Ecuador: the volcanic route and the Galapagos Islands

From the capital Quito and the impressive volcanoes of Cotopaxi to the serene beauty of Quilotoa Crater and the colorful streets of Cuenca, this roundtrip takes you through the highlights of Ecuador. Along the way you discover the historic Inca ruins of Ingapirca, hike through the scenic Cajas National Park and explore authentic villages like Zumbahua and Tigua. You'll conclude on the Galapagos Islands, where a luxury cruise takes you past idyllic beaches like Bachas Beach and unique spots like Isla Genovesa and Black Turtle Cove.

Important information:

An international passport is required, valid for at least 6 months after return, with at least 2 blank pages.
A visa is not required.
Vaccinations for yellow fever and hepatitis A is recommended. The yellow fever vaccination is required if you have recently been to a region where yellow fever is prevalent. We do recommend seeking advice from your family doctor or the Tropical Institute.

Day 1: Arrival in Quito

Upon arrival in Quito, your guide will welcome you with a sign bearing your name. He will escort you to your first accommodation, an elegant boutique hotel with pool and rooftop terrace, located in the vibrant historic center of the city. Here you will stay for two nights and have time to relax.

Day 2: Quito

After a hearty breakfast, your private driver will take you to the heart of Quito to explore the city. You will visit highlights such as La Plaza de La Independencia, the baroque splendor of La Compañia de Jesus, the atmospheric San Francisco Square and El Panecillo, where the iconic Virgin of Quito overlooks the city. After lunch, travel to Mitad del Mundo and the Intiñan Museum, where you will experience fascinating experiments showing the unique effects of the equator.

Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park

The day begins along the famous Avenue of Volcanoes, a chain of imposing peaks that dominate the landscape. Your guide will take you to Cotopaxi National Park, where you will learn all about the extraordinary ecosystem and its inhabitants, including the majestic Andean condor. After an invigorating lunch at a local restaurant, you will travel on to a typical hacienda, where you will enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. Here you will spend the night amidst a volcanic landscape.

Day 4: Riobamba

The day begins with a visit to the impressive Quilotoa Crater, a lake shimmering in a volcanic caldera created by an eruption 800 years ago. On the way you will pass Zumbahua and Tigua, two villages with a unique look and colorful art. Once at Quilotoa, you can admire the crater and descend to the lake while enjoying the impressive views and stories from your guide. After lunch you will depart for Riobamba, where you will spend the night in a cozy hosteria. A quiet place to relax after a day full of discoveries.

Day 5: Cuenca

Early in the morning, the journey to Cuenca begins. Along the way, you'll make a stop at serene Lake Colta and visit the historic church of Balbanera, the oldest in Ecuador. Afterwards, explore the fascinating Inca ruins of Ingapirca. In the afternoon, you travel on to Cuenca, where you stay two nights in a charming boutique hotel in the heart of the city.

Day 6: Cuenca

Start your day with an exploration of the old town and the impressive Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción. At lunch you will enjoy local specialties. In the afternoon visit the Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park, where you will discover more about indigenous cultures and the ruins of the ancient Inca city of Tomebamba. At sunset, enjoy the views at the Mirador de Turi and end the day with dinner at an atmospheric rooftop restaurant in the city center.

Day 7: Cajas National Park and Guayaquil

This day is dedicated to the coastal city of Guayaquil, Ecuador's main port and shipyard. Our trip begins with a visit to Cajas National Park, with more than 200 freshwater lakes. On the way to Guayaquil, you pass vast plantations of bananas, plantains, cocoa and other large-scale farms. At Hacienda Cacao y Mango you will be given a tour of the cultivation and production process of Ecuador's star product and a delectable lunch awaits. Once you arrive back in Guayaquil, take a walking tour of the main highlights and spend the night in downtown Guayaquil at Wyndham hotel with a sea view from your room.

Day 8: Galapagos

Your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport before arriving at one of the Galapgos islands, Baltra. Here you check in on a beautiful luxury boutique cruise, a catamaran with nine staterooms and travel straight to Bachas Beach, a beautiful white sand beach and popular nesting ground for turtles where you can also snorkel. On the beach you'll spot vibrant lobsters and elegant pink flamingos.

Day 9: Isla Genovesa

Today you will explore Isla Genovesa. At El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip's Steps, you hike a rocky staircase past colonies of Nazca and red-footed boobies to a plateau of ancient lava fields. Here you look out over the plain while petrels glide gracefully across the ocean. A trip by dinghy or kayak along the cliffs gives you the chance to spot Galapagos fur seals hiding among the rocks. You also have the chance to snorkel among friendly sharks and colorful marine life. Darwin Bay, with its sand and coral beach, is the ideal place to end the day with kayaking or another snorkeling adventure.

Day 10: Santiago

The day begins at Espumilla Beach, an idyllic spot where you can snorkel or kayak among fascinating marine life such as octopuses, eels and reef sharks. As you cruise along the eroded coastline in a dinghy, you'll admire intriguing rock formations that are home to puffins, pelicans and gulls. Later you'll explore Egas Port, an impressive black sand beach that was once a salt mine. Here you'll snorkel in clear waters or hike along the shore, where you'll observe crabs, marine iguanas and shorebirds in their natural habitat.

Day 11: Santa Cruz

Today's first visit takes you to Black Turtle Cove, a vast mangrove area that extends nearly a mile and a half inland. From a dinghy, you'll see white tip reef sharks swimming underneath you and green sea turtles appearing on the surface to breathe or mate. Then, in the highlands of Santa Cruz, you will have the unique opportunity to spot giant tortoises in the wild. This area is also a paradise for bird lovers, with finches and other unusual Galapagos birds. You'll end the day with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you'll learn more about the crucial work being done to protect the archipelago's ecosystems.

Day 12: Lobos Island - Quito

Today you will explore Lobos Island, a tranquil spot that gets its name from the colonies of sea lions that live here. In the calm, clear waters surrounding the island, you can snorkel among these playful animals. With a little luck, you will also encounter green sea turtles and rays. After this adventure you will travel on to the airport. There you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel close to the airport, ideal for a relaxing end to your trip.