• Arrive in Quito and private transfer to the hotel.

• Brief orientation after entire group has arrived.

• Meals included: Dinner

• Cultural city tour in Quito will start our day! Quito’s modern beauty and historical significance earned it the title of the first “Cultural Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1978.

• After the tour, we’ll enjoy a fun and engaging interactive cooking class. We’ll learn to prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes with the guidance of a local chef.

• The afternoon/evening is yours to explore.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

• In the morning, we will drive to Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

• Our adventure begins on the slopes of the Rumiñahui Volcano. As we hike, we may encounter wildlife such as hares, foxes, falcons, and deer.

• The trail continues down the slopes to Limpiopungo Glacier Lake. The lake’s shores are often populated by gulls, ducks, teals, lapwings, and even the occasional high-altitude flamingo.

• Next, we will head to a beautiful Hacienda located at 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) above sea level, where we will enjoy lunch.

• Afterward, we will have the afternoon free to relax. We can enjoy a hot drink by the cozy fireplace or unwind in the APU Mountain Spa (additional cost).

• For those looking for a bit more adventure, there are two self-guided walking trails around the hacienda grounds, which we can explore at our own pace (free of charge).

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Are the hike details listed for the 2 optional hikes or are they for the morning hikes in the itinerary. It feels like they’re for the optional hikes.

• After an early breakfast, you will travel south, stopping in the village of Tigua, which is noted for its colorful paintings.

• Then you head west to Quilotoa. You trek around the crater rim of the volcano of the same name from the settlement of Quilotoa, where you can see the amazing views of the lagoon. This climb takes about five hours.

• After the hike you will head to the next accommodation in the city of Baños.

• Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch

Hike Details:

Crater Loop
Distance: 10 km (~6.2 miles) around the crater
Elevation: Ranges from ~3,800 m to ~3,930 m (12,467–12,894 ft)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate — mostly flat but with some ups and downs, and parts with loose sand and narrow sections.
Estimated Time: Around 5 hours

Descent to the Lagoon & Return Distance: ~1.7 km (~1.1 miles)
Elevation Change: -300 m (-980 ft) descending; then +300 m (+980 ft) on return climb.
Difficulty: Moderate — the trail is steep and sandy, making the ascent challenging.
Estimated Time: 2 hours round-trip

• We set off on a scenic drive to visit the famous Casa del Árbol, perched at an altitude of 2,660 meters.

• From here, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the active Tungurahua volcano.

• For those seeking a thrill, the Swing at the End of the World awaits!

• After a short safety briefing, we hop on our bikes and begin cycling along the beautiful Baños–Puyo route.

• Our first stop is the impressive Agoyán Waterfall, a truly awe-inspiring sight. We continue on to the stunning Manto de la Novia Waterfall, where you cross the river by cable car or suspension bridge.

• Next, we reach the village of Río Verde, where we trade our bikes for a short hike to one of Ecuador’s most spectacular waterfalls: El Pailón del Diablo.

• Meals included: Breakfast, boxed lunch

• Bike Tour: Distance: 17 km / Maximum Elevation: 2,660 m. Not in the mood to cycle? No problem! You can enjoy the entire route comfortably by car. And if you ever need a break during the ride, the support vehicle is always nearby, ready to pick you up.

• After breakfast, we continue our journey toward Latacunga, where we visit the charming town of San Felipe.

• Here, we dive into the traditional process of making máchica, a flour made from ground and toasted barley.

• After the visit, we return to our hotel in Quito to relax and get ready for the exciting journey to the Galapagos Islands the next morning.

• Meals included: Breakfast

• In the morning, our female tour leader will assist us with check-in for our flight to San Cristobal Island.

• Upon arrival, we will meet our guide and head to the hotel to check in.

• After a brief orientation, we’ll head out to visit the Interpretation Center.

• Next, we will visit Frigatebird Hill, also known as Tijeretas, named after the frigatebirds that nest here.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

• After breakfast, we will board a comfortable boat bound for Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido.

• Once we arrive, we will set out on a unique snorkeling experience! We may have the chance to see a variety of marine life, including Galapagos sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, hundreds of colorful fish, and vibrant sea stars.

• Meals included: Breakfast, boxed lunch

• We’ll have an early breakfast and then head out on a two-hour boat ride to Santa Cruz Island

• We will arrive at Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in the archipelago.

• From there, we will take a 30-minute transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz. In this lush area, private farms work to conserve pristine, native, and endemic vegetation that serves as a habitat for the famous Galapagos Tortoise.

• In the late afternoon, we will head to Tortuga Bay Beach. After a 40-minute walk, we will arrive at this breathtaking beach, one of the most beautiful in the Galapagos.

• Once we reach Mansa Beach, we will have the chance to swim and snorkel in the calm waters.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

***Today’s adventure is subject to availability. Once we have booked our excursion, guests will be notified which option we went with when bookings are secured.

Option 1: Bartolomé Island

Named in honor of Sir Bartholomew Sulivan of the British Navy, Bartolome Island covers an area of 1.3 square kilometers and reaches a maximum altitude of 115 meters. This island offers some of the most unique and breathtaking landscapes in the Galapagos Archipelago. On our day trip to Bartolome, we will hike to the top of an extinct volcano along a wooden pathway, climbing almost 395 steps. During the hike, we will pass by fascinating geological formations created by the last volcanic eruption, such as small lava tunnels, spatter cones, and scoria cones. It will feel like walking on the moon! Along the way, we may spot endemic vegetation like Lava Cactus and Tiquilia plants, as well as some of the island’s famous Darwin Finches. Once we reach the summit, we’ll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock, a striking volcanic tuff cone that rises from the water.

Option 2: North Seymour Island

North Seymour is a small island in the Galapagos Archipelago, home to a rich diversity of wildlife. It is one of the best places to observe the frigatebirds with their dramatic red balloon-like throats, as well as the blue-footed boobies performing their charming dance. We will also encounter land and marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions, fur seals, and various seabirds, including swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, and tropic birds. Our walk on this magical island will take about 2 hours, immersing us in its vibrant ecosystems. After our hike, we will return to the boat for lunch and then sail to Bachas Beach, a key nesting area for sea turtles. Here, we may also spot flamingos in the small lagoon. This day will also include a snorkeling activity, where we may have the chance to swim with sea turtles, rays, white-tip reef sharks, and colorful fish.

Option 3: South Plaza Island

South Plaza is located off the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. It was formed by uplifted marine lava and is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, yet it boasts some of the densest wildlife concentrations in the Galapagos. We will disembark at a small dock often occupied by sea lions, then continue our walk through a forest of prickly pear cacti adorned with yellow flowers. Along the way, we may see land iguanas waiting for fruits and flowers to fall from the cacti. As we reach the cliff, we will often spot a shoal of the endemic yellow-tailed mullet. The cliff is an excellent vantage point to view seabirds, including swallow-tailed gulls, tropic birds, frigatebirds, and pelicans. At the eastern end of the island, bull sea lions gather to rest after losing their territory and regain their strength in hopes of becoming the beach master once again. After this fascinating walk, we’ll return to the boat for lunch and sail to Punta Carrion for another snorkeling adventure. Here, we may encounter sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, sea lions, and a variety of fish. We will return to Puerto Ayora around 16:30, having experienced a day full of unforgettable wildlife encounters.

After one of these excursions, we will have our farewell dinner!

Meals included: Breakfast, boxed lunch, dinner

• You will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Depending on the time of your international flight you will wait at the airport or you can book an additional night.

• Meals included: Breakfast

Flights from the Galapagos typically arrive in the afternoon. If guests wish to take their international flight on the same day, they should book a departure flight that leaves after 8:30 PM to ensure a smooth connection.

This allows enough time for potential delays, baggage claim, and check-in for international departures at the airport in Quito.