Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Quito
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Potato soup (Locro), typical of the Andes, with traditional desserts at San Francisco Plaza)
Included Activities
- Visit to Mercado Iñaquito with local guide and local produce samples
- Exploration of Quito's old and new towns including Independence Square, Basilica, La Compañía, and La Catedral
- Visit to Plaza Grande and traditional empanada and coffee sampling
- Lunch at San Francisco Plaza with Locro (Andean potato soup) and traditional desserts
- Exploration of Calle de la Ronda with street food tasting including empanada de viento
- Visit to Panecillo for panoramic city views
Landmarks Mercado Iñaquito Independence Square Basilica La Compañía La Catedral Plaza Grande San Francisco Plaza Calle de la Ronda Panecillo - Day 3
Quito to Mindo
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Local dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit to Alambi Cloud Forest with hummingbird viewing
- Visit to El Quetzal de Mindo chocolate farm with chocolate production education and samples
- Afternoon cloud forest hike
- Local dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Try locally made craft beer at El Quetzal de Mindo
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest Alambi Cloud Forest El Quetzal de Mindo - Day 4
Mindo to Quito
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Butterfly garden visit with 1,000+ species including owl eye, blue morpho, and Mariposas butterflies
- Butterfly life cycle education
- Visit to Intinian at the Equator with museum
- Dinner and Galapagos briefing
Landmarks Intinian - Middle of the World - Day 5
Quito to Santa Cruz Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at private ranch in the Highlands)
Included Activities
- Flight to Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
- Guided sightseeing on arrival
- Visit to private ranch in the Highlands with giant tortoises
- Lunch at the ranch
Landmarks Santa Cruz Island - Day 6
Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to Isabela Island
- Practice snorkeling session
- Tintoreras panga boat tour including coastal cruise, snorkeling, and islet walk
- Viewing of Galapagos penguins, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas
Landmarks Isabela Island Puerto Villamil Tintoreras - Day 7
Isabela Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Los Tuneles for snorkeling in underwater lava tunnels with marine life including reef sharks, sea turtles, sea horses, and more
Landmarks Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Los Tuneles - Day 8
Santa Cruz Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike up Sierra Negra volcano to the caldera perimeter with bird viewing
- Panoramic views of the active caldera
- Boat transfer back to Santa Cruz
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Watch Ecua-volley (Ecuadorian volleyball) at the waterfront in the evening
Landmarks Sierra Negra Volcano - Day 9
San Cristobal Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station with tortoise species conservation education
- Viewing of Lonesome George (preserved taxidermied Pinta Island tortoise)
- Boat transfer to San Cristobal Island
- Visit to Interpretation Centre with archipelago history and Darwin landing commemoration
- Access to hiking trails at Frigatebird Hill, Punta Carola beach, and Darwin Bay
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of hiking trails and surrounding area
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station San Cristobal Island Interpretation Centre Frigatebird Hill Punta Carola Darwin Bay - Day 10
San Cristobal Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Coastal cruise with marine life viewing including frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies
- Visit to Kicker Rock
- Snorkeling at Kicker Rock channel with marine life spotting
- Lunch on board
- Visit to secluded beach accessible only by boat
Landmarks Kicker Rock - Day 11
San Cristobal Island to Quito
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Flight back to Quito
- Return to hotel in Quito
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Beach swim
- Souvenir shopping
- Day 12
Otavalo
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit to Otavalo market with textiles and handicrafts
- Visit to Cotacachi for leather shopping
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Souvenir shopping and bargaining at Otavalo market
- Leather goods shopping in Cotacachi
Landmarks Otavalo Market Cotacachi - Day 13
Departure
- Meals
- Breakfast
