Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12-day tour

Most visitors arrive in Quito during the evening or late at night. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself breathing a little heavier, this is due to the city’s high altitude. Most travelers acclimate quickly, and your touring adventure begins tomorrow.

Today you explore the capital of Ecuador. The city’s large historical center is a jewel of South American and colonial architecture. Quito captivates not only with its buildings but with its people as well. Here, indigenous women still wear traditional attire, often carrying a child on their back wrapped in a blanket. Quito is authentic in every sense, from its appearance to its rich cultural life.

From Quito, enjoy a full-day excursion through the stunning northern highlands. Your first stop is a viewpoint overlooking Lake San Pablo and the majestic Imbabura Volcano. Next, take a guided walking tour in Otavalo, where indigenous locals are renowned for their woven textiles, including handmade blankets and tablecloths.

While Saturday hosts the largest market, a wide variety of goods is available throughout the week. At its peak, nearly one-third of the town fills with stalls selling tagua nut jewelry, musical instruments, replicas of shrunken heads, traditional costumes, hand-painted platters, purses, clothing, spices, raw foods, and spools of wool.

The day concludes at the fascinating Cuicocha Crater Lake. A short 10-minute hike brings you to a viewpoint with breathtaking views—a perfect way to end today’s adventure.

Today you set out from Quito for another unforgettable daytrip. Passing the active Cotopaxi Stratovolcano, your first destination is the stunning Quilotoa Lake. A short 5-minute walk brings you to a viewpoint overlooking the 3-kilometer (2-mile) wide caldera, formed by the collapse of a dacite volcano following a catastrophic eruption around 600 years ago.

Next, descend to the lake for a kayaking adventure, followed by a return via a charming donkey ride. After Quilotoa, visit the Toachi River Canyon, a perfect spot for photos and selfies. The day concludes with a warm visit to an indigenous family’s home, offering a glimpse into local life and traditions.

Today you travel from Quito to the Galápagos Islands to begin your cruise adventure. The highlight of the day is snorkeling just off the white-sand beach of Las Bachas, where shallow waters and tidal pools are teeming with marine wildlife.

All meals are included on this cruise, though drinks are not.

Today’s cruise highlights include Tagus Cove and Urbina Bay. At Tagus Cove, admire a variety of seabirds, including blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, terns, flightless cormorants, and even penguins.

At Urbina Bay, keep an eye out for wild giant tortoises and land iguanas, offering a remarkable glimpse of the islands’ unique wildlife.

Today you travel from Quito to the Galápagos Islands to begin your cruise adventure. The highlight is snorkeling off the white-sand beach of Las Bachas, where shallow waters and tidal pools are alive with marine wildlife.

All meals are included on the cruise, though drinks are not.

Today’s cruise highlights are Puerto Egas and Buccaneer Cove. At Puerto Egas, explore the salt crater, dark-sand beach, and tidal pools, where a wide variety of shorebirds and reptiles make their home.

Snorkeling at Puerto Egas offers the chance to see rays, turtles, and reef sharks up close. Buccaneer Cove adds more stunning scenery and wildlife encounters to your day.

Although the cruise ends today, the adventure continues with a visit to North Seymour Island. Home to large populations of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and frigatebirds, the island is alive with wildlife. Offshore, flocks of pelicans feed, and during certain seasons, Nazca boobies can also be spotted.

After North Seymour, arrive in the village of Puerto Ayora, where you’ll stay for a couple of nights. Check into your hotel, then take a short walk and a 5-minute water taxi to Las Grietas, a series of crevices perfect for swimming. Before returning to your hotel, enjoy the long beach and nearby cove at Tortuga Bay.

Today you take a daytrip from Puerto Ayora to Bartolomé Island, a volcanic islet with two main visitor sites. At the first, swim around Pinnacle Rock and discover an incredible underwater world, sharing the water with penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and colorful tropical fish.

The second site is the Twin Bays, one of the most iconic landmarks in the Galápagos Islands. Snorkeling and lunch are included, making for a full day of exploration and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Today you take a boat daytrip from Puerto Ayora to Floreana Island. Explore the island’s unique wildlife, including blue-footed boobies and penguins, and enjoy snorkeling in its clear waters. Snorkeling and a light lunch are included, making for a day full of discovery and marine adventure.

Today your tour comes to an end. Transportation will be arranged to take you to Baltra Island Airport, where you can fly to either Guayaquil or back to Quito—whichever you prefer.

Please note that your international flight from Guayaquil or Quito should depart no earlier than 4:00 pm. If this is not possible, an additional post-tour night in Ecuador will be required.