Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands 12 days, 11 nights

Itinerary – The day starts with a morning flight to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos, on the Island of Baltra.

Have time for lunch before taking a quick boat ride to the largest island, Isabela Island.  Our travels will take most of the day, as the Galapagos Islands are 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador.  Settle into your hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner, and take some time to relax.

Overnight:  Isabela Island

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Spend the morning snorkeling through the astonishing Lava Tunnels.  The last volcanic eruptions on the seashore created these spectacular lava formations.  As you snorkel through the crystal-clear water and awe-inspiring lava arches, keep your eye out for sea turtles – they like to frequent the area.  Sea lions and eagle rays, among other aquatic species, frequent this special place.

After lunch, take a bike ride, enjoy an afternoon snorkel, or just spend some time on the fabulous white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.  Later, take time to explore the nearby giant tortoise breeding center.

Have a relaxing evening at the hotel pool.

Overnight:  Isabela Island

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Grab your walking shoes as we spend the morning hiking through a young forest ecosystem to the rim of the Sierra Negra Crater.  Take in the breathtaking views as we wander around the circumference of this massive lava-filled crater.  The caldera rim is six miles across!  If you feel energetic, the hike can continue to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater with a wild landscape of lava formations and puffing fumaroles.

This afternoon, travel to Tintoreras Islet, home to wildlife, including white-tipped reef sharks that fill the crystalline, turquoise waters.  See Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions.   Spend time on a mangrove beach to see the marine iguanas in their natural habitat.   For the remainder of the day, your group can choose kayaking or snorkeling in these pristine waters.

Overnight:  Isabela Island

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Today, we start with a boat cruise to Santa Cruz Island and the Charles Darwin Research Station.  On the way, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October).

Later this morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the species seen in the wild.   Learn about the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.

After lunch, we’ll head to the El Chato Reserve, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises.  Hiking through the El Chato landscape with these lumbering giants is a truly unforgettable experience.

In the late afternoon, we will visit the Pan Animalia Project.  Their mission is to promote animal health and welfare by offering veterinary services at its clinics that help to reduce the populations of stray dogs and cats.

After dinner, check in to your hotel and relax for the evening.

Overnight:  Santa Cruz Island

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Today starts with a hike into the spectacular Santa Cruz Cloud Forest, your destination – Cerro Crocker, the highest summit on the island.  Explore the unique vegetation found in this area and keep your eye out for more giant tortoises.

After lunch, enjoy the afternoon on one of the area’s pristine beaches.  Soak up the sun, swim, and relax in the beautiful oasis.

Overnight:  Santa Cruz Island

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary –  After our final breakfast and last photos of our beautiful surroundings, we will depart for Baltra in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

Overnight: Quito

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Spend the day exploring everything this wonderful city has to offer.  Enjoy a Colonial City Tour and visit the Equator Line – the line that separates the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.  Visit the Mindo Cloud Forest and the Otavalo Market Fair.

Overnight: Quito

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – We depart Quito this morning, traveling along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park.  Enjoy a morning hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon.  From here, we will have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.

After lunch, we will continue our drive south to Llanganates National Park and the town of Baños, located at the entrance of the Amazon.

After dinner, dance the night away as you learn to Salsa!

Overnight: Baños

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – This morning, we will mountain bike from the Llanganates National Park to the Pastaza River Canyon to enjoy the beauty of the cloud rainforest environment.  The road takes us through Andean farms and a beautiful canyon with numerous waterfalls.  As we descend into the jungle, enjoy the awe-inspiring view of the town of Baños, nestled in the foothills of the Tungurahua Volcano.

After lunch, have some time to explore the town before a stop at the Swing at the End of the World.  This bucket list attraction is an actual swing perched on the Casa del Arbol, arguably the most famous tree house in the world.  It sits atop a mountain overlooking the town of Baños.

Overnight: Baños

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Today, we hit the road of the waterfalls – the first stop will be at Bride’s Veil Waterfall.  Here, we take the Tarabita (cable car) to cross the Pastaza River, then hike down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador.

This afternoon, we will go deeper into the jungle in Llanganates National Park.  Llanganates means beautiful mountain in the local native language.   Here, 600 years ago, the Incas hid their golden treasures that remain hidden today.  We will climb several waterfall canyons as we hike through the tropical rain forest.  Our local native guide will teach about the incredible flora and fauna that thrive in this unequaled habitat.

Overnight: Baños

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, depart for Quito International Airport.  Say goodbye to your Epic Adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner (dependent on flight times)