Jewels of Ecuador: From the Andes to the Galápagos - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Explore the Ecuadorian Capital

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador! Your flight touches down in Quito, one of the world's highest-altitude capitals at 9,350 feet (2,850 m). After settling into your hotel, you'll have the rest of today to explore the city independently, from the UNESCO-listed historic center to the lively bars around Plaza Foch. Walk through Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, the largest urban park on the continent, or ride the TelefériQo to the top of Cruz Loma for dramatic skyline views.

Stroll through the Old Town's narrow streets and visit some of its most important churches, such as the Baroque La Compañía, with its incredible gold-covered interior, and the neo-Gothic La Basílica del Voto Nacional. Take a walk down La Ronda, one of the oldest streets in the city, and have dinner in one of the traditional Ecuadorian restaurants.

Day 2: See the Mitad del Mundo Monument, Fly to Cuenca

This morning, you'll visit the equatorial monument known as Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). It's located just 16 miles (26 km) north of Quito 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. Visit the adjacent museum, featuring a planetarium, chocolate exhibits, and a small-scale model of Quito.

Then, meet your driver for a transfer to Quito's airport, where you'll catch a flight to Cuenca, one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador. After you land, meet your driver for a transfer to the city center. Settle into your hotel, then explore Cuenca on your own. Start in the Old Town, where Spanish colonial architecture sprawls out of charming squares. Next up, head to El Barranco to admire the casas colgadas (hanging houses) over the Huécar Gorge. End the day at the Mirador de Turi deck, enjoying panoramic views and catching the sunset. 

Day 3: Explore the Ancient Ingapirca Ruins, Transfer to Guamote

Leave Cuenca this morning on a 1.5-hour transfer north to the Ingapirca ruins, which sit at 10,498 feet (3,200 m). Ingapirca, meaning "Inca Wall," comprises the most extensive remains of the Cañari culture, later subdued by the Inca empire, which conquered large parts of South America in the 15th century. At the center of the ruins, you'll see the Temple of the Sun, with well-preserved ancient stone walls that the Inca used as an observatory to track the seasons and times of day by the sun. 

Your guide will lead you to a complex network of ancient terraces cascading down the hillsides. These creative agricultural practices allowed the Cañari and Inca to cultivate crops in the challenging Andean environment. You'll also learn about the ancient rituals practiced here at the Tumba Cañari, a sacred burial site. It offers much insight into the beliefs and customs that defined the Cañari view of the afterlife. Then, visit the small museum that houses Inca ceramics, sculptures, and tools. At the end of the tour, you'll continue to the town of Guamote for the night.

Day 4: Discover the Chimborazo Volcano, Transfer to Baños de Agua Santa

Today's trip takes you from Guamote to the heights of the mighty Chimborazo volcano. This inactive volcano sits at 20,710 feet (6,310 m) and is Ecuador's highest mountain. It stands tall with three distinct peaks, each reaching toward the sky, creating a captivating silhouette against the horizon. The sheer magnitude of this geological masterpiece is evident as you gaze upon its vast base, spanning over an astonishing 12.5 miles (20 km) in diameter. Wild llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (the smallest species of camelid) can be spotted roaming the plateau.

Your guide will drive you to the Hermanos Carrel mountain hut at 15,700 feet (4,800 m). The adventurous can hike from here to the Whymper Hut, located even higher at 16,400 feet (5,000 m). Non-mountaineers can still enjoy the majesty of this terrain on a hike around the surrounding Chimborazo Natural Reserve. After exploring, meet your driver for a 2.5-hour transfer east to Baños de Agua Santa (or just Baños) for a relaxing evening. 

Day 5: Waterfalls & Treehouses in Baños

The magnificent, subtropical cloud forest environment of Baños offers incredible hikes, and the town itself is charming. There are hot springs, great cafés, a beautiful central square, and rows of little stores along the sidewalk where the locals weave melocha (toffee). Walk around the town, then head into the mountains and surrounding forest for an adventure. Be sure to dress for all weather conditions, as the temperature can change quickly. 

Your driver will take you along the scenic Ruta de las Cascadas (Avenue of the Waterfalls) toward the village of Río Verde. When you arrive in town, take a one-hour hike to one of the area's famous waterfalls, El Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron). The water cascades 265 feet (81 m) down through the cloud forest.

After marveling at the falls, you'll transfer back to Baños. On the way, stop outside town at Casa del Arbol, a treehouse with a swing named "The End of the World" for its panoramic canyon views. If you like, afterward, you can stop for a soak at nearby hot springs, heated naturally by the nearby active volcano of Tungurahua, which sits around 5 miles (8 km) outside the city. After you've enjoyed the restorative powers of the healing waters, return to your hotel in town. 

Day 6: Transfer to Archidona, the "Gateway to the Amazon"

Today starts with a scenic transfer from the Andes to the Amazon. This three-hour journey takes you northeast, through beautiful landscapes dotted with volcanoes, and into the mega-diverse Amazonian ecosystem, where your destination is Archidona. Known as the "Gateway to the Amazon," this colonial town remains surrounded by Indigenous Kichwa communities. Once here, you'll check into a jungle lodge, where you can discover more of the Amazon on trails within the grounds. Walk barefoot and connect with the forest, relax in the natural streams, or take a refreshing swim in the Río Misahuallí. 

Return to the ecolodge in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day soaking up the beauty of your surroundings. In the evening, participate in a guided cultural night. Learn to make local dishes such as maito (a local river fish wrapped and cooked in a rainforest leaf), plantains, and organic chocolate. You'll discover every step in the local chocolate-making process, from roasting the cocoa beans to eating the finished product with fresh fruit.

Day 7: Rainforest Trek & Cultural Excursion

Wake up to the sounds of the rainforest today. After breakfast, set off on a three-hour rainforest trek. As you explore, your naturalist guide will highlight rainforest features, like endemic wildlife and medicinal plants. Animals to look for include monkeys, tapirs, sloths, toucans, and even jaguars. The adventure continues in a 394-foot (120 m) cave home to fruit bats. Then, move on to the Golondrinas Waterfall, which cascades 46 feet (14 m) into a turquoise lagoon, where you can swim. Later, visit a guayusa (holly tree) plantation, where you'll witness how the leaves are made into tea.

After a lunch break, you'll visit an Indigenous Kichwa community and experience their traditional dances and culture. You'll also learn how they prepare the famous chicha, a fermented beverage made from manioc (cassava). Later, back at the lodge, you'll sit for a dinner featuring regional specialties. Afterward, take a 40-minute walk around the gardens. Here, you can spot grasshoppers, insects, frogs, and—if you're lucky—bioluminescent fungi.

Day 8: Morning in the Amazon, Transfer to Quito

Day 9: Day Trip to Mindo Cloud Forest

Leave Quito again this morning on a trip two hours west to Mindo. This town enjoys an ideal location on the slopes of the Andes, with mild temperatures and plenty of rainfall. These conditions have resulted in the region's famous cloud forest ecosystems, which feature some of the most biodiverse forests on Earth. It's also one of the world's best bird-watching destinations, home to over 500 avian species. 

You're in for a real treat as you'll spend the day exploring this natural wonderland. During a guided excursion through the cloud forest, you'll visit a butterfly farm, trek to waterfalls, go river tubing, soar between the treetops on a zipline, and sample locally-made chocolate and coffee. That's to say nothing of all the colorful birds you'll see, which include hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, manakins, and more. Afterward, you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Quito to enjoy your final evening in the city.

Day 10: Fly to the Galápagos, Discover Isla Santa Cruz

Today, meet your driver for a transfer to Quito's airport for your flight to Ecuador's most famous site: the Galápagos archipelago. Upon arrival at Isla Baltra's airport, you'll take a short ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to reach Isla Santa Cruz. Your guide will be waiting to transfer you to a local farm in the island's highlands, where you can see dozens of giant tortoises in their natural habitat before sitting down to a delicious lunch. Afterward, you'll continue to the port of Puerto Ayora to check into your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and collaborate on environmental projects such as water analysis and animal protection. Nearby, you'll find the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant tortoises are raised in a secure environment before being released into the wild. This is the best place in the Galápagos to view various species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands.

Day 11: Galápagos Islands Boat Tours

Today's adventure takes you on a day trip to an uninhabited island. Board a boat and visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, or Seymour Norte. After lunch on board, you'll have the opportunity to go snorkeling and explore the area. Santa Fé and Plaza Sur are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On Seymour Norte, look for frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is worth a visit, with spectacular scenery and rare wildlife.

In the afternoon, you'll board a small boat for a bay tour, visiting exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz. Possible stops include the small islet La Lobería, named for its great colony of sea lions. Go snorkeling and find tropical fish displaying a dazzling show beneath the water's surface against interesting underwater formations. See Shark Alley, where you'll spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies. Reach Canal del Amor, where you'll find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties, then take a short walk to see marine iguanas in their natural habitat.