- 4.9/5 332 Latest reviews
- Destination: Ecuador
- Duration: 9 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
From vibrant traditions to rich wildlife and inviting beaches, this 9-day journey offers a worry-free way to experience Ecuador. Explore the historic streets of colonial Quito before setting off on a Galapagos island-hopping adventure from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristóbal Island. Look forward to relaxing on sandy shores where sea lions lounge and numerous wading birds gather, and enjoy the opportunity to experience excellent snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Quito
UNESCO-listed Church of La Compañía, Equatorial Monument, Intiñan Museum and more
4 - 6
Santa Cruz Island
Parte Alta, Giant Galapagos Tortoises, Lava Tunnels, Academy Bay Beaches, Las Grietas
7
San Cristobal Island
Isla Lobos, Playa Ochoa
8 - 9
Guayaquil
Guayaquil City Walking Tour, Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Welcome to Quito, the vibrant capital of Ecuador.
Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle with a Spanish-speaking driver. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and settle in.
- Quito
- Day 2: Quito – Explore Colonial Quito
This morning, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide, stroll through the charming colonial streets of Quito. Visit a local market to experience the vibrant daily life and sample fresh, typical Ecuadorian fruits. Don’t miss the UNESCO-listed Church of La Compañía (Iglesia de la Compañía), a masterpiece of colonial architecture.
In the afternoon, head to the Equatorial Monument and the Intiñan Museum, where you can try balancing an egg on a nail and observe water spinning in different directions, gaining insight into Ecuador’s unique culture, from the Galapagos’ biodiversity to Amazonian traditions.
On the way back to Quito, stop at the Agave House, the first museum dedicated to celebrating the Andean agave culture.
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- Quito
- Day 3: Quito – Exploring Nature and Culture
Today offers a range of exciting options to connect with Ecuador’s rich culture and stunning landscapes.
Option 1: Otavalo – Famous for its artisan crafts, Otavalo is a vibrant town where you can shop for souvenirs. On the way, stop at charming villages to sample local fruits, biscuits, and cheese. Continue to nearby Cotacachi, renowned for high-quality leather, and then visit Cuicocha Lake, formed in the crater of Cotacachi Volcano. Here, you can hike to the viewpoint, stroll along the lake, or take a short boat tour to admire the scenery.
Option 2: Cotopaxi – Standing at 5,897 meters, Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The surrounding national park is home to wild horses, llamas, foxes, deer, Andean condors, and spectacled bears. You may hire a local naturalist guide (optional) to explore the park, marvel at the volcano, spot wildlife, visit Limpiopungo Lagoon, and learn about native medicinal plants.
Option 3: Quilotoa & Tigua – Visit the breathtaking Quilotoa crater lake, famous for its vivid green waters caused by mineral deposits. Enjoy panoramic views from the lookout or walk around the lake. Then, stop in Tigua, a small town known for its traditional paintings, and visit an art studio to admire the colorful, intricate works.
Option 4: Mindo – Begin at the Butterfly Park, observing and feeding 25 vibrant species while learning about their life cycle. Afterwards, take a tarabita (open-air cable car) over the lush forest to reach Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve, where you can explore self-guided trails for about 1.5 hours, discovering waterfalls, diverse flora, and abundant wildlife.
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- Quito
- Day 4: Quito – Santa Cruz | Encounter Giant Galapagos Tortoises
Take a private transfer to the airport for your flight to the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be transported to Santa Cruz Island—the second-largest island in the archipelago—using a combination of public bus, ferry, and private car.
Your first stop on Santa Cruz is the lush highlands of Parte Alta, the natural home of the giant Galapagos tortoises. At a private ranch, enjoy lunch and take a leisurely walk among the trees in search of these magnificent creatures, often found near small lagoons. You’ll also explore the Lava Tunnels, formed when the lava’s surface solidifies while the molten interior continues to flow like a river.
After the highlands visit, continue by private transport to your hotel. Meet one of our coordinators for an orientation session, where they will provide details about the remainder of your Galapagos itinerary.
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 5: Santa Cruz – Discover the Magic of the Islands
Spend the day exploring one of the islands: North Seymour, Bartolomé, Santa Fe, or Plazas. All tours include lunch and snorkeling gear.
Option 1: Begin at Punta Carrion for snorkeling among colorful fish and sea turtles. Continue to Plazas, visiting the larger southern island, Plaza Sur, home to numerous land iguanas. The sight of green, yellow, and orange iguanas mingling with sea lions along the coast creates a scene reminiscent of Jurassic Park. This island also delights bird watchers and nature enthusiasts with its rich vegetation.
Option 2: On North Seymour Island, observe the breeding colonies of frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Watch male frigates display their inflated red throat pouches to attract females. Then, head to Bachas Beach for swimming, snorkeling, or spotting nesting sea turtles. A walk along a hidden trail may reveal a shipwreck and flamingos in the area.
Option 3: Santa Fe Island is the prime location to see the rare large land iguana (Conolophus pallidus), found only here. These yellow-green iguanas can grow over a meter long. On the beach, discover a sea lion colony, while snorkeling in the bay may reveal rays, white-tip sharks, and sea turtles. The rocky areas are perfect for observing colorful fish up close.
Option 4: For Bartolomé Island, start early due to its distance. Visit Sullivan Bay, where from December to April, green sea turtles come ashore to bask in the sun—a rare opportunity, as most turtles only come ashore at night to lay eggs. Snorkel to see the Moorish Idol, one of the most beautiful Galapagos fish. Finally, climb Bartolomé’s highest point at 114 meters for a panoramic view of lava flows, volcanoes, the deep blue sea, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock.
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 6: Santa Cruz – San Cristóbal | Academy Bay Adventure
In the morning, embark on a tour of Academy Bay, also known as La Lobería. From the small boat, observe blue-footed boobies and other seabirds perched on the cliffs. During a guided walk from the landing point, you may spot white-tip reef sharks resting in the shallows and marine iguanas basking in the sun. The towering cacti, red-hued rocks, and turquoise waters create a stunning backdrop for photography. The tour also includes snorkeling and a walk to the scenic Las Grietas.
In the afternoon, board a lancha (motorized small boat) from Santa Cruz’s dock to San Cristóbal Island. The journey takes approximately two hours and may be slightly bumpy depending on the sea conditions. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
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- San Cristóbal Island (Galapagos)
- Day 7: San Cristóbal – Island Exploration
Today, take a small boat to Isla Lobos. During a guided walk on the island, observe frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and the playful sea lions that call the island home. Afterwards, enjoy snorkeling to see rays, turtles, or even swim alongside the friendly sea lions.
Later, visit Playa Ochoa or another nearby white coral beach, perfect for strolling or swimming. Lunch will be provided either on the boat or, on some days, at a local restaurant.
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- San Cristóbal Island (Galapagos)
- Day 8: San Cristóbal – Guayaquil | City Exploration
Spend the final hours enjoying San Cristóbal before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, take the airport shuttle to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, join a walking tour of Guayaquil with a bilingual guide. Explore the city’s main attractions, visit the historic Las Peñas neighborhood, and sample some traditional local snacks while learning about the area’s history and culture.
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- Guayaquil
- Day 9: Guayaquil – Departure
After breakfast, it’s time to continue your journey. You will be transferred by shuttle to Guayaquil Airport for your onward flight to your next destination.
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