Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Begin the adventure in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, high in the Andes. To make things easy, there are free transfers from the airport to the hotel for everyone today – check the Joining Instructions for further details. There will be a noticeboard in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held. In this meeting, our tour leader welcomes you to the city and explains the schedule for the next few days.

Classic accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Start with a tour of Quito’s historic centre, a World Heritage site. Led by our tour leader, we visit the highlights, including the Plaza de la Independencia, home to the Carondelet Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral, followed by the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, famous for its gold-decorated interior.

After, we head to La Mishquería to learn about the cultural and economic importance of agave in Ecuador and enjoy a tasting of agave products, including miske, an indigenous alcoholic drink. Lunch is served at this venue, a delicious sample of local cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit the Intiñan Equator Museum, which is located near the equator line. This fun interactive museum explores indigenous culture and traditions, as well as unique phenomena related to the geographic location.

Classic accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Travel (two hours) to Cotopaxi National Park in the morning, home to Cotopaxi, one of the highest and most active volcanoes in the world. Embark on a one-hour hike through the stunning park landscapes, passing the José Rivas Refuge and, weather permitting, approaching a glacier.

We enjoy lunch at La Cienega, a colonial hacienda turned restaurant, eating traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a historic setting. Following lunch, we transfer (2hr 30min) to Baños de Agua Santa, a town known for its thermal baths and adventure activities. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore, visit cafes, or relax in the thermal baths.

Classic accommodation: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Start the day with a visit to Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), a power waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation. To get to the base of the falls, we take a trail (three hours) with hanging bridges and viewpoints where you can enjoy spectacular views and feel the power of nature.

After, we walk (45 minutes) to the Swing at the End of the World, where you can swing out over a cliff to enjoy panoramic views of the valleys and mountains.

In the afternoon, there’s free time to explore Baños at your own pace. Visit the hot springs, stroll through local markets, or relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. You can also use this time to pack your smaller bag for the next two nights in the Amazon.

Classic accommodation: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Leave Baños in the morning and transfer (2hr 40min) to Tena, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. The journey takes us through spectacular landscapes, from Andean mountains to lush rainforest. Enjoy lunch in Tena, then continue (1hr 15min) to our rainforest lodge. After a short briefing, we take a 45-minute night walk with an expert naturalist to discover our new surroundings. There are fantastic sounds to listen out for, including the calls of frogs, oropendolas, jays and a variety of insects, a wonderful experience amid the rainforest humidity.

Classic accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Begin with a visit to amaZOOnico, a rescue and rehabilitation facility for jungle animals, which is home to various Amazonian species, such as monkeys, toucans and ocelots. During the visit, we learn about their conservation efforts and the threats these animals face in their natural habitat. Guides provide detailed information about the different animals and the stories behind each rescue. After returning to Liana Lodge for lunch, we embark on an exploration of the Amazon jungle guided by local experts who show the rich biodiversity of the Amazon ecosystem. During the hike, we learn about medicinal plants, local flora and fauna, and survival techniques used by indigenous communities.

Classic accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Bid farewell to the Amazon after breakfast and head to Papallacta, a town renowned for its thermal baths. A 2hr 30min drive takes us through the Amazon rainforest to the high Andes, offering diverse views of Ecuadorian landscapes. This afternoon, rejuvenate in the thermal waters at the hotel (which are heated by underground volcanic activity and said to have therapeutic properties) or explore the nearby trails.

Classic accommodation: Termas de Papallacta (or similar)

Wake early this morning for our transfer (50 minutes) to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos islands. Your Galapagos tour leader (an official naturalist guide) will be at the airport to take you to the hotel for check-in and our first briefing about our time in the archipelago. We have time to explore the town and enjoy a restaurant lunch before our visit to La Lobería, a wonderful beach surrounded by mangroves, volcanic rocks and sea lion colonies. It’s a perfect spot to snorkel, enjoy beach time, or have a short walk along the shore.

Classic accommodation: Paraiso Insular Hotel (or similar)

Start the day with an exciting tour to Isla Lobos, a small island near San Cristóbal. This excursion takes us by boat to one of the best spots for observing sea lions in their natural habitat. Isla Lobos is also an excellent spot for birdwatching, including frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. You can also snorkel in the clear waters around the island, swimming with marine turtles, rays and, occasionally, whitetip reef sharks.

In the afternoon, head to Playa Ochoa on San Cristóbal, a beautiful white-sand beach with turquoise waters, to relax and enjoy the natural setting. It also has excellent birdwatching and snorkelling opportunities.

Classic accommodation: Paraiso Insular Hotel (or similar)

A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first Galapagos islands to be inhabited. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we spend an hour exploring the highlands, visiting lava caves once used by pirates and seeing a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.

In the afternoon, we transfer (2hr 30min to three hours) to Isabela by speedboat.

Classic accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Spend 45 minutes sailing around the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the Galapagos to see whitetip reef sharks, penguins and sea lions, with time to snorkel.

This afternoon, we visit the Wall of Tears, a sad reminder of Isabela’s very different past when it was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths.

Classic accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Navigate by motorboat (two hours to 2hr 30min) to Santa Cruz very early this morning. Upon arrival, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre, where scientists come from all over the world to study the flora and fauna.

In the afternoon, we visit Tortuga Bay, a long stretch of white sand that’s regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes 45 minutes to one hour, with possibilities to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is scattered with marine iguanas, which lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. Turtles can sometimes be seen in the water, though swimming is not recommended due to the strong currents.

Classic accommodation: Lobo de Mar Hotel (or similar)

Our first stop on our bay tour is the Canal de Tiburones, where we follow a small trail and hope to see whitetip reef sharks and, if lucky, lava herons. After, we visit Canal del Amor. At this beautiful turquoise water channel, we hope to snorkel among sea lions and marine iguanas, while Sally Lightfoot crabs and blue-footed boobies rest on the rocks. We continue with a visit to Playa de los Perros, where the largest marine iguanas on the islands live, and finish with snorkelling at Las Grietas, a lava formation with giant walls.

In the afternoon, we transfer (40 minutes) to the giant tortoise reserve in the highlands, a great place to see giant tortoises in the wild. There is also time to visit underground tunnels and caves formed by lava that once flowed here.

Classic accommodation: Lobo de Mar Hotel (or similar)

After a few days following the footsteps of Darwin, Cousteau and world-renowned scientists, it is time to say goodbye to the Enchanted Islands. After breakfast, we drive to Baltra Airport and fly to Quito. Tonight, our groups normally gather for a final dinner, a chance to discuss the adventures we’ve had together.

Classic accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Our adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to stay in Quito beyond the trip, speak to your sales representative to book extra nights.