Highlights
- Discover the cities of Quito and Guayaquil
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park on horseback
- Tour a cacao farm and learn about chocolate-making
- Snorkel, swim, and hike in the Galápagos Islands
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Explore the City | Quito |
| Day 2 | Take a City Tour & Cooking Class, Visit La Mitad del Mundo | Quito |
| Day 3 | Go Horseback Riding in Cotopaxi National Park | Cotopaxi |
| Day 4 | See El Pailón del Diablo Waterfall | Baños |
| Day 5 | See Chimborazo Volcano & Travel to Guamote | Guamote |
| Day 6 | Explore Dunes & Ruins on the Way to Cuenca | Cuenca |
| Day 7 | Visit Cajas National Park & Cacao Tour on the Way to Guayaquil | Guayaquil |
| Day 8 | Tour Guayaquil & Continue to Montañita | Montañita |
| Day 9 | Relax by the Sea in Ayampe | Puerto López |
| Day 10 | Swim & Snorkel at Los Frailes | Guayaquil |
| Day 11 | Fly to the Galápagos Islands | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 12 | Enjoy a Wildlife Tour on Isla Isabela | Isla Isabela |
| Day 13 | Snorkeling Excursion to Los Túneles | Isla Isabela |
| Day 14 | Hike Around Sierra Negra Volcano & Boat to Isla Santa Cruz | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Isla Baltra & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Explore the City
Welcome to Quito! You'll arrive at the airport and then head to your hotel in the city center. After taking some time to get settled in, explore the historic center. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands at an altitude of 9,350 feet (2,850 m) and welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas between mountain peaks.
Stroll through its narrow streets and visit some of the city's most important churches, such as the Baroque La Compañía, with its incredible gold-covered interior, and the neo-Gothic La Basílica. Take a walk down La Ronda, one of the oldest streets in the city, then head to Panecillo Hill for incredible panoramic views.Day 2: Take a City Tour & Cooking Class, Visit La Mitad del Mundo
Today you'll go on a guided tour of Quito. Visit the artsy La Floresta neighborhood and Carolina Park, the largest urban park in the city. It features an artificial lake, bike trails, and a skate park. For more arts and culture, check out La Casa de La Cultura, MINDALAE Museum, or the Museum of Contemporary Art. Another option is to ride the TelefériQo cable car to the top of Volcán Pichincha for fabulous views of the city.
Around midday, head to a traditional cooking class to learn about the incredible gastronomy of Ecuador and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you'll visit the equatorial monument known as Mitad del Mundo. It's located 16 miles (26 km) north of the capital city in the spot where French scientists determined the position of the central line many years ago. You'll have the chance to stand on the line of the equator and strike a pose with one foot in each hemisphere!
Day 3: Go Horseback Riding in Cotopaxi National Park
Day 4: See El Pailón del Diablo Waterfall
Continue the journey south to Baños, about 81 miles (131 km) south. You'll pass through the scenic Avenue of the Volcanoes along the way. Reach the small village of Río Verde, and stop to see the famous El Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) waterfall. In the afternoon, visit the relaxing thermal pools of Baños, or opt for a rafting or ziplining adventure.
Day 5: See Chimborazo Volcano & Travel to Guamote
Day 6: Explore Dunes & Ruins on the Way to Cuenca
This morning, travel south to Cuenca, passing through the dunes of Palmira. You'll also stop at the Baños del Inca, which features pre-Columbian ruins and a fantastic hot spring. Continue your journey south to explore Gualaceo, nicknamed the "Garden of Ecuador" because of its beautiful orchids.
Arrive in Cuenca, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Make the most of your time in this Andean city by walking around Parque Calderón and visiting its blue-domed Catedral Nueva. Other noteworthy landmarks include the Catedral Vieja and the Río Tomebamba waterfront promenade, where you can buy various handicrafts.
Day 7: Visit Cajas National Park & Cacao Tour on the Way to Guayaquil
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Your first stop today is the beautiful Cajas National Park, featuring more than 200 interconnected high-altitude lagoons. The region is the source of many rivers and connects to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. You'll have some time to enjoy the view from the lookout or to take a short walk to one of the lagoons.
Afterward, continue westward and stop at a hacienda, where you learn about chocolate making and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you will drive through lush vegetation until you reach Ecuador's biggest city, Guayaquil, where you will spend the night.
Day 8: Tour Guayaquil & Continue to Montañita
Take time to explore Guayaquil today. At the Parque Histórico, discover native species, such as sloths, monkeys, and parrots, in a park recreating the natural mangrove habitat. The next stop could be the Cementerio General, an early 20th-century cemetery where artistic tombs are reminders of the prospering cocoa trade of that time. Finally, stroll along the historic cobblestone streets of Puerto Santa Ana and the busy boardwalk Malecón 2000 along the Río Guayas.
In the afternoon, a private transfer will take you north along the Pacific coast for about two hours to arrive in Montañita, a coastal village packed with bars and nightclubs popular with surfers. Learn to surf, or just enjoy a delicious meal and some cocktails.
Day 9: Relax by the Sea in Ayampe
Day 10: Swim & Snorkel at Los Frailes
Day 11: Fly to the Galápagos Islands
Head to the airport to catch your flight to the Galápagos Islands! After arriving at Baltra Airport, a local guide will pick you up and transfer you to neighboring Isla Santa Cruz. On the way to the island's main town of Puerto Ayora, stop off at a local farm in the highlands, where there are dozens of giant tortoises. Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures.
Enjoy lunch before continuing to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to carry out environmental projects. Head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises live. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.
Day 12: Enjoy a Wildlife Tour on Isla Isabela
Start your morning by boarding a public speedboat to Isla Isabela. Spend the two-hour trip appreciating the watery scenery that surrounds you. After arriving on the island, go to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife.
After lunch, tour the nearby Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and fantastic snorkeling. Glimpse Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks resting in the natural channels formed by lava flows. Head back to Isabela for the evening, where you can take the opportunity to sit outside in the dark and listen to the nocturnal wildlife wake up as the sun sets.
Day 13: Snorkeling Excursion to Los Túneles
Day 14: Hike Around Sierra Negra Volcano & Boat to Isla Santa Cruz
Day 15: Transfer to Isla Baltra & Depart
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