Ecuador & Galapagos Island Hopping - 12 days

Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel where a brief overview of the activities planned for the next day will be provided. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Ecuador's charming capital.

Quito - Cotacachi - Otavalo. After breakfast we head north to Otavalo in the Imbabura province, stopping at historic Cochasqui Pre-Inca remains and a Roses Farm for insights into Ecuadorian rose production. We continue to Otavalo where we check into our hotel and have a brief rest before visiting the charming town of Cotacachi, where the local artisans produce beautiful high quality leather goods. Our final port of call today is Cuicocha Lagoon where we enjoy a scenic hike at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano and admire the beautiful landscape. We then return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Otavalo - Mindo. Early morning takes us to the famous Otavalo Indigenous Market, which is one of South America's largest traditional markets. Every Saturday, local communities convene to exchange goods, showcasing exquisite handicrafts, textiles, and wood carvings. Explore the lively animal market and visit an Otavalo family's artisanal shop. We then drive to the Equator Line monument and stand on the middle of the world. Later, we head to the scenic Mindo, settling into a charming hotel nestled in the lush green cloud forest.

Mindo - Quito. After breakfast, there's an optional Zipline adventure or you can enjoy a leisurely birdwatching stroll in the enchanting Cloud Forest. We can immerse ourselves in lush green landscapes surrounding the lodge, with rivers, waterfalls, and diverse birdlife. The area also presents opportunities to spot local fauna like spectacled bears, armadillos, and woodpeckers. Return to the lodge for lunch and a rest before we embark on our journey back to Quito. Rest at the hotel, gearing up for the upcoming adventure in the Galapagos Islands.

Quito - Santa Cruz Island. This morning we transfer to Quito airport for a 3-hour flight to Baltra Island (with a stop in Guayaquil). Upon arrival in Baltra, we meet our Galapagos National Park guide and transfer to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island via a local ferry across the iconic Itabaca Canal.





In the afternoon we drive to the highlands for a hike on a private farm where we can observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat. The area also offers sightings of Galapagos birds, including the elusive Galapagos rail and possibly the rare Vegetarian Finch and endemic Vermilion Flycatcher finches. We finish the day with a transfer to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Following an early hotel breakfast, we embark on a hike to Tortuga Bay Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Archipelago. After a 40–60-minute walk, we reach this heavenly spot with soft coral sand and picturesque scenery. The initial beach section has strong waves, making it unsuitable for swimming. However, a 10-minute walk leads to a serene bay. Here, we marvel at a colony of marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and marine birds amidst mangroves, cacti forest, and captivating coastal flora. We enjoy beach time before returning to town via a local ferry at which point we have lunch.





In the afternoon, we walk to the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center for insights into the Galapagos National Park's work. We observe tortoises of various species and sizes, along with land iguanas. Inside the centre, a special air-conditioned chamber houses the embalmed body of the iconic Lonesome George. We explore the small museum at the Charles Darwin Research Station, and savour free time after this enriching experience.

Santa Cruz Island - Floreana Island. Early this morning we embark on a 2.5-hour journey aboard the first-class Galapagos Element Wind Yacht to Floreana Island's historic Puerto Velasco Ibarra. A local water taxi transports us to the pier, where we hope to encounter sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the morning sun. A brief walk leads to a secluded lodge by the ocean, our overnight stay.





Next, a local "Chiva" transport takes us on a 15-minute ride to Floreana's highlands, where we enjoy a pleasant walk amid the area's typical flora and have encounters with giant Galapagos Tortoises. Continuing our exploration, we reach "Asilo de la Paz" (Peace Asylum), a historic site where the Wittmer family settled in 1932. After a rejuvenating rest, we proceed to a beautiful bay and potentially snorkel with sea lions and marine turtles. The entire area boasts breathtaking beauty. We conclude the day with dinner and a peaceful rest while enjoying the sunset.

Floreana Island - Isabela Island. After a leisurely breakfast we set sail towards Puerto Villamil, the largest town on Isabela Island. During the 2.5-hour journey, anticipate sightings of marine turtles, manta rays, diverse marine birds, dolphins, and possibly whales. Upon reaching the bay of Puerto Villamil, local transport takes us to our hotel and there's time to relax on the expansive beach.





In the afternoon, around 2 p.m., we join a captivating guided tour to "Las Tintoreras." This picturesque area features colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and the highlight—White-tipped sharks, known as "Tintoreras," resting in lava flow-formed channels. The locale is ideal for snorkelling, offering encounters with sea lions, penguins, and marine turtles. We return to the hotel and unwind during the late afternoon.

Early this morning we take a 30-minute drive to the highlands of Isabela Island, reaching the National Park's visitor control area. Embark on an easy 1.5 hour walk to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the world's second-largest crater. This impressive caldera, measuring 5 miles by 7 miles, offers one of the most spectacular views in the Galapagos.





In the afternoon we drive to Isabela's Tortoise Breeding Centre where we encounter Giant Galapagos Tortoises of various species and sizes. We continue on a well-maintained trail to the "Humedales" (Wetlands), showcasing lagoons surrounded by mangroves and local flora. Witness flamingos and migratory birds in the lagoons. Our walk ends at the main road and beach, providing us time to enjoy the surroundings with marine iguanas. We the return to the hotel for free some time before dinner.

Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island. This morning we board our yacht and sail back to Santa Cruz, looking out for dolphins en route. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and venture to the highlands for a visit to a coffee plantation. We enjoy a delightful light lunch and visit ''El Trapiche'' for Liquor tasting made form sugar cane and savour some free time before our farewell dinner.

Santa Cruz - Baltra - Quito. After breakfast we drive to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, making a stop at the natural formation known as "The Twins" Craters. These are sinkholes, not volcanic craters, formed by the collapse of the volcanic roof of an empty magma chamber due to tectonic shifts and erosion. The area boasts a unique climate, surrounded by scalesia forests and is home to various bird species.





Travelling on to the Itabaca Canal, we cross it and take an airline bus to the airport. We fly back to Quito, where we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel to spend the final night of our tour at leisure.

After breakfast our Quito tour begins at Independence Square, featuring landmarks like the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, and El Sagrario Church. We explore the Church of La Compania, a baroque masterpiece, and stroll to the Church and Monastery of San Francisco, Ecuador's oldest church with a remarkable baroque altar and a rich collection of art dating back to the 16th century.





Return to the hotel for free time to prepare for a late afternoon transfer to the International Mariscal Sucre Airport.





Please note: We can arrange post tour accommodation with transfers on request. Contact us for details.