A World Untouched: Ecuador to the Galapagos Archipelago
13 DAYS IN ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS
Pricing starting at $7,800/person
Ecuador is a country where contrasts define the experience. In the capital city of Quito, history is written into every church façade and cobblestoned street. The surrounding Andes bring breathtaking vistas of snowcapped volcanoes, fertile valleys, and highland markets alive with color. Beyond the mainland, the Galápagos Islands offer one of the most unique ecosystems on earth. Here, travelers encounter wildlife found nowhere else, from blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas to giant tortoises and playful sea lions. This journey brings together the culture and flavors of Ecuador with the natural wonders of the Galápagos, offering a rare opportunity to experience two worlds that feel impossibly different yet deeply connected.
Top 6 Highlights of Ecuador and Galápagos Itinerary
Colonial Quito & Chocolate Tasting – Wander through Quito’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, where Baroque churches and lively plazas tell stories of the past. End with an indulgent tasting of Ecuador’s world-renowned cocoa, considered among the finest on earth.
Middle of the World Experience – Stand at the equator with one foot in each hemisphere, then explore the Intiñan Museum for hands-on demonstrations of how geography and physics converge at 0° latitude.
Cotopaxi Volcano & Limpiopungo Lagoon – Explore Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes. A walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon reveals sweeping Andean landscapes and the chance to spot native birds.
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake – Shop South America’s most famous indigenous market, where textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts are created by generations of artisans. Then hike around Cuicocha Lake, a sapphire-blue crater framed by mountains.
Papallacta Hot Springs – Relax in steaming volcanic waters surrounded by the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. Thermal pools and spa treatments create a day of wellness in a serene highland setting.
Galápagos Wildlife Encounters – Spend a week aboard Yacht Bonita exploring the islands by day and returning to comfort each evening. Highlights include swimming with sea lions, spotting giant tortoises, observing flightless cormorants, and snorkeling among penguins and reef sharks.
13-Day Ecuador and Galápagos Itinerary
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Arrive in Ecuador’s capital, Quito. Spend the evening at leisure or enjoy a local restaurant arranged by your concierge.
Day Highlights:
Evening at leisure in Quito
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Explore Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with visits to La Compañia, San Francisco, and the Basilica. Enjoy a private Ecuadorian chocolate tasting before lunch in a crater-side restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Middle of the World monument and the Intiñan Museum for interactive equator experiences.
Day Highlights:
Guided tour of Quito’s Old Town
Private chocolate tasting
Middle of the World monument and Intiñan Museum
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Travel along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park. See the snowcapped Cotopaxi Volcano and walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon. Learn about the park’s geology and history at the visitor center before enjoying lunch at a traditional hacienda.
Day Highlights:
Scenic drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes
Walk at Limpiopungo Lagoon
Lunch at a traditional hacienda
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Spend the day at the thermal waters of Papallacta, set in the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. Relax in private pools or opt for spa treatments with volcanic water therapies.
Day Highlights:
Scenic drive to Papallacta Hot Springs
Relax in thermal pools surrounded by nature
Optional spa treatments available
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Discover the famous Otavalo Market, where indigenous artisans sell colorful textiles, leather goods, and jewelry. Stop in Cotacachi for its leather workshops before visiting Cuicocha Lake, a volcanic crater lagoon with stunning Andean views.
Day Highlights:
Explore South America’s largest indigenous market
Visit Cotacachi leather workshops
Hike around Cuicocha Lake
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Fly from Quito to the Galápagos Islands and board Yacht Bonita. In the afternoon, visit Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island to see land iguanas, flamingos, and finches. Snorkel in shallow waters with reef fish and rays.
Day Highlights:
Domestic flight to the Galápagos
Board Yacht Bonita
Hike Dragon Hill, home to land iguanas and flamingos
Snorkeling opportunity in sheltered waters
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Discover pirate history at Buccaneer Cove and snorkel in waters alive with reef sharks and sea lions. Walk Espumilla Beach, a rust-colored stretch home to hawks and finches. At Egas Port, see fur seals, marine iguanas, and tide pools full of life.
Day Highlights:
Dinghy ride at Buccaneer Cove
Snorkel with reef sharks, sea lions, and turtles
Wildlife walk at Espumilla Beach and Egas Port
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At Vicente Roca Point, take a dinghy ride past volcanic cliffs and spot penguins, cormorants, and sea turtles. In the afternoon, explore Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, famous for its colonies of marine iguanas, cormorants, and sea lions.
Day Highlights:
Dinghy ride along Vicente Roca cliffs
Snorkeling with penguins, rays, and turtles
Espinoza Point hike with marine iguanas and cormorants
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Walk the uplifted coastline of Urbina Bay, where land iguanas and giant tortoises roam. In the afternoon, explore Tagus Cove, visited by Charles Darwin, and snorkel in waters frequented by penguins and cormorants.
Day Highlights:
Wildlife walk at Urbina Bay
Snorkel with turtles and penguins
Hike Tagus Cove for views of Darwin’s Lake
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Take a dinghy ride through the mangroves of Elizabeth Bay, one of the best places to spot penguins and rays. At Moreno Point, walk across lava fields to brackish lagoons filled with flamingos, ducks, and herons.
Day Highlights:
Mangrove exploration at Elizabeth Bay
Spot penguins, rays, and sea turtles
Moreno Point lava field hike with flamingos and shorebirds
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Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation efforts and see giant tortoises. Continue into the highlands of Santa Cruz to spot tortoises in the wild and explore volcanic lava tunnels.
Day Highlights:
Visit Charles Darwin Station conservation projects
Walk among wild giant tortoises in the highlands
Explore volcanic lava tunnels
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Stop at the Twin Craters of Santa Cruz Island before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. Evening connection to Guayaquil or Quito.
Day Highlights:
Visit the Twin Craters of Santa Cruz
Flight from Galápagos to mainland Ecuador
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Depart Ecuador for your international flight home, carrying memories of Andean markets and Galápagos wildlife.
