Itinerary

1. Day 1: High Altitude And Acclimating

   • Most visitors arrive in Quito in the evening or late-night.
   • Do not be surprised if you are breathing heavily. This is due to the city’s high altitude.
   • Most visitors acclimate just fine.
   • Touring begins tomorrow.

2. Day 2: A Jewel of Colonial Architecture, Quito

   • Today we explore the capital of Ecuador.
   • The large historical center is a jewel of South American and colonial architecture.
   • Quito is fascinating not only for its architecture, but for its people as well.
   • This city is still a place where indigenous women wear traditional attire and carry a child on their back, wrapped in a blanket.
   • Quito is nothing short of authentic in both its appearance and its culture.

3. Day 3: Centuries-Old Markets, a Volcano And a Breathtaking Viewpoint

   • From Quito, we make a day trip.
   • The first stop is a viewpoint overlooking Lake San Pablo and Imbabura Volcano.
   • Next is a guided walking tour in Otavalo.
   • The indigenous locals are famous for weaving textiles, such as handmade blankets and tablecloths.
   • Although Saturday boasts the largest market, there is a very wide range of products available throughout the week.
   • During the market’s peak, almost one third of the town becomes full of stalls selling tagua nut jewelry, musical instruments, fake shrunken heads, traditional costumes, hand-painted platters and trays, purses, clothing, spices, raw foods and spools of wool.
   • Following Otavalo is a fascinating crater lake called Cuicocha.
   • This is our final destination for today.
   • The hike to the viewpoint only takes about 10 minutes and the views are great.

4. Day 4: Donkey-Riding Around a Caldera, Kayaking in a Lake And Visiting an Indigenous Family’s Home

   • We are making another day trip from Quito.
   • Passing by an active stratovolcano called Cotopaxi, our first destination is Quilotoa Lake.
   • Upon arrival, we are taken via a 5-minute walk to reach a viewpoint from where we can see the 3-kilometer (2 mile)-wide caldera.
   • It was formed by the collapse of dacite volcano following a catastrophic eruption about 600 years ago.
   • Next, we hike to the lake.
   • There we go kayaking.
   • We return via a donkey ride.
   • After Quilotoa is the Toachi River Canyon.
   • It is a nice place for taking selfies.
   • Lastly for today is a visit to an indigenous family’s home.

5. Day 5: Starting the Cruise of a Lifetime

   • We relocate from Quito to the Galapagos Islands.
   • Here we start the cruise.
   • The highlight for today is snorkeling right off the white-sand beach of Las Bachas.
   • We spot all sorts of marine wildlife in its shallow waters and tidal pools.
   • Note that on this cruise, all meals are included. Drinks are not.

6. Day 6: Feeling Like You're at a Real Jurassic Park

   • The cruise highlights today are Tagus Cove and Urbina Bay.
   • At Tagus Cove, we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as blue-footed booby, brown noddy, terns, flightless cormorant, and penguins.
   • At Urbina Bay, we will likely see wild giant tortoises and land iguanas.

7. Day 7: Weird-Looking Iguanas, Sea Turtles And Multi-Colored Crabs

   • The cruise highlights today are Espinoza Point and Vicente Roca Point.
   • Espinoza Point is home to the largest colony of the endemic marine iguanas.
   • Other features are lava cacti, black, white and red mangrove, sally light-footed crabs, hawks, and sea turtles.
   • Vicente Roca Point has great deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth.

8. Day 8: Baby Sharks, a Salt Crater And Tidal Pools

   • The cruise highlights today are Puerto Egas and Buccaneer Cove.
   • We visit Puerto Egas to see the salt crater as well as a dark-sand beach and tidal pools.
   • At Puerto Egas, we spot a great number of shore birds and reptiles.
   • The area is home to a plethora of wildlife.
   • At Puerto Egas, we go snorkeling.
   • Keep your eyes peeled for rays, turtles, and reef sharks.

9. Day 9: Boobies, a White-Sand Beach And Continuing the Galapagos Tour Now by Land

   • Although our cruise ends today, first we visit North Seymour Island.
   • It is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.
   • It also hosts a large population of frigate birds.
   • What’s more, flocks of pelicans feed offshore.
   • Seasonally, Nazca boobies can also be seen.
   • After North Seymour Island, we are taken to the village of Puerto Ayora.
   • We are based there for a couple of nights.
   • After checking into our hotel, we are taken by foot and then by a 5-minute water taxi ride to these crevices called Las Grietas.
   • There we go swimming.
   • Before returning to our hotel, we visit Tortuga Bay by boat.
   • There we enjoy the long beach and the nearby cove.

10. Day 10: A Postcard-Perfect Natural Site And Swimming with Penguins

    • Today we make a day trip from Puerto Ayora to Bartolome Island.
    • It is a volcanic islet featuring two visitor sites.
    • At the first one, we swim around Pinnacle Rock.
    • The underwater world here is really impressive.
    • We are in the water with penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other tropical fish.
    • The second one is the twin bays.
    • It is the most famous landmark in the Galapagos Islands.
    • Snorkeling and lunch are included on today’s tour.

11. Day 11: Ecuador's Most Famous Island

    • Today we make another boat day trip from Puerto Ayora, this time to Isabela Island.
    • Highlights include flamingos, giant turtles, and mangrove forests.
    • Snorkeling and lunch are included on today’s tour.

12. Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

    • Our tour ends today.
    • Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport on Baltra Island.
    • From there, you can fly to the city of Guayaquil or back to Quito.
    • It is your choice.
    • Note that your flight from Guayaquil or Quito to back home needs to depart no earlier than 4:00pm.
    • If not possible, then you will need a post-tour night in Ecuador.