HORSEBACK RIDE IN COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

After a very early breakfast, you will leave Baños and head back north to Cotopaxi National Park. Upon arrival at your Hacienda, you will check in and prepare for a mesmerizing horseback ride experience. You will enjoy your afternoon exploring parts of the National Park on a horseback ride through beautiful páramos (typical Andean landscape).

On the afternoon your driver will pick you up and drive to Baños

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE AT BAÑOS DE AGUA SANTA

Early in the morning, you will head towards the «Devil’s Cauldron» (In Spanish, Pailón del Diablo) which is located specifically 17 kilometers from the city of Baños de Agua Santa, on the road from Baños to Puyo. After a hike down towards the waterfall, you will be amazed at its height which is approximately 80 meters high and without a doubt one of the most important waterfalls in Ecuador, as it is awe-inspiring, in addition that its location on Rio Pastaza guarantees a constant water supply for the surrounding areas.

Afterwards, next on your agenda, you will visit, the most famous treehouse in the world, the Casa del Arbol, which is home to the Swing at the End of the World, a simple playground ride perched on the edge of a mountain overlooking Baños, Ecuador, you will have the chance to see all of this from the Swing at the End of the World is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You will return to Quito through the Avene of the Volcanos in the late afternoon and dropped off at the hotel.

WELCOME TO SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND! VISIT TO TIJERETAS HILL & LA LOBERÍA

Welcome to the beautiful Galapagos Islands! After checking in to your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, you will head to visit Las Tijeretas Hill, located within walking distance of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It takes its name from the large number of frigates or «tijeretas» that inhabit and nest in this area. You will be able to have viewpoints along the route from where you can observe the passage of whales, mainly between the months of June and October.

Afterward, you will visit La Loberia, which is a great site to view colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas. Here you can see the coastal vegetation and dry where is common mangrove, salt marsh, muyuyo and palo verde. The beach’s name in English basically means “Sealion Beach”, as Lobería comes from lobos marinos which oddly is the Spanish word for these cute sea lions. This site is located about 3 km from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno town, on the Southwestern tip of San Cristóbal Island.

In the evening, return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for your next day of adventure.

SNORKELING AT KICKER ROCK

A day trip snorkeling to Kicker Rock is an excellent way to explore the beautiful and vibrant underwater life of the Galapagos Islands.

The tour includes breakfast and lunch, as well as all necessary snorkeling equipment and a guide.

You will start your day with breakfast before heading out to Kicker Rock, a dramatic volcanic rock formation that provides the perfect habitat for a variety of marine life.

Once you arrive, you will get to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters and observe sea turtles, sea lions, colorful tropical fish, rays, and other marine life.

After a few hours of snorkeling, you will enjoy a delicious lunch before heading back to shore. The day trip to Kicker Rock is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands and its amazing underwater life.

SPEEDBOAT FROM SAN CRISTOBAL TO SANTA CRUZ: HIGHLANDS & CHARLES DARWING RESEARCH STATION

Get an early start this morning to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, roughly 2-2.5 hours away. Meet your guide at the dock, then head to the highlands to see giant tortoises in the wild. Enjoy lunch at a local farm, then continue to Puerto Ayora to check in to your hotel.
For this afternoon we will visit the Charles Darwin Station.

EXPERIENCE THE PRISTINE BEAUTY OF GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS: DISCOVERING AN UNINHABITED ISLAND

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to explore the stunning beauty of the Galápagos Islands, home to some of the world’s most unique and diverse wildlife. During your tour, you’ll have a chance to visit Santa Fé, South Plaza, Bartolomé, or North Seymour, depending on the permit granted by the National Park authorities for that daily activity.

As you set sail on your boat, be prepared to witness the awe-inspiring views of the turquoise waters and rocky shorelines of the archipelago. Your expert guide will accompany you on a hike to explore the untouched natural habitats of the islands, where you’ll discover an array of exotic flora and fauna.

The Galápagos Islands are a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with a diverse range of species that inhabit the land and sea. Keep an eye out for giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and many other fascinating creatures.

After a morning of exploration, take a break on the deck for a scrumptious lunch, before continuing on your adventure. Relax on the pristine beaches and soak up the sun, or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim.

At the end of your tour, return to Puerto Ayora, feeling invigorated and inspired by the natural wonders of the Galápagos Islands.

SPEEDBOAT TO ISABELA ISLAND – LOS TUNELES

Early in the morning you take the public speedboat from Santa Cruz to Isabela (approx. 2-2,5 hours). Afterwards, you will go on an excursion to Los Tuneles, a perfect snorkeling spot. A series of lava flow have produced unique geological formations, like arcs and tunnels underneath and above the water. In the shallow waters you can find tropical fish, rays, turtles, sea horses, and white-tipped reef sharks! Besides, keep your eyes open to spot penguins sitting on the rocks. In the afternoon you return to Puerto Villamil, where you will spend the next night.

HIKING THE SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO

The majestic Sierra Negra Volcano will occupy today’s agenda.
Our adventure starts with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, we will prepare our backpacks and start our walk through the relatively young woods, which suffer from constant geological changes.

You’ll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to its summit, from where you’ll get to see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. Walk around spectacular lava landscapes, taking in the northern volcanoes in Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
During your climb, make sure to be on the lookout for the unique vegetation that inhabits the area.

Your finishing point is the edge of the Sierra Negra Volcano’s crater, this volcano is still active. Once at the edge of the crater, you will have spectacular views of the crater and the volcanoes that surround it. The circumference of the crater is huge, with a diameter of almost 10 km along with its widest point.You’ll have some free time after you get back to Isabela Island. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla. In the afternoon you can stroll through the Island.

SPEEDBOAT TO SANTA CRUZ & BAY TOUR

Get an early start this morning to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island.
In the afternoon, after lunch, you will be taken on a small boat to visit exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz. You’ll arrive at a small islet called La Lobería, named for its great colony of sea lions. You can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish displaying a dazzling show beneath the surface against interesting underwater formations. Afterward, it’s on to the Shark Channel, where you may spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies. You’ll also come upon the Canal del Amor, where there are sea turtles and many different species of tropical fish.

You’ll later take a 10-minute walk and see marine iguanas in their natural habitat. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to take pictures along the way. Lastly, you’ll visit Las Grietas, two large cliffs filled with fresh water at the surface and salt water below. Arrive back in Santa Cruz and return to the town for your next activities.

TRANSFER OUT: CONNECT WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Upon arrival from the Galapagos Islands to Ecuador’s mainland airport, you will connect on the same day with your international flight so you can return home with some everlasting memories.
See you next time!