Ecuador: Volcanoes, Jungle & the Galápagos
"The natural history of this archipelago is very remarkable; it seems to be a little world within itself." ~ Charles Darwin
Our Ecuador
The full behind-the-scenes story of how we craft our Ecuador experience — the camps, the guides, the logistics, and the people who make it extraordinary — is coming soon.
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Adventure International weaves together the soaring Andes, the Amazon cloud forest, and the living laboratory of the Galápagos in one extraordinary multisport journey. The experience begins in UNESCO-listed Quito, climbs toward Cotopaxi — the world's highest active volcano — descends by mountain bike through breathtaking waterfalls, shoots the rapids of the Jatunyacu River, and finishes with sea lions, giant tortoises, and pristine Galápagos snorkeling across three islands.
Every element is privately arranged — from expert local guides and gourmet Andean lodges to island-hopping charter flights, cultural encounters in indigenous communities, and surfing on white-sand Galápagos beaches.
Arrive in Quito
Welcome to Quito — the largest, best-preserved colonial city in the Americas, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Located on the equator at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano, the city is the Cultural Capital of South America. Explore the historic old town and receive a welcome briefing at your hotel beside San Francisco Plaza.
Trek in Cotopaxi National Park
Drive south along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park. Hike around Limpiopungo lagoon at 12,000 ft with views of Cotopaxi — the highest active volcano in the world — then attempt the trek to basecamp at 16,000 ft before continuing to the sacred Llanganates highlands and the gateway town of Baños.
Mountain Biking in Llanganates
An invigorating mountain bike ride descends from Llanganates National Park through cloud forest dotted with waterfalls, Andean farmlands, and the beautiful Pastaza River canyon. The route drops into lush jungle with views of Baños nestled at the base of active Tungurahua volcano. Afternoon free to explore Baños and the Swing at the End of the World.
Highway of the Waterfalls & Canyoning
Cross the Pastaza River by Tarabita cable car to the Bride's Veil waterfall, hike to Pailon del Diablo — Ecuador's second-highest waterfall — then descend into Llanganates National Park. A local native guide leads you through tropical rainforest canyons filled with extraordinary flora and fauna. Evening at a jungle lodge deep in the Amazon.
Rafting the Jatunyacu & Hot Springs
Tackle the class III rapids of the Jatunyacu River through breathtaking Amazon rainforest scenery. A riverside picnic lunch follows before climbing back into the Andes, stopping at the Guango hummingbird reserve, and finishing the day soaking in the volcanic hot springs of Papallacta — one of the world's most spectacular high-altitude thermal spas.
Otavalo Market & Sacha WarmiKuna
Visit the legendary Otavalo market — a kaleidoscope of textiles, alpaca throws, ceramics, and jewelry traded by Kichwa people in traditional blue ponchos. Lunch in Pijal at the Sacha WarmiKuna women's community project: prepare traditional ají sauce, share a farm-to-table lunch, and learn the ancient art of backstrap weaving from local women.
Cuicocha Crater Lake
Trek around the rim of Cuicocha, a still-active volcano in the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Your guide introduces the beautiful páramo flowers along the trail, and a boat ride to the center of the crater reveals bubbles rising from the caldera below.
Arrive San Cristóbal — Snorkel La Loberia
Fly to San Cristóbal in the Galápagos. Afternoon at La Loberia beach — a sea lion colony where playful animals swim alongside snorkelers. Spot yellow warblers, frigate birds, Darwin's finches, and marine iguanas while exploring this extraordinary living laboratory.
Snorkel at Kicker Rock
Boat to Kicker Rock (León Dormido) — two lava monoliths rising 500 ft from the ocean forming a navigable channel. Tropic birds, frigate birds, and boobies fill the sky while hammerhead sharks, white-tips, and rainbow fish dazzle below. A beach afternoon and sunset return complete the day.
Isabela: Arrive & Bike the Coastline
Charter flight to Isabela — the largest and most volcanically active island, formed by six shield volcanoes. Explore the stunning coastline by bike: the Wall of Tears, flamingo-filled lagoons, pristine white-sand beaches, and mangrove forests. Breathtaking sunset on the beach at Puerto Villamil.
Snorkel the Lava Tunnels
Explore 'Los Tuneles' — lava arches forming a labyrinth of crystal-clear water filmed by BBC and National Geographic. Sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, and playful Galápagos penguins all navigate this remarkable underwater world — arguably the finest snorkeling in the entire archipelago.
Hike Sierra Negra & Kayak Tintoreras
Trek to the rim of Sierra Negra — an active volcano last erupted in 2005 — with its massive six-mile-wide lava caldera. Continue to Volcán Chico for fumaroles and surreal colored lava formations. Afternoon kayak to Tintoreras Islet with white-tipped reef sharks, penguins, turtles, and a unique iguana breeding beach.
Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin & Giant Tortoises
Speed boat to Santa Cruz. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about endemic species and conservation efforts. In the afternoon hike through El Chato reserve in the highlands — home to the famous Galápagos giant tortoises — with egrets, pintail ducks, finches, and frigatebirds completing the scene.
Tortuga Bay Surfing & Departure
A morning surfing lesson on the crystalline waters of Tortuga Bay — one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago — with time for snorkeling. Transfer to Baltra Airport for the flight back to the mainland, with a final night in Quito before international departures.
Ecuador in Motion
Ecuador
Volcanoes, Amazon & Galápagos
From the Andes to the Galápagos
Ecuador — from Andean peaks to the Galápagos Islands.
Ecuador Is Waiting for You
Ecuador awaits — volcanoes, cloud forests, and Amazon adventures.
Still Dream: Ecuador
A dreamlike journey through Ecuador's diverse landscapes and cultures.
The Best of Ecuador and the Galápagos
The ultimate combination — Ecuador's mainland and the Galápagos Islands.
Galápagos Ecuador
Discover the enchanted Galápagos Islands and their unique wildlife.
The Best of Galápagos
The best of the Galápagos — giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
Yasuní National Park
Explore Yasuní National Park — one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
Amazon
Journey deep into Ecuador's Amazon rainforest.
Swipe to explore →
Mountain Biking the Cloud Forest
The Llanganates mountain bike descent is one of the most spectacular rides in South America. Starting above 10,000 feet in the cloud forest sacred to the Incas, the route threads through breathtaking waterfalls, Andean farmlands, river canyons, and patches of primary jungle. The trail drops nearly 5,000 feet over 20 miles, finishing in Baños.
- Llanganates National Park descent
- 3 hours riding, 20 miles (32 km)
- Elevation drop through cloud forest
- Pastaza River canyon views
- Views of active Tungurahua volcano
- Guided with bike support vehicle
- Mostly downhill (first 45 min uphill)
- Cobblestone, dirt roads and asphalt
Galápagos Wildlife: A World Apart
The Galápagos are unlike any wildlife destination on the planet. Animals evolved here without land predators and have no fear of humans — sea lions swim alongside you, penguins pop up next to your kayak, marine iguanas sun themselves at arm's length, and giant tortoises lumber past on jungle trails. Every snorkel is a cinema-quality encounter with sharks, rays, turtles, and tropical fish.
- Galápagos sea lions snorkeling & on the beach
- Marine iguanas (only found in Galápagos)
- Galápagos penguins at Los Tuneles
- Giant tortoises at El Chato reserve
- Hammerhead & white-tip reef sharks at Kicker Rock
- Eagle rays & green sea turtles
- Flamingos on Isabela lagoons
- Darwin's finches, frigate birds & blue-footed boobies
- Hundreds of endemic species across three islands
Galápagos wildlife encounters are natural and subject to seasonal variation.
The Galápagos: Three Islands, One Archipelago
Moving between San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Santa Cruz by charter flight, the itinerary reveals three distinct Galápagos personalities. San Cristóbal offers Kicker Rock and La Loberia sea lion encounters. Isabela — the largest and most volcanically active island — provides Sierra Negra hikes, the Wall of Tears bike ride, and the extraordinary lava tunnel snorkeling. Santa Cruz hosts the Charles Darwin Research Station and the legendary giant tortoises of El Chato.
- San Cristóbal: Kicker Rock snorkeling & La Loberia sea lions
- Isabela: Wall of Tears bike ride & flamingo lagoons
- Isabela: Lava Tunnels with turtles, sharks & penguins
- Isabela: Sierra Negra volcano hike & Tintoreras kayak
- Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Research Station
- Santa Cruz: Giant tortoise hike at El Chato
- Santa Cruz: Tortuga Bay surfing lesson
- Inter-island charter flights included
- Expert naturalist guides throughout
Mainland Ecuador: Volcanoes, Jungle & Culture
The mainland portion is a masterclass in Andean multisport adventure. Trek to the flanks of Cotopaxi volcano, bike down from Llanganates cloud forest, canyon through jungle waterfalls, and raft the class III rapids of the Jatunyacu River. Evenings are spent in extraordinary lodges — a 300-year-old Jesuit hacienda spa, a jungle lodge above the Napo River, and a high-altitude thermal resort on the historic Cinnamon Trail.
- Cotopaxi National Park trek at 16,000 ft
- Mountain bike descent through Llanganates cloud forest
- Highway of the Waterfalls: cable car, hike, canyoning
- Class III Jatunyacu River rafting
- Guango hummingbird reserve stop
- Papallacta volcanic hot springs
- Otavalo indigenous market
- Sacha WarmiKuna women's community project in Pijal
- Cuicocha active crater lake trek
- Quito UNESCO colonial city exploration
Accommodations
Casa Gangotena
Premier luxury hotel beside San Francisco Plaza in Quito's UNESCO historic center — the only Relais & Châteaux property in Quito, with a rooftop terrace and Cocina Mestiza restaurant.
Samari Spa Resort, Baños
A 300-year-old former Jesuit hacienda in Baños with 4 hectares of gardens, an open-air antique museum, gourmet restaurant, and full-service spa with heated pool, sauna, and Turkish bath.
Hamadryade Lodge
Exclusive Amazon jungle lodge near Puerto Misahualli within 65 hectares of primary and secondary forest, overlooking the Napo River and the Sumaco/Galleras Biosphere Reserve.
Termas Papallacta
Hot springs resort at 10,827 ft on the historic Cinnamon Trail of the conquistadors, 45 minutes from Quito Airport, with multiple thermal pools, spa, and stunning Andean valley views.
La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa
Elegant 200-year-old Andean hacienda near Cotacachi with fragrant botanical gardens, hummingbirds, peacocks, an indoor heated pool, and a full-service spa.
Hotel Indigo Galapagos
Boutique hotel on San Cristóbal Island with private ocean-view balconies, infinity pool, Darwin's Secret restaurant, and full-service spa.
Iguana Crossing, Isabela
Beachfront boutique hotel on Isabela Island surrounded by endemic vegetation, with ocean and Sierra Negra volcano views, poolside terrace, and direct beach access.
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
The only beachfront hotel in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, with a private yacht, kayak and snorkel gear, swimming pool, spa, and rooms opening directly to the Pacific.
The Journey in Full
Journey Line
Follow the path from start to finish — each stop along your adventure.
Designed Around You
This featured journey is an example rather than a fixed package. Adventure International can adjust every element to match how you want to experience Ecuador and the Galápagos.
Your Ecuador Story Starts Here
From the summit of Cotopaxi to the living laboratory of the Galápagos, we will design a private journey shaped around how you want to experience this extraordinary corner of the world.