Bienvenidos! Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Quito is one of the most attractive cities in South America, sitting at an altitude of 2,850 metres with a view of Volcan Pichincha on the horizon. On day 1 there is a city tour to show the beautiful Colonial style buildings and help you explore the nooks and crannies of cosy Old Town. We’ll be back in Quito at the end of the trip, giving you a chance to further experience the city. Notes: Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit, the air is thinner and some people can suffer altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. Please see the 'Is This Trip Right For You?' and 'Health' sections in the trip notes for more information. Optional Activities in Quito: Quito is an incredible city with loads to see and do. This trip doesn’t include much time in Quito, so a few extra days to explore it is recommended. Great activities are available through our local office – just email [email protected] before departing or, once you’re in Quito, give our office a call +593 9 94014877 and they will happily assist you. Urban Adventures: If you are interested in any of the Urban Adventures listed you will need to contact Urban Adventures directly. For more information on the activities mentioned below and contact information for Quito please visit: http://www.urbanadventures.com/contact-us Otavalo Market, a full day tour of the biggest Indian market in South America in the northern town of Otavalo, full of local handicrafts to take home for your friends, and the Cotacachi leather market. Cotopaxi Volcano, for something more active, head out to the 5,897 metre high Cotopaxi Volcano – drop by the National Park museum, then hike for around 2 hours and visit the picturesque Limpiopungo Lagoon. Quilotoa Lagoon, if you’re into lagoons, maybe take a full day trip to the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon. Early in the morning, drive 3 hours south through the local communities and Andes views of the Avenue of Volcanoes. Then hike (2 hours return) to the beautiful Quilotoa volcano crater lagoon, before returning to Quito. Something more chill is a full day at the Papallacta Hot Springs – take a scenic drive, reaching heights of 4,150 metres, and then relax in springs with views to the towering Antisana Volcano. Cloud Forest, maybe get in touch with the region’s incredible nature with a shared services trip to the Cloud Forest – take a guided hike through a reserve on the edge of the Choco Bio-region, one of the most bio-diverse places in the world, and get acquainted with the exuberant vegetation, bird life, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment. Papallacta-Something more chill is a full day at the Papallacta Hot Springs – take a scenic drive, reaching heights of 4,150 metres, and then relax in springs with views to the towering Antisana Volcano. Please note, the prices listed below include entrance fees, however these are paid separately by you during the tour. Some tours require a minimum of 2 passengers to operate. (Please note prices listed are subject to change)

Welcome to lush Isla San Cristobal. Your Galapagos adventure is finally here! Kick it off with a classic local pastime: snorkelling in La Loberia La Loberia. You'll get to swim with playful sea lions and maybe even some sea turtles. Tonight you may wish to head out with the group and enjoy some ceviche (fresh raw fish and lime) in the balmy night air of this island paradise.

Skate across clear waters teeming with marine life on the way to the shapely Leon Dormido (kicker rock) or uninhabited Isla Lobos, depending on the weather and how rough the ocean is. The bulbous, bright red chest of the frigate birds that nest in both areas makes them easy to spot, though the blue-footed boobies tend to be trickier because their feet are as pale and clear as the sky and sea. Both areas are spectacular for snorkeling, and manta rays and harmless Galapagos sharks frequent their waters. Eat lunch on the boat then head to the Interpretation Center to learn about the history of the 'Enchanted Islands'. Next, climb Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas), an invigorating hike that rewards with spectacular views.

The heat and the sunshine make waking up early in the Galapagos a fair bit easier than doing it at home, but if you're still half-asleep a morning boat ride to Floreana Island should wake you up. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as dolphins and whales, as these majestic mammals are occasional residents of the ocean here. On arrival to the island, snorkel in the sapphire waters and then break for lunch. Afterwards venture to a black sand beach which belongs to the Witmers, decedents of some of the first settlers on the Galapagos. The town here, Puerto Velasco Ibarra, has about 150 residents and an intriguing history involving deaths, disappearances and murders. Later in the afternoon, wave goodbye to Floreana and continue to Isabela Island where you will spend the night.

You may have seen plastic flamingos decorating lawns before, but trust us when we say they are a lot more majestic in person, as you'll see for yourself during a visit to a brackish lagoon where we will be able to observe the slender pink birds. In the afternoon after an informative visit, board a small pangas (boat) and set sail for Tintoreras. Explore this isolated islet and popular iguana nesting site on foot and then snorkel with colourful fish next to winding underground lava tubes. This area is frequented by green sea turtles that like to rest on the calm, sandy bottom, which is pretty brave when you consider their proximity to infamous 'Shark Alley'. Late afternoon, return to town in search of your own sandy resting spot and enjoy your first Isabela sunset, arguably the most beautiful of all the islands.

Jump on the bus in the morning and in less than an hour you'll be beneath the the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos and the second largest crater in the world. Weather permitting, take a challenging hike of around 17 km up the rocky mountain, which takes between five and six hours. After the hike, make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

You haven't really kayaked until you've done it in the morning of the coast of Isla Santa Isabela. After that dreamy start to your day, hop on a speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz, where you've got a free afternoon to do as you please. Maybe head to a restaurant that offers a typical Eduadorian lunch package, simply referred to as ‘Menu’. Usually this consists of a fresh juice, a basic entree (usually a soup) as well as a main meal. These lunch deals are very popular throughout Ecuador so it’s a great way to eat like a local.

This morning we will hike approximately 3.5 km to Tortuga Bay beach where we will head out on a kayak excursion in a protected bay. Along the way, keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and more of our friends the blue-footed boobies. In the afternoon Head to the Charles Darwin Research Station. By now you've probably grown attached to these gorgeous islands and this is a great opportunity to learn more about conservation efforts currently underway to preserve their unique ecosystems. You can even get close to giant tortoises which are being raised for the repopulation program. In the evening, enjoy an included group dinner.

We say goodbye to the Galapagos today and take a flight back to Ecuador mainland for the next section of this adventure. Guayaquil, officially Santiago de Guayaquil, is the seaside gateway to the next section of your South Ecuador adventure. First things first, join your group and tour leader for a meeting at 2 pm. After the meeting, feel free to use the rest of your afternoon and evening to explore Guayaquil. Maybe take a stroll along the boardwalk overlooking the Guayas river, which is particularly lively in the evening. Here you’ll find monuments, interesting sculptures and food stalls where the humble plantain is made into everything from dumplings to chips. Note: As this is a combination trip, the compostion of your group may change and you will be joined by a new Tour Leader.

After breakfast we’ll take a 3.5 hour bus ride to what many consider Ecuador’s most attractive city. See for yourself why this medieval fortress town earned a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during a tour of the city. Cuenca is a study in how architecture can complement environment, where ornate buildings are built into craggy cliff faces. After the tour, the rest of the day is yours. Why not wander this imminently strollable city while munching on a skewer of cuy? This rich, roasted meet is popular all over the Americas, but is particularly renowned in Cuenca, though you might know the animal by its Western name: guinea pig!

It’s entirely up to you how you spend today, though there are many optional activities you may wish to take advantage of. Located about 30 km away, Cajas National Park makes a fabulous day-trip. There are plenty of walking trails that will lead you through the diverse park, where steep hills covered in feathery shrubs meet rocky valleys and tangled forest. If you’re looking for gifts, the quaint town of Chordeleg is just an hour away from Cuenca, where you’ll find markets overflowing with the intricate handiwork of the many local silversmiths and jewellery makers. If you’d prefer to stay in Cuenca, remember that beauty lies around almost every corner of the city, making it a lovely place to lose yourself in.

Rise and continue your journey deeper into the South of the country. Private transport will ferry you to Vilcabamba, but before we arrive there will be a stop in Saraguro, named after the Kichwa Nation indigenous folk who have called the area home for over 500 years. After a tour of this small town and the beautiful central church, a typical local lunch will be served in neighbouring farming village of Namarin. Although the contents of lunch will depend on the day, be prepared for rustic, hearty dishes made from potatoes—a staple of Southern Ecuadorian cuisine.

Today we will explore this verdant valley town via a walking tour, wandering roads shared by tame livestock such as donkeys. This relaxed town was once named the “Valley of Longevity,” and while claims of residents extra-long lifespans have since been disproven, there’s no doubt the mineral-rich produce, clear mountain water and fantastic weather make for a happy and chilled out community. Later, we will travel to Podocarpus National Park where you can breathe deep the heady scent of orchids and spot endemic plant species. Spend up to 3 to 4 hours wandering this biodiverse park, including natural wonders like the mist-filled elfin forests you’ll find at 3000 metres elevation.

Your day is as clear as an Ecuadorian summer sky. You could opt to see more of nature’s bounty at the Tapichalaca Reserve, or follow the white crosses that line the road on an invigorating 2 hour hike from the centre of town up Caraarango to the shrine of Tuku Tuku. If you’re seeking something more relaxed, why not sip a blood-red horchata (a drink infused with local roots and herbs) and then perhaps walk to the lush banks of the Vilcabamba River. This body of water was the subject of the first court battle to successfully cite Ecuador’s constitutionally protected right for nature to flourish free from man-made interference, and you can experience up all the ambiance that was protected by the ruling.

A 4:30 am pick up time from the hotel is necessary to try and make the famous craft markets of Otavalo. A boxed breakfast will ease you into the day before the short journey to the airport, where the hour-long flight to Ecuador’s capital leaves at 7:20 am. Upon landing, a private van will take you on the almost 2 hour drive to Otavalo, where you can shop for dramatically patterned textiles, handwoven bags and knick-knacks.

Explore the epic green valleys of Otavalo in the morning. Next, inspect the fine leather goods of nearby Cotacachi, where expert tailors can fit you on the spot if you so desire. If you do buy a jacket, perhaps remove it before arriving at the Peguche Waterfalls, a spot so enchanting it’s no surprise local Shamans observe Summer solstice here. After a hour-long hike of the area surrounding the falls, return to Quito for a free afternoon.

Today marks the end of your adventure with Intrepid, though there is so much more to explore in Ecuador and beyond if you have the time.