Outdoor Adventure in Southern Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cuenca, City Tour & Hike the Ingapirca Ruins

Welcome to Ecuador! Upon arrival at Cuenca's airport, catch a taxi for a half-mile (2 km) ride into the city to reach your hotel. Once you've settled in, join a tour to get to know the UNESCO-recognized center of this vibrant city in southern Ecuador. Start in the San Sebastián neighborhood on the western edge of town, and visit the Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno (Modern Art Museum) and its colorful gardens. Next, see the two famous cathedrals: Iglesia El Sagrario, known as the "Old Cathedral" and the Cathedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción, or the "New Cathedral."

Later, visit Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla, the Panama hat museum, where the famous hats are made from toquilla straw, then head to El Barranco, bordering the Río Tomebamba, where you can stroll the verdant riverbanks and admire the terraced houses alongside the river. Finally, end the tour at the Mirador de Turi, an observation deck that offers stunning views of the entire city and nearby mountains.

Later on, a guide will bring you to Ingapirca, the largest Inca complex in Ecuador, for an afternoon of exploring. At 10,498 feet (3,200 m) in elevation, the site was essential to the Cañari people who lived there before the arrival of the Inca. You'll find archaeological evidence of both cultures, which existed peacefully for many years, as you explore the Temple of the Sun, ancient terraces, and a Cañari tomb.

Day 2: Explore Cuenca, Gualaceo & Chordeleg

There is so much to see and do in Cuenca that you could spend a whole day wandering the historic district's cobblestone streets and admiring its stunning colonial architecture. However, if you want to explore farther afield today, consider traveling outside the city and visiting the Azuay province and its many picturesque villages nestled in the mountains around Cuenca.

Each town has its own claim to fame. Chordeleg specializes in filigree silverwork, which uses fine wires to form delicate jewelry pieces. In Gualaceo, you'll find a farm where over 6,000 different types of orchids are cultivated and witness their centuries-old weaving tradition. Sígsig is famous for its traditional handicrafts and, most notably, its handmade toquilla (Panama) hats. After a full day exploring the province, you'll return to Cuenca, where you can enjoy another evening out savoring the city's distinct cuisine and nightlife.

Day 3: Transfer to Guayaquil via El Cajas National Park & Chocolate Tour

Say goodbye to Cuenca today as your driver picks you up and takes you south toward Guayaquil and the Pacific coast. Along the way, you'll cut through to El Cajas National Park, whose 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails make it one of Ecuador's most spectacular natural sites. Take some time to enjoy the view from one of the lookout points or stop to stretch your legs with a walk to one of the many lagoons. 

Afterward, you'll continue to a cacao and chocolate-making tour at a traditional hacienda, before sitting down to a traditional lunch. Then it's time to get back on the road, passing verdant landscapes covered in lush vegetation, to reach your base for the night in colorful Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Take an evening stroll along the historic cobblestone streets of Puerto Santa Ana and the busy waterfront boardwalk of Malecón 2000, then have dinner in a local restaurant and get some rest before tomorrow's flight to the Galápagos Islands.

Day 4: Fly to the Galápagos, Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

Head to the airport this morning to catch your flight to the Galápagos! Located 603 miles (972 km) off the coast of Ecuador, this volcanic archipelago is comprised of 13 major islands and is such a hotspot of biodiversity that it inspired Charles Darwin to formulate theories of evolution that he eventually published in the famous scientific work, "On the Origin of Species" (1859).

After arriving at the airport on Isla Baltra, a local guide will pick you up, and you'll hop over the Itacaba Channel to Isla Santa Cruz and its main town of Puerto Ayora. En route, you'll stop at a local farm in the highlands, where dozens of giant tortoises live. Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures, who can live over 100 years.

Enjoy lunch before continuing to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you'll witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to conduct environmental projects. Head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center next, dedicated to protecting giant Galápagos tortoises. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Day 5: Kayak Adventure in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon Bay Tour of Isla Santa Cruz

Begin today's adventure with a 45-minute hike from Puerto Ayora to the heavenly Tortuga Bay, famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery. Take a kayak out onto the water to see marine life up close, and admire the coastline from a different perspective—observing colonies of marine iguanas, seabirds, mangroves, cacti forests, and fascinating flora. Pelicans and finches are local to the area, and near the salt lagoon that backs onto the mangroves, you even may spot flamingoes wandering. After kayaking at the nearby cove, sunbathe on the beach before returning to Puerto Ayora.

In the afternoon, you'll hit the water again on a small boat to visit places along the bay of Santa Cruz. First, stop at the small islet of La Lobería, where you can snorkel with sea lions and tropical fish. Afterward, head to the Shark Channel, where you may spot harmless whitetip sharks and blue-footed boobies. You'll also come upon the Canal del Amor, where you may find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties. A 10-minute walk will allow you to see marine iguanas in their natural habitat—and you'll have plenty of opportunities to take pictures!

Day 6: Explore an Uninhabited Island

Today will be a highlight of your trip as you leave on a full-day boat tour to visit one of the uninhabited islands around Santa Cruz. Depending on the permit granted by the park authorities, you'll get to visit either Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Plaza Norte, Seymour Norte, or Bartolomé. To experience one of these isles in their unspoiled state, home only to endemic wildlife, you'll see the Galápagos the same way Darwin did on his arrival in 1835. After exploring some wildlife habitats, you'll enjoy lunch on the boat's deck and then cruise back to Puerto Ayora.     

Day 7: Visit Cerro Mesa Reserve & Garrapatero Beach

Head back into the highlands of Santa Cruz today to visit the Cerro Mesa Reserve, where you can see a huge crater. This is a remnant of a time when Santa Cruz was still a volcanically active island. Continue to an extraordinary viewpoint at the crater's edge, where your efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view of the entire island.

Afterward, it's on to Garrapatero Beach, where you will have the afternoon to relax, observe the local wildlife, and swim in the turquoise waters. The beach is accessed by a short walk along a trail through diverse vegetation and mangroves, while flamingoes often frequent a small lagoon near the beach. 

Day 8: Speedboat to Isla Isabela, Tintoreras Hiking & Snorkeling

Start your morning with a two-hour public speed boat trip to Isla Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago and your base for the next four nights. Once onshore get settled into your accommodation in the small town of Puerto Villamil, then, make your way to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife.

After lunch, join a group tour for a visit to the Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling. See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows. Later, snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. 

Day 9: Go Rappelling at Los Trillizos Volcano & Explore Isla Isabela by Bike

Your guide will pick you up early this morning for the drive a few miles north from Puerto Villamil to the Trillizos volcano. Upon arrival here, you'll embark on a short hike to the crater, where the abseiling (rappelling) adventure starts. After strapping into a harness, you'll descend 493 feet (150 m) through a steam vent deep into this dormant volcano. These internal chambers are a marvel of geology, as here you'll see various rocks, minerals, and incredible quartz formations. 

After the volcano abseiling adventure, you'll return to Puerto Villamil for lunch. Then you'll hop on a bicycle for a ride around the island, taking you to scenic viewpoints and incredible landmarks. These include the Mango Viewpoint, which overlooks the south of Isabela; Cuevas del Sucre, a group of lava tunnels and caves you can explore; and Campo Duro, an ecolodge on the slope of the Sierra Negra volcano. Here you can stroll amid the farms and orchards and spot Galápagos tortoises roaming about. 

Day 10: Excursion to Los Túneles

Get ready for more wildlife encounters with a thrilling excursion to Los Túneles, one of the best snorkeling spots on Isla Isabela. From the dock at Puerto Villamil, you'll board a speedboat for the one-hour ride along the coast to the Cabo Rosa lava tunnels, locally known as Los Túneles. The unique geological formations at this coastal site are the result of lava flows that have created natural archways and tunnels both underneath and above the water.

Upon arrival, you'll put on your snorkeling equipment and swim through this network of channels, a haven for exotic marine life. In the shallow waters, you can spot tropical fish, rays, turtles, seahorses, and whitetip reef sharks. Also, watch for penguins and blue-footed boobies hanging out on the rocks. At the end of the experience, you'll return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Day 11: Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano

Hike around the crater of Sierra Negra Volcano today. One of the largest shield volcanoes in the world, this nearly 6-mile (10 km) diameter crater is also one of the most active volcanoes in the archipelago: its most recent eruption happened in 2018, and the volcano's northern side is largely devoid of vegetation due to lava flows. 

Your six-hour roundtrip hike to the volcanic summit will begin from Puerto Villamil. As you approach the crater, explore its lava landscapes and enjoy views of the Isabela and Isla Fernandina volcanoes. End your day with time on the beach or snorkeling through the mangrove forests of Concha Perla. This natural pool is a habitat for turtles, sea lions, and penguins, and the clear water offers excellent visibility.

Day 12: Breeding Center & Isabela Wetlands, Return to Santa Cruz & Farewell Dinner 

Spend your final morning on Isla Isabela visiting the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center. The center is home to hundreds of juvenile and adult tortoises, including populations from all over the archipelago. Giant tortoise eggs are carefully incubated in a special hatchery, and the adults are cared for in large supervised corrals.

Next, continue to the Humedales, the island's wetlands, about 30 minutes away on foot. It's one of the only places where you can see all four native Galápagos mangrove species. Sandy beaches and rocky shores characterize this area, and it features several trails where you can spot migratory birds. 

After the excursion, return by boat to Puerto Villamil and grab your bags for a three-hour speedboat ride back to Isla Santa Cruz, where you'll spend the final night of your adventure enjoying a special farewell dinner by the sea. Say goodbye as you relax in good company with one last delicious meal on the "Enchanted Islands."

Day 13: Transfer to Isla Baltra & Depart

Today you'll bid the Galápagos Islands farewell. If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, you could do some last-minute shopping in Puerto Ayora. Pop into Chocolapagos, an artisan chocolate shop that uses 100% Ecuadorian Arriba Cacao. At the Galeria Exotico Ecuador, you can shop for fair trade crafts handmade by local artisans and communities across Ecuador.

Then, you'll transfer to the airport on Isla Baltra. A bus ride takes you to the Itabaca Channel, where you'll cross via a local ferry and take the public shuttle bus to the airport terminal to catch your departing flight. Safe travels! 

More Great Galápagos Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos? Check out these other Galápagos itineraries, explore other ways to spend 13 days in the Galápagos, or learn about the best time to visit the Galápagos.