12-Day Ecuador & Galapagos Islands: Andes, Amazon & Darwin’s Enchanted Isles

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1-2: Quito — Colonial Gem

Arrive Quito. Full day exploring the UNESCO colonial center, Middle of the World monument, and Panecillo viewpoint.

Day 3: Otavalo Market

South America’s largest indigenous market — textiles, handicrafts, traditional Andean culture. Visit Cuicocha crater lake.

Day 4: Papallacta & Amazon

Morning at Papallacta Hot Springs (Andean thermal pools). Descend to Amazon jungle lodge. Afternoon canoe ride.

Day 5: Amazon Rainforest

Full day jungle exploration: canoe trips, rainforest hikes, indigenous community visit, night wildlife walk.

Day 6: Banos Waterfalls

Return from Amazon. Explore Banos — the famous “End of the World” swing, Ruta de las Cascadas, Pailon del Diablo waterfall.

Day 7-9: Galapagos Islands

Fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands. Three unforgettable days: Day 7 — Santa Cruz Island, Charles Darwin Research Station, giant tortoises in the wild. Day 8 — full-day boat trip to uninhabited island (Bartolome or North Seymour) — snorkel with sea lions, penguins, reef sharks, and marine iguanas. Day 9 — Santa Cruz highlands, lava tubes, and Tortuga Bay beach.

Day 10: Fly to Guayaquil

Morning flight from Galapagos to Guayaquil. Afternoon at leisure on the Malecon 2000 waterfront promenade.

Day 11: Guayaquil City Tour

Explore Guayaquil: Las Penas colorful hillside neighborhood, Santa Ana Hill lighthouse, Iguana Park, and the revitalized Malecon 2000. Farewell dinner.

Day 12: Depart Guayaquil

Depart Ecuador after an extraordinary journey through three distinct worlds.

Inclusions

• 11 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast + Amazon meals
• All transfers and domestic flights (Quito-Galapagos-Guayaquil)
• Guides on mainland and Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park fee
• Snorkeling equipment

Why Visit the Galapagos

• Darwin’s living laboratory — wildlife found nowhere else on Earth
• Swim with sea lions, penguins, and marine iguanas in crystal-clear waters
• Giant tortoises that can live over 100 years, blue-footed boobies performing their mating dance

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses