Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito to Otavalo
You'll land at Quito International Airport where an English-speaking driver meets you for the private transfer to Otavalo. The drive takes about 1 hour 45 minutes covering roughly 90 km, so settle in and get your first views of Ecuador's landscape as you head north.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Pick up at Quito International Airport )
- Day 2
Otavalo
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll head into Otavalo's traditional market in the morning to see local crafts and textiles. From there, it's on to Peguche village where you can watch weavers at their looms and learn how they create their pieces. You'll also visit the Peguche waterfall, which holds ceremonial importance for locals. By late afternoon you're back in Otavalo.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional Otavalo market
- Visit Peguche village weaving center and observe artisanal looms and vegetal pigments
- Visit Peguche waterfall
Landmarks Otavalo Market Peguche Waterfall - Day 3
Otavalo to Quito
Following breakfast, you'll drive to Quito's Colonial district, a UNESCO site with Independence Square as your starting point. The area has narrow streets lined with colonial buildings, including La Compañía and San Francisco churches that are worth walking through. You'll do some raw beer tasting and try local sweets before grabbing lunch. In the afternoon, it's out to Pomasqui to learn about agave plants and taste a traditional beverage, then to the Intian museum where you'll experience unusual physical phenomena at the Middle of the World.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Lunch during excursion)
Included Activities
- Visit Colonial district of Quito
- Visit Independence Square (Plaza Grande)
- Visit La Compañía Church
- Visit San Francisco Church
- Raw beer tasting and typical sweet delicacies
- Visit Agave learning experience in Pomasqui
- Visit Intian museum at Middle of the World
Landmarks Independence Square (Plaza Grande) La Compañía Church San Francisco Church Intian Museum - Day 4
Quito to Amazon
You'll start with breakfast and then drive east from Quito, climbing to 12,000 feet before descending into the Amazon lowlands. The landscape changes dramatically from highlands to rainforest as you drop elevation. At a hummingbird farm, you can watch over ten species feed at stations while having tea and biscuits. Weather permitting, there's a short walk to spot additional bird species.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu), Dinner (Set Menu), Cocktail (Welcome cocktail at sunset)
Included Activities
- Visit hummingbird farm and observe ten or more hummingbird species
- Optional bird watching walk in forest path
Optional Activities
- Forest bird watching walk (weather and path dependent)
Landmarks Amazon Plains 
- Day 5
Amazon
This full day in the Amazon rainforest gives you options based on weather and interests. You might hike through secondary forest, take canoe rides on rivers, walk to waterfalls, or visit local communities. Meals are included throughout, so you're covered for food while exploring the jungle environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu), Dinner (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Hiking in secondary forest (weather dependent)
- Vegetation observation
- Canoe rides along rivers (weather dependent)
- Hiking to waterfalls (weather dependent)
- Visit to local communities (weather dependent)
- Day 6
Amazon to Baños
Morning brings your departure from the Amazon as you head toward the Andean region. In Puyo you'll visit a balsa workshop and taste sugar cane juice plus traditional cane alcohol. After that, you drive along Waterfalls Avenue to see the Pastaza River Canyon with waterfalls like The Bride's Veil and Devil's Cauldron. If you're interested, canopy traversing over the river is an option. Later you'll reach Casa del Árbol for mountain views, then explore the spa town of Baños with its Dominican Church, artisan melcocha workshops, and tagua (vegetable ivory) workshops.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Visit Balsa atelier in Puyo
- Sugar cane juice and traditional alcohol tasting
- View waterfalls on Waterfalls Avenue (The Bride's Veil, Devil's Cauldron, Machay)
- Visit Casa del Árbol
- Visit Baños town and Dominican Church
- Visit artisan melcocha workshops
- Visit Tagua workshops
Optional Activities
- Canopy traversing over Pastaza River
Landmarks Pastaza River Canyon The Bride's Veil Waterfall Devil's Cauldron Waterfall Casa del Árbol Dominican Church (Our Lady of Holy Water) 
- Day 7
Baños to Cotopaxi
About 45 minutes from Baños lies the indigenous community of Salasaka where you'll learn about local agriculture and traditional weaving on hand looms and traditional looms, including tapestries and hammocks. You'll also taste some local Andean fruits. In the afternoon, you drive along Volcanoes Avenue toward Cotopaxi with excellent panoramic volcano views.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Visit indigenous community of Salasaka
- Observe traditional hand and loom weaving
- Taste local Andean fruits
- Panoramic view of Cotopaxi volcano from Volcanoes Avenue
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano - Day 8
Cotopaxi Region
The morning takes you to Quilotoa Lake via scenic mountain routes. You'll reach the indigenous village of Zumbahua and continue to the lake for panoramic views. Depending on your fitness level and the weather, you can walk down the rim toward the water or descend all the way to the shore. In the afternoon, you'll visit small villages where local artisans make ceramics, pottery, and the famous Tigua-style naive paintings.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Visit Zumbahua indigenous community
- Panoramic view of Quilotoa Lake
- Walk around Quilotoa Lake rim and towards water (weather and fitness dependent)
- Visit ceramic and pottery workshops
- Visit Tigua village and naive style painting workshops
Optional Activities
- Descent to shores of Quilotoa Lake (subject to physical condition and weather)
Landmarks Quilotoa Lake Zumbahua Village - Day 9
Cotopaxi Volcano
Your morning is spent at Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano whose name means 'White Neck'. The nearly perfect cone shape provides great photo chances. Weather permitting, you might climb to the refuge at 4,800 meters and hike around Limpiopungo lake to watch for birds, hummingbirds, and wild horses. Traditional chagra cowboy dress is included for the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Visit Cotopaxi volcano
- Attempt climb to refuge at 4,800 m (weather dependent)
- Hike around Limpiopungo lake and observe wildlife
Optional Activities
- Horseback riding in Cotopaxi surroundings
- Bike downhill experience
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lake - Day 10
Cotopaxi to Quito
You'll visit a roses farm in the morning to see different varieties and learn about the export process. Then you drive back to Quito, stopping at small villages along the way to understand local traditions and celebrations. Your hotel is in Puembo village, leaving your afternoon free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit roses farm and learn about varieties and exportation
- Visit small villages and learn about local traditions and festivities
- Day 11
Quito to Galapagos
After breakfast, you're transferred to Quito airport for your flight to the Galápagos. You'll handle immigration including a Migration Card review and the $100 USD Galápagos Entrance Tax (cash only). Your guide meets you at arrival and transfers you to Santa Cruz Island. In the highlands, you'll see Los Gemelos (twin lava collapses), walk through Lava Tunnels, and visit a private reserve with Scalesia forest and birdwatching opportunities. At a local farm you can observe giant tortoises and try local coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Baltra, Galapagos
- Visit Los Gemelos (twin lava collapses)
- Walk Scalesia forest with birdwatching opportunities
- Visit Lava Tunnels
- Visit private reserve in Highlands
- Visit local farm and observe giant tortoises
- Local coffee tasting
Landmarks Los Gemelos Lava Tunnels Scalesia Forest 
- Day 12
Tortuga Bay
After breakfast, you walk about 45 minutes to Tortuga Bay, one of the archipelago's longest white sand beaches. Marine iguanas line the trail. There are two beach zones: Playa Brava for surfing and Playa Mansa with clear waters and coastal migratory birds. You'll dedicate 45 minutes to an hour cleaning the beach of microplastics to support conservation. In the afternoon, the Charles Darwin Research Centre shows various corrals and exhibits including Lonesome George to learn about conservation work.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu)
Included Activities
- Walk to Tortuga Bay (approximately 45 minutes)
- Observe marine iguanas along trail
- Visit Playa Brava
- Visit Playa Mansa
- Beach cleanup activity - removing microplastics (45 minutes to 1 hour)
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Centre
- View Lonesome George display
- Learn about archipelago conservation programs
Optional Activities
- Surfing at Playa Brava
Landmarks Tortuga Bay Playa Brava Playa Mansa Charles Darwin Research Centre 
- Day 13
Galapagos Islands
At your scheduled time, you drive to Itabaca Channel and board a boat to visit selected islands. You have three options: Bartolomé Island with a summit climb for spectacular views and snorkeling with penguins, sea turtles, sharks, and sea lions; North Seymour with large bird colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigates plus afternoon snorkeling at Bachas Beach; or Plazas Sur with sea lion colonies, varied iguanas, boobies, frigates, and colorful cacti. Lunch is on board, and you return to Santa Cruz Island with a transfer to Puerto Ayora Village.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Set Menu on board)
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to selected island (Bartolomé, North Seymour, or Plazas Sur)
- Bartolomé Island: summit climb to spectacular viewpoint
- Bartolomé Island: beach visit
- Bartolomé Island: snorkeling with penguins, sea turtles, sharks, and sea lions
- North Seymour Island: observe blue-footed boobies nesting and mating dance
- North Seymour Island: observe royal frigates
- North Seymour Island: snorkeling with sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, and sea lions
- North Seymour Island: visit Bachas Beach
- Plazas Sur Island: dry landing
- Plazas Sur Island: observe sea lions colony
- Plazas Sur Island: observe land, marine and hybrid iguanas
- Plazas Sur Island: birdwatching (boobies, frigates, forked-tailed gulls, pelicans)
- Plazas Sur Island: view giant cacti
- Return to Santa Cruz Island
- Bus transfer to Puerto Ayora Village
Landmarks Bartolomé Island Pinnacle Rock North Seymour Island Bachas Beach Plazas Sur Island - Day 14
Galapagos to Papallacta
You leave Santa Cruz Island with a private transfer to Baltra airport for your flight to Quito (not included). From Quito, you drive over the Eastern Cordillera to Papallacta at 3,300 meters. On clear days, you'll see magnificent views of Antisana Volcano and paramo highlands where birds, wild horses, and spectacled bears might appear. At Papallacta's naturally heated thermal springs, mineral-rich volcanic water lets you relax. An optional short hike is available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Baltra airport
- Visit thermal hot springs of Papallacta
- Experience mineral-rich thermal baths
Optional Activities
- Short hike in Papallacta area
Landmarks Antisana Volcano Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 15
Papallacta to Quito
This morning you have a private transfer from your Papallacta hotel to Quito Airport with an English-speaking driver. This marks the end of your tour services as you depart Ecuador.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Drop off at Quito International Airport )
