11 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America
Adventure through Ecuador, the Galapagos and Panama on this 11-day Pacific tour. Begin your trip in Quito, the cultured capital of Ecuador, high in the foothills of the Andes. Take a city tour to get under the skin of this beautifully preserved colonial gem in its remarkable mountain setting. Next, ... Read More
By Mélanie and Florentine
Physical Difficulty
Recommended Age
Operated in
GUIDANCE
starting point
trip type
trip attributes
Snorkeling/Diving
Outdoors & Nature
Start
Night
End
Galapagos
Wildlife
Panama
Islands
Galapagos
Wildlife
Panama
Islands
Accommodation Categories
Quito Airport - Quito Historic Center
Welcome to Ecuador !
A proverb says "Traveling leaves you speechless at first, before turning you into a storyteller"
... Let the adventure start in the country of the middle of the world ! Chulla vida !
Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide.
Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel.
Night at the Hotel Adamas in Standard room.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Quito Historic Center
English-speaking guide in a private transport.
Quito stands out for its topography spread out from north to south, in an Andean corridor flanked by the Pichincha volcano and the valley where the airport is located. But it is above all the largest and most preserved colonial city on the continent.
Then you will visit the colonial and republican center of Quito :
Night at the Hotel Adamas in Standard room.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Quito Airport - Baltra - Highland - Charles Darwin Station - Puerto Ayora
Transport with an english-speaking guide from your hotel to Quito's airport.
You will take a flight of about 2 hours from Quito to Baltra.
You will arrive at the Baltra airport, located on a small island next to Santa Cruz.
Your guide will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport.
You will then pay the entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park before picking up your luggage.
You will reach the Itabaca Canal by public bus (5 minutes) and cross it by public barge (10 minutes). From there, you will continue to the main island by private pick-up to reach Puerto Ayora (45 minutes).
Santa Cruz is the second largest and most populated island in the Galapagos archipelago.
You will make a stop in the Highlands of the island.
Starting from Crocker Hill, the highest point of Santa Cruz.
You will be able to observe several extinct volcanoes, covered with endemic vegetation, habitat of many birds such as the wizard bird, finches, the Galapagos petrel.
You will see the Puntudo, a cone of volcanic slag, formed by the liquid lava expelled powerfully.
You will then go to the Manzanillo farm to observe the giant turtles in their natural habitat. Walking among these impressive animals is an indelible memory.
Upon your arrival in Puerto Ayora, you will go to the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn about the islands' biodiversity conservation initiatives and see up close the famous giant tortoises, the iguanas of the different islands and magnificent examples of the local flora.
Night in La Isla hotel in Standard room.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Puerto Ayora - Bartolomé - Puerto Ayora
This boat trip will take you to Bartolomé Island, one of the most famous uninhabited islands of the archipelago.
You will be picked up at your hotel and a private bus will take you directly to the boat's landing stage.
During this excursion, you will learn more about the geology of Galapagos.
After climbing the 400 steps to reach the Pinnacle Rock, you will have a view that corresponds to the most emblematic photo of the archipelago. The landscape is made up of many volcanic colors: orange, red, brown and black, which makes it special.
You will be able to walk, snorkel and swim.
NOTE: 5 hours round trip by boat. Boat capacity: 16 people.
Night in La Isla hotel in Standard room.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Puerto Ayora - Puerto Villamil - Tintoreras Rock - Puerto Villamil
A Spanish-speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the pier in Puerto Ayora.
You will travel from Santa Cruz to Isabela aboard a public speedboat. The boat trip takes between 2 and 3 hours.
NOTE: at your arrival in Isabela, you will take a taxi-boat (incluido) and have to pay the local tax (10$ per person, not included) at Isabela harbour.
A Spanish speaking driver will welcome you at the port of Puerto Villamil and take you to your hotel.
The Tintoreras are small islands of volcanic rock that are located in front of Puerto Villamil. You will reach them in 10 minutes by boat and stay there for 3 hours.
They are so named because the population of sharks called Tintoreras is abundant in these turquoise waters.
These sharks come to take refuge in crevices on the edge of the islet and that you can observe from the rocks.
During this outing you will see colonies of sea wolves, sea turtles, iguanas, and penguins.
If you do snorkeling, it will be the occasion to swim among the turtles that often abound in these places.
Night at Isamar hotel in Vista al Mar room.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Puerto Villamil - Rose Cape - Puerto Villamil
Departure by fast boat for a trip of about 1 hour to reach Rosa Cape and the place known as the Lava Tunnels.
It is one of our favorite places to practice snorkeling. Quiet waters because protected by a rocky barrier, transparent and shallow. We can often observe giant rays, seahorses, lobsters, penguins, harmless sharks and of course giant turtles. The simple experience of swimming above and very close to these animals, at their pace, is worth all the gold in the world!
But this unique place conceals a complex of eroded lava tunnels, forming small bridges and pools where many animals come to feed. Including the famous blue-legged boobies! That you will approach at less than one meter like nowhere else in the world, trying of course not to disturb them.
Night at Isamar hotel in Vista al Mar room.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Puerto Villamil - Puerto Ayora - Santa Cruz - Las Grietas - Puerto Ayora
A Spanish speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the pier in Puerto Villamil.
You will travel from Isabela to Santa Cruz aboard a public speedboat. The boat trip takes around 3 hours.
A Spanish speaking driver will pick you up at the port of Santa Cruz and take you to your hotel.
Free time in Santa Cruz. Suggested visit: Tortuga Bay
It is a beautiful beach of white sand, it is called like that because it is the place where the black tortoise lay the eggs. You will be able to see the white tail shark, iguanas, mangroves and flamingos. It is a great place to see birds.
Note : the beach closes at 5 pm.
Free time in Santa Cruz. Suggested visit: Las Grietas.
It is a surprising place where fresh and sea water mix between 2 cliffs. To get there: go to the port, from there you take "a sea taxi" and go to the other side. Then you follow the path that passes by the Finch Bay Hotel, between the expanses of cooled lava plates and the iridescent pools of the mineral oxides they contain. After a 15-minute walk, you will discover this amazing crevasse where you can snorkel in its crystal-clear waters.
NOTE: Register with a nearby tour operator to pay the entrance fee of 15 USD per person.
You will be accompanied by a guide (tours depart approximately every hour).
Night in La Isla hotel in Standard room.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Puerto Ayora - Baltra - Quito Airport - Tocumen Airport - Panama city - Casco Antiguo
You will be taken by private transport from your hotel or from the port to Baltra airport.
You will take a flight of about 2 hours from Baltra to Quito.
Free connection for your international flight from Quito. According to your flight schedule, you will dispose of more or less free time.
Welcome to Panama !
Your driver will be waiting for you at Tocumen international airport in Panama City, to take you to your hotel.
Approximate driving time : 45 minutes
Night at La Concordia Boutique Hotel.
Santa Ana Deluxe Suite.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Panama city - Amador - Isla Saboga
Private transfer from your hotel to Amador port.
Approximate driving time : 30 minutes
Leaving from Amador, you will take the ferry to go to Saboga island, located in the heart of Las Perlas' archipelago.
Approximate crossing time : 1 hour and 15 minutes
On arrival at the Saboga dock, your lodge will pick you up and take you by boat to the hotel.
Night and full board at Saboga Lodge
Ocean View Studio or Ocean View Suite.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Isla Saboga - Amador - Panama city - Casco Antiguo
Free day to rest by the water's edge at Saboga Island.
Facilities included during your stay :
Suggested activities at extra cost - please consult us :
Your lodge will bring you back to Saboga dock to take the ferry.
Leaving from Saboga island, you will take the ferry to go back to the main city, Panama City.
Approximate crossing time : 1 hour and 15 minutes
Private transfer from Amador to your hotel.
Approximate driving time : 30 minutes
Night at La Concordia Boutique Hotel.
Santa Ana Deluxe Suite.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Panama city - Tocumen Airport
Half day guided city tour of Panama City
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a city tour of Panama City.
You will be accompanied by an english-speaking guide .
First step to Panama La Vieja , which was the first capital of the country before being destroyed by the famous pirate Henry Morgan. Then you will reach the Casco Antiguo . This bohemian center of Panama City will make you travel in time and immerse yourself into the the historical past of the country. Take a walk in the narrow streets bordered with colorful buildings leading to the Plaza de Francia. Discover the Art-Deco architecture and the cathedral.
Note: Panama La Vieja is closed on Mondays
Three hours before take off, private transfer to Tocumen airport for your international flight.
Approximate driving time : 45 minutes
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Meals
Extras
Not Included
TEAM LEAD
+1 Local experts
Baboo Certified
Kayaking
Hiking
Rafting
Snorkeling/Diving
Visit markets
Meet local people
Rural home stays
Indigenous culture
Yoga
Wellness retreat
Detox
Historic & cultural landmarks
Outdoors & Nature
Classic Sights
Food & Drink
Travel with Purpose
Beach & Sea
From the Paris region and curious to discover the world, it is finally in Ecuador that Mélanie has decided to settle, after having traveled all over Europe and for two years in Latin America. As a nature lover, Ecuador had everything to please her.
Travel that Makes a Difference
By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.
Let’s regenerate the planet together
We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.
$4,607.00 USD