14-DAY ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS EXPERIENCE

Welcome to Quito! The largest and best-preserved colonial city in America, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. This cultural capital of South America lies on the equator in a valley at the base of the Pichincha volcano.

Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the old town of Quito and its surroundings. Adventure Journeys can help arrange a day trip (please request in advance).

In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you in the hotel lobby at 18:00 for a welcome briefing. This will be an opportunity to review the itinerary and answer any questions about your upcoming adventure.

Our first day is all about acclimatization and orientation.

Today is your chance to explore Quito at your own pace. Wander through its colonial streets, enjoy the vibrant local culture, or simply relax before the adventure begins.

Optional day tours are available upon request, including a guided city tour of Quito, the breathtaking Quilotoa Loop, a ride on the Teleférico (cable car), and more.

On the first day of our adventure, we will head north of Quito to visit the iconic Equator Monument Complex. Standing with one foot in each hemisphere is a must-do experience in Ecuador, where you can feel the mysterious forces of the equator at work.

Along the way, we’ll stop to admire the Pululahua Crater – the third largest inhabited volcanic crater in the world, home to over 400 residents.

Our journey continues to the charming town of Mindo, tucked into the lush cloud forest. Known for its extraordinary biodiversity, Mindo is a paradise for bird lovers, especially those eager to spot hummingbirds.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit a local chocolate distributor for a deliciously educational experience. You’ll follow the cacao bean from harvest to finished product — and of course, enjoy a treat like a rich brownie or a warm cup of authentic hot cocoa.

We will explore the pristine cloud rain forest of Mindo, crossing cable cars and hiking along waterfalls, surrounded by a lush green forest filled with toucans, hummingbirds and colorful birds. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to enjoy the several optional outdoor activities offered in this area.

One of the highlights of today is the visit to the butterfly nursery, where we watch gargantuan butterflies dry their wings after emerging from their jewel-like cocoons. You can dip your fingers into a banana concoction and then be thrilled as butterflies the size of birds land on your hands for a snack.

Drive back up into the highlands and reach the Pan-American Highway heading north on the way to the famous indigenous town of Otavalo. Here, admire the endless number of handicrafts from the local people. Take time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, which are filled with Otavalo indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos. Visit their handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries, and more at bargain prices. In Otavalo, there will be enough time for shopping and cultural interaction. In the afternoon, we will drive to Cotacachi to witness the impressive leather goods of the town and enjoy the beauty of this small village. There will be some free time for you to explore the shops or simply relax while sipping on one of the best coffees in Ecuador in the main plaza.

Later, we will arrive at the beautiful Palmeras Inn, where we will stay overnight.

Today we will first visit Cotacachi Cayapas ecological reserve to see the breathtaking scenery of the crystalline-clear waters of this active volcano and the amazing surrounding landscapes. At the end of an hour long hike along the rim of the Cuicocha Crater Lake, we will take a boat ride to the center of the crater to observe the activity of this volcano, watching bubbles coming up from the center of the caldera. Later, we will head to Pijal Community, a small village located in the heart of the Andes, where you will live an unforgettable cultural experience, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South-American highlands. You will learn about the Women & Weaving project, a sustainable craft project carried out by indigenous women to improve the quality of life of their families and in the long term generate income to improve the quality of life of the entire community. We will also taste a delicious lunch using the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields and share precious moments of conviviality with them.

In the late afternoon, we will reach the luxury volcanic hot-springs resort of Papallacta, where you will have the chance to relax at the spa resort surrounded by the view of the majestic Andean mountains.

After breakfast, following a last dip in the open-air hot springs, we will drive south on the Pan-American Highway to the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi. The snow-capped volcano is surrounded by the national park, home to abundant plant life, rich fauna, and Inca ruins. We will begin our visit at the interpretation center at the entrance of the park, before continuing our drive across the páramo to the Limpiopungo Lake. During a short walk around the lake, we can observe a variety of birds and enjoy the stunning views of the almost symmetrical cone of the Cotopaxi volcano. Afterward, drive back to Quito for our last dinner.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz, a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. From here we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk-in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies.

After this tour, we will visit Pan Animalia Project, a veterinary program we support that aims to promote animal health and welfare through the services it provides at its veterinary clinic in Puerto Ayora with the main goal to reduce the percentage of stray dogs & cats in different towns throughout Santa Cruz Island.

After that, you will continue by private vehicle to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with your local guide who will explain the following day’s itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and introduce yourself to this beautiful Island.

Today after breakfast you will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip. Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to the Bay where you can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous sea lions; they are very curious animals and like to swim next to you underwater. Here you can also see the sought-after blue-footed boobies. Afterwards, climb to a nearby viewpoint, and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the ocean below.

Afterwards, take a walk along the Playa de los Perros, where many sea iguanas are found basking in the sun. The enormous cacti, the deep, red color of the rocks and the turquoise, sparkling ocean make for great photo opportunities.

In the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, you will travel by speedboat to San Cristobal Island. During our island crossing, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel.

Today after breakfast you will be met and transferred to a dock where you will take a quick boat ride to the nearby Isla Lobos. During this boat trip, observe many marine animals before even setting foot on the island. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour where you will have the chance to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions, and sometimes sharks that all inhabit the island and its surrounding waters. The white coral beaches of San Cristóbal are great to walk around, relax and swim at before you return back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Enjoy some more free time this morning before transferring to the airport of San Cristóbal. From here, you will take a flight back to Ecuador’s mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for one more evening of leisure before saying goodbye.

On this day you will have time to explore this charming city on your own. Optional day tours (upon request): Quito city tour, Quilotoa Loop, etc.

Today our trip will end with your International departure. Take 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 spectacular paradise. We wish you ¡Buen viaje!