This morning, explore Quito on a half-day guided walking tour to discover its Old Town. Admire historical plazas and colonial architecture while the hustle and bustle of Quito's daily life pass by. You'll also pay a visit to the glittering, golden La Compañia de Jesus church followed by a delicious lunch in the city.

The rest of the day is yours to do as you'd like. You're welcome to see more of the city, but we recommend a visit to El Panecillo, a former volcano with its iconic El Virgen del Panecillo statue and amazing views of the city. Or relax at the hotel with a drink at the rooftop bar which also offers great views of the surrounding area.

Included:

• Activities: Quito old town guided walking tour; La Compañia de Jesus church; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

This morning, hit the road toward the "Middle of the World" monument commemorating the discovery of the Equator here as well as the Inti Ñan museum. At this museum, you'll learn about the indigenous culture and native tribes and you can also participate in various experiments to prove that you are indeed in the exact spot where the Equator crosses. Don't believe us? Feel free to check your GPS! Remember to bring your passport so you can get a stamp to show that you were in the middle of the world.

Afterward, drive onward to Mindo Cloud Forest where you can disconnect from the chaos of daily life and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors.

Included:

• Transfers: Quito - Equator by private vehicle (approx. 45 mins); Equator - Mindo by private vehicle (approx. 2 hrs)
• Activities: Middle of the World monument; Inti Ñan museum; Cloud Forest free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Cloud Forest lodge

Wake up among the clouds lazily hovering all around you. Then, start your day with a walk around the forest to spot some of the 500 species of birds that call this sanctuary home. Don't forget your binoculars so you can try to see some of the various hummingbird species that are endemic to the area. They're fast so keep your eyes peeled! There'll also be an easy/moderate hike in the Cloud Forest for some more birdwatching and you'll also stroll along beautiful, crystal-clear rivers and lush vegetation.

To wrap up the day, you'll end up back at the lodge where you can have a bite to eat and some drinks as the sound of the nearby river's rushing waters lulls you to sleep.

Included:

• Activities: Bird watching; Hike (easy/moderate difficulty level); Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Cloud Forest lodge

Before bidding farewell to the Cloud Forest and its beautiful flora and fauna, stop by a butterfly farm where hundreds of colorful butterfly species flutter around you. Here, you can learn the importance of each species' role in the fragile environment.

If you've got a sweet tooth then you're going to love what's up next... A visit to a local chocolate factory. You'll learn first-hand how the most delicious, pure Ecuadorian chocolate is made. There's also a shop in the factory where you can buy chocolate fresh from the factory!

You'll return to a Quito airport hotel to get rested up for an early departure to the Galapagos Islands the next day!

*We have selected airport hotel accommodation in Quito due to the early departure on Day 6. This way, you will not need to wake up as early to catch the Galapagos flight since your hotel will be just a couple of minutes away from the airport!

Included:

• Transfers: Mindo - Quito by private vehicle (approx. 2 hrs)
• Activities: Butterfly farm; Chocolate factory
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Quito airport hotel

Early this morning, transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands! After landing in the Galapagos, you'll then transfer via ferry to Santa Cruz Island, the most populous island of the Galapagos. First, your Galapagos naturalist guide will take you to the Santa Cruz Highlands where you can observe giant tortoises roaming freely. It is a great chance to see this endangered species, endemic to the Galapagos in its natural environment. Then, onward to Puerto Ayora, the main town of Santa Cruz, where you can relax after a day of traveling or hit the town to chat with the locals over a pint of craft beer.

Included:

• Transfers: Quito - Baltra Island by plane (approx. 2.5 hours); Baltra - Santa Cruz Island by boat (approx. 1.5 hrs)
• Activities: Tortoise center; Puerto Ayora free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Hop on board a Galapagos yacht for a full-day tour of Santa Fe Island with your naturalist guide. You'll sail to a beautiful bay and disembark on a small sandy beach where you may be greeted by a colony of sea lions with a possible Galapagos hawk soaring above. Follow the trail and be on the lookout for the endemic species of land iguanas beneath large opuntia cacti waiting to dine on their fallen pads or flowers. After exploring the terrestrial beauty of Santa Fe, you can enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters of the bay where your boat is anchored. Swim among a variety of tropical fish and try to catch a glimpse of the bashful sea turtle and playful sea lions. Have lunch on board as you sail back to Puerto Ayora.

The rest of the day is yours to do as you'd like in Puerto Ayora. If you're feeling up for it, check out the town. You can try many of the breweries or coffee shops that are unique to the Galapagos with beer names such as Reptilia or coffee names like Tortoise. It is also a great spot to pick up souvenirs!

Included:

• Activities: Santa Fe Island guided hike; Swimming & snorkeling; Puerto Ayora free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today is another day of Galapagos exploration and you'll visit a new island, South Plaza Island, located a few hundred meters away from the Eastern coast of Santa Cruz Island. South Plaza was formed from an uplifted seabed, giving it a tilted tabletop quality. As you disembark on South Plazas, keep your eyes peeled for a welcome committee of sea lions. Further up the shore, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cacti. Yellow-gray land iguanas sit beneath them waiting for a sweet treat to drop from the cacti's limbs. The trail takes you gradually towards the southern cliff of the island where you will be able to observe nesting swallow-tailed gulls, several sea birds, Nazca and blue-footed boobies flying by.

Enjoy lunch on board the yacht and then, you will have the chance to snorkel in the calm waters of Punta Carrión where a variety of tropical fish are often seen darting about and white-tipped reef sharks peacefully rest on the sandy bottom.

To cap off the day, return to Puerto Ayora in time to enjoy a meal and/or drinks out on the town or get some rest at the hotel after the day's activities.

Included:

• Activities: South Plazas Island guided hike; Punta Carrion snorkeling; Puerto Ayora free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Early this morning, hop on a speedboat to Isabela Island. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the main town of Puerto Villamil. A great adventure to Tintoreras Islet awaits you today. Tintoreras is a natural, rocky islet filled with wildlife and ideal for snorkeling. You may be able to catch a glimpse of white-tipped sharks (tintoreras as they're called in Spanish), sea lions, marine iguanas, schools of fishes, and birds. Arrive back at the hotel later in the afternoon/early evening and you'll have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Included:

• Transfers: Santa Cruz - Isabela by speedboat (approx. 2.5 hours)
• Activities: Tintoreras hiking & snorkeling; Puerto Villamil free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

In the morning, you will visit the Western part of Puerto Villamil where there is a wonderful compound of saltwater lagoons that house a large variety of coastal and shore birds. If you're lucky, you'll be able to view a large colony of pink flamingos as you hike along the beach. You'll return to Puerto Villamil with the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy this colorful town filled with friendly locals, great restaurants, and small pubs.

Included:

• Activities: Puerto Villamil guided hike & beach time; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today, you'll return to Santa Cruz by speedboat and you'll have nearly the entire day free to do as you wish. You can stroll around the town of Puerto Ayora, visit Charles Darwin Station, or even hang out at the gorgeous Tortuga Bay Beach. All are easily accessible from your hotel and are great ways to end your Galapagos journey.

Included:

• Transfers: Isabela - Santa Cruz by speedboat (approx. 2.5 hours)
• Activities: Puerto Ayora free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

After breakfast, you will transfer back to Baltra Island in time for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, you'll return to the city and your guide can give you recommendations for your last dinner in Ecuador along the way. You have the rest of the day to clean the sand out of your ears and pick up any last souvenirs to take with you back home.

Included:

• Transfers: Santa Cruz - Baltra Island by boat (approx. 1.5 hrs); Baltra - Quito by plane (approx. 2.5 hours)
• Activities: Quito free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Depending on your flight time, you will have free time on your own in Quito before heading back home.

Included:

• Activities: Free time; Departure (at your own expense)
• Meals: Breakfast

*Itinerary is subject to change.