12-Day Ecuador & Galapagos Regenerative Travel

Itinerary

• DAY 1 WELCOME TO ECUADOR – DINNER IN QUITO
  

  Welcome to the first day of your regenerative, wellness, and healing journey on this 12-day Ecuador and Galapagos Regenerative Travel and Healing tour. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred from Quito International Airport to your selected hotel. While you are at your hotel you will begin your healing experience with a certified sound healer who will prepare you for the following days of exciting adventure and self-awakening.

  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Dinner*.
  • Accommodation:Ilatoa Lodge or similar.
• DAY 2 OTAVALO - QUICHUA COMMUNITY VISIT
  

  Today you will be accompanied by a life coach and sound healer. The visit to the community will give you lots of food for thought and together with your English-speaking coach you can digest and learn from all the experiences.

  Otavalo is about 2 hour’s driving distance from Quito. During your visit, you will see the most important indigenous market and the vibrant colors of the various handicrafts and textile works. In addition, you can visit a bird sanctuary called Condor Park, the San Pablo Lake reflecting the Imbabura Volcano, or you can also visit the nearby town of Cotacachi known for its leather works.

  In particular, you will visit a Quichua community located near Cotacachi in the Andean mountains. There are different activities to choose from:

  • The Alli Maki workshop specializes in hand embroidery.
  • The Sumak Muyo workshop offers tagua necklaces.
  • The Milma Wasi workshop features weaving ponchos, shawls, and scarves.
  • Or visit the native garden with organic herbal plants.

  • Activity:Relaxing, local artisanal workshops.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Ilatoa Lodge or similar.
• DAY 3 QUITO - SAN CRISTOBAL
  

  You will be provided a transfer from your hotel to the Quito International Airport for your departing flight. You will depart Quito to the Galapagos on a flight of about 2.5 hours. You may have a short stopover in Guayaquil before arriving at the San Cristóbal airport in Galapagos Islands.

  At the arrivals area of San Cristobal Airport, your driver will be waiting to pick you up and will bring you to your selected hotel in the village of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The drive takes about 5 minutes.

  You will have an amazing opportunity to go paddle boarding or kayaking in one of the many bays of San Cristobal Island. With a friendly and professional guide, you will ride around the surface while curious sea lions follow you, and colorful tropical fish and even sea turtles can be seen below the surface.  

  At the end of the day you will enjoy a local dinner in one of the best restaurants in San Cristobal.

  • Activity:Arriving, paddle boarding or kayak.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Casa Playa Mann or similar.
• DAY 4 KICKER ROCK - CEVICHE COOKING CLASS
  

  After breakfast, you will be picked up at approximately 7:00 a.m. to visit Kicker Rock, one of the most spectacular landmarks in the Galapagos Islands. You will be taken to the passenger pier to board the speedboat for the tour that will take you to Kicker Rock. This rock formation in the middle of the water is the favorite place for an array of marine birds and great underwater life. The natural erosion of this ancient cone has created a channel between the rocks that provides the ideal habitat for a variety of sharks, manta rays, and any other aquatic wildlife. In the afternoon, you return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno around 3:00 p.m. and you will be taken to your hotel.

  Ceviche Cooking Class: This activity is an amazing way to get to know the local and fresh produce of the Galapagos Islands and the delicious fish ceviche you can make with a local expert, Mrs. Barbara! Her cooking class began from humble beginnings when she used to sell her special ceviche in town. Later on, she began to offer classes of her famed ceviches, which is now a complete experience at a local restaurant on the way to the beach near Playa Mann.

  • Activity:Sightseeing, Cooking.
  • Transport:Speedboat, Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Hacienda Casa Playa Mann or similar.
• DAY 5 SAN CRISTOBAL HIGHLANDS - ORGANIC FARMING - GALAPAGUERA - PUERTO CHINO
  

  Today you will visit the highlands of San Cristobal Island. After about 30 minutes of driving you arrive at an Organic Farm named Mandinga. Here you will learn about organic farming in the Galapagos Islands and you will volunteer on the property. There is also a forest school where a group of around 10 children have classes. After a farm-to-table vegan lunch, you will go to La Galapaguera. Here you find different native Galapagos plants and big tortoises. You finish the highlands tour at the beach of Puerto Chino where you can enjoy the beautiful white beach with a yoga class at sunset. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is about 10 minutes.

  • Activity:Exploring, Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Casa Playa Mann or similar.
• DAY 6 SAN CRISTOBAL - ISABELA - FLAMINGO LAGOON
  

  You will be picked up at your hotel and brought to San Cristobal Airport for your departing flight. The drive will take about 5 minutes. This short flight of about 45 minutes gives you the chance to experience Galapagos Islands from the air. These planes are small and hold up to 9 passengers. After you will be picked up at Isabela Airport and brought to your hotel in Puerto Villamil. This drive takes about 7 minutes.

  You will have a short visit to the Flamingo Lagoon. This place is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos Islands and is one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos found within the islands. The Galapagos flamingo is one of the most brightly colored species on the islands. The sight of them is beautiful as they contrast against the volcanic terrain and salt-water lagoon.

  On return, the best way of experiencing a Galapagos sunset is a good view and delicious local cocktails. This evening you will have both arranged for you!

  • Activity:Exploring, Relaxing.
  • Transport:Airplane, Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Hotel La Laguna or similar.
• DAY 7 SULFAR MINES - LOCAL LUNCH AT CAMPO DURO
  

  Enjoy a morning pickup at your hotel, followed by a bus ride to a National Park checkpoint. The hike to the sulfur mine begins on the western side of Sierra Negra’s rim. The 6 km hike takes you downhill to the bottom of the giant caldera, crossing an old lava field to the active dome with sulfur fumaroles. The high concentration of sulfur leads to bright colors in the landscape. Explore the most active part of Sierra Negra on this hiking loop. 

  In the afternoon, you will go to Campo Duro to have a BBQ lunch. This is a Giant tortoise reserve located in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island. It also serves as a campsite, owned and operated by Isabela Island locals who are committed to eco-tourism and conservation. It is a privileged site that guests can visit in harmony with the Giant tortoises of the Galapagos and just a few minutes away is an impressive lava tunnel in Santo Tomas.

  • Activity:Hiking, Exploring.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Camping Campo Duro or similar.
• DAY 8 ISABELA BIKING - LOS TUNELES
  

  After breakfast, you will be picked up at Campo Duro and begin your bike ride from the highlands down to Puerto Villamil. You will be accompanied by a guide and you can enjoy the amazing landscape as it changes with each turn. You might be able to spot young and old Giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

  For your tour to Los Tuneles, you will either be picked up around 11:00 a.m. according to availability. You will be brought to the passenger pier to be taken to what is known as one of the best snorkeling locations in the world, Los Tuneles or “The Tunnels”. It will be about 45 minutes to arrive via speedboat. The water is shallow, calm, and very clear, allowing you to view the sea sanctuary below you. There is a series of lava flows that have produced unique geological formations like arcs and tunnels underneath and above the water. This has created a habitat for many local Galapagos species.

  • Activity:Biking, Snorkeling.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Snack.
  • Accommodation:Hotel La Laguna or similar.
• DAY 9 SANTA CRUZ - FISH MARKET - TORTUGA BAY - SURFING LESSONS
  

  You will be picked up at your hotel and dropped off at the Isabela dock to take the speed boat back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. The drive will take around 10 minutes. You will take a public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, which takes approximately 2,5 hours.

  In the village of Puerto Ayora, there is a local Fish Market. You will be picked up to visit the market where you can see how the local fishermen prepare their catch of the day as soon as it arrives from the sea. It is located in the center of town right on the waterfront. Then you will visit Tortuga Bay, this white sand and turquoise water pristine beach is ideal to have a quiet beach day, rent some kayaks and see groups of marine iguanas that are regulating their temperature on the rocks and sand. Take with you enough water and some snacks, since there is no place to buy food or water. Tortuga Bay is one of the top 10 beaches in the world according to TripAdvisor for its uniqueness. It’s a great place for surfing. It has held one of the main surfing events, the ALAS Latin Tour. It is a great spot to snorkel.

  • Activity:Exploring, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Surfing.
  • Transport:Speedboat, Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Fiesta or similar.
• DAY 10 SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS - FAREWELL DINNER
  

  Today you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. This is one of the best places to view the Giant Tortoise in its natural habitat. The ranch you will visit allows you to have close contact with nature and these gentle giants. During the visit, you will also be able to see various Galapagos finches and other land birds you do not see near the shore surrounded by endemic vegetation. You will plant your own tree to help with the reforestation project in the Galapagos Islands.

  Enjoy a lovely local dinner in Puerto Ayora. Before you leave the enchanted islands of the Galapagos, you will have the opportunity to have one last mouth-watering meal at a waterfront restaurant in Puerto Ayora, overlooking Academy Bay. Not only will you experience the amazing gastronomy, but you will go beyond the culinary highlights while admiring the respect the restaurant has for the ocean, which has inspired a closer connection between guests and the sea.

  • Activity:Hiking, Relaxing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Fiesta or similar.
• DAY 11 BALTRA - QUITO
  

  Your journey from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport will be smooth and well-coordinated. About 3 hours before your flight, a transfer will pick you up and take you to the airport. The ride will take around 45 minutes until you reach the Itabacca Channel, where a quick ferry crossing of about ten minutes awaits. From there, a comfortable bus will take you to the airport. The flight to Quito from Baltra Airport is approximately 2.5 hours. Don’t forget to keep your INGALA card handy for security checks. Once you arrive in Quito,  you will be transferred to the Ilatoa Lodge.

  After arriving in Quito, there will be something special for you! Unwind and rejuvenate with a soothing afternoon yoga class at Ilatoa Lodge, ensuring you feel refreshed and ready to embrace the next chapter of your adventure.

  • Activity:Transfer, Yoga Class.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Ilatoa Lodge or similar.
• DAY 12 LIFE COACH -SOUND HEALER- QUITO AIRPORT
  

  Today you will be accompanied by your life coach and sound healer to come full circle with all the incredible experiences you’ve lived throughout the past few days. You will learn how to apply these new teachings to your life when returning home. Your life coach will take the time to evaluate your regenerative and healing journey. Later on, you will be provided a transfer from your hotel in Quito to the Quito International Airport for your departing flight. The pick-up time will be confirmed and coordinated ahead of time.

  • Activity:Life coaching and departure.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.