DAY 1
Arrive in Quito
DAY 2
We head immediately north of Quito to the highlands and the emerald Laguna Cuicocha (10,638'). Winding up to the lake, we drive through incredible Andean cloud forest scenery glimpsing views of nearby snowcapped mountains. We dedicate the afternoon to hiking and exploring this fascinating crater lake region. The flowers are superb and so is the birding. You may see such Andean birds as caracaras, buzzard eagles, humming birds, ducks, hawks and the occasional condor. This evening we retire to a lovely historic hacienda. Originally built in the 1700s and 1800s, haciendas today are modernized but maintain their warm character and authenticity.
DAY 3
Today we explore one of the most famous Ecuadorian Indian markets in Otavalo. Then it's off to the Papallacta Hot Springs resort which involves crossing a 13,000' pass that offers stupendous Andean scenery. Relax in the thermal baths (some of the best in all of Ecuador) before dining on delicious local cuisine.
DAY 4
We continue with a hike in a very scenic reserve, part of the larger United Nations Biosphere Reserve. The environment here is endemic highland paramo (moorlands) with patches of cloud forest. We return to the hot springs resort for lunch and our last opportunity to soak in the therapeutic sulfate and alkaline rich waters of the spa. In the late afternoon we return to Quito where we have an optional city tour through Latin America's largest colonial center.
DAY 5
It's off to the Galapagos Islands this morning!
DAY 6
Today is all about being on the water! After breakfast we slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, past Playa Carola, and on to 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. Once we reach Playa Ochoa, we 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
DAY 7
After an early breakfast, we take a flight from San Cristobal to Isabela Island, the largest Island in the archipelago. Isabela was formed by six volcanoes — Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. Five of these volcanoes remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.After lunch, we head to Las Tintoreras, a set of small islets within Isabela bay, to walk through the otherworldly landscape of lava rocks. The islets are filled with wildlife — marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, whitetip reef sharks, marine turtles, penguins, and much more. The rest of the afternoon is to enjoy the lovely white sand beaches in the port town of Puerto Villamil.
DAY 8
Today it's off to the highlands! We hike over rugged terrain to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the 2nd largest intact caldera in the world after the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. From this vantage point, you have fantastic views of the six by five mile wide lava-filled caldera as well as the other volcanoes beyond and the surrounding coastline. We can continue on foot to Chico Volcano. With its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations, it offers an out-of-this-world environment and good examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil.
DAY 9
After breakfast, we prepare our gear for a mountain bike ride to El Muro de las Lágrimas Wall of Tears. We ride along the coast with spectacular views as we pedal through mangroves and salty lagoons that are home to the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, and many other shore birds. We reach the Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. The wall was built by prisoners using huge blocks of lava for no other reason than to keep the prisoners busy from the madness of isolation. On our way back we ride by and explore Isabela's gorgeous white sand beaches. In the afternoon, we can take the opportunity to walk through mangrove forest to Concha y Perla bay, whose clear waters are perfect for snorkeling.
DAY 10
After an early breakfast, we transfer (flight or fast boat depending on oceanic conditions) from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. Once there we head to El Chato Reserve in the upper part of Santa Cruz Island – the natural habitat of the Santa Cruz tortoise, the largest in the Galápagos. The most recognized symbol of the Galapagos, the tortoise weights over 500 lbs and may have a shell measuring almost five feet! While we seek out these lumbering giants, we'll also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. We enjoy lunch at a traditional highland hacienda, where we also explore lava caves featuring incredible volcanic tunnel formations, and on a clear day we can see Media Luna, an old collapsed crater on top of Santa Cruz Island. After lunch, we slip into our kayak and paddle around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, traveling through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. Within the channels, white tipped sharks and rays patrol beneath the waves, while colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the evening, we are free to explore the nightlife in Puerto Ayora, the Galapagos' most populous town.
DAY 11
After one last breakfast on sleepy Isabela Island, we travel to Baltra Island by plane or fast boat depending on weather conditions. Once on Baltra Island, we bid farewell to the Galapagos and board our flight back to Quito.
DAY 12
Final day in Quito.
