Ecuador Odyssey 2026

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Quito – Friday July 11 – 2026

Welcome to Ecuador! Upon arrival at Quito’s international airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may choose to spend the afternoon exploring one of the world’s great UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Quito’s Old Town, or simply relax and recover from your journey at the hotel.

At 6:00 pm, your Tour Host will meet you in the hotel lobby for a welcome orientation and briefing. This will be the perfect opportunity to review the itinerary, ask questions, and get to know your fellow travelers before beginning your adventure.

Hotel: GO Quito Hotel or similar 5★
 

Day 2 – Quito Walking Tour + Lunch + Equator Experience - Saturday July 12 - 2026

Morning: Hosted walking tour of Quito’s historic center (Plaza Grande, La Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco, and the colorful streets of La Ronda).

Lunch at a traditional Andean restaurant with local specialties.

Afternoon: Visit the Equator Line – Mitad del Mundo and the Intiñan Museum for fun science demonstrations.
Dinner.
 

Day 3 – Full-day hosted excursion to Cotopaxi National Park - Sunday July 13 - 2026

After breakfast, we set out on a scenic drive to Cotopaxi National Park, a vast protected area of more than 34,000 hectares. The park offers a spectacular landscape of trails, rivers, waterfalls, and high Andean plateaus dominated by the majestic Cotopaxi Volcano (5,897 m / 19,347 ft), one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Our visit begins at the Limpiopungo Lagoon (3,830 m / 12,565 ft), where a short walk around the shore reveals a rich variety of Andean flora and birdlife. Keep your eyes open for highland species such as Andean lapwings, caracaras, and perhaps wild horses grazing nearby.

We then continue by vehicle up to the Cotopaxi Staging Area (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). From here, weather permitting, there is the chance to spot the legendary Andean condor in flight. Adventurous travelers may also choose to hike up to the José Rivas Refuge, the basecamp located on the volcano’s slopes.

In the late afternoon, we return by road to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
 

Day 4 – Otavalo → Cuenca - Monday July 14 - 2026

Transfer to Quito airport for the flight to Cuenca (1:00 hrs).

Arrival in Cuenca, transfer to hotel, lunch and Walking tour of Cuenca’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Calderón Park, the Old and New Cathedrals, San Francisco Market, and the riverside.

Visit a Panama Hat workshop, where travelers learn the process of weaving these world-famous hats.

Dinner included in a local restaurant or hotel.

Hotel: Cruz del Vado Hotel 5★
 

Day 5: Scenic Drive Cuenca – Guayaquil via Cajas National Park - July 15 - 2026

Morning departure to Guayaquil, passing through the Cajas National Park with stunning highland landscapes, lagoons, and short photo stops.

Lunch included en local farm.

Afternoon arrive into Guayaquil. Dinner

Hotel: Wyndham Guayaquil 5★
 

Day 6 – Guayaquil → Galapagos (Baltra) - July 16 - 2026

Transfer to airport, morning flight Guayaquil → Baltra Island (2:00 hrs)

Sail across the stunning Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island. Visit a highlands ranch to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat and explore the Twin Craters—dramatic volcanic formations surrounded by native flora and birdlife. After a local lunch, check in at the hotel and relax before dinner.

Hotel: El Barranco 4★
 

Day 7 – Bartolome Island Excursion - July 17 - 2026

Early in morning, we will have the transfer to Itabaca Channel. From here we will a navigation (3 hours aprox.) to Bartolome Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartolome consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) along a volcanic path of lunar appearance until you reach the highest part of the island to observe the landscape that includes Sullivan Bay in Santiago Island, the immense ocean, and the white sand beach. During the snorkeling activity, it is possible to find penguins, sea lions, white-tip sharks, a great variety of reef fish, and sea turtles. In the afternoon, you will return to the hotel in Santa Cruz Island
 

Day 8 – North Seymour Island - July 18 - 2026

In morning, we will have the transfer to Itabaca Channel. From here we will navigate approximately 2 hours to North Seymour Islands. It is a small island with an endemic population of flora and fauna with species like the royal frigate and the blue-footed booby. If you are lucky, you may observe the interesting mating ritual of these species; the frigate puffs up its red jacket at its throat, and the bluefooted booby performs a kind of unique dance. You will walk along different trails for 1 hour and 30 minutes, where you will admire the wildlife. Then you will enjoy a lunch on board. After lunch, you will have the option to practice snorkeling, very close you can see white-tip sharks, turtles, and a wide variety of reef fish during this activity.
 

Day 9 – Tortuga Bay Beach & Beer Experience - July 19 - 2026 

This morning, we will visit Tortuga Bay, one of the Galapagos Archipelago's most beautiful beaches. Get into the water to see marine life up close and see the coastline from a different perspective. After sunbathing on the beach or head back under the waves for some snorkeling. Kayaking is also a good option to enjoy this beautiful scenery. Return to Puerto Ayora for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Santa Cruz Brewery Production Plant. This is the first craft beer made in the Galapagos, at your arrival at the Production Plant the Santa Cruz Brewery team will be waiting for you. The tour will include a short story telling the history of the brewery, you will learn about all the processes of beer making, and you will participate in the production process by riding the coffee grinder that’s actually a bike! The next part of the tour will include beer tasting and a relaxing time. After that our driver will take you back to Puerto Ayora.
 

Day 10 – End – Sunday July 20 – 2026 (Flight)

Savor your final breakfast before your transfer to Baltra Airport, leaving with memories of an unforgettable island journey.

Flight to Guayaquil or Quito airport for your connection back home. Safe travels

 

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