Best of Ecuador & Galapagos Islands

Welcome to Quito! The mood will be sky high as we gather in Ecuador's capital. This modern day city (nicknamed the 'light of America') is built on ancient Incan ruins and boasts one of the best preserved historic centers in America. It was also the first city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We'll jump straight in to a team tour of the city, skip between two hemispheres at the Equatorial line. Squeezing in a visit to the IInti-Ñan Museum should round off the first day on trip pretty nicely.

• Tour Quito with a local
• Visit the Equator and Intiñan Museum

It’s out of the city & into the lush jungle with spectacular views en route. Not a bad way to spend the day. With vibrant hills and tumbling rivers, Tena is a dream for white water rafting - and that's exactly what you'll have the chance to do! After that, we'll settle in for the night, ready for big adventures tomorrow.

• Stay at Cotococha Lodge Tena

Today is yours to roam the city and jungle to your heart’s content. This morning, you can opt to go bird watching, as you cruise down the Amazon by canoe with a local guide. Later, you can opt to visit a local indigenous community — a pretty cool way to truly go local and give back on your trip. You’ll get the chance to meet a shaman, play soccer with the local kids and experience what tribe life is all about in this part of the world. Like the sound of this? Maybe pack some extra school supplies or tasty treats — not essential, but definitely appreciated by the local children. Tonight, we’ll feast on delicious meats, sauces and salads, all traditional and locally sourced from the area. YUM.

Good morning, Amazonian roamers! Today we're off to the adrenaline capital of Baños, so time to shimmy our way out of the rainforest - our next adventure awaits... Sitting amidst tumbling valleys, waterfalls, and the still active Volcán Tungurahua, Baños is a big deal on the natural beauty front. If "Thrill Seeker" is your middle name, you'll love to opt for today's Zip Line and Canyoneering experiences. Afterwards, we'll feast on a DELISH spread of perfectly seasoned barbecue meats, before we burn away all those calories with salsa - with our friendly local teacher, Edith. Now, that's a night well spent!

• Visit Devil's Cauldron waterfall
• Taste Authentic Ecuadorian BBQ
• Learn how to Salsa dance

The adventure opportunities are endless today, with horseback riding, canyoneering and ziplining all on the menu. And trust us, this isn’t just any regular old zipline – we’re talking aerial bridges, rock climbing and speeding through the skies, Superman style – pretty much the ultimate aerial adventure. Don’t have such a head for heights? Horsey fun and canyoneering expeditions will keep you on your toes. Oh what a tough day this will be in Banos – deciding how best to embrace your inner adventurer.

You've got another chance to explore this beautiful city - lucky you! At night, we'll dine on a traditional Ecuadorian meal as our time in this wonderful country comes to an end.

Rise and shine! This morning we're taking to the skies, bound for the glorious Galapagos Islands. Excited much? You should be. On arrival we’ll appease our rumbling stomachs with some local food. Giant tortoises roaming their natural surroundings and incredible old lava tunnels will welcome us onto the island of Santa Cruz. After lunch, we’ll take to the ocean and make tracks to our home for the night – the impossibly glorious Isabela Island, where we’ll sleep amidst the spellbinding beauty of the Galapagos National Park. The inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’, Isabela Island is home to wildlife you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Picture the scene – sandy streets, palm trees, crystal waters and seal pups playing – can it really get any more perfect? Soak it all in, as it’s home for the next little while.

• Fly into Baltra Island
• Take a boat to Isabela Island
• Meet the famous giant tortoises
• Hike through the Lava tunnels

Well good morning paradise. The ocean is calling, and who are we to resist her? Our wildlife kayaking adventure will see us taking to the seas with beady eyes on the lookout for green sea turtles.

• Snorkel around Galápagos
• Kayak with local wildlife
• Visit a Tortoise Breeding Centre

We’ll wake up hungry for the day this morning (that’s what island life does to you), and for good reason – Santa Cruz is on the horizon. After settling in to the Santa Cruz way of life, we’ll stroll down to the beach and the cosy Tortuga Bay. Wildlife fanatics will be in their element – the island is known for sharks, rays, turtles, great blue herons, and even blue footed boobies. Spend your time sunbaking next to a marine iguana, or roam the streets stopping off in cute cafes for fresh juice pit stops.

• Explore mythical Tortuga Bay
• Visit Charles Darwin Research Station

Back on our boat we’ll set sail for San Cristobal, keeping our eyes peeled for cute bathing sea lions (we won’t have to look too hard – they’re literally everywhere). Four extinct volcanoes sit across the island creating scenic highlands that are best experienced by bike – mainly cruising downhill, you'll be happy to know. The tiny town of El Progreso will add a splash of colour to our journey, and we’ll also cross five different vegetation zones before arriving at our seaside destination – La Loberia beach.

• Hang with the notorious sea lions

It’s our last day soaking up the natural beauty of the Galapagos, and what a day we’ve got planned. Bird-watching will kick us off, followed by a cruise to the 143-metre Kicker Rock – a natural phenomenon that protrudes from the ocean and is one of the greatest icons of the area. Our Local Guide will give us the low-down on the wildlife – both above and below the water – that surrounds the rock, then we’ll jump in and explore for ourselves. Keep a look out for chocolate chip starfish and a Galapagos Shark or two, but remember the golden rule – keep those toes off the coral, as you can do serious damage to the delicate eco-system. Back on board, we’ll make tracks for Puerto Grande beach. Here, we’ll eat lunch on board and enjoy a final afternoon of Galapagos fun, before rounding off the day with a feat to end all feasts. WHAT A DAY.

• Explore Kicker Rock
• Visit a private beach

There’s time to relax this morning & take in the beauty of the island before heading back to the mainland where your trip ends on arrival. Not done yet? Why not fly to Peru and join our Peru Uncovered trip?

• Fly to Quito