A small-group trip that covers more than just the Galápagos. You’ll explore Quito, travel into Ecuador’s Cloud Forest, and then continue on to the Galápagos Islands. The Cloud Forest offers a completely different ecosystem, with cooler air, dense jungle, and rare wildlife, before shifting to the volcanic landscapes and iconic animals of the Galápagos. It’s a varied itinerary that combines cities, rainforest, and islands in one trip.

Cloud Forest: While many itineraries skip it, the Cloud Forest is a true highlight. Perched on the equator, this rare environment has a one-of-a-kind climate that supports remarkable plant and animal life found nowhere else. To fully experience it, we’ll soar through the mist itself—by cable car and zipline above the forest canopy.

Comfort & Flexibility: We’ve chosen a land-based Galápagos experience for comfort and flexibility. Without overnight sailing in rough seas, you’ll sleep well and feel refreshed for the next day. Evenings are yours to explore local towns, experience everyday island life, and enjoy unique specialties like Galápagos craft beer and locally grown coffee from tortoise farms.

No hidden costs: All domestic flights and national park fees are included. ($1000 USD value).  

Welcome to Ecuador! Quito is an eclectic mix of colonial and modern, sitting at almost 10,000 feet above sea level and under the gaze of Pichincha Volcano. Most of you will arrive at night, so we recommend getting a good night's rest for tomorrow's adventures.

*NOTE: Airport pick-up is not included. You can easily take a taxi at the airport, or pre-arrange an airport pick-up with a transfer company such as Welcome Pickups or one that you may find on travel sites such as TripAdvisor.  

Included:

• Activities: Arrival (at your own expense); Free time

• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

This morning, convene as a group for a half-day guided walking tour to discover Quito’s Old Town as you admire historical plazas and colonial architecture. You’ll also pay a visit to the glittering, golden La Compañía de Jesús Church. Afterward, get to know the others in the group over lunch. Upon your return to the hotel, there is a short meeting with your trip leader regarding important details about the rest of the trip.

The rest of the day is yours to do as you would like. You can see more of Quito, but we recommend visiting El Panecillo, a former volcano with its iconic winged statue and amazing views of the city.

Included:

• Activities: Quito Old Town walking tour; La Compañia de Jesús Church; Meeting with trip leader; Free time

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

After breakfast, travel to the "Middle of the World", home to a monument commemorating the discovery of the Equator. Next door, visit the Inti Ñan Museum, where you can take part in hands-on experiments that demonstrate you're standing at the exact spot where the Equator crosses. Don't believe us? Feel free to check your GPS!

Continue on to the magical Cloud Forest. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to settle into your boutique lodge, nestled among the treetops and drifting white clouds.

*NOTE: You will spend two nights at a Cloud Forest boutique lodge. The Internet may be limited or unavailable during your stay, so please be prepared to disconnect and enjoy the surroundings.

Included:

• Transfers: Quito - Equator (approximately 1 hour); Equator - Mindo (approximately 2 hours)

• Activities: Middle of the World Equator monument; Inti Ñan Museum; Cloud Forest free time 

• Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodation: Boutique lodge

This morning, take flight on an adrenaline-filled zipline adventure, soaring above misty treetops with jungle sounds all around. Then, indulge in a visit to a local chocolate factory, where you’ll learn how Ecuador’s delicious chocolate is made and have a chance to buy it fresh from the source. You’ll then have free time in Mindo to explore the town and grab lunch. Afterward, head back to the lodge to meet your nature expert for a scenic cable car ride through the canopy, followed by a guided hike to a nearby waterfall. Don’t forget your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the natural pools!

To wrap up the day, grab a bite to eat and some drinks on your own terms back at the lodge as the sound of the forest lulls you to sleep.

Included:

• Activities: Ziplining; Chocolate factory; Cable car & waterfall hike (easy/moderate difficulty); Free time

• Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodation: Cloud Forest lodge

Early risers can opt for a 1.5-hour bird-watching hike. Bring your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for endemic hummingbirds darting through the forest. As you bid farewell to the Cloud Forest, stop by a butterfly farm, where hundreds of colorful butterflies flutter around you and you’ll learn about each species’ role in their unique ecosystem. You’ll then have time in Mindo to explore or grab lunch before returning to Quito for the night ahead of your journey to the Galápagos Islands tomorrow!

NOTE: We’ve selected an airport hotel in Quito for the early departure on Day 5, so you won’t need to wake up as early for your Galápagos flight.

Included:

• Transfers: Mindo - Quito airport hotel (approximately 2.5 hours)

• Activities: Morning bird-watching hike (optional, but included); Butterfly farm; Free time

• Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodation: Quito airport hotel

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galápagos Islands. After landing, continue by boat to Santa Cruz, the most populous island of the archipelago. Visit the Santa Cruz Highlands with your naturalist guide to explore the lava tunnels formed by volcanic eruptions and observe giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. The day ends in Puerto Ayora, the island’s main town, where you can relax or hit the town to mingle with locals.

Included:

• Transfers: Quito - Baltra Island by plane (approximately 2.5 hours); Baltra Island- Santa Cruz Island by boat and minibus (approximately 1.5 hours)

• Activities: Lava tunnels; Giant tortoise breeding 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 evening 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!

*NOTE: If there is rain, wind, or any other weather conditions that nature decides to throw at us, all activities and excursions will continue as planned unless the weather is deemed unsafe by the boat crew and the Galapagos government.

Included:

• Activities: Santa Fe guided visit and snorkeling; Puerto Ayora free time

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Located a few hundred meters away from the eastern coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza Island was formed from an uplifted seabed, lending to its tilted appearance. Once on South Plaza, a colony of sea lions will greet you and farther up the shore, a carpet of scarlet succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly pear cacti. You may see yellow-gray land iguanas sitting beneath, waiting for pears to drop. The trail will take you gradually toward the southern cliff of the island where you can try to spot nesting swallow-tailed gulls and several sea birds such as Nazca and blue-footed boobies flying by.

After lunch, you can swim or snorkel in the waters of Punta Carrión to observe a variety of tropical fish and possibly whitetip reef sharks that 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 Plaza Island visit; Punta Carrion swimming/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 before setting out for an adventure to Tintoreras. This rocky islet is rich in wildlife and ideal for snorkeling, with the chance to spot white-tipped reef sharks (known locally as tintoreras), sea lions, marine iguanas, schools of fish, and birds. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon or early evening, with the rest of the day at your leisure.

*NOTE: The boat ride between Santa Cruz and Isabela can be choppy at times. If you’re prone to motion sickness, we highly recommend bringing medication or patches to stay comfortable.

Included:

• Transfers: Santa Cruz Island - Isabela Island by speedboat (approximately 2.5 hours)

• Activities: Tintoreras hiking & snorkeling; Puerto Villamil free time

• Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

In the morning, head to one of Isabela’s best spots for birdlife to explore a series of saltwater lagoons tucked just beyond the beach. As you walk along the beach, keep an eye out for coastal and shore birds all around you, and don’t be surprised to see groups of pink flamingos hanging out in the lagoons, completely unfazed by your presence. Return to Puerto Villamil to finish the day with free time to explore this sleepy little town.

Included:

• Activities: Puerto Villamil guided hike & beach/snorkeling time; Free time

• Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today, you return to Santa Cruz by speedboat and have nearly the entire day free to do as you please. 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 adventure.

Included:

• Transfers: Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island by speedboat (approximately 2.5 hours)

• Activities: Puerto Ayora free time

• Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today, return to Baltra Island by boat for your flight back to Quito. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner to toast the journey you’ve shared with your new friends before heading home.

*NOTE: Because of the late arrival, you’ll stay at an airport hotel in Quito tonight, just minutes from the airport for an easy departure home tomorrow. 

Included:

• Transfers: Santa Cruz Island - Baltra Island by boat (approximately 1.5 hours); Baltra - Quito by plane (approximately 2.5 hours)

• Activities: Free time; Farewell dinner

• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Accommodation: Quito airport hotel

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

Included:

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

• Meals: Breakfast

*Itinerary is subject to change.