14-DAY ACTIVE ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS DISCOVERY

Welcome to Quito! This stunning capital, nestled high in the Andes, is the largest and best-preserved colonial city in the Americas—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Quito is also known as the Cultural Capital of South America and was once a vital city in the ancient Inca Empire.

Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the charming old town and nearby attractions. Adventure Journeys can assist you in organizing a local day trip if desired. In the evening, one of our expert trip leaders will greet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing, where we’ll go over important information and answer any questions about your upcoming adventure. Today is all about settling in and acclimating to the altitude.

Today’s adventure takes us to the majestic Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll journey through the Andes, taking in panoramic views along the famed Avenue of the Volcanoes. Upon entering Cotopaxi National Park, we’ll enjoy an acclimation hike around the stunning Limpiopungo Lake, situated at 13,000 feet (3,800 meters) above sea level. Keep an eye out for wild horses, bulls, and native bird species that inhabit this high-altitude ecosystem.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Baños, a vibrant town at the gateway to the Amazon. Here you can enjoy one of Ecuador’s liveliest nightlife destinations.

This morning, our journey takes us on an exhilarating mountain biking adventure through Llanganates National Park, descending into the lush Pastaza River Canyon. The route winds through scenic Andean farmlands and vibrant cloud forest, offering sweeping views and cascading waterfalls along the way. As we approach Baños, the town reveals itself dramatically at the base of the active Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999 and is a regional highlight.

After biking, we’ll enjoy a short 20-minute hike to the impressive “Pailón del Diablo,” Ecuador’s second-largest waterfall — a true natural marvel. We’ll conclude the day by spending the night at the Local Basic Jungle Lodge run by a Kichwa indigenous family.

We greet the day by preparing our gear to paddle the wild waves of the Jatunyacu River, located one hour from the entrance to Llanganates National Park. This river’s stunning beauty and energy will immerse you in the magic of the Amazon rainforest.

After a thorough safety briefing from our expert rafting guides, we launch into a thrilling class III rafting expedition on the Jatunyacu, famous for its crystal-clear waters and exhilarating rapids. Along the way, we’ll enjoy games and explore a hidden canyon, concluding our river journey with a scenic riverside picnic prepared by the crew.

In the afternoon, we ascend back into the Andes, stopping at the enchanting Guango Reserve — a hummingbird haven — before arriving at our final destination: a rejuvenating stay at the volcanic hot springs resort.

In the morning, we can enjoy walks along the river behind the hot springs or explore the trails within the Cayambe-Coca National Park. The “La Isla” trail, also known as the Papallacta Hot Springs Short Trail, is a popular 1.2-mile out-and-back route.

After our hike, it’s time to relax in the healing volcanic hot springs at the luxurious Papallacta Spa Resort, nestled in the Andes with breathtaking mountain views until check out.

Later in the day, we return to Quito.

Today marks the beginning of our Galapagos adventure — the legendary Pacific archipelago where Charles Darwin found inspiration for his theory of evolution. We’ll take a morning flight from Quito to San Cristóbal Island. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and receive a short briefing about the days ahead.

In the afternoon, we visit “La Lobería”, a beach sanctuary for the charismatic Galapagos sea lions. You’ll see them lounging on the sand or playing among the volcanic rocks. The area is also teeming with birdlife including yellow warblers, frigatebirds, and multiple species of Darwin’s finches. Between the rocks, keep an eye out for the unique marine iguanas. We’ll enjoy time for a swim, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach.

In the morning, we embark on a boat ride to the iconic Kicker Rock, also known as “León Dormido” (Sleeping Lion) due to its distinctive shape. This natural monument, the remnants of an eroded lava cone, features two towering rock formations that rise over 150 meters (500 feet) above the Pacific Ocean. A narrow channel between them is ideal for small boats to navigate.

Kicker Rock is a haven for wildlife lovers. Above, tropical birds, frigatebirds, and boobies soar through the sky. Below the surface, crystal-clear waters reveal a vibrant marine ecosystem, including rainbow fish, white-tip reef sharks, and even hammerhead sharks. After our snorkeling adventure and lunch, we’ll relax on the beach before heading back to the hotel.

In the morning, we take a short flight to Isabela Island—the largest in the Galapagos archipelago and one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Formed by six shield volcanoes (Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf), five of which are still active, the island showcases stunning geological forces at work.

In the afternoon, we hop on mountain bikes and follow a scenic trail along the coast. Our journey begins with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive stone structure built by prisoners in the 1950s during the island’s penal colony days. The wall stands as a solemn reminder of the island’s haunting history.

As we ride along white sand beaches, mangrove forests, and serene lagoons, we’ll spot an abundance of wildlife—herons, flamingos, finches, oystercatchers, shorebirds, marine iguanas, and playful sea lions.

After dinner, we’ll enjoy a magical sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.

After a morning drive from Puerto Villamil to the trailhead, we’ll lace up our boots and hike through a young forest ecosystem shaped by recent volcanic activity. Our goal is the rim of the mighty Sierra Negra Crater—one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, with its last eruption in October 2005. From the rim, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the six-mile-wide lava-filled caldera.

For those with extra energy, we continue our journey to Volcán Chico, a surreal landscape of colorful lava fields and steaming fumaroles—a stunning window into the geological forces that continue to shape these enchanted islands.

In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil and paddle through the tranquil waters of Tintoreras Bay by kayak, where we’ll spot playful sea lions, penguins, turtles, and marine iguanas basking on the rocks.

Today, we venture into one of the most magical and surreal landscapes in the Galapagos—Los Tuneles. Formed by ancient lava flows along the coast, this otherworldly site is a maze of natural lava arches and tunnels surrounded by turquoise waters. It’s no wonder that BBC and National Geographic have used this spot for documentaries.

Beneath the surface, the snorkeling is unmatched. Swim alongside massive sea turtles, playful sea lions, eagle rays, colorful fish, and even white-tipped reef sharks. If we’re lucky, we might also see the rare Galapagos penguin darting through the water.

Before or after the excursion, you can unwind on Isabela’s white-sand beaches, snorkel at Concha de Perla, or visit the giant tortoise breeding center to learn about the conservation of these iconic creatures.

In the morning, we will embark on a fast boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will have time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about the many endemic species we encountered during our adventure, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘Primicias’ Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoise. We’ll hike through the beautiful scenery with those lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We also encounter other highland wildlife, including pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, and finches, during our hike. We can also observe frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake.

We return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your pace! As an option, you can go on a self-guided exploration walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay (about 3 ½ miles long), a beautiful white sand beach and nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place invites swimming or snorkeling.

Alternatively, you can join any of the optional activities (at an extra cost), such as a trip to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island or a scuba-diving day trip, just to mention a few.

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Islands and the last photos taken of sea lions, we will have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!