Transport

Plane , Speed Boat , Private Vehicle , Taxi , Public bus

Others

Amazon- Night walk Amazon - Guided rainforest hike and visit to animal rescue centre Banos - Walking tour Banos - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall hike Cotopaxi - National Park walk Cotopaxi - Flower plantation visit Cotopaxi- Tour of historical hacienda Cotacachi- Pachamanca and village experience Cuicocha - Lagoon viewpoint Otavalo - Market Visit Quito - Historic District Walking Tour Isla San Cristobal- Snorkeling in La Loberia (1.5 Hours) San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido or Lobos Islands Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes) Isla San Cristobal - Cerro Tijeretas View Point (1 Hour) Floreana - Snorkeling Isla Isabela -Tintoreras or Shark Alley (2.5 Hours) Isla Isabela - Flamingo lagoon visit (30 Minutes) Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour) Isla Isabela - Kayaking Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours) Santa Cruz Highlands Visit (3 Hours) Santa Cruz – Organic Farm Tour Santa Cruz – Encebollado Cooking Class Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy visit Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre

Meals

16 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 3 dinners

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights), Jungle Eco Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)

Guide

On Day 1, you will meet your Quito Leader at the welcome meeting. The following morning, they will assist you with your transfer to the airport and unescorted flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, you will be met by your Galapagos Leader. All of our Galapagos Leaders are registered and trained in conservation and natural sciences by the Charles Darwin Foundation and licensed by the Galapagos National Park Service. Your Galapagos Leader will be with you throughout your time on the islands, accompanying you on all included excursions. On your last day in the Galapagos, your Leader will take you to the airport for your unescorted flight back to Quito. Upon arrival at Quito airport, a local Quito Leader will be waiting to accompany you back to your hotel, where you will spend your final night of the tour. All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Quito

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital of Quito, high in the Andes. You’ll notice a mix of modern and traditional houses dotted halfway up the surrounding mountain peaks that frame the city and an Old Town with architectural jewels just waiting to be explored. Your trip officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe wander through the cobblestoned streets, checking out the market stalls or joining an Urban Adventure tour through the city’s historic centre – check out the Quito Legends and Culture Tour at urbanadventures.com.
Day 2 Day 2: Tena - Amazon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Tena - Amazon

After breakfast this morning, wave goodbye to the country’s capital and switch up the pace as you make your way to the Amazon on a local bus bound for Tena. Your lodge-style accommodation in Tena, on the banks of the Arajuno River, is only accessible by canoe so you can expect a little bit of adventure for the last leg of today’s trip! You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the eco-lodge – built with all-natural materials, this lodge belongs to the Selvaviva Foundation that works with the Indigenous community in the area. Tonight, have dinner at the eco-lodge, listening to the singing sounds of jungle insects and the flicker of the fireplace. Then, wander the area under the twinkling night sky on a night walk with your leader guiding the way.
Day 3 Day 3: Tena- Amazon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Tena- Amazon

Fuel up on breakfast this morning as you have a big day of adventures ahead. First, you’ll hike into the rainforest with a local Indigenous guide leading the way. Listen carefully as they point out local bird species and teach you about the incredible plant life that thrives here. You’ll be surrounded by one of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth, teeming with wildlife, so make sure you take a moment to breathe it all in. After lunch, visit an animal rescue centre to learn more about the local wildlife (and how we can help to protect them).
Day 4 Day 4: Banos
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Banos

Take the opportunity to mingle with the locals and maybe brush up on your Spanish on a public bus headed for Banos. Surrounded by mountains, hot springs and waterways that lead to waterfalls, this is a perfect next step after the rainforest! When you arrive, stretch your legs on a leader-led walking tour of the city and get the inside scoop on the best places to grab a bite to eat. This afternoon, visit Pailon del Diablo – one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area. The 80-m-high falls have a mighty strength that showers anyone in its path (so make sure you bring a waterproof jacket). There are a lot of stairs, but they will be worth it when you reach the view of Pailon del Diablo.
Day 5 Day 5: Banos
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Banos

Today, you have a free day to explore Banos and take on all the optional activities you like! Your leader will always be on hand to help arrange anything you’d like to do – maybe head for the ‘Swing at the End of the World’ and get your heart racing or hike to the Bellavista Viewpoint. You could also opt to soak away your worries in the hot springs or visit the local waterfalls.
Day 6 Day 6: Cotopaxi National Park- Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Cotopaxi National Park- Quito

Rise bright and early this morning and drive along the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ to the Cotopaxi National Park, which sits at 3800 m above sea level. When you arrive, head out on a hike to Limpiopungo Lagoon for a gorgeous view of the Cotopaxi volcano – Ecuador’s second-highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world! Keep an eye out for the park’s wildlife, including condors, deer and spectacled bears. Have lunch at La Cienega – sitting at the bottom of the volcano, this is one of the oldest haciendas in Ecuador and famously housed Charles-Marie de la Condamine, a French scientist who led the Geodesic Mission. After lunch, explore the on-site architecture, gardens and chapel. On the way back to Quito, you’ll also visit a flower farm for a guided tour where you’ll learn about all stages of production here. Connect with the plants by cutting and touching the flowers around you, becoming a part of the final phase of production, and learn about their green initiatives and environment mission.
Day 7 Day 7: Caldera Community Stay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Caldera Community Stay

Make your way to the north to the Caldera Community today, where Indigenous families will be waiting for you for tonight’s homestay. When you arrive, you’ll participate in the ‘Pachamanca’ food ceremony, where the pot is heated with volcanic stones to cook the local, Andean vegetables. Pachamanca has been a part of South American culture for centuries, dating back to pre-historic times. The name comes from the Quechua language ‘Pacha’ (meaning earth) and ‘Manca’ (meaning cooking pot or earth oven). Widely used in times of the Incas, this ritual is a celebration of fertility and life. While lunch is cooking, visit some of the women’s entrepreneurship programs and learn more about the community here. After, spend some more time getting to know the local families and depending on the season, maybe feed the animals, take milk from the cows or harvest some vegetables.
Day 8 Day 8: Otavalo-Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Otavalo-Quito

This morning after a home-cooked breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and board the bus to the Cuicocha Lagoon. This lagoon sits in a collapsed volcanic crater and features two mounded islands that look like the backs of two guinea pigs (Cuicocha means ‘guinea pig lake!’). When you arrive, take one of the paths to the several viewpoints and appreciate the vast scenery. Then, head to the local Indigenous market of Otavalo – one of the best places to haggle for souvenirs. Browse the many stalls that sell hats, tapestries, ceramics, textiles and more. Later, head back to Quito and maybe rally your travel companions for one final dinner before your trip comes to an end – your leader will be ready with all the best bars and street eats!
Day 9 Day 9: Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Quito

The second half of your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm, where you’ll meet your new group travelling to the Galapagos Islands. After the welcome meeting, join your local leader for a tour of Quito’s historic center. Catch the Matro to the Parque de la Alameda and visit sites such as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a famous neo-Gothic church known for the details of its façade that represent Galápagos tortoises, Andean condors, and Amazon alligators. You’ll also visit La Compania de Jesus, considered by many to be the most beautiful church in the Americas. It’s claimed that seven tons of gold leaf cover the interior whilst the exterior is decorated with statues, busts, sculpted heads, and a jungle of carved leaves. The tour will finish at San Francisco Square, where you’ll have the option to return to the hotel, or why not get to know your new travelling companions and dine in Quito’s Old Town – your leader will have plenty of recommendations!
Day 10 Day 10: Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos

Bienvenidos! Welcome to San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. After joining up with your fellow travellers and your local naturalist guide, you’ll head to La Loberia and put on your snorkelling gear for the first time. Go for a swim among the sea lions and maybe even spot sea turtles, too! After, you’ll return to town, where you have a free evening to head out with the group and get to know each other better. Maybe find some fresh seafood to enjoy or wander the shores at your own pace.
Day 11 Day 11: Isla San Cristobal
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Isla San Cristobal

Take a 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) this morning. On the way, you might be able to spot nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies. You might even get the chance to swim among the sea lions again. At Leon Dormido, you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Eat lunch on the boat, then head to the Interpretation Center. Learn about the history of the ’Enchanted Islands’ and the conservation projects that seek to preserve them. Continue to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) – it’s quite a climb to the top, but well worth the amazing views of the bay. Then, return to town in the late afternoon for a free evening.
Day 12 Day 12: Isla Floreana / Isla Isabela
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Isla Floreana / Isla Isabela

Take an early morning boat ride to Isla Floreana and look for dolphins and whales along the way. Snorkel in the clear blue waters and then break for lunch. After, venture to a black-sand beach belonging to the Witmers – descendants of some of the first settlers on the Galapagos. The town here – Puerto Velasco Ibarra – has about 150 residents and an intriguing history involving deaths, disappearances and murders. Later in the afternoon, wave goodbye to Floreana and continue to Isla Isabela, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 13 Day 13: Isla Isabela
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Isla Isabela

This morning, you’ll hop on a small Zodiac boat and cruise to Las Tintoreras (Shark Alley), looking out for blue-footed boobies and the famous Galapagos penguin. Take a short walk on this isolated islet and popular iguana nesting site, then snorkel in a calm inlet with colourful fish and winding underground lava tubes. This area is also frequented by green sea turtles that like to rest on the calm, sandy bottom. Return to Isla Isabela and visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, where you’ll observe giant tortoises in all stages of development. After learning about the thousand turtles that are preparing for life here, you’ll head to a brackish lagoon to observe flamingos. Later today, take a kayak around the island and spend your evening resting in the sand and soaking in your first Isabela sunset – arguably the most beautiful of all the islands!
Day 14 Day 14: Isla Isabela
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Isla Isabela

Start your last day on Isla Isabela by heading towards the Sierra Negra Volcano – one of the Galapagos’ most active volcanoes and the world’s second-largest crater! Weather permitting, you’ll take a challenging hike of around 17 km up the rocky mountain. After, make your way back to town for some free time to curl up with a book, soak your tired muscles or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Day 15 Day 15: Isla Isabela / Isla Santa Cruz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Isla Isabela / Isla Santa Cruz

Jump aboard a private speedboat this morning and head to Isla Santa Cruz. When you arrive, leave your bags at the hotel and head to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Your first stop is a local farm, where giant tortoises roam the grounds freely. Here, you’ll meet with an expert chef for a cooking class to make the famed encebollado – a local tuna soup that’s widely considered one of the best in the world! This hearty dish uses slow-cooked albacore tuna and a savoury broth made of onions, cilantro and spices. The dish is traditionally served with yuca (a starchy root vegetable) and garnished with lime and green onions. Enjoy the soups of your labour for lunch, then wander the grounds with the slow-paced residents. After lunch, you’ll visit an organic sugar cane farm run by a local family for a tour of their trapiche (a sugar cane mill used in artisanal sugar production). See how the family harvests and processes sugar cane and cacao and how they work with the local community.
Day 16 Day 16: Isla Santa Cruz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Isla Santa Cruz

Take a morning walk in Tortuga Bay after breakfast. Along the way, keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and blue-footed boobies. Later, you’ll head to the local fish market for a dose of local life on the way to The Galapagos Conservancy, who help protect the Galapagos’ unique biodiversity. Learn how The Intrepid Foundation supports the Galapagos Conservancy Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, which provides critical capital for sustainability initiatives and builds the entrepreneurial capacity of Galapagos women. After, head to the Charles Darwin Research Station – an international non-profit organisation that’s dedicated to the scientific research and conservation of the archipelago’s environment and biodiversity.
Day 17 Day 17: Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Quito

We say goodbye to the Galapagos today and take a flight back to Quito (Please note the flight will make a stop in Guayaquil) You’ll arrive back to Quito later afternoon. Perhaps head out for a final group dinner.
Day 18 Day 18: Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Quito

This morning your adventure comes to an end in Quito. As there are no activities planned for the final day, you can depart the accommodation at any time. Because there is little time spent in Quito on this trip, we recommend staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador. If you choose to stay on, we’d be happy to assist you with booking accommodation. Ecuador has some of the most beautiful churches in the Americas, including the lavish La Companie de Jesus, which is decorated with seven Tonnes of gold. Not far from the capital, there are volcanoes, hot springs and Incan ruins to explore. Consider doing one of our one-day sightseeing tours of Quito, which can include the Old Town, markets and the city’s culinary delights (see urbanadventures.com).

+15

18 days tour

Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos

Day 1: Quito

Day 2: Tena - Amazon

Day 3: Tena- Amazon

Day 4: Banos

Day 5: Banos

Day 6: Cotopaxi National Park- Quito

Day 7: Caldera Community Stay

Day 8: Otavalo-Quito

Day 9: Quito

Day 10: Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos

Day 11: Isla San Cristobal

Day 12: Isla Floreana / Isla Isabela

Day 13: Isla Isabela

Day 14: Isla Isabela

Day 15: Isla Isabela / Isla Santa Cruz

Day 16: Isla Santa Cruz

Day 17: Quito

Day 18: Quito

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