The city of Quito is perched at an altitude of 2,800 meters, making it the second-highest capital in the world. Known for its colonial architecture, the natural surroundings of the capital are equally impressive: bordered by the eastern and western chains of the Andes Mountains, the current city was founded on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano in 1534.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Quito's historic center, the largest and best-preserved in Latin America, there's nothing like exploring it on foot! During your walk, you will admire the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including the lively Independence Square with its imposing Metropolitan Cathedral, the impressive Church of La Compañía de Jesús, and the square where the Church and Convent of San Francisco are located.

After a delicious breakfast, you will head towards the Mitad del Mundo, on the equatorial line, and can verify the truth of the various properties attributed to the equator. Try to balance an egg on a nail and have your photo taken with one foot in each hemisphere.

Accommodation : IKALA  

Meals : Breakfast | Lunch

You will travel along the "Avenida de los Volcanes" to reach Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Within the national park, there are four peaks over 4,000 meters in altitude, including the most famous, Cotopaxi volcano, the "Neck of the Moon" (5,897 meters), with its snow-covered symmetrical cone. In its more than 32,000 hectares, wild horses, llamas, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and the majestic condor coexist.

First, you will visit the interpretation center to learn more about the park and its volcano. Then, you will stop for a walk around Lake Limpiopungo at the foot of Rumiñahui volcano. This area is home to several bird species, including the chatty Andean gull and the playful caracara.

Accommodation : IKALA  

Meals : Breakfast | Lunch

In the morning, a transfer will take you to Quito Airport for your flight to the Galapagos.

The Galapagos Archipelago offers a wide range of experiences to make the most of this unforgettable region. The varied landscapes include paradisiacal beaches, green mountains, and impressive volcanic scenery. The islands' wildlife is incredibly diverse, both on land, in the ocean, and in the air: you will have close encounters with tortoises, iguanas, sea lions, rays, sharks, penguins, and both blue-footed and red-footed boobies !

At the airport, before you can check in for your flight, you need to register at the "Consejo de Gobierno de Galápagos" office to obtain your "Transit Control Card," which you must keep with your passport until your return from the islands. The cost of this document is USD 20 per person. 

Then, you should have your luggage inspected in the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency (ABG) room to prevent the accidental introduction of invasive species that threaten the islands' biodiversity. This same inspection will be repeated at the docks before any inter-island transport within the archipelago. Before landing, the aircraft cabin will be fumigated with a WHO-approved product to eliminate any organisms that may have evaded previous inspections. Upon arrival in the archipelago, you must pay the national park entrance fee of USD 200 per person.

San Cristobal is the capital of the province and one of the five populated islands in the archipelago, ranking second in human population after Santa Cruz. It is also one of the oldest geological formations in the archipelago. It features eroded volcanic peaks in the northern part of the island, sparsely vegetated, and lush vegetation towards the south. The island's relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals will surely make you want to stay longer. San Cristobal is home to several endemic species such as frigatebirds, sea lions, giant tortoises, blue-footed and red-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and much more. It also boasts beautiful shell and white coral beaches, and in its blue waters, you can discover a large part of the wonderful species that inhabit the archipelago.

In the afternoon, you will first visit the Interpretation Center where your guide will tell you about the history of the Galapagos archipelago: its geological origins, the evolution of the islands and their species, and the arrival of humans and its consequences.

From there, you will take a walk to Cerro Tijeretas, literally the "Frigatebird Hill," named for the birds that nest there. Some paths lead to breathtaking views from the heights of the site, while others descend to the bay, where you can snorkel surrounded by sea lions, marine turtles, and many tropical fish. You will then head to Punta Carola beach, accessible via a trail, which is the perfect place to see sea lions and marine iguanas.

Accommodation : GOLDEN BAY
Meals : Breakfast | Lunch

The 360° tour of San Cristobal Island is one of the newest circuits in the Galapagos Islands. The idea is to circumnavigate the entire island of San Cristobal, visiting places such as Bahía Rosa Blanca, Bahía Sardina, Punta Pitt, Cerro Brujo, and the famous Kicker Rock.

The tour starts from Tiburón Martillo Pier and ends at Kicker Rock, where you can snorkel and observe marine turtles, Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, rays, and various fish species. Next, you will visit Cerro Brujo, where you will enjoy a beautiful sandy beach and take a short break to relax at Bahía Sardina beach.

Then, you will visit Punta Pitt to observe birds from the boat. It is the only place in the world where you can observe the three species of boobies and the two species of frigatebirds nesting in the same location.

To conclude the tour, you will visit the paradisiacal beach of Bahía Rosa Blanca, where you can go snorkeling.

Accommodation : GOLDEN BAY  

Meals : Breakfast | Lunch-Box

This morning, a transfer will take you from your hotel to the pier to catch a water taxi to Santa Cruz Island.

You can head to the stunning white sandy beach of Tortuga Bay, named after the sea turtles that nest in the area. To get there, you'll take a well-maintained trail through the vegetation for about 2.5 km until you reach Playa Brava. After observing the many marine iguanas and birds, you can continue a little further to reach Playa Mansa, a beautiful, calm, and shallow lagoon surrounded by mangroves.

Accommodation : NINFA  

Meals : Breakfast | Lunch

Located southeast of Santa Cruz, you will reach a magnificent bay with crystal-clear waters surrounded by cacti and mangroves on Santa Fe Island. From the boat, you will observe a white sandy beach populated by sea lions, and in the distance, a small forest of giant cacti unique to Santa Fe. This island is renowned for its diversity of seabirds such as pelicans, seagulls, and blue-footed boobies, and you may also observe Tintoreras sharks resting on the shore.

After lunch, you will reach Playa Escondida, a white sandy beach in the middle of a very calm bay, where you will disembark to relax and enjoy the sun and the sea.

Accommodation : NINFA  

Meals : Breakfast | Lunch-Box

A transfer will take you from your hotel to Santa Cruz Airport for your flight to the mainland. Upon arrival, you will wait for your international return flight.

Meal : Breakfast