Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Transfer in Quito
You will be met at the Quito Airport and transferred to your the luxurious Swisshotel. For the rest of the day you are encouraged to relax while you body acclimates to the altitude of the city - approximately 10,000 feet above sea level.

Day 2: Equatorial Line Visit, Imbabura and Otavalo Indian Market
We begin the day with a drive north from Quito to our first bike ride through the ciclo-way. Ride on a beautiful wide trail that had been used as a train line. We will pass over el Chiche river with stunning views of the gorge and surrounding dry forest. After the bike ride we will head towards the equatorial line monument, visit this iconic site and straddle both hemispheres, continue towards the province of Imbabura well known for its numerous lakes and beautiful landscape. Lunch will be served at Hacienda La Merced Baja in Zuleta Valley. After lunch enjoy a scenic bike ride through farmland and picturesque small towns to the town of Otavalo. We will visit the famous markets of Otavalo, where the indigenous residents are prospering due to their skill in weaving a tremendous variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. At the end of the day, we will transfer to the historical and traditional Hacienda Pinsaqui to relax and enjoy an intimate dinner in the splendor of the mountain surroundings.

Highlights: Equatorial Line Visit, Imbabura, Otavalo,
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3: Cuicocha Lake Hike, Cotacachi
After breakfast, we will set out to hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake which, at 3,070 meters, is a nature reserve located on the slopes of the larger Cotacachi Volcano. The lake is surrounded by the volcanic rim and its name translates as Lake of the Guinea Pigs due to the shape of its two center islets. This ecosystem is a combination of Paramo and Andean forest where you can find unique local flora such as pumamaqui, quishuar, chilca, bromarea, fushia, lupins, calcelaria, and other colorful Andean flowers. After hiking we will hop on our bikes and ride to lunch in the town of Cotacachi. After lunch, explore the local leather shops in Cotacachi. At the end of the day, we will transfer back to Quito for the evening.

Highlights: Cuicocha Crater Lake, Cotacachi Volcano
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 4: Hike Frigate Hill and Snorkel in Darwin Bay – San Cristobal
We board a morning flight to Baltra to transfer to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos. Upon arrival we’ll have a welcome lunch and briefing before the adventure begins. Our first excursion is a hike out of town to visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center for a general understanding about island formation, volcanoes, evolution and natural history. After the visit, we’ll continue on to explore a unique dry forest where we will be able to identify cacti, acacia, palo santo, galapagos cotton and more. Our route leads us towards Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock featuring splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is a good time to enjoy your first encounters with local wildlife, since the hill is often visited by such Galapagos luminaries as the magnificent frigate birds, blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, gulls, herons as well as land birds including Darwin finches, warblers and mockingbirds. On our way back, join the sea creatures for a refreshing swim at Carola Beach. This evening we’ll enjoy a gourmet waterfront dinner before retiring to the whitewashed splendor of Casa
Opuntia.

Highlights: San Cristobal Island, Frigate Hill, Puerto Baqueirzo Moreno, Carola Beach
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5: Kayak and Snorkel - San Cristobal
Today, enjoy a full day of water activities! We will begin by slipping into our ocean kayaks and paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves full of local wildlife – including Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. The route is home to colonies of sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Upon reaching Playa Ochoa, we’ll continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and sea lions. This is a fantastic snorkelling site where we are nearly guaranteed to enjoy one of the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. Finally, we’ll arrive at Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are home to thousands of sea birds. Here we’ll enjoy the excellent snorkeling and for certified divers, this is also one of the best dives in the islands (optional). There is a good chance of seeing Galapagos sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish, and marine invertebrates. After this extensive introduction to the island’s natives, we will return to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal.

Highlights: Darwin Bay, Playa Ochoa, Isla Lobos, Leon Dormido
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6: MTB Coastline Exploration & Tintoreras - Isabela
Following a peaceful island breakfast, we will take a short flight from San Cristobal to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest Island in the archipelago, formed by 6 shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. All of these volcanoes except one remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Upon arrival we will set off on our mountain bikes to explore the beautiful coastline with its stunning scenery and wildlife treasures. We begin with a visit to El Muro de las Lágrimas, or Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back to the era between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela Island was used as a penal colony. The wall was built with lava blocks and had no other purpose than keeping prisoners busy from the madness of isolation. We’ll continue riding along the coast as we explore the expansive white sand beaches, mangroves and brackish lagoons. This area is filled with birdlife such as American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and other shore birds, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. In the afternoon we’ll take a boat ride to the Tintoreras, a set of small Islets within Isabela bay. The Islets are filled with wildlife and are home to the Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin that lives in the equatorial region. We will also see sharks, marine turtles, sea lions and much more wildlife as we explore its many small coves and beaches. In the evening we’ll retreat to the warm environs of our hotel at Iguana Crossing.

Highlights: Isabela Island, El Muro de las Lágrimas, Tintoreras
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7: Volcano Discovery Hike in the Isabela Highlands - Isabela
From Puerto Villamil, we’ll drive to the highlands up to where the road ends. Here we’ll prepare our day packs and walk into a world of recent geological history. Walking on dirt trails, we’ll arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano which last erupted in October 2005. The rim encloses a huge 6x5 mile-wide (9x8 kilometer) lava-filled crater and offers views to the other Isabela volcanoes, the Perry Isthmus and beyond. If you are feeling adventurous, we will continue our hike up to Volcano Chico. This volcano is a great example of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands. Volcano Chico boasts puffing fumaroles and extraordinary lava formations. After hiking take a downhill ride to lunch from the National Park Control at Sierra Negra to Campo Duro, riding alongside agricultural fields, coffee plantations, papaya and orange trees. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Puerto Villamil to relax at our beachfront hotel.

Highlights: Puerto Villamil, Sierra Negra Volcano, Campo Duro
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8: Tortuga Island boat visit - Isabela
After breakfast, we’ll take a scenic boat ride out to the small horseshoe shaped Tortuga Island. We’ll explore Tortuga’s brackish lagoons, snorkel in Loberia Grande, and visit the sea bird sanctuary. In the afternoon we’ll return to Isabela for an optional hike or spend your afternoon relaxing on the white sandy beaches.

Highlights: Tortuga Island, Loberia Grande
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9: Hike with the Giant Tortoise at El Chato & Divine Bay Kayaking - Santa Cruz
In the morning we embark on a fast boat from Isabela to the Santa Cruz Islands. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the El Chato reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island which is the natural habitat of the incredible Galapagos tortoise. During a hike through this reserve we’ll learn about these lumbering giants. We’ll also come across highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. After lunch we’ll put in our kayaks and paddle around Divine Bay, through calm turquoise waters that wind through high-walled lava channels. Within the channels, white-tipped sharks and rays cruise around beneath the clear water, while colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons, crabs and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. This evening we will dine at one of Puerto Ayora’s fantastic restaurants before settling down to a peaceful evening at the Angermeyer Waterfront Hotel.

Highlights: Santa Cruz Islands, El Chato, Divine Bay, Puerto Ayora
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10: Charles Darwin Research Station- Santa Cruz
After breakfast, we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. This is also our opportunity to meet Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of his species. Then it’s time to say goodbye to the Galapagos and transfer out to Baltra to take flight back to Quito.

Highlights: Charles Darwin Research Station
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Transfer out Quito from hotel to airport
Relax and enjoy your last Ecuadorian breakfast, pop into the old town or head off to the airport to continue your journey or head home. The day is yours to enjoy.

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