Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, Ecuador's capital city set high in the Andes at the equatorial line. Depending on when your flight lands, there's time to wander around the old town and see the colonial architecture before meeting your guide at 6pm for a briefing on what's ahead for the week.
Optional Activities
- Day trip exploring Quito's old town and surrounding areas (must be requested in advance)
Landmarks Pichincha Volcano 
- Day 2
Quito to Isabela Island
From Quito, you're flying to Baltra (3 hours with a stop in Guayaquil), then heading to Puerto Ayora before taking a speedboat to Isabela Island. During the crossing you might spot whales and dolphins, particularly if you're traveling July through October. Isabela itself is formed from six shield volcanoes, five of which are still active.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Isabela Island 
- Day 3
Isabela Island
You'll spend the day exploring Isabela's lava tube formations and snorkeling in clear waters with turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, and sharks swimming around you. Galapagos penguins join the scene as well. There are several options to choose from: snorkel at Concha de Perla, take a surfing lesson, go biking, relax on white sand beaches, or walk to the giant tortoise hatchery near your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Boat trip to lava tubes and snorkeling (approximately 2 hours snorkeling time total)
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at Concha de Perla
- Surfing lessons
- Biking
- Relaxing on Isabela's white sand beaches
- Visit to giant tortoise hatchery
Landmarks Isabela Island Lava Tubes Concha de Perla - Day 4
Isabela Island
Early on you'll hike through young forest to reach Sierra Negra crater, an active volcano that erupted in June 2018. The crater's more than 10 km across with views down into the lava-filled interior. If you have the energy, you can continue to Chico Volcano to see smoking fumaroles and colorful lava. Later in the afternoon you'll kayak out to Tintoreras Island to see whitetip reef sharks, penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike to Sierra Negra crater (approximately 4 hours walking time)
- Optional hike to Chico Volcano
- Kayaking in Tintoreras (approximately 2 hours)
- Snorkeling in Tintoreras (approximately 1 hour)
Landmarks Sierra Negra Volcano Chico Volcano Tintoreras Island - Day 5
Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island
A boat takes you from Isabela to Santa Cruz (watch for whales and dolphins if traveling July-October). After checking in, you'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about native species and conservation work. The afternoon takes you to El Chato reserve in the highlands where you can walk among giant Galapagos tortoises and spot various bird species like pintail ducks, herons, and frigatebirds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat transfer from Isabela to Santa Cruz
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Exploration of El Chato reserve with Galapagos tortoises
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station El Chato Reserve - Day 6
Santa Cruz Island to Quito
After breakfast and final chances to photograph sea lions, you'll head to Baltra airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Your time in the Galapagos comes to an end this morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 7
Quito to Amazon Lodge
You're driving east through the Ecuadorian Andes now, stopping at Guango hummingbird reserve in the cloud forest. There's a 2-hour hike to see colorful hummingbirds and explore the forest plants. After a traditional lunch, you'll arrive at the Amazon Lodge by late afternoon. An optional night hike is available before dinner if you want to spot nocturnal animals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through eastern Ecuadorian Andes
- Hike in Guango hummingbird reserve, cloud forest (approximately 2 hours)
- Traditional lunch
Optional Activities
- Night hike to observe nocturnal animals
Landmarks Guango Hummingbird Reserve - Day 8
Amazon
An early canoe trip up the Arajuno River takes you to the Saladero, a parrot lick where birds gather to eat mineral-rich clay. Following breakfast, you'll hike through pristine rainforest learning about local plants, animals, and survival techniques from your guide. Visiting a nearby Kichwa community in the afternoon gives you a chance to learn about their traditions and way of life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning canoe trip up Arajuno River to Saladero
- Hike in pristine Amazon forest
- Visit to Kichwa community
Landmarks Arajuno River - Day 9
Amazon to Quito
You're heading back from the Amazon toward the Andes today. Before returning to Quito, stop at Papallacta hot springs to soak in volcanic pools surrounded by forest. If interested, you can add on a spa treatment to go along with the natural hot springs experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Soak in Papallacta volcanic hot springs
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment at Papallacta
Landmarks Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 10
Quito
Your tour concludes today as you prepare for your international departure or onward travel. You'll leave with memories and photos from Ecuador's diverse landscapes, and hopefully inspiration to return and explore more of the country another time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
