Welcome to Quito! The largest, best preserved colonial city of America -declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. A magical place, where dreams of swimming with sea lions, turtles and fish become true.

We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once arrived, we will head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the biggest town in Galapagos. From here we will take a fast boat to Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago and the place where most volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island is formed by 6 shield volcanoes (Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf). 5 of them are still active and therefore the island is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.

Today we will travel along the coast to explore the amazing lava formations which appeared due to volcanic activity on the island. This magical place has been used by the staff of BBC/National Geographic for documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches and tunnels, both above and below the water. The water is crystal clear and full of huge sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, fish, white-tipped reef sharks and more. Turtles will navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here we will have the best opportunity to snorkel with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin playing around. In the afternoon we will take our kayaks. Paddling the shoreline along “Las Tintoreras” we watch out for some wildlife. Later there will be time to enjoy a breath-taking sunset at the beach of Puerto Villamil.

After a healthy breakfast we will get our backpacks ready and drive up to the trailhead where our hike begins. We will hike to the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005. The hike is about six miles along the crater’s widest point. During the hike your guide will tell you about the flora and fauna of this area. Upon arrival you can take in the breathtaking views of the massive, lava-filled crater. According to the weather conditions and timing we may continue to Volcan Chico, another crater with wild landscape and colorful lava formations. In the afternoon we will visit the Tintoreras, located only a short distance from Puerto Villamil. It is the home to a great variety of wildlife. While snorkeling in the turquoise, crystal clear water you will get the chance to spot white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. 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. 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, we will head to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island 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.

Otavalo’s market is South America’s most famous Indian fair. An early departure from Quito (through dramatic mountain scenery northwards) will give you plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, where you can admire Otavalo Indians who are wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Also you can explore the handicraft market with its wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices. Continuing the trip we will go to Cotacachi, famous for its leather articles, where lunch can be taken. Finally we will head to Peguche, a small village known for its waterfalls and wind instruments fabrics.

Hands on cultural experience – AJ Sustainable Sacha WarmiKuna women project

For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This is one fantastic effort developed by AJ and the local women with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come. Once at the project you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South-American woman and their skills for textiles and a deep culinary knowledge coming from the past generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields. Later we will learn more about the weaving process of their textiles. Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to have the chance to give back, by buying handmade scarfs here. Later we will arrive at the beautiful, historical hacienda of Pinsaqui where we will stay overnight. Enjoy a typical Andean cocktail as welcome, and learn about the history of this place.

After a nice breakfast our challenge will start with a beautiful 5-hour-hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake, with breathtaking views of this active volcano and amazing valleys located in Cotacachi Cayapas ecological reserve. On this trek we will reach an altitude of 11880f and we will hike 9 miles around the crater. At the end of our hike we will take a boat ride to the center of the crater to experience the true activity of this volcano and to watch bubbles coming up from the center of the caldera.

In the afternoon there will be a transfer back to Quito.

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”!