Ultimate Galapagos

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Mindo

Description: Are the Galapagos Islands all they're cracked up to be? We think so! And just in case there isn't enough on the Galapagos to keep you busy, on this brilliant 4 week tour you are guaranteed to see the very best that Ecuador has to offer. You start off in historic Quito where you can bond with your home stay family and get an insiders tour of the city. Then you head off into the hills to the dramatic Valle de Mindo where you will roll up your sleeves and lend a hand to help conserve this amazing region. Your reward for all your efforts comes in the form of flying through the forest canopy by zip line. Then you're headed deep into the Amazon where you will ride around in a motorized canoe seeing monkeys, dolphins and some incredibly rare flora and fauna. Once you emerge from the jungle you will board you're flight to the Galapagos for a four day tour of these magical islands. Make friends with giant turtles, watch flamingos breeding in the afternoon and snorkel in warm waters in search of tropical fish so colorful and funny looking you cant even imagine. And you're not done yet! You still have a trip through the beautiful Andes region on horseback to visit some amazing volcanic craters and breathtaking scenery.

*Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Welcome to Ecuador. Today you will settle in and meet your newly adopted home stay family. Meals are included.

*Day 2: Quito - Middle of the World
Curious what a shrunken head looks like? You're in luck because today you will visit the Museo Intinan in the Middle of the World. Here you will stock up on Ecuadorian history and learn about the different indigenous groups and their rather unusual customs (from a foreigners perspective that is). In the afternoon, you will meet the i-to-i team for a complete orientation on Ecuador and your tour. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 3: Otavalo Handicraft market
Jump on the public bus and travel to Otavalo, home to the largest indigenous handicraft market in all of South America. Today is the day to buy on all those embroidered blouses, beaded necklaces, ponchos and sandals you have been admiring on the locals for the past two days. As you wander the streets you'll be wowed by the shear diversity of the offerings. Armadillo shell guitars and ceramic fried eggs are just two of the hidden treasures on offer. Be sure to explore the side streets as you'll probably get better deals away from the main square. Breakfast is included.

*Day 4: Cuicocha Crater Lake
Board your boat and be awed by the mere size of the vast Cuicocha Crater Lake, standing at an impressive 3 kilometers wide and 200 meters deep. The lake was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions though not to worry, the last one was over 3,000 years ago. You will cruise the lake by small boat and gaze out onto the various volcanic islands that peak out from the lakes glassy surface.
Breakfast and dinner are included.

*Day 5: Quito
You have today to explore the culture rich city of Quito on your own terms. Wander the Old Town, recognized by UNESCO as world heritage site. Wrap yourself in a different time when you explore the countless churches, monasteries and plazas. This evening you will travel to Banos, the adventure capital of Ecuador. Breakfast is included.

*Day 6 to 7: Banos
Majestically located at the slopes of Tungurahua volcano, Banos is quickly becoming a favorite with outdoor enthusiasts and adventure lovers. Spend the next couple days getting your adrenaline pumping with rafting, kayaking, canyoning, rock climbing, horseback riding, trekking or mountain biking; they are all at your finger tips.Note: the activities you choose to do in Banos are all optional extras and need to be paid for in country. Breakfast is included.

*Day 8 to 12: Quito to Mindo
After a leisurely morning in Quito you will make your way to the Valle de Mindo, deep in the Andes cloud forest. Mindo is known for its incredible biodiversity and bird watching sites. For the next few days you will be working in the Río Bravo Reserve to help conserve the cloud forest. Depending on the needs of the station and the weather conditions, you may be helping to create and maintain tree nurseries, collect seeds, plant trees and work in the organic farm. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 13: Canopy Tour
Hike down through the cloud forest to reach the jumping off point for your canopy tour! Snap on your harness and fly through the forest, taking in incredible views and feeling an unbelievable rush as the cool forest air fills your lungs and colors your cheeks. Once youve managed to catch your breath you will head off to Mindo town where you can spoil yourself with a hot shower and a tasty meal. Breakfast is included.

*Day 14 to 15: Quito
Catch up on some sleep and have a leisurely morning before you board the bus back to Quito in the early afternoon. Spend the next couple days catching up with your host family, checking emails or exploring the various new trendy bars and restaurants in Ecuador's capital. Why not take a cable car ride up beautiful Ruccu Pichincha Mountain or visit the Museum Guayasamin, a museum dedicated to the works of Oswaldo Guayasamin, one of Ecuador's most famous artists. Breakfast and dinner are included.

*Day 16: Quito to the Amazon
After tiring yourself out exploring Quito you will hop on the night bus into the Amazon. The long journey will take you through gorgeous scenery and you can watch the sun rise from your seat as you plunge deeper and deeper into the forest.
Breakfast is included.

*Day 17: Cuyabeno Reserve
Welcome to the Ecuadorian jungle&a magical land filled with pink river dolphins, caimans, piranhas, monkeys and even macaws (large tropical parrots)! Today you will take a motorized canoe to the cabin where you will be staying for the next few days. You will have some time to relax before you take a stroll along the Ceibo trail, a path leading to the regions largest tree species. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 18: Cuyabeno Reserve
After an early breakfast, you will hop on a motorized canoe to visit the Laguna Grande, Cuyabeno's largest lake. Here you will have a chance to see some of the regions famed wildlife including monkeys and dolphins! After stopping for lunch, you will continue down the Cuyabeno River to the visit the indigenous community of Puerto Bolivar where you will learn about the local way of life and even how to make yucca bread. Optional nocturnal walks and/or canoe rides may be requested free of charge!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 19: Cuyabeno
Early morning bird walks are more than welcome though completely optional for those less than enthusiastic about such an early start. After breakfast, you will trek through the rainforest, exploring the area and admiring the exotic plants and animals along the way. A helpful guide will be by your side to point out medicinal plants and explain how they are involved in local customs. You may even want to cast modern technology aside and row yourself down the river is a native style canoe. You can spend the afternoon fishing for piranhas and taking refreshing dips in the Cuyabeno River. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 20: Cuyabeno
Today you will explore one last trail before taking the overnight bus back to Quito. Breakfast and lunch are included.

*Day 21: Quito
You have today to relax and recover from your time in the forest. Fill your home stay family in on all the exciting details! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 22: Quito to the Galapagos Islands (Island of Baltra)
Welcome to the islands that have made Ecuador famous. You will fly from Quito to the Island of Baltra and then head to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Then its off on a speedboat to Isabela where you will spend the night. After you get settled into your hotel, you will head to the Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in the Galapagos and one of the main breeding grounds of flamingos. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 23: Volcan Chico and Playa Grande
An early start to the day allows you to enjoy a full day tour of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the world's second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. Hop on your horse and explore! In the afternoon you will have a chance to visit some beautiful beaches, kayak in Playa Grande or snorkel in Concha Perla. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

*Day 24: Giant turtles and Charles Darwin
After breakfast you will board a speedboat to Puerto Ayora where you will spend the night. Visit giant turtles in their natural habitat and then, after lunch in the highlands, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. At the station you will learn about the different species on the islands and even have the chance to keep "Lonesome George" (the last Galápagos turtle of its species) company. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

*Day 25: The Gemelos
Today after breakfast you will visit the famous Gemelos or "Twins." These unique land formations are similar to craters but were formed by lava flowing below the ground rather than above it. After exploring the craters you will fly back to Quito and spend the night at your home stay. Breakfast and dinner are included.

*Day 26: Cotopaxi National Park
Get ready to explore this amazing region Andes style, on horseback. Take in the magnificent countryside and rugged peaks as you trot through Cotopaxi and Illinizas Nation Parks. Breakfast and box lunch are included.

*Day 27: Quilotoa Laguna
Today you will be visiting Quilotoa Laguna, a magnificent crater lake spanning 3 kilometers. Trek along the rim and try to catch a glimpse of the bottom of the crater, 250 meters below the craters edge. This is one of the most beautiful routes connecting the highlands with the coast and is framed by jagged snowcapped peaks. Breakfast and box lunch are included

*Day 28: Quito
After breakfast you will return to Quito. Today is your final day so be sure to make the most of it! Get in any last minute shopping and sightseeing and say your final good bye to your host family. Breakfast and dinner are included.

*Day 29: Depart
Its time to bid farewell to Ecuador. You will be taken to the airport in time to catch your flight.

Highlights:
* Meeting giant turtles and flamingos in the Galapagos Islands
* Cruising through the rainforest by canoe in search of monkeys and dolphins
* Touring historic Quito, Ecuador's culture rich capital city
* Working with locals to help conserve the biodiversity of the Valle de Mindo
* Gazing down into the depths of the majestic Cuicocha Crater (200 meters deep!)
* Flying through the cloud forest by zip line on your canopy tour
* Incredible views from your saddle as you ride past Andean snow-capped peaks

Cost in US$: USD 4,175.00 for 4 weeks

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1994