Culture & Wildlife Program
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Duration
11 Nights
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Trip Comfort
Comfort
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Trip Highlights
Galápagos Islands and Mainland
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Price From
$ 4,259 per person
Immerse yourself in the diverse culture and wildlife of Ecuador on a complete 12-day journey. Including hiking in the Andes, island-hopping in the Galápagos and cooking with locals, this all-encompassing city, nature and wildlife tour will amaze you throughout.
Trip Highlights:
- Roam around the colonial capital Quito and uncover its past with an educational walking tour
- Dive into local culture with authentic cooking and art classes in Otavalo and Tigua
- Escape to nature at the deep-blue Cuicocha crater lake and visit the picturesque town of Cotacachi
- Swim with sharks, vibrant fish and turtles, and learn about sustainability with local fishermen
- Witness spectacular birdlife, including flamingos, frigatebirds, penguins and blue-footed boobies
Example Itinerary
Day 1 | Transfer in Quito
You will be welcomed by an English-speaking assistant and a private transfer from Quito Mariscal Sucre airport to your hotel.
Accommodation: ILLA Experience Hotel
Day 2 | Quito City Tour & Casa del Alabado
Begin in Colonial Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic churches like La Compañía and San Francisco Monastery. Stroll to 'La Ronda' to explore traditional trades, then visit an exclusive museum for a behind-the-scenes look at pre-Columbian art and hidden cultural treasures rarely seen by the public.
Accommodation: ILLA Experience Hotel
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 3 | Otavalo & Community Cooking Class
You will arrive in Otavalo and explore the Indian market. Full of colorful indigenous crafts and artefacts, this stop is a must for all visitors to the northern Andes of Ecuador. In the afternoon, we will meet a Kichwa Otavalean family who will lead a cooking class, teaching you about traditional cooking methods and authentic flavors.
Accommodation: Hacienda Cusin Standard Room
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 4 | Cotacachi & Cuicocha Lake
Day 5 | Mindo Town
Day 6 | Arrival in the Galápagos Islands
Day 7 | Navigation with a Galapagueño Fisherman
Day 8 | Santa Cruz & Floreana
Day 9 | Exploring the Highland of Floreana
Explore Floreana’s highlands by open-air chiva bus, learning about its intriguing history, including pirates and the mysterious 'Enigma of Floreana'. Hike to Asilo de la Paz, visit pirate caves, see giant tortoises, and discover local farming traditions. At Claudio’s farm, observe frigate birds and enjoy the island’s vibrant natural life.
Accommodation: Lava Lodge
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10 | Isabela Island
After an early speedboat to Isabela Island, visit the giant tortoise breeding center and spot flamingos en route. Learn about tortoise conservation efforts before heading to Tintoreras Islets. There, snorkel in calm waters surrounded by iconic Galapagos wildlife—sharks, sea lions, turtles, penguins, rays, and blue-footed boobies—for a magical afternoon experience.
Accommodation: Isamar Hotel
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 11 | Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Spend the day exploring Isabela Island’s volcanic highlands. Hike to the massive Sierra Negra crater, the world’s second largest, and continue to the surreal, Mars-like landscape of Volcan Chico. Spot wildlife along the way, enjoy panoramic island views, and end the 16-kilometer trek relaxing on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.
Accommodation: Isamar Hotel
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 12 | Leaving Galápagos Islands
On your final day, you will take an early morning speed boat back to Santa Cruz and then transfer by land to Baltra airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Meals: box breakfast
Inclusions
Where You Will Stay
Illa Experience Hotel
- Illa Experience Hotel was the first luxury hotel in Quito with the concept of reconstructing the meaning of luxury travel. Illa is a 17th century house turned boutique hotel and shares a journey throughout time of family traditions, history, love stories, community and unity with their guests. They offer luxury rooms with extreme comfort and space so you can unwind and relax.
Hacienda Cusin
Hacienda Cusin is a restored 400-year-old Spanish colonial estate, among the finest haciendas in Ecuador. Furnished with fine antiques, carefully selected Andean crafts and featuring perennial gardens, this hotel is the perfect setting for an Andean adventure.
El Monte Sustainable Lodge
El Monte Sustainable Lodge is an environmentally friendly lodge that aims to protect the forest and carry out low impact tourism. With small guest numbers, it makes for the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature, and the private cabins made of natural materials blend nicely with the landscape and river.
Hacienda la Jimenita
Hacienda Jimenita Naturhotel & Wildlife Reserve is a unique place where you can rest and discover the magic of nature at the same time. With each suite surrounded by unique flora and fauna, you can immerse yourself in the stunning scenery while being conveniently located just 15 minutes from Quito airport.
Ikala Hotel
The Ikala Galápagos Hotel offers unmatched scenery, surrounded by beautiful trees and gardens that create a refreshing ambience and protect you from the island heat. With 15 spacious suites, an open-air pool, delicious dishes in La Terraza Restaurant & Bar, and free bicycles, Ikala has everything you need to enjoy the Galápagos Islands.
Lava Lodge
Cozy cabins facing the sea, a sociable lounge area and breakfasts by the seashore is what Lava Lodge is all about. With kayaks, snorkeling equipment and paddle boards for you to use, as well as being near a great spot for viewing sea lions, this lodge will provide an unforgettable experience.
Isamar Hotel
With a privileged beachfront location, personalized attention, and the charm of an intimate hotel, you'll discover the coziest and most authentic side of the Galápagos Islands at Isamar Hotel. Featuring sapcious rooms with ocean views and Restaurante Cartago with fresh, local flavors - Isamar Hotel offers the best of the Galápagos with all five senses.
Ask a Galápagos specialist
to plan your adventure