Ecuador & Galapagos: See it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Tours

Day 1: High Altitude & Acclimating

1. Quito
   3h
   Most visitors arrive in Quito in the evening or late-night. Do not be surprised if you are breathing heavily. This is due to the city’s high altitude. Most visitors acclimate just fine. Touring begins tomorrow.

Day 2: A Jewel of Colonial Architecture, Quito

1. Quito
   3h
   Today we explore the capital of Ecuador. The large historical center is a jewel of South American and colonial architecture. Quito is fascinating not only for its architecture, but for its people as well. This city is still a place where indigenous women wear traditional attire and carry a child on their back, wrapped in a blanket. Quito is nothing short of authentic in both its appearance and its culture.

Day 3: Centuries-Old Markets, a Volcano & a Breathtaking Viewpoint

1. Otavalo
   3h
   From Quito, we make a daytrip. The first stop is a viewpoint overlooking Lake San Pablo and Imbabura Volcano. Next is a guided walking tour in Otavalo. The indigenous locals are famous for weaving textiles, such as handmade blankets and tablecloths. Although Saturday boasts the largest market, there is a very wide range of products available throughout the week. During the market’s peak, almost one third of the town becomes full of stalls selling tagua nut jewelry, musical instruments, fake shrunken heads, traditional costumes, hand-painted platters and trays, purses, clothing, spices, raw foods and spools of wool. Following Otavalo is a fascinating crater lake called Cuicocha. This is our final destination for today. The hike to the viewpoint only takes about 10 minutes and the views are great.

Day 4: Donkey-Riding Around a Caldera, Kayaking in a Lake & Visiting an Indigenous Family’s Home

1. Quilotoa
   5h
   We are making another daytrip from Quito. Passing by an active stratovolcano called Cotopaxi, our first destination is Quilotoa Lake. Upon arrival, we are taken via a 5-minute walk to reach a viewpoint from where we can see the 3-kilometer (2 mile)-wide caldera. It was formed by the collapse of dacite volcano following a catastrophic eruption about 600 years ago. Next, we descend to the lake.
   There we go kayaking. We return via a donkey ride. After Quilotoa is the Toachi River Canyon. It is a nice place for taking selfies. Lastly for today is a visit to an indigenous family’s home.
   Note that on this cruise, all meals are included. Drinks are not.

Day 5: Starting the Cruise of a Lifetime

1. Galapagos Islands
   8h
   We relocate from Quito to the Galapagos Islands. Here we start the cruise. The highlight for today is snorkeling right off the white-sand beach of Las Bachas. We spot all sorts of marine wildlife in its shallow waters and tidal pools.
   
   Note that on this cruise, all meals are included. Drinks are not.

Day 6: Feeling Like You're at a Real Jurassic Park

1. Tagus Cove
   1h
   The cruise highlights today are Tagus Cove and Urbina Bay. At Tagus Cove, we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as blue-footed booby, brown noddy, terns, flightless cormorant and penguins. At Urbina Bay, we will likely see wild giant tortoises and land iguanas.

Day 7: Weird-Looking Iguanas, Sea Turtles & Multi-Colored Crabs

1. Punta Espinoza
   2h · Admission ticket included
   The cruise highlights today are Espinoza Point and Vicente Roca Point. Espinoza Point is home to the largest colony of the endemic marine iguanas. Other features are lava cacti, black, white and red mangrove, sally light-footed crabs, hawks and sea turtles. Vicente Roca Point has great deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth.

Day 8: Baby Sharks, a Salt Crater & Tidal Pools

1. Puerto Egas
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The cruise highlights today are Puerto Egas and Buccaneer Cove. We visit Puerto Egas to see the salt crater as well as a dark-sand beach and tidal pools. At Puerto Egas, we spot a great number of shore birds and reptiles. The area is home to a plethora of wildlife. At Puerto Egas, we go snorkeling. Keep your eyes peeled for rays, turtles and reef sharks.

Day 9: Boobies, a White-Sand Beach & Continuing the Galapagos Tour Now by Land

1. Seymour Island
   1h
   Although our cruise ends today, first we visit North Seymour Island. It is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It also hosts a large population of frigate birds. What’s more, flocks of pelicans feed offshore. Seasonally, Nazca boobies can also be seen.
2. Puerto Santa Cruz
   3h
   After North Seymour Island, we are taken to the village of Puerto Ayora. We are based there for a couple of nights. After checking into our hotel, we are taken by foot and then by a 5-minute water taxi ride to these crevices called Las Grietas. There we go swimming. Before returning to our hotel, we visit Tortuga Bay by boat. There we enjoy the long beach and the nearby cove.

Day 10: A Postcard-Perfect Natural Site & Swimming with Penguins

1. Bartolome
   1h
   Today we make a daytrip from Puerto Ayora to Bartolome Island. It is a volcanic islet featuring two visitor sites. At the first one, we swim around Pinnacle Rock. The underwater world here is really impressive. We are in the water with penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks and other tropical fish. The second one is the twin bays. It is the most famous landmark in the Galapagos Islands. Snorkeling and lunch are included on today’s tour.

Day 11: Another Wonderful Day at Sea

1. Isabela Island
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Today we make another boat daytrip from Puerto Ayora, this time to Floreana Island. Here we see wildlife (blue-footed boobies, penguins, etc.) and go snorkeling. Snorkeling and a light lunch are included on today’s tour.

Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

1. Baltra
   1h
   Our tour ends today. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport on Baltra Island. From there, you can fly to the city of Guayaquil or back to Quito. It is your choice.
   
   Note that your flight from Guayaquil or Quito to back home needs to depart no earlier than 4:00pm. If not possible, then you will need a post-tour night in Ecuador.

Pickup details

Transportation will be arranged for you from the airport in Quito.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• There is a $100 USD fee to be paid directly to the airport security upon arrival at the airport in the Galapagos Islands. The airport security there only accepts cash as payment.
• Before departing from the Quito airport heading to the Galapagos Islands, you will be asked by airport security to pay in cash a $20 USD ‘migration fee’. Also, before departure, your luggage is to be inspected by security. They want to ensure no foods or anything that attracts insects are inside your luggage.
• To make your booking official, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions, which you could find our website.