AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel).
Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Itinerary B+C-karanki
Day 1 -Welcome to Quito AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel). Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in. Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room Day 2 – Quito Old Town Tour […]
Day 1 -Welcome to Quito
Day 2 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World
AM: Colonial Quito.
Stroll through the busy streets and squares of the most significant historic center of the Americas: a multi-ethnic, artistic, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PM: The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 3 - Quito – Otavalo – Magdalena
AM: Colonial Quito.
Stroll through the busy streets and squares of the most significant historic center of the Americas: a multi-ethnic, artistic, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PM: The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 4 -Magdalena – Ibarra – Quito
Quito – Otavalo – Magdalena:
AM:
Driving north from Quito, we pass through various ecosystems and agricultural zones, even crossing the equator. Along the way, we taste local flavors and enjoy scenic views of volcanoes, including “El Taita” Imbabura.
At the Otavalo market, visitors can engage with locals, negotiating for woven goods, bags, hats, flutes, and other crafts.
We visit villages like Peguche, known for traditional looms and Andean instruments, and Cotacachi, famous for its leather work. Next, we explore Cuicocha Lagoon in Cotacachi Cayapas National Park. Enjoy free time for lunch with recommendations from your guide.
PM:
Our journey continues to the Karanki-Magdalena Community, at 3,100 meters above sea level. The landscape resembles a colorful patchwork, and locals are known for their exquisite embroidery, which is available for purchasing directly from artisans.
Experience their daily life, unhurried by modern distractions. Overnight in a comfortable room with private facilities and hot water. Enjoy authentic, Andean home cooking and optional activities like horseback riding and hiking.
Meals Included: Dinner at Magdalena Home Stay
Accommodation: Magdalena Home Stay
Service and Entrance Fees Include a bilingual guide (English—Spanish), a Tour transfer, Cotacachi Lagoon, and an Andean Instruments Workshop.
Day 5 - Welcome to Galapagos & Mosquera Islet
✈ Departure from either Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island is a 2 1⁄2 hour flight. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are greeted at the airport by our knowledgeable guides who will accompany them on a short ten-minute bus ride to the pier where they will board the Galapagos Legend. PM: Mosquera Islet This tiny, low-lying islet, converted into coral sand, is set between the north and south Seymour Islands. It’s home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand, it’s an excellent spot to observe shorebirds, herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here, one can often see sharks, rays, and barracudas. |
Day 6 - Santiago Island & Rabida Island
 | AM: Egas Port (Santiago Island). The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It’s best known for the dramatic shoreline, where we meet a host of species that choose to live between land and sea. Among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals, which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk. PM: Rabida Island Lying at the archipelago’s heart, this dramatic island with a distinctive red-sand beach is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves, and vermilion flycatchers. A walk takes us through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. |
Day 7 - Isabela Island
| AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) At the far end of a long level hike, we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, we hope to run into a few impressive land iguanas and some volcanoes endemic to Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season. PM: Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) a historic pirate hideout and anchorage. Visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. Hike past Darwin Lake and stunning volcanic landscape, revealing Isabela island’s dramatic northern volcanoes. Snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, fish, penguins, and flightless cormorants. Enjoy a panga ride or kayak for added excitement! |
Day 8 - Fernandina Island & Isabela Island
| AM: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island) Pristine Fernandina, the marine iguana capital. Its desolate volcanic backdrop hosts a massive concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Surprisingly, Galapagos penguins share the same shoreline. Snorkeling offers an exciting opportunity to witness marine iguanas feeding underwater, alongside penguins, turtles, and unique flightless cormorants. PM: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) Spectacular site, surrounded by immense cliffs of an eroded volcano. Studded with resting seabirds like brown noddies and Nazca boobies. Superb snorkeling with unique fish species. Swim with penguins and green turtles. |
Day 9 - Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island
| AM: Highlands turtle Reserve – In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600 lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highlands species, especially several species of the famed finches. Charles Darwin Research Station – We visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes places as part of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. PM: North Seymour Island This flat, uplifting, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigate bird males courting the females and, we will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies too. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit. |
Day 10 - Bartolome Island & Santiago Island
| AM: Bartolome Island Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island, Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white- tipped reef sharks, and playful sea lions. PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) Visitors are always enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer’s dream. As we hike over the lava, we will discuss the importance of pioneering plants such as the tiny Mollugo. |
Day 11 - San Cristobal Island
| AM: Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island) This is the only place on the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-footed will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca ́s on the ground near the cliff edge, and the blue-footed will be further inland. Frigate birds will be all around and the views are breathtaking. PM: Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) From our dinghy ride, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of the Sorcerer’s Hill. You can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore, or walking to a hidden lagoon where you might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails. |
Day 12 - San Cristobal Island
| AM: Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island) In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs. ✈San Cristobal Airport After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Quito. |
Day 13 - Back to Quito
AM: Transfer to Quito airport.
Transfer to Quito airport, or guests can also extend their stay in Ecuador with other land tours we offer.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star Go Quito Hotel / Premium Room
