Ecuador · Wildlife

4 World of Ecuador " Coast Andean - Amazon - Galapagos"

25 Days Round trip from Quito Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Ecuador’s four regions in one 25-day itinerary
  • 02 Discover Quito’s historic center and the Middle of the World
  • 03 Experience Amazon lodge stays and jungle excursions in Tena
  • 04 Visit Quilotoa, with optional Mindo, Papallacta, Otavalo, or Cotopaxi touring
  • 05 Travel through Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal in the Galapagos
  • 06 Snorkel among marine wildlife and explore lava formations and island bays
  • 07 Enjoy Guayaquil city touring plus mangroves, dolphins, and coastal beaches

Discover Ecuador through four distinct regions on this 25-day journey that combines the Andes, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and the Pacific coast. From Quito’s historic center and Andean landscapes to jungle excursions in Tena, this itinerary brings together culture, nature, wildlife, and adventure in one extended experience.

Continue to the Galapagos to explore Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal, with opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, island crossings, and wildlife encounters. The trip finishes on the coast around Guayaquil, with city sightseeing, mangroves, birdlife, dolphins, beaches, and marine reserve visits.

With accommodation, transfers, and daily touring included throughout the program, this is a comprehensive way to experience many of Ecuador’s most iconic destinations in a single trip.

Discover Ecuador through four distinct regions on this 25-day journey that combines the Andes, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and the Pacific coast.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 25 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Guayaquil, Quito, Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Lake, Tena, Mindo, Otavalo, San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Transfer In + Quito City Tour

Transfer In: The driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign of your name to go to your hotel

Quito City Tour: The guide will pick up you in the lobby of the hotel ( Hotel pick up inside the Urban perimeter of Quito)

We start the tour depend of your flight information, to head towards the Historic Center of the First Cultural Heritage City of Humanity. We continue along the Av. Gran Colombia through the church of the National Vow Basilica towards the Plaza de la Independencia through the colonial streets, we visit the Cathedral, the Government Palace and Archbishop's Palace, the church of the Society of Jesus on a walking tour , where you can appreciate its gold ornaments and altars, the Tabernacle and the church of San Francisco built in the 16th century, later we arrive at the Mirador del Panecillo where the sculpture of the Virgin Mary is located where we can admire a beautiful landscape of Colonial QUITO and modern.

The tour will end with the return to your hotel.

Accommodation: 1 night in Hotel in Quito

2
Day 02

Middle of the World + Pululahua + Teleferic Visit

Middle of the World: We will go to the "Middle of the World City" where you will visit its stores and observe a representation of the colonial era cities in its architecture, we will also observe the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet, where you can take pictures with One foot in each hemisphere. It was built in the 18th century where the French scientific expedition defined the exact position of the Ecuador line that divides the world.

Pululahua: The Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve has an area of 3383 hectares. It is situated at altitudes that vary from 1800 to 3400 meters, its climate is moderately cold in the high parts and the northwestern is temperate and subtropical, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 15 ° C.

Teleferic Visit: To end our tour we will visit the Quito cable car that we It will take up to 4100 meters high where we will have an impressive view of the city.

Accommodation: 1 night in Hotel in Quito

3
Day 03

Transfer from Quito to Tena + Jungle Walking + River Beach and tubbing

Transfer from Quito to Tena: The guide will be waiting for you at the Quito's Airport or any hotel inside the urban perimeter of Quito

Jungle Walking: Gran Cacique Route: Ceibo & Medicinals Plants River Beach and tubbing.

Overnight in local Lodge

4
Day 04

Excursion Day: Amazoonico Animal Rescue Center

Amazoonico Animal Rescue Center: Motorized canoe - Landscapes and wildlife, Visit Amazoonico Animal Rescue Center , Box Lunch, Visit to Kichwa family, cerbatana

practice, Visit Caiman lagoon in Anaconda Island.

Overnight in local Lodge

5
Day 05

Excursion Day: Umbini Trail & Monkeys beach

Umbini Trail & Monkeys beach: Waterfall walking, Box Lunch, Monkeys Beach, Visit Kichwa Community: traditional costumes, dance, music, cassava preparation's chicha

Overnight in local Lodge

6
Day 06

Excursion Day: Choose one of these options

OPTIONS: you must take 1 of them,

(A) Napo Runa Territory: Motorized canoe, Visit to Trampas Museum, Dance, music, costumes Kichwas, Box Lunch and cassava preparation's chicha.

(B) Rafting full day: Technical safety talk, Rafting full day, River Buffet.

Overnight in local Lodge

7
Day 07

Artesanal Chocolate Prepare & tasting + Transfer out

Artesanal Chocolate Prepare & tasting for the local people

Transfer out from Tena to Quito

8
Day 08

Excursion Day to Quilotoa Lagoon

Early departure to the Quilotoa lagoon, an ancient volcanic crater where a transparent water lagoon like glass lies, continuing with the visit will make a walk to the shore of the lake, the descent lasts approximately 30 minutes, the return can become a little more long so it is optional to rent mules.

We enjoy a splendid landscape, return to Quito.

Accommodation: 1 Night in Hotel In Quito

9
Day 09

Select 1 Option of Tour: ( Mindo Tour or Papallacta Tour)

We plan the tour according to your selection:

A ) Mindo Tour: In this experience you can appreciate the impressive change of vegetation and climate, until you reach the area of the Mindo Rainforest, where you will hike in the middle of the private protected forest, crystal clear rivers and more than 400 exotic species of birds, butterflies and Orchids

Time for lunch and return to Quito

B ) Papallacta Tour: Departure in the morning (08:00) by the interoceanic route to the east of the country after looking at a variety of flora in the course we will arrive at the inn that is located 40 miles from Quito, in a high Andean valley gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

This Resort specialized in thermalism, offers tourists, health, recreation, adventure and rest in its facilities: Thermal baths in the spa; various treatments in the health SPA. 

Time for lunch and return to Quito.

Accommodation: 1 Night in Hotel In Quito

10
Day 10

Select 1 Option of tour: ( Otavalo Tour or Cotopaxi Tour)

We plan the tour according to your selection:

A ) Otavalo Tour: Departure from Quito at 8H00 AM by the way "Pan-Americana Norte" with a brief stop Guayllabamba where you can taste the "custard apple/ chirimoya" fruit typical of the area.Visit the viewpoint of road to Cayambe to admire and take pictures of the beautiful valleys and mountains that holds this place.

Crossing the line equatorial Cayambe, we passed Guachalá (ex monument in the middle of the World). 

Before arriving at Otavalo we make a short stop at Mira Lago (Viewpoint in San Pablo) to photograph the beautiful San Pablo Lake and its wonderful beauty. Continue to get to Otavalo where the Indians "Otavalos" develop their textiles. Later we will visit the Otavalo Market, where artisans exhibit their wares. Stop for lunch and continue to Cotacachi renown for its leather shops.

The tour will end with the return to your hotel.

B ) Cotopaxi Tour: Departure from Quito at 8:00 a.m. approx. by the "Panamericana Sur" ; admiring the beautiful Andean landscapes, visit to the National Park with its interpretation center place where animals from the area are exposed; stop at the Laguna de Limpiopungo, finally we will arrive to rest and enjoy nature at a hotel-refuge where we will taste a delicious and hot traditional lunch. 

Return to Quito.

Accommodation: 1 Night in Hotel In Quito

11
Day 11

Transfer Out in Quito + Transfer in Galapagos + High Land + Charles Darwin Scientific Station

Transfer In: personalized welcome (Poster with names and guide waiting for you at the airport) - According to your flight information

High Land of Santa Cruz:.- Upper part Santa Cruz Island Entrance and personalized welcome (Poster with names and guide waiting).

Charles Darwin Scientific Station: Is an Interpretation Center open to the public and you can also learn about the breeding program for giant tortoises in captivity and their repatriation.  At the end of the activities you will be taken to the Hotel in which where you will be hosted

Accommodation: 1 Night in Hotel In Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

12
Day 12

Ferry to Isabela Island + Wetland tour

Ferry to Isabela Island : The pick up will be at 06H20 AM to travel to Isabela island

This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person.

You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.

Wetland Tour: The guide will pick you up in the Puerto Villamil's dock to began this experiences.

The Wetlands are a complex of trails, located south of Isabela Island, Galapagos. They have a great variety of flora and fauna, as well as the spectacular landscapes of the bay. We will see native animals such as landturtles, flamingos. and zarapitos, along with much flora and fauna.

We will visit nine trails that include the following sites: the Estero, the Poza Escondida, Poza Redonda, Túnel del Estero, Playa del Amor, Mirador de los Tunos and Pozas Verdes

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

13
Day 13

Walking Tour to Sierra Negra volcano and Chico Volcano

The tour starts early in the morning, you pick up a bus or car to take you to the starting point that is 30 minutes from Puerto Villamil, where the trail that leads to the Sierra Negra volcano begins.

The walk lasts about 5 hours and most of the journey is flat, with few ups and downs.

When you enter the small volcano, which is inside the crater of the Sierra Negra Volcano, you will realize that it is still active and many holes feel warm when you put your hand.

Drop off in Puerto Villamil's dock, you have to go to the hotel by yourself

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

14
Day 14

Full day Lava Tunnels Tour

The tour to the Tunnels lasts approximately 1 hour and a half to 2 hours. Once in this sector, the boat will travel the different paths through the tunnels where you can clearly observe the landscape of the place, we go to Roca Unión, a small islet located in the open sea where you can see Pelicans, Nazca Boobies and Patas Boobies. Blue and one or another sea lion resting on the rocks.

We will sail for about 45 minutes approx to reach the most beautiful rocky lava formations of the Galapagos, they are called tunnels because in ancient eruptions, the lava passed under the ground forming tunnels that later collapsed and gave rise to these arches. on the water where you can clearly see vegetation that comes out of the rocks, the crystal clear water, the sea lions flutter between the arches.

We will snorkel with sea turtles, "tintoreras" sharks, golden rays, eagle rays, seahorses, fish such as surgeons, damselfish, after having done the two activities we prepare for the return to Isabela.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

15
Day 15

Tintoreras Tour + Ferry to Santa Cruz Island

Tintoreras Tour: We started the activity at 07H00 AM from Isabela Island. From the bay we go through a kayak to a set of islets called Tintoreras. Well known for being the habitat of penguins and white tip sharks! We can sight these cute birds and have a great chance of finding wolves sailors along the coasts. Other animals that we can observe while surrounding the islets are: rays, sea turtles, bay shakrs, goldfish, etc. We enjoyed snorkeling time near the site. We finish the tour at 14:00 p.m. then we have to come back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz - 2 Hours of Ferry

Ferry to Santa Cruz Island: The driver will pick you up at 14H30 PM in the lobby of your hotel to go to the dock and taking the transfer to Santa Cruz Island

This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person.

You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

16
Day 16

Select 1 Option of Tour ( Floreana Tour - Santa Fe Tour - Pinzon Tour )

We plan the tour according to your selection:

A ) Floreana Tour: We will hike around natural rock formations in the Asilo de la Paz. A hill that shows us a good view of the island. Its main attractions are historical: one is the cave of pirates and the other is the freshwater stream. The two sites are at the base of the hill.

B ) Santa Fe Tour: Once at the site, we do a panga ride in the bay to make sightings of colonies of sea lions with their young. Likewise we will have the iconic presence of Opuntia cacti and on many occasions seabirds such as the blue-footed booby. As a second activity we do two snorkeling times around the reef area (45 minutes per snorkeling), where you can make an impressive appreciation of a marine fauna stocked by a number of endemic species. Lunch on board takes place between these activities.

C ) Pinzon Tour: We board the boat and travel to Pinzón Island in a journey of approximately an hour and a half. At the site we can do a snorkeling time or two depending on the situation at the previous visit point.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

17
Day 17

Ferry to San Cristobal + High Land

Ferry to San Cristobal: The pick up will be at 06H20 AM to travel to Isabela island

This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person.

You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.

High Land in San Cristobal: The highlands of San Cristobal exhibit distinctly different biozones than the other inhabited islands. The first stop on this trans-island journey is at El Junco, a freshwater lagoon nested in the center of the islands. Here you can view Frigatebirds and other water fowl bathing in the lagoon. Unfortunately, you will not be able to join them in the inviting water. Moving on from the lagoon you will stop at La Galapaguera, San Cristobal's Tortoise research and conservation center, where a short walk through the jungle allows you to see and learn about this island's growing Tortoise population in a natural setting. The road ends at Puerto Chino beach, which is a remote bay on the southeast side of the island

Accommodation: 1 Night in Hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal

18
Day 18

Full day San Cristobal Tour - 360 Degrees

On this tour, we will visit the following iconic points of the San Cristóbal area:

Rosa Blanca: It's a small bay located northeast of San Cristóbal Island. It has several small beaches, but its main attraction is the large beach located in the center of the small bay where there is a large number of dunes. added to its crystal clear waters generate an attractive landscape unique to the area. The entire bay of Rosa Blanca and its lowlands is an ideal area for fishing of wahoo, palometa, ojón, liza, cod. Additionally, there are shark, ray and sea turtle species that are the ideal complement for snorkeling activities.

Sardina Bay: It's characterized for being a place for fishing of several species such as sardines, liza, octopus, lobster, shrimp, among others. Bahía Sardina includes two beaches whose attractions are its small white sand dunes together with its crystalline waters suitable for snorkeling, taking into account that in this bay there is a large presence of sea turtles, rays and sea lions.

Kicker Rock: This amazing landmark located about an hour and a half to the north east of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Kicker Rock / Leon Dormido is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rising almost 153 meters (500 feet) from the ocean.

The erosion has given the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a shoe, hence the name Kicker Rock. Others see it as a sleeping sea lion or Leon Dormido in Spanish.

While we snorkel around Kicker Rock we can spot sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, Galapagos sharks, tropical fish and if luck is on our side we can even see hammerhead sharks. Besides enjoying the underwater view, we can usually see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and frigatebirds on the cliffs as well as sea lions along the shore.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal

19
Day 19

Free morning + Ferry to Santa Cruz

Free morning to relax in San Cristobal Island

Ferry to Santa Cruz Island: There no pick up in this transfer, you must be at 14H30 PM in the San Cristobal's Dock

This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person.

You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

20
Day 20

Bay Tour + Turtle Bay Tour

Half Day Bay Tour: The pick up will be at 08H45 AM in the lobby of your hotel. We will go to La Lobería (small islet located 10 minutes away from the port), site where we carry out the snorkeling activity in which there is the possibility of swimming with sea lions. Then we moved to Punta Estrada to watch birds such as: blue-footed boobies, seagulls and pelicans. Our third activity consists of an excursion to the Playa de los dogs where we can find iguanas in quantity around an area of volcanic rocks and sesuvium. Likewise, we continue towards the Channel of Love and the Shark Channel (in the latter we can make sightings of blue sharks). Box Lunch

Turtle Bay Tour: It is an almost very difficult place to overlook. Its beauty and flora invite us to recognize it as a site at the level of what nature offers us in the beautiful archipelago. 10 minutes from the port of the island we find a path (2,500 meters long) that will guide us to Tortuga Bay. A highly recommended beach among locals. It is perfectly preserved and with the presence of wild animals such as iguanas, beach crabs. Swimming is only allowed in the mangrove swamp that is separated from the beach. The sand is completely soft and white, the largest on the island.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

21
Day 21

Transfer Out Galapagos+ Transfer In Guayaquil + Private Guayaquil City Tour

Transfer Out Galapagos: After the breakfast the driver will be at the lobby of the hotel to pick up you and then we will go to the airport.

(Pick up time according to your flight information)

Transfer In Guayaquil: The driver will be waiting for you at te airport with a sign of your name, then we will go to your hotel to leave your luggage, after this we continue with the city tour

Private Guayaquil City Tour: After giving your luggage in the hotel we are going to take a city Tour in Guayaquil 

we are going to explore the beautiful history of Guayaquil, we will visit the most important tourist attractives like Plaza san Francisco, Seminario Plaza (Iguana Park), Administration Plaza, Malecon 2000 and the Santa Ana Hills.

Accommodation:  1 Night in Hotel in Guayaquil

22
Day 22

Hiking on the Bird's Island and Dolphin Watching in Puerto El Morro

The guide will pick up you in the lobby of the hotel to go to the Morro to begin with the activities, we are going to hike in the island of the birds and then we are going to see the bottlenose dolphin.

Accommodation:  1 Night in Hotel in Guayaquil

23
Day 23

Full day to Ecological Reserve Churute Mangrove and Cacao Farm Visit

The guide will pick up you in the lobby of the hotel ( Hotel pick up inside the Urban perimeter of Guayaquil)

We will go to the Churute Ecological Reserve where we will take a canoe ride observing the flora and fauna of the place, after that we will go to the howler monkeys trail, where we will take a short walk until we can observe the monkeys that inhabit the area.  After this walk we will go to the Cacao y Mango farm where we will have lunch and learn about the process of making chocolate.  In Churute Mangroves, three different ecosystems converge in relatively small spaces. On the one hand, there is the characteristic red mangrove, whose roots make their way and give the feeling that they are advancing in the estuaries. Hence the name with which the inhabitants of the area know it: the walking mangrove.

Accommodation:  1 Night in Hotel in Guayaquil

24
Day 24

Full Day Ayangue Tour with Snorkeling in The Pelado's Islote

The guide will pick up you in the lobby of the hotel we will go to Ayangue, province of Santa Elena where we will enjoy a tour of the islet el pelado marine reserve where we will meet: sea lions, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and frigates. This trip taking 2 Hours 30 minutes to arrive to Ayangue.

In this place we will enjoy the beach and the nature of the place, here we will practice snorkeling in the pelado's islet in the same way we will take a boat to take an small sail in the sea.

We will enjoy a marine tour of the neighboring beaches: Playa la Leona, Playita linda, Playa rosada.

We will know the viewpoint of the Cumbres de Ayangue hotel, profile of the Indian's face, the Cave of love and enjoy for 20 minutes in the warm waters of the pink beach.

Later we will take the lunch in a traditional restaurant of the area.

After this we come back to Guayaquil

Accommodation:  1 Night in Hotel in Guayaquil

25
Day 25

Transfer Out

The driver will pick up you in the lobby of your hotel to go to the airport.

End of our service

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Quito 10 cities · 25 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Lodging in cabins (private bath)
  • Daily excursions, land or river transfers according to the itinerary
  • Transfer in / out according your flight time
  • Bilingual and specialized guides during the activities
  • All land and sea transportation within the Galapagos during the program
  • Snorkel equipment as specified by the itinerary ( Mask and Fins)

What's Not Included

  • Air tickets from Quito - Galapagos - Guayaquil
  • Lunch and Dinner or Other services not specified in the program
  • Nothing non specified in the program
  • Other services not specified in the program.

Know before you go

  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
  • A delay with the flight could change the itinerary
  • Every room (hotel/hostal) includes air conditioner, amenities and private bathrooms.
  • In Ecuador the name hotel or hostal depends of the number of rooms but not of the quality of service.
  • Exclusion: Galapagos National Park Entry fee $100 per person (Paid on arrival in Galapagos, must be paid in cash only)
  • Any extra payment like entrance to the national park, taxes or sea taxis must be paid by each customer in person
  • The dirver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign of your name.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Quito, EC
Tour start
Quito, EC
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 25 days finish where they began, in Quito.

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