Welcome to Quito! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 and considered the cultural capital of South America, it is the largest and best-preserved colonial city of America. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can also help you organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of the trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 6:00 pm. At this time your guides will discuss the details of your adventure and be available for any questions you may have.

Overnight: Swissôtel Quito (or similar)
Meals included: None

Today get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago along the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin developed his theory on the evolution of species. You'll board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Upon arrival, you'll head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here you'll take a speed boat to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago and where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos occurs. The island is being formed by six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. All but Ecuador are still active, making the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. During the island crossing, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October).

Flying time: 3 hours (including the stop at Guayaquil city on the way to Baltra airport)
Speed boat time from Santa Cruz to Isabela: 2 hours (If you normally get seasick it's important to take medication before getting on the boat)
What to wear today: Light pants, t-shirt, fleece top, tennis shoes, hat, sunscreen

Accommodations: Cormorant or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Today you'll explore the amazing lava formations created along the seashore of Isabela Island, a magical place that has been used by the staff of BBC and National Geographic for documentaries. The labyrinth of lava arches have formed amongst the crystal-clear water where you can find huge sea turtles (sometimes man-sized), eagle rays, sea lions, fish, white-tipped reef sharks, and more. Turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles.” It is here where you'll have the best opportunity to snorkel with the local wildlife, including the curious Galapagos penguin.

Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at "Concha de Perla," surfing lessons, biking, or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. You may also want to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located within walking distance from the hotel.

Boat ride to the lava tunnels time: 1 hour each way
Snorkeling time: Two 1 hour sessions
What to wear today: shorts, long sleeve t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or baseball cap, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, buff

Accommodations: Cormorant or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, the group will prepare their packs for the hike into the young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Today's destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018. Upon arrival, you'll take in the breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If everyone is feeling energetic enough, you can continue your hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia.

In the afternoon you'll visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Hiking time: 4 hours both ways
Hiking distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) (optional hike to Volcan Chico, 10 miles / 16 km)
Hiking elevation gain: 950 feet (289.5 m)
Maximum elevation while hiking: 3,687 feet (1,124 m)
What to wear today for hiking: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, rain jacket, hat, buff, sunscreen, mosquito repellent

Kayaking time: 2 hours
Snorkeling time: 1 hour
What to wear today for kayaking & snorkeling: sandals, shorts, long sleeve t-shirt, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent

Accommodation: Cormorant or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, transfer from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. During the island crossing, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once you arrive, you'll check in at the hotel. The group will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the 'El Chato' reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! You'll also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a fresh water lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos' most populous town.

What to wear today: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes or sandals, hat, rain jacket (for the boat ride), sunscreen

Accommodations: Silberstein or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

After a final breakfast in the Galapagos and one last chance to take photos of the sea lions, you'll transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland.

What to wear today: pants, t-shirt, fleece top, tennis shoes, hat

Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito
Meals included: Breakfast

Today is a day on your own to explore the beautiful surroundings of Quito. Adventure Journeys can also help you organize a day trip. The following optional tours are available:

- Colonial city tour & the Equator Line
- Discover Quito on two wheels
- Mindo cloud forest
- Otavalo market fair

Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito
Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Quito and drive south along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes, getting the chance to see the colorful Andean fields. After arriving at Cotopaxi National Park, you'll hike around Limpiopungo lagoon at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From here, you'll have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. If the weather conditions permit, you'll attempt to trek to the basecamp at 16,000 feet.

In the afternoon, you'll continue the drive towards Llanganates National Park, known as the sacred mountain, until you reach the town of Baños, located at the entrance of the Amazon. Here you can enjoy the best night life by drinking cocktails and salsa dancing.

Trekking activity level: Moderate. This adventure is at high elevation, so make sure you drink a lot of water or coca tea (in case of altitude sickness). The trail is on dirt surrounded by bushes and grass.
Trekking time: 3 hours
Trekking distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet (366 m)
Minimum elevation: 12,700 feet (3,870 m)
Maximum elevation: 13,850 feet (4,222 m) or 16,000 feet (488 m) if trekking to basecamp

What to wear today: pants, t-shirt, fleece, hiking shoes, gloves, hat, buff, bring rain jacket and pants, water bottle, sunscreen, binoculars

Accommodation: La Floresta or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

This morning you'll cross country mountain bike from Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, enjoying the beauty of the special cloud forest climate. The road brings you through some Andean farms and a great canyon with many waterfalls. While descending into the jungle, you'll have a breathtaking view of Baños, a town well known for its spectacular location right at the foothills of the Tungurahua Volcano, which has been active since 1999. The volcano is the main attraction of this region. In the afternoon you'll have some time to explore the town and go to The Swing at the End of the World.

Biking activity level: Moderate. The bike riding is mostly downhill, the first 45 minutes up hill and then afterwards downhill again. You'll be riding on cobblestone and dirt roads for the first two hours and one hour on asphalt.
Biking time: 3 hours
Biking distance: 20 miles (32.18 km)
Elevation gain: 500 feet (152 m)
Minimum elevation while biking: 5,500 feet (1,676 m)
Maximum elevation while biking: 10,450 feet (3,185 m)

NOTE - In case you want to avoid the uphill riding, there will always be support transportation, and your driver will be happy to give you a ride until you decide to rejoin the biking group.
What to wear today: shorts, t-shirt, fleece, tennis shoes, buff, bring rain jacket and pants, water bottle, sunscreen, mosquito repellent

Accommodation: La Floresta or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

This morning you'll head off for the land of the waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride's Veil waterfall, where you'll take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. You'll hike down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall (the second highest in Ecuador!), before heading deeper into the jungle to Llanganates National Park (known as “beautiful mountain” in the native language). According to legend, 600 years ago the Incas hid a massive amount of gold and treasure here, known as the Treasure of the Llanganates. Explorers have spent many years looking for this treasure, but some have disappeared with no luck in this dense, pristine jungle.

During this hike through the Amazon rainforest, you'll climb along several waterfalls and your local native guide will tell you about the incredible ecosystem and wildlife that live here. Spend the night at the local jungle lodge run by an indigenous Kichwa family for an experience of the local Ecuadorian culture.

Canyoning activity level: Moderate. The jungle exploration will be done while hiking on the canyon that has been formed by the waterfalls and the Pimpilala River, so you'll be hiking on irregular terrain and water surrounded by rainforest. The highest waterfall to climb is 16 feet (4.87 m) and the rest are smaller. You'll use helmets, ropes, and optional harnesses for people that want to use them.
Canyoning time: 3 hours
Canyoning distance: 2 miles (3.22 km)
Elevation gain: 500 feet (152.4 m)
Minimum elevation while canyoning: 2,000 feet (609.6 m)
Maximum elevation while canyoning: 2,500 feet (762 m)
What to wear today: shorts, long sleeve t-shirt, water sandals, rain jacket, water bottle, sunscreen, mosquito repellent

Accommodation: Amazon Homestay
Please note: This is a very basic accommodation. You'll have your own room and a shared bathroom. The rooms are very clean and all the beds have mosquito netting. There is no electricity in the room but there is a social area where you can have access to power to charge your electronics.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Start the day by preparing your gear to paddle the wild waves of the Jatunyacu River. Just a 5 minute drive from the homestay, the beauty of this river will inspire you and reveal the magic of the Amazon rainforest. After a very important safety briefing from your rafting guides, you'll start the Class III rafting expedition down the Jatunyacu River, well known for its clean water and awesome rapids. You'll have fun along the way, playing games and exploring one of the canyons. At the end of the journey, the group will stop for a picnic prepared by your guides.

The day concludes with a drive back up to the Andes, stopping to visit the Guango Reserve, where you can view the many exotic hummingbird species found here, and finally continuing up to the volcanic hot springs resort, where you'll spend the night.

Rafting activity level: Moderate. This is considered a class III river for white water rafting. There are some awesome waves and also plenty of flat water to go swimming. The river is surrounded by amazing views of the Amazon landscape.
Rafting time: 4 hours, depending on the level of the water, it can be less time
Rafting distance: 18 miles (28.96 km)
What to wear today: shorts, long sleeve t-shirt, water sandals, water bottle, sun cream, mosquito repellent

Accommodation: Papallacta Spa Resort or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Enjoy your final morning in Ecuador and depart from Papallacta as needed for your flight back home.

Meals included: None