Ecuador 360: Cities & Santa Cruz Island

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a journey to Chimborazo, home to Ecuador’s highest volcano, standing at 6310 meters above sea level. With its last eruption having taken place around 550 B.D, this imposing and magnificent natural wonder is an inactive volcano. Once you have arrived at your destination, take in the views of the volcano, its landscape and vegetation. Take this time to snap some pictures to take back with you. 

In the afternoon, you will arrive at the small town of Guamote after a 4-hour drive (approx. 70 miles), the canton with the highest concentration of the indigenous population of Chimborazo, located in the central part of the inter-Andean valley, at an altitude of 3,050 meters above sea level with an average temperature is 12°c.

Enjoy the rest of the day exploring this picturesque town or take part in one of our two optional activities; either a cooking class where you will learn about classic dishes of the region* or a fire ritual experience with a shaman**. Overnight stay in Guamote. 

*Optional Cooking Class: Immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Ecuador with Inti Sisa Art Guesthouse's cooking workshop. Led by its talented kitchen staff, this workshop offers you the opportunity to learn and prepare traditional delicacies, allowing you to truly taste the flavors of Ecuador.

During the afternoon cooking class, you will learn how to make delicious quinoa croquettes. Guamote is located in the heart of Ecuador's quinoa region, making it the perfect place to discover the production process of this superfood. You will receive an explanation of how quinoa is grown and cultivated, appreciating its nutritional value and cultural significance. The highlight of the cooking workshop is, of course, the opportunity to sit down and savor the fruits of your labor.

**Optional Fire Ritual Experience: Immerse yourself in a transformative experience by participating in a session with a shaman, deeply rooted in the traditions of indigenous peoples. These communities continue to have a deep knowledge of traditional medicine and spiritual healing practices. Their beliefs center on the notion that physical and mental ailments are often connected to imbalances or disruptions in the energies within our bodies.

Participating in a session with a shaman offers a unique insight into the rich tapestry of indigenous traditions and their holistic approach to health and wellness. It allows you to tap into ancient wisdom and explore alternative perspectives on healing and the interconnectedness of the human experience.

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your day by visiting and learning more about the Intisisa Foundation, which opened its doors in 1999, with the goal to offer educational support to the underprivileged local population of Guamote and surrounding areas, especially for girls and young women. On Thursdays there is an impressive indigenous market in Guamote.

Afterwards, continue heading south towards beautiful Cuenca. This transfer takes approximately 5 hours (130 miles). En route, visit the Ingapirca Ruins, the largest and best preserved Inca ruins known in Ecuador. Full of rich history, the site will introduce you to one of the most mysterious and fascinating ancient civilizations in South America. Upon arrival at your destination, check-in to your hotel and overnight stay in Cuenca.

Breakfast at the hotel. Start off your day exploring the beautiful city of Cuenca on foot, with your guide. Cuenca is a city full of cultural heritage, where ancient and modern cultures converge. Its people, traditions, gastronomy, culture and architecture make it a must-see destination during your visit to Ecuador. 

Stop by the Homero Ortega hat factory, in the historic center of the city, where you will observe the process of making Panama hats, also known as straw hats, which despite their name are originally from Ecuador. The tour will pass through Calderon Park, where you will see the old cathedral of Cuenca, as well as the new one.

Along with traditional neighborhoods, such as San Sebastian and Vado, beautiful plazas and markets, which are famous in Ecuador for being representative of the local indigenous communities, the tour will also take you to the Barranco area, where you can admire the beauty of the Tomebamba River and its unique architecture.The rest of the day is yours to spend as you see fit. Take this time to further explore Cuenca at your own pace. Overnight stay in Cuenca.

Breakfast at the hotel. Say farewell to Cuenca and make your way to Guayaquil, Ecuador 's largest city. En route, stop by for photos at the impressive Cajas National Park. The transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil takes approximately 6 hours (120 miles).

Next, head over to a local cocoa community to see the process of chocolate making; from cocoa tree to chocolate bar and taste the delicious final product. Arrive in Guayaquil, check-in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to the Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at the airport of Baltra, one of the Galapagos Islands and then transfer to Santa Cruz Island. To get to Santa Cruz, you will be crossing the Itabaca Channel by ferry and then finish the last bit of the commute by car. 

Upon arrival, visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz, a very lush and green natural habitat home to giant Galapagos tortoises. You will then visit a private ranch; walk among the trees and look for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay near the small lagoons.

From here, make your way to the lava tunnels, which are formed when the surface of a lava flow solidifies, but the interior remains liquid, resulting in a river-like flow. Once at your hotel, you will have a meet and greet with one of our staff members who will explain the rest of your itinerary. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure for you to explore the island at your own pace. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, take part in a half-day tour starting at the port of Puerto Ayora where you will board a small boat that will take you across the channel to Academia Bay, also known as La Loberia. As you approach the bay, you will have the opportunity to gaze with awe at peculiar blue-footed boobies and other birds  resting on the cliffs.

Upon arrival, continue the guided tour walking along a path that leads to a lookout over the channel. If you are lucky, you may see white tip reef sharks resting in the waters below, a fantastic opportunity to witness these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

Afterwards, you will continue along the road to Playa de los Perros, a picturesque beach home to marine iguanas, towering cacti, red-hued rocks and turquoise ocean waters. From here, take part in a snorkeling excursion where you will dive into the crystal clear waters and discover the vibrant marine life that inhabits the area. Snorkeling equipment will be provided to enhance your experience.

To conclude, hike Las Grietas, a natural rock formation offering a unique swimming experience in a narrow turquoise canyon. Take some time to cool off and enjoy the refreshing waters. Return to your hotel and overnight stay in Santa Cruz.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the entirety of the day at your leisure. Take this time to further explore the island at your own pace. Why not enjoy one of the many nearby beaches for some well-deserved relaxation? Alternatively, we recommend you take part in a full-day tour of Santa Cruz*. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz. 

*Optional Full-Day Tour of Santa Cruz: Get to know the very best of Santa Cruz in this fully-guided tour of the island. Start by taking part in a light 45-minute hike where you will become acquainted with the local flora including cacti, palo santo and Sapote trees before reaching stunning Turtle Beach where you will get to enjoy its crystal-clear waters at your leisure; explore the marine wildlife of this area, rent a kayak and/or relax under the soothing sun.

From here, you will continue your day with a cooking class to learn how to make your very own Galapagueño ceviche; master the art of mixing fresh seafood, citrus juices and local spices to create a delicious and refreshing ceviche. Finally, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, an institution that has worked on conservation, restoration and sustainable development projects to ensure that the archipelago is well conserved.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the entire day at your leisure. Use this opportunity to take in the beauty of the island one last time before departure. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz. 

Please note: Optional sailing activities, at an additional fee, are available for you to book directly on site.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will transfer to Baltra airport for a flight back to Quito. Upon arrival in the city of Quito a transfer by shuttle will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Why not treat yourself to a nice dinner with drinks at one of the many restaurants this beautiful city has to offer? Overnight in Quito.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board.

Please note: Depending on the flight departure time you may arrive back in the US today.