Active Holidays in Ecuador and Galapagos

Welcome to Quito! The largest and best-preserved colonial city in the Americas was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Often considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the former Inca Empire, Quito offers rich history and vibrant charm. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the old town and surrounding areas. Adventure Journeys can assist in organizing a day trip. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing, with plenty of time to review details and answer any questions about the upcoming adventure. Our first day is dedicated to information and acclimation.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar

Today, our main focus is the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano. After breakfast, we’ll journey through the Andes, taking in stunning views along the Avenue of Volcanoes. Upon arrival at Cotopaxi National Park, we’ll embark on an acclimation hike around Limpiopungo Lake at 13,000 ft (3,800 m) above sea level, where we may spot wild horses, wild bulls, and various bird species. From here, enjoy spectacular views of Cotopaxi, one of the tallest volcanoes in the world. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the town of Baños, located at the gateway to the Amazon. Here, you can experience a vibrant nightlife with cocktails and salsa dancing to cap off the day.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

This morning, we’ll go mountain biking from Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, taking in the stunning cloud forest scenery along the way. The route passes through picturesque Andean farms and a beautiful canyon dotted with waterfalls. As we descend into the jungle, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Baños, famously nestled at the foothills of the active Tungurahua volcano, which has been erupting since 1999 and is the region’s main attraction. At the end of the biking adventure, we’ll take a 20-minute hike to visit “Pailon del Diablo,” Ecuador’s second-largest waterfall.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue onward to the Amazon rainforest, stopping at the village of Misahualli—known as “monkey town”—where monkeys live harmoniously alongside locals. From there, we’ll head to an eco-lodge to spend the night immersed in the jungle.

Accommodation: Homestay or similar
Meals: Breakfast

We start the day gearing up for an exciting paddle down the wild Jatunyacu River, about an hour from the entrance to Llanganates National Park. This beautiful river showcases the magic of the Amazon rainforest. After an important safety briefing from our rafting guides, we’ll embark on a thrilling class III rafting adventure, famous for its crystal-clear waters and exhilarating rapids. Along the way, we’ll enjoy fun games and explore one of the nearby canyons. The journey ends with a delicious picnic prepared by our guides. Afterwards, we’ll drive back up to the Andes, stopping to visit the hummingbird paradise at Guango Reserve before heading to the volcanic hot springs resort where we’ll spend the night.

Accommodation: Termas Papallacta or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, we’ll put on rubber boots to explore the enchanting cloud forest on a 3-hour hike, where you’ll have many chances to spot a remarkable variety of birds—toucans, hummingbirds, jays, hawks, parrots, quetzals, and the stunning cock-of-the-rock among them. The area is bursting with flowers, so keep your camera ready for orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and more. After the hike, we’ll relax in the soothing volcanic hot springs at Papallacta Spa Resort, all while soaking in breathtaking views of the majestic Andes. Later, we’ll transfer back to Quito. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you for a welcome briefing, providing plenty of time to go over the details and answer any questions about your upcoming Galapagos adventure.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Today, we get ready to explore the most remarkable archipelago on the Pacific coast—the very place that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. We’ll board a morning flight from Quito to San Cristóbal Island. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and have a short briefing about the coming days before our adventure begins. In the afternoon, we’ll visit “La Lobería,” a beach home to large colonies of Galapagos sea lions.

We’ll take a relaxed one-hour hike across lava rocks and mangroves, where we may spot red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, yellow warblers, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches. Between the rocks, we’ll find the iconic Galapagos marine iguanas. After the hike, we’ll enjoy a shallow-water snorkeling session to observe sea turtles and playful sea lions swimming alongside us. There will also be time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the beach.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristóbal. Also known as the Sleeping Lion (León Dormido) for its resemblance to a dozing feline, this iconic formation is the eroded remains of a lava cone. Two towering vertical rocks rise 500 feet (150 meters) above the ocean, forming a narrow channel navigable by small boats. This Galapagos landmark is a haven for tropical birds, including frigate birds and boobies, soaring through the skies. Beneath the surface, the clear waters reveal a vibrant marine world with colorful fish, rainbow fish, and even sharks such as hammerheads and white-tipped reef sharks. After lunch, we’ll relax on a nearby beach before returning to the hotel.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, we’ll take a short flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos and home to the archipelago’s most intense volcanic activity. Formed by six shield volcanoes—Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf—five are still active, making Isabela one of the most volcanically dynamic places on Earth.

In the afternoon, we’ll set out on mountain bikes to explore the stunning coastline along an exclusive trail that winds through diverse ecosystems teeming with wildlife. Our ride begins at the Wall of Tears, a massive lava rock wall built in the 1950s when Isabela was a penal colony, constructed by prisoners to stave off the madness caused by their isolation. Continuing along the coast, we’ll pass pristine white sand beaches, mangrove forests, and lagoons rich with birdlife such as American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos, finches, and various shorebirds, alongside the ever-present sea lions and marine iguanas. After dinner, we’ll unwind with a breathtaking sunset on the beach at Puerto Villamil.

Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trailhead, we’ll prepare our backpacks and set off on a hike into a young forest ecosystem, a landscape shaped by recent geological activity. Our goal is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano that last erupted in October 2005. Upon arrival, we’ll take in breathtaking panoramic views and explore the vast, lava-filled crater, which stretches over six miles at its widest point. If we’re feeling energetic, we can continue to Volcán Chico, a secondary crater featuring a wild terrain of steaming fumaroles and vivid lava formations—spectacular evidence of the dramatic volcanic forces that shaped the Galapagos Islands over millennia.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to Puerto Villamil and go kayaking around Tintoreras Islet, where we can observe sea lions, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, and marine iguanas in their natural habitat.

Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Today, we’ll explore the stunning lava formations along the volcanic island’s shoreline, shaped by its most recent eruptions. This enchanting spot has been featured in documentaries by BBC and National Geographic. It’s a labyrinth of lava arches rising from the breakers, surrounded by crystal-clear waters teeming with large sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, colorful fish, white-tipped reef sharks, and more. The turtles follow their own underwater highway from the mangroves out to the open sea through “Los Tuneles.” Here, we’ll enjoy some of the best snorkeling opportunities, swimming alongside these magnificent creatures, including the playful Galapagos penguins.

Before or after the snorkeling adventure, you can opt for additional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla” or simply relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We also highly recommend visiting the giant tortoise breeding center nearby.

Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, we’ll take a fast boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our hotel and have the opportunity to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we’ll learn more about the unique endemic species we encountered during our trip, as well as the ongoing conservation efforts protecting the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the ‘El Chato’ Reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the famous Galapagos giant tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape alongside these gentle giants is truly unforgettable! Along the way, we’ll spot other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, and finches. We’ll also observe frigatebirds gathering at a freshwater lake to wash the salt from their feathers. Later, we’ll return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in the Galapagos’ busiest town.

Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Today, you have the freedom to explore the Galapagos at your own pace! One great option is a self-guided walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay, a stunning 3.5-mile (5.6 km) trail leading to a beautiful white sand beach that serves as a nesting site for thousands of marine turtles. It’s the perfect spot for swimming or snorkeling. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of optional activities (at an additional cost), such as visiting Floreana Island, Bartolome Island, or enjoying a day of scuba diving, among other exciting adventures.

Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying our final breakfast on the Galapagos Islands and capturing some last photos of the sea lions, we will transfer to Baltra Airport in time to catch our flight back to the mainland.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

The trip has come to an end, but if you’d like to stay longer and explore Ecuador, just ask your guides for some recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast