Avenue of the Volcanoes + Galapagos
10 days/9 nights

Day 1 - Quito / Overnight in Quito

Transfer in Quito – Hotel accommodation.

Day 2 - Cotopaxi Nacional Park / Overnight in Riobamba

Drive along "The Volcanoes Avenues" towards the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi (5,897 meters). Drive on a third order road through a Pine forest to Limpiopungo Lake located 3,800 meters above sea level along the slopes of the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano (If desired it is also possible to drive towards the parking lot in order to hike towards the Rivas Refuge). Lunch in a nice Colonial Hacienda.

In the afternoon drive to Riobamba for a visit and overnight accommodations.

Day 3 - Chimborazo / Overnight in Cuenca

After breakfast drive to Chimborazo Reserve, you will enjoy a nice trip passing through rural areas. Chimborazo Reserve boasts Lamas and Vicunas. Drive up to 4,800 meters above sea level and hike up to the Refuge at 5,000 meters or just take your time by to enjoy the impressive landscape at this altitude. (If available it is also possible to enjoy a train ride to "The Devil's Nose" - Wednesday/Friday/Sunday). Later on drive to Ingapirca Ruins, an Inca Complex built over the ruins of a Canari settlement, an important native culture of southern Ecuador, so it is also possible to find ruins of this culture.

In the afternoon continue to Cuenca for overnight accommodations.

Day 4 - Cuenca / Overnight in Guayaquil

After breakfast enjoy a tour to this magnificent city declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage of Mankind. Visit the downtown, where during a short walk, we will visit the Old and the New Cathedrals, the flowers market, where you can appreciate the different kind of flowers that grow on this region, the Rotary market where you can find many different handycrafts.

Afterwards, visit a factory of the famous Panama hat. We will finish this city tour by enjoying the beautiful landscape that offers Tomebamba River, the one that divides modern city and old city. Lunch in a nice restaurant.

After lunch drive to Guayaquil through the spectacular Cajas roads. After four hours of driving you will be delighted with the change of altitude and landscape. The road reaches 4,000 meters of altitude and is surrounded by a beautiful Paramo landscape of lakes. This adventure ends at sea level, where the agriculture of the coast plays an important role in the landscape.

Arrive in Guayaquil for overnight accommodations.

Day 5 - Galapagos Islands

Transfer out. Flight from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you for your transfer to the ship. A brief welcoming and lunch will take place before the first visit. An afternoon visit to Las Bachas, a white sandy beach, to see the nesting area of sea turtles. Watch for pink flamingos and migratory birds.

Dinner and overnight accommodations onboard the ship.

Day 6 - Galapagos Islands

In the morning and after a delicious breakfast, visit Plazas Island, where we hope to see sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls and other birds. Return to the boat to have lunch. Afternoon visit to Santa Fe Island, a small 25km island, the home of land iguanas.

Return back to the boat for dinner. Overnight accommodations onboard the ship.

Day 7 - Galapagos Islands

This day, you will spend visiting, Suarez Point, one of the most beautiful Islands of the Archipelago. Suarez Point is home to many colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Lunch and afternoon leisure onboard ship. Then we'll disembark in Gardner Bay to swim, snorkel and observe flycatchers. With any luck we might even spot the Galapagos Hawks.

Return back to the boat for dinner. Overnight accommodations onboard the ship.

Day 8 - Galapagos Islands

A full day on the amazingly historic island of Floreana. In the morning visit Cormorant Point and wind your way down a path revealing the flamingos lagoon. Pass by Carolina Beach, a sea turtle nesting area, and a superb spot for watching sea birds and sea rays. After lunch onboard ship, sail towards Post Office Bay; this is the first post office in the islands (a wooden barrel), established in 1973.

Return back to the boat for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Day 9 - Guayaquil or Quito / Overnight

In the morning arrive to Santa Cruz Island. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Then transfer to Baltra for your flight to Guayaquil or Quito. Transfer in.

Day 10 - End of Trip

Transfer out to for international flight home.