about the incredible gastronomy of this country and how to prepare it, and will enjoy a delicious lunch.
Afterward, make your way to the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument to stand on the line of the equator. Strike a pose with one foot in each hemisphere, and see how your balance is affected at latitude zero. Then, enjoy the nearby museums and exhibits, including the Planetarium, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Artisanal Beer Museum. There is also a small-scale model of Quito here, which will give you a unique perspective on the city.
Day 3: Explore Local Culture at Otavalo Market & Hike at Cuicocha Lake
Today, take a ride about two hours north of Quito to visit Otavalo and nearby Cuicocha Lake. While in Otavalo, be sure to visit the Plaza de los Ponchos for a chance to shop around its world-famous market. While it's at its busiest on Saturdays, you can find vendors here (primarily Otavalos, the Indigenous people of the region) throughout the week. The Otavalo people are best known for their colorful, hand-woven textiles, and many market stalls offer tablecloths, blankets, scarves, and more. Nearby towns also have their own specialties—Cotacachi focuses on leather goods, for example.
After some shopping, head into nature and visit Cuichocha Lake, a crater lake formed by an eruption of the Cotacachi volcano thousands of years ago. Walk along a path on the lake's steep shores, or take a boat ride past the two islands formed by lava domes. When the day is done, return to Quito for the night.
Day 4: Fly to Coca, Transfer to Yasuní National Park & Napo Wildlife Center
Today is the big day when you will travel to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest! Early in the morning, your driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to Quito's airport so you can catch your flight to Coca, where your rainforest adventure begins. At Coca's airport, the lodge's staff will be waiting to take you on the next leg of your journey, deep into Yasuní National Park. You will be transferred to the port, where you will board a comfortable covered motor boat. The boat ride takes approximately two hours; a boxed lunch and coffee will be provided en route.
Along the way, you'll be able to see different species of birds, including herons, kingfishers, and many more. After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center's entry dock, continue your journey with a peaceful two-hour paddle canoe ride surrounded by trees. You'll have the chance to spot some monkeys, as well as large birds like toucans, parrots, or macaws. In the late afternoon, you will finally arrive at the lodge with a stunning view of Añangu Lagoon. Before dinner, enjoy a welcome drink as the lodge manager briefs you about your stay.
Day 5: Visit the Parrot Clay Lick & Kichwa Community, Rainforest Hike
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Get up early and go on your first excursion for today: the parrot clay lick, located approximately one hour from the lodge. Here, you'll have the chance to see a total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws. Afterward, hike along a forest trail to visit the Kichwa community of Añangu, where you will share time and daily activities with a local family. Return to the creek and hike through a terra firme forest (an Amazon forest that lies above flood level) for about 30 minutes until you arrive at the second parrot clay lick for some more bird-watching.
Share your lunch at Napo Cultural Center with members of the Kichwa community. In the afternoon, paddle back to Napo Wildlife Center. Enjoy some free time before a delicious dinner is served in the evening.
Day 6: Climb a Canopy Tower, Enjoy a Rainforest Hike & Canoe Rides
After an early breakfast, leave the lodge to experience an amazing view of the rainforest from a 118-foot (36 m) high canopy tower—a great way to see life above the ground. The tower is located about 30 minutes from the lodge, deep within the forest. As you ascend the 12-floor tall tower, you'll pass through different levels of the forest. Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the trees, blue-and-yellow macaws fly past, and in nearby trees, spider monkeys search for fruit. The life of the rainforest canopy will open up before your eyes!
Lunch is served at the lodge. In the afternoon, hike along another forest trail to discover more flora and fauna. You may find lizards, colorful manakins, or the rare endemic golden-mantled tamarin monkey. After the hike, explore the nearby lake and creeks by dugout canoe. There's a high chance you may run into a giant otter family on the way.
Day 7: Río Napo Canoeing Excursion, Transfer to Quito
Enjoy one last activity in Yasuní National Park—canoeing on the Río Napo. As you paddle along this waterway, which is a tributary of the mighty Amazon, you may spot some giant otters, saki monkeys, or rare birds. When the excursion is finished, head back to your accommodation to pack your things and prepare for your boat ride to Coca, from where you will catch a flight back to Quito. Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
Day 8: Fly to Isla San Cristóbal
Welcome to the beautiful Galápagos Islands! Your flight from Quito will arrive on Isla San Cristóbal. Once there, check into your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, then head to the local Interpretation Center. Here, you will have the chance to learn about wildlife and environmental conservation through several exhibitions and conference rooms, including a natural history room that explains the origin of the islands and a human history room that describes humankind's presence since the discovery of the Galápagos.
Afterward, visit Las Tijeretas Hill, located within walking distance of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It takes its name from the large number of tijeretas (frigatebirds) that inhabit and nest in this area. Stop at several viewpoints en route to observe the passage of whales, mainly between June and October. If time allows, you will also visit La Lobería, a great site to view colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas. You'll find patches of salt marsh here and vegetation like common mangroves, palo verde, and muyuyo (yellow cordia). In the evening, return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for your next day of adventure.
Day 9: Tour of Isla San Cristóbal: Highlights, Beaches & Marine Life
Today, get to know some of the most iconic places in San Cristóbal on a guided tour. If time and weather conditions allow, make a full loop around the island by boat, beginning at Rosa Blanca, a small bay known for its various beaches. The main attraction is the largest beach at the center of the bay, which is lined with sand dunes. You can snorkel here to see marine life up close, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Later, stop at Punta Pitt for lunch and a demonstration of local, traditional fishing. Relax onboard as you watch for many endemic bird species, like the red-footed booby.
Then head to Bahía Sardina, a scenic bay that's home to two white-sand beaches. Here, you'll have a chance to spot (and maybe swim with) sea turtles, rays, and sea lions. Afterward, pass by Cerro Brujo ("Witch's Hill"), where you can snap breathtaking photos and look out for birdlife among the rocks. Finally, you'll arrive at Kicker Rock. This uninhabited islet looks like a large rock formation but is technically an eroded cone of volcanic tuff. It reaches a height of 486 feet (148 m) and is a refugee for blue-footed boobies, sea lions, numerous fish species, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and rays.
Day 10: Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz, Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station
Wake up very early to take the public speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz, roughly 2.5 hours away from San Cristóbal. When you arrive, meet your driver, who will bring you to a farm in the highlands where you'll have the opportunity to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Then, continue to Puerto Ayora and check into your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, scientists from all over the world meet to work together on environmental projects covering subjects like water analysis, animal protection, and the effects of tourism on nature. Nearby is the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, named after the Galápagos National Park ranger who cared for Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise. This is the best place in the Galápagos to view different tortoise species and see how the shapes of their shells have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of their native islands.
Day 11: Explore an Uninhabited Island
Take a day trip to an uninhabited island. Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the National Park, you'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plaza, Bartolomé, or North Seymour. There, you will follow trails and discover the area's natural wonders. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding waters by boat.
Santa Fé and South Plaza are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife. Enjoy a tasty lunch onboard the boat, as well as a snorkeling activity to maximize your experience. In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora for some free time.
Day 12: Transfer to Isla lsabela, Excursion to Los Túneles
Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Puerto Ayora to take you to the docks. There, you'll catch a speedboat that will take you to Isla Isabela. After settling into your accommodation in Puerto Villamil, get ready for more wildlife encounters with a thrilling excursion to Los Túneles, a perfect snorkeling spot. A series of lava flows have produced unique geological formations here. There are rock arches and tunnels underneath and above the water, making the area a truly excellent place to swim.
In these shallow waters, you can find tropical fish, rays, turtles, seahorses, and whitetip reef sharks! Keep your eyes open for penguins sitting on the rocks, and prepare yourself for the possibility of swimming with majestic sea turtles. At night, relax or explore more of Isabela as you wish.
Day 13: Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano
Today's journey will take you to the majestic Sierra Negra volcano. Your adventure starts by traveling from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, prepare your backpack and start your walk through the relatively young woods, which suffer from constant geological changes. You'll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to the active volcano's summit. During your climb, make sure to be on the lookout for the distinctive vegetation that characterizes the area.
Your finishing point is the edge of the volcano's crater, the second-largest in the world. The circumference of the crater is huge, with a diameter of almost 6 miles (10 km) along with its widest point. Walk around the spectacular lava landscapes, taking in the northern volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina. You'll have some free time after you get back to your accommodation. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.
Day 14: Puerto Villamil Bay Paddleboarding, Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz
Get ready to explore Puerto Villamil Bay, observing mangroves and the rocky shores where crabs rest. You may also have the opportunity to spot blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and frigates, as you paddle around and enjoy the peacefulness of the bay. This area generally has calm waters, which makes it possible for people of all ages, with or without experience, to enjoy paddleboarding here. After the activity, your guide will take you to Concha Perla to snorkel.
Later in the day, catch a speedboat from Isabela back to Santa Cruz. Tonight is the final evening of your adventure, and soon it will be time to head back home. Before you begin your journey, partake in a special farewell dinner by the sea. Say goodbye as you relax with good company and one last delicious meal on the "Enchanted Islands."
Day 15: Depart the Galápagos
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