Active discovery of the three regions of Ecuador.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival transfer in Quito

  Upon your arrival at Quito International Airport, and after personally taking the necessary steps to collect your luggage, your guide will welcome you in the airport's arrivals hall. Transfer of about 1 hour, the time needed to reach the hotel located in the heart of the Ecuadorian capital. On the way, you will first discover the modern city of Quito: its buildings, offices, and parks where Quiteños (inhabitants of Quito) like to relax on weekends. You will also pass near the famous La Mariscal district, with its many bars and restaurants, which boasts the vibrant festive atmosphere typical of Latin American cities. Finally, you will arrive at your hotel in Quito where you can drop off your luggage. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at the hotel of your choice.

• day 2

  Free day in Quito

  You will set out to discover the colonial city of Quito, capital of the Caras and the Incas, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Partly built under Spanish rule, the city of Quito will dazzle you with its architecture, its tranquility, and its history. You can visit the Jesuit church La Compañía de Jesús, whose construction began in 1605, and admire its incredible gilding, the Plaza Grande where the cathedral and the Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace) are located, as well as the churches La Merced and Santo Domingo. You can then stroll through La Ronda, a famous colonial street in the Ecuadorian capital, lined with 17th-century buildings. Many artists, politicians, and writers once lived here. Finally, we recommend ending your visit to Quito with the hill of El Panecillo, where the famous statue of the Virgin stands, which is the only statue in the world representing a winged Virgin. You will also enjoy a breathtaking view of the capital. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you can discover a charming little pre-Columbian art museum, the Casa del Alabado, displaying 5,000 pieces from all over the country. Through the different rooms you visit, you will discover the 3 levels of the cosmos with representations of the Gods, Humans, and Spirits. Dinner on your own and overnight in Quito at your hotel.

• day 3

  Cotopaxi Park

  Early departure. You will head to Cotopaxi National Park, where the highest active volcano in the world is located: Cotopaxi, whose summit reaches 5890 m in altitude. This magnificent volcano, unique in the world and whose name in Quichua means "crescent moon," will offer you lunar landscapes and typical Andean highland scenery. During this day, you will observe volcanic lands, wild horses, as well as the chagras, the name given to horseback farmers. You will also go to the Limpiopungo lagoon, where many Andean birds breed and feed. Dinner on your own in the middle of Cotopaxi National Park. If you wish, you can climb up to the José Ribas refuge on Cotopaxi volcano, located at 4800 meters altitude, which is almost the altitude of the famous Mont-Blanc, the highest point in Europe. Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Ecuador. Not to be missed! Then, you will head to the village of Tigua where you will stay in a typical rural inn run by the descendants of dictator Guillermo Lara (early 20th century). Today, it is his great-grandchildren who manage the inn. They will also tell you about their family history without hesitation. We recommend arriving in the middle of the afternoon (around 4pm) to take part in a small workshop where you will be shown the process of making cheese and yogurt from the farm. Dinner at the inn.

• day 4

  Quilotoa Lagoon

  After breakfast, you will head to Quilotoa to enjoy the beautiful lagoon with turquoise waters: the Quilotoa Lagoon. Legend has it that a courageous and violent god named Quilotoa lived on the surface of the lagoon. Considered the king of all the volcanoes, he regularly confronted the god Toachi who resided at a lower altitude. Toachi hated his enemy Quilotoa for his power. Moreover, as if to demonstrate his strength, Quilotoa reflected the sky in its waters like a mirror. You will walk around the lagoon (about 5 hours of walking). The walk is not technically difficult, however, the ascents and descents follow one another! You will therefore need to be in good physical shape. Dinner on your own in a local restaurant upon return (plan for a snack during the walk). Return to Tigua in the afternoon. Depending on the time available, you can visit a local art and painting workshop. The village is renowned throughout the country for its artists who specialize in realistic and colorful paintings of daily and spiritual life in the Andes. Overnight and dinner at the inn.

• day 5

  Baños

  Early departure to arrive in Baños fairly early. A transfer of about 3 hours is to be expected. Once in Baños, you will enjoy a free day. The spa town is relaxing and friendly. You can take advantage of this time to enjoy the many activities available, such as thermal baths, rafting, canyoning, or even bungee jumping for the more adventurous. Dinner on your own in town. Baños is located in the province of Tungurahua, which is named after the region's most iconic volcano. The Tungurahua volcano, whose name means "throat of fire" in Quechua and which rises to 5016 meters above sea level, overlooks the city of Baños. It is one of the most active volcanoes in Ecuador. Often, the volcano releases gases and smoke from its crater that rise into the sky. The spectacle you can certainly observe in clear weather – and without risk – is magnificent! Optional activities in Baños and its region: canyoning, mountain biking, bungee jumping, horseback riding, visit to a small art gallery, visit to a craft workshop, hiking on the slopes of the active Tungurahua volcano, etc. The guide will assist and accompany you at no extra charge during these activities. Dinner on your own in Baños and overnight stay on site.

• day 6

  Paillon del Diablo and departure for the Amazon.

  You will have a little free time in the morning to enjoy this charming spa town. Then, you will head out to discover a new region: the Amazon, the lungs of our planet, which will allow you to observe an incredible flora. After about 30 minutes of driving, you will stop at the famous and spectacular waterfall located between Baños and Puyo: the Pailón del Diablo. About 40 minutes of walking will be necessary to fully appreciate the waterfall crashing against the rock. If you wish, you can position yourself behind the waterfall by taking a narrow rocky path where, at times, you will have to crawl to reach your goal. You can also stop at the spectacular tarabita (cable car) Manto de la Novia, which crosses the valley from one point to another. The landscape will be magnificent and you will be able to observe the waterfalls, each more impressive than the last. Dinner on your own in a local restaurant, around Puyo. You will continue your journey towards Tena, then Puerto Misahualli, to reach the Amazon lodge where you will stay. In Puerto Misahualli, you will board a canoe. You will enjoy about 10 minutes of canoeing, during which you can already observe the lush and extraordinary nature of the place. Dinner at the lodge. After a short rest, and if the weather permits, you will take a night walk in search of wild animals. First night in the Ecuadorian Amazon!

• day 7

  Amazon at the Liana Lodge

  Liana Lodge offers numerous activities. Depending on your interest, you will have a wide choice (9:00-12:00 and from 14:30). Lunch and dinner included. Ceibo: departure from the lodge and walk to the Ceibo, which is one of the largest and most impressive trees in the Amazon rainforest (about 2h). Mirador: departure from the lodge and walk to the viewpoint where you will have a superb view of part of Anaconda Island (about 2h30). Rio Rodríguez: a fairly long walk that will take you to the Río Rodríguez where you will have the opportunity to swim safely. Picnic lunch. It is possible to combine this visit with a visit to the "AmazOOnico" animal center (about 5h). AmazOOnico: visit to the "AmazOOnico" animal center where you can see different animals such as the famous tigrillo, monkeys, many birds, and other wild animals. The center aims to help injured animals to release them back into the wild (about 1h30). Isla Anaconda: walk in the forest of Isla Anaconda where you will learn about the lifestyle of the Kichwa natives. You will discover traditional plantations such as yuca, banana, coffee, cocoa, etc. Optionally, you can visit a Kichwa family (about 2h). Pesca y Oro: on the riverbank, you will look for gold. Indeed, the Tena region was once a hotspot for gold prospecting. Nowadays, even though this activity still exists, it is no longer as widespread. You will finish with a traditional fishing session (about 1h30). Balsa: accompanied by the guide, you will build a traditional canoe – still used today by the Kichwas – called a balsa. You will return to the lodge aboard your balsa (about 1h30). Tubes: from the port of Puerto Barantilla, you will go down the river on tubes (about 1h30). Night walk (optional): on foot, you will discover the local fauna and flora at night accompanied by the local guide. Birdwatching (optional): in the afternoon, a specific tour for birdwatching accompanied by an ornithologist guide.

• day 8

  Rafting in the Amazon

  After breakfast, early around 7:00 am, you will head to Tena with your driver, where your rafting instructor will be waiting for you with the group. Short transfer to the starting point of the descent. Life jackets and paddles will be given to you upon arrival on site. Once ready, you will jump straight into action, with fairly easy rapids at first to warm up. Then, you will make a stop along the river to enjoy a delicious picnic. After lunch, you will continue your adventure for a little while before returning to Tena. In the afternoon, return to the lodge and dinner.

• day 9

  Papallacta Terms

  After breakfast, taking your time, you will head towards the Termas de Papallacta. Located about 2 hours northeast of Quito, Papallacta offers magnificent Andean landscapes. In clear weather, you will have a superb view of the Antisana volcano and its glacier (5760m). Dinner on your own along the way (or at Termas de Papallacta depending on the departure time). At the beginning of the afternoon, you will enjoy the famous hot springs. It will be an extraordinary moment of relaxation and rest. You can enjoy baths of different temperatures and flavors, fed by underground volcanic waters. Optionally, you can enjoy massages and the SPA services offered by the hotel. In this case, you must inform the agency in advance so that these different services are available during your stay. You will then get back on the road. Arrival in Quito in the afternoon and dinner on your own.

• day 10

  Arrival on Santa Cruz Island, in the Galápagos.

  In the morning, transfer to the airport (not included). You will do what is necessary to board our flight to the Galapagos. Before check-in, you will pay your INGALA migration card ($20/person). About 3h30 of flight are needed to reach the archipelago from Quito (stopover in Guayaquil). Upon your arrival in Baltra, you will have to pay your entrance fee required by the Galapagos National Park ($100/person) before being welcomed by the driver. Crossing of the Itabaca channel by boat (5 min) and private transfer to the port of Puerto Ayora (about 40 min). Upon arrival at the port of Puerto Ayora, you will drop off your suitcases at the hotel. Free lunch and dinner. In the afternoon, free time to visit one of the easily accessible sites, without a guide. In order of preference, here are the sites we recommend: Giant Tortoise Reserve: you will take a taxi to the heights of the island where you will visit a reserve of giant tortoises living in their natural habitat. The entrance fee is $5/person and count about $10 for the taxi. (Visit: 1h30 – Round trip walk: 45 min). Tortuga Bay: you can visit the beautiful Tortuga Bay beach. Made of white sand where beautiful waves break, this beach is home to marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and seabirds. It will be a relaxing moment where, optionally, you can rent sea kayaks to navigate the bay. (Visit: 3/4 h – Round trip walk: 2h30). Charles Darwin Station: located at the end of the town of Puerto Ayora, the famous Charles Darwin Station is a scientific center on the different endemic species of the Galapagos. Like a zoo, you will observe several species. (Visit: 1h30 – Round trip walk: 1h00).

• day 11

  Bartholomew Island and Santa Cruz

  After an early wake-up, transfer by bus with the other passengers on board (maximum 20 people) to take you to the Itabaca Canal (about 40 min) in order to board the boat. Today, you will visit Bartolomé Island, one of the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos archipelago. After about 2 hours of travel (one way), you will reach the famous deserted island. Bartolomé Island, marked by fairly recent volcanism, offers a small steep path that will lead you to the summit (114 m). For the most motivated, you will have to climb about 300 steps to reach the top and enjoy the most beautiful viewpoint. The almost lunar landscapes (we usually say they resemble the planet Mars), swept by the Pacific winds, make it very easy to take postcard-worthy photos. Return on board and dinner on the boat. Then, you will go to a magnificent beach with turquoise waters where you can swim or go snorkeling. With your mask and snorkel, you may have the chance to see various tropical fish. Return to the port in the afternoon. Dinner on your own on Santa Cruz Island and overnight at your usual hotel.

• day 12

  Surfing on Santa Cruz Island

  This morning, during a 4-hour activity with a private guide, you will go to Tortuga Bay beach where beautiful waves come ashore. You will take a unique surfing lesson in the heart of the Galapagos Islands. You can also visit the beautiful white sand beach that is home to marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and seabirds. It will be a relaxing moment where, optionally, you can rent sea kayaks to paddle in the bay. Return to the port and free dinner. In the afternoon, you will have time to enjoy an optional activity. Free dinner and overnight on Santa Cruz Island.

• day 13

  Tour Bahia of Santa Cruz Island

  This morning, on a group tour, you will set out to discover the bay of Puerto Ayora. The visit lasts nearly 4 hours. After a short boat transfer, you will visit the site "La Loberia," renowned for its sea lion colony. While snorkeling, with fins, mask, and snorkel, you will also observe many tropical fish as well as a unique marine biodiversity. Then, you will go to Punta Estrada, which is a gulf with calm waters. There you will see, among others, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and other sea lions. The seabed in this place is also very rich. For example, reef sharks will accompany you during your dive. You will then go to the beach "Playa de los Perros." Here, surrounded by a magnificent landscape, you will observe many Galapagos crabs and the largest marine iguanas on the island. Finally, time will be devoted to another underwater observation at "Las Grietas." This is a magnificent volcanic formation located along the bay of Santa Cruz Island. To finish, you can swim once again in crystal-clear water. Return to the port and dinner at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will have time to enjoy another activity of your choice (optional). Dinner at your leisure and another night on Santa Cruz Island.

• day 14

  Isabela Island

  Early in the morning (around 6am), you will take a speedboat shuttle to reach Isabela Island. Boat transfer of about 2h30. A water taxi must be paid on site at departure and arrival ($1/trip/person). Upon arrival at Isabela, and after paying the entrance fee ($5/person), the driver will be waiting for you on the dock. Transfer to the hotel where you will drop off your luggage. At 10:30am, you will go to the port to visit Tintoreras islet. There you will observe an impressive colony of marine iguanas. Some sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and penguins are usually found there. You will also have the opportunity to swim with fins, mask, and snorkel to observe the seabed. Sea turtles, tropical fish, and white-tip sharks are generally present in these places. Return to the port around 1pm. Free lunch and dinner. Then, you will have free time to visit, for example: Crianza de Tortugas: located at the end of Humedales, we recommend you go there. It is a breeding and rehabilitation center for giant tortoises (several hundred specimens). (Visit: 1h00 – Round trip walk: 2h00). Muro de las lágrimas: the Wall of Tears, which gets its name from history. Isabela Island was a penal colony until 1959, when officers forced prisoners to build this stone wall. The prisoners had no choice: tears or death. (Visit: 0h40 – Round trip walk: 3h30). Concha de Perla: you will walk to Concha de Perla. Here, you can swim with fins, mask, and snorkel in the company of some sea lions, sea turtles, and many tropical fish. (Visit: 2h – Round trip walk: 0h40). Humedales: walking tour of Humedales, which is a mangrove area classified as RAMSAR (an international organization that classifies and protects the world's wetlands). Humedales has a unique biodiversity of plants and animal species such as the flamingo, etc. (Visit: 2h – Round trip walk: 1h30).

• day 15

  Isabela Island - Sierra Negra

  Early departure for a group visit. Your driver will pick you up at the hotel to head to the heights of Isabela Island, where you will begin your 16 km hike, lasting about 5 to 6 hours, on the slopes of the Sierra Negra and Chico volcanoes, whose last eruption was in 2005. Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galápagos archipelago. It is also one of the islands with the most volcanic eruptions in recent years. The landscapes are often lunar! The spectacle is magnificent. You will walk on a lava desert as far as the eye can see, where only a few cacti grow back. Picnic lunch along the way. After this beautiful excursion, you will return to the port of Isabela in the afternoon. Free time, you can then enjoy the beautiful beach of Puerto Villamil, where a few marine iguanas stroll. Dinner on your own at the port and overnight at your usual hotel.

• day 16

  Isabela Island - Cabo Rosa

  This morning, after your breakfast, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to try on your snorkeling equipment. Then, transfer to the port where you will meet your guide and board a small fishing boat to reach the southernmost point of Isabela Island: the Cabo Rosa tunnels. These are the only boats authorized to reach this specific point. Cabo Rosa is one of the most beautiful sites in the Galapagos archipelago! In these places, you will observe extraordinary landscapes shaped by rock formations worthy of Jules Verne's books. These lava tunnels are both submerged and emerged; they undulate on the surface of the sea like a serpent. Here, you can observe Galapagos penguins and blue-footed boobies. Return on board and enjoy a simple picnic dinner on the boat. You will then have time to swim with fins, mask, and snorkel. You will enjoy the extraordinary seabed. You will swim among sea turtles, you will be very close to white-tip sharks and you will have the chance to observe seahorses. Return to the port and free time to enjoy your hotel and this beautiful, still wild island. Dinner at your leisure in Puerto Villamil and last night on the island.

• day 17

  Santa Cruz Island and return to Quito

  Early in the morning, transfer to the pier. You will board a speedboat heading to Puerto Ayora. A water taxi must be paid for on site at departure and arrival ($1/trip/person). The journey takes 2h30. Upon arrival on Santa Cruz Island, the driver will be waiting for you. Transfer to the Itabaca Channel (40 min), which you will cross to reach Baltra airport. At Baltra airport, you will wait for your regional flight. The flight duration is about 3h30 to reach Quito. Dinner at the airport is at your leisure. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer (not included) to the hotel (night not included) and dinner at your leisure.

• day 18

  Transfer to Quito airport

  Transfer to Quito airport (not included). You will go there 3 hours before the departure of your international return flight. Lunch and dinner at your leisure on site or during the flight.