Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Explorer
About the Trip
January 13 – 25, 2026 | 13 Days
Set off on an exciting 13-day journey through Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Discover the vibrant streets of Quito, explore colourful markets and venture into the lush Mindo Cloud Forest. In the Galapagos, you’ll experience nature at its finest, including visiting giant tortoises and hiking across volcanic landscapes. Explore the Charles Darwin Research Station and take a private tour of a sustainable farm on Santa Cruz. With breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife and hands-on adventures, this trip is perfect for those looking to experience something extraordinary. Designed for active travellers who want to dive into nature and culture, this tour is the ultimate balance of adventure, discovery and relaxation.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Eco-farming and Coffee Tasting Adventure
Your Extraordinary Experience takes you to Finca Integral Ochoa, a farm dedicated to hydroponic farming. Discover how this eco-friendly method supports the Galapagos economy by conserving water in agriculture. You’ll even get hands-on by planting some lettuce. Afterward, dive into the process behind the famous Galapagos Coffee, from bean to brew. To finish, visit a local family’s home, where you’ll learn various ways to prepare the coffee and enjoy a freshly brewed cup paired with homemade empanadas.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Quito
- Domestic flights
- 2+1+2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Quito
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Mindo
- 1+1-night stay in moderate accommodation in Santa Cruz
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Isabela Island
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in San Cristóbal Island
- 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 7 dinners and 3 tastings
- Land transportation via first-class motor coach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- JustYou tour manager
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Explorer
Activity Level: Active. Journey to Ecuador and the Galapagos to explore vibrant cities, see unique wildlife and hike volcanoes on this epic blend of adventure and culture.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg to Quito, Ecuador. Meet your tour manager and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2
Quito –Explore Quito, starting with a visit to Mercado Iñaquito to sample local produce. Visit the old town, including Independence Square, La Compañía and the Panecillo lookout. (B/L/T)
Day 3
Mindo –Visit Mindo Cloud Forest. See hummingbirds at Alambi Cloud Forest and explore a butterfly garden. Take an afternoon hike before returning for dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Quito – Tour a chocolate farm in Mindo and learn about Ecuadorian cacao. Return to Quito for dinner and a briefing on the Galapagos.(B/T/L/D)
Day 5
Santa Cruz – Fly to the Galapagos and explore Santa Cruz Island. Visit a private ranch where giant tortoises roam, and tour Finca Integral Ochoa for a hydroponic farming experience and Galapagos Coffee tasting. (B/L/T)
Day 6
Isabela Island - Take a boat to Isabela Island. Snorkel along the coast, spotting penguins, sea turtles and tropical fish, then visit Tintoreras Islet to see marine iguanas.(B/L/D)
Day 7
Isabela Island - Hike Sierra Negra volcano and visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. (B/L)
Day 8
Santa Cruz - Enjoy a day at leisure, including a group lunch. (B/L)
Day 9
San Cristóbal Island - Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, then travel by boat to San Cristóbal and explore the Interpretation Centre. (B/L)
Day 10
San Cristóbal Island - Cruise along the coast to Kicker Rock to see wildlife such as sea lions, turtles and blue-footed boobies. Relax on a secluded beach. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Quito - Fly to Quito and relax before dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Quito - Visit the Middle of the World Monument, Quitsato and Otavalo Market. Enjoy a farewell dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
*IMPORTANT - During this tour you will travel to altitudes of over 9,000ft where altitude sickness can occur. If you suffer from heart or respiratory conditions or have other medical concerns please consult with your doctor before finalizing a reservation on this tour.
This tour is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility. Most walks take place on paths and tracks, some slightly more strenuous than others, and may involve moderate slopes, tracks, hills and foot bridges which may be rough underfoot at times.
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2026. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Quito
Begin your adventure with a flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, your JustYou tour manager and driver will greet you and guide you throughout the journey. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. (D)
Day 2
Quito
After breakfast, your exploration starts with a guided visit to Mercado Iñaquito, one of the city’s most popular markets, to sample a variety of local produce. Next, you’ll visit the old and new towns of Quito, where you’ll take in Independence Square, La Compañía and the stunning La Catedral. At Plaza Grande you’ll enjoy a midday snack of empanadas before a traditional lunch of locro, a potato soup typical of the Andes. Browse the shops in the Calle de la Ronda before ending the day with breathtaking views of the city from the Panecillo lookout. (B/L/T)
Day 3
Mindo
Today, you’ll head to the beautiful Mindo Cloud Forest, famed for its diverse wildlife and scenery. Your first stop is Alambi Cloud Forest, where you’ll have the chance to get so close to native hummingbirds that you’ll feel and hear their wings fluttering. After lunch, explore a butterfly garden, home to over 1,000 species, before taking an afternoon hike through the cloud forest. Return to your hotel for a local dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Quito
This morning, visit El Quetzal de Mindo, where you’ll tour a working chocolate farm, learn how Ecuadorian chocolate is made and try some samples. Afterward, you’ll return to Quito to relax before dinner and a briefing on how to pack and what to expect on your upcoming Galapagos adventure. (B/T/L/D)
Day 5
Santa Cruz
You’ll start the day with a flight to the Galapagos Islands, home to an astonishing array of wildlife and landscapes. Upon arrival on Santa Cruz Island, a local guide will lead you to a private ranch in the highlands where giant tortoises roam freely. Enjoy lunch while keeping an eye out for the diverse bird species of the highlands, including the Galapagos mockingbird. Later, visit Finca Integral Ochoa, an eco-friendly farm that specialises in hydroponic crops. Learn how to plant lettuce and how hydroponic farming reduces water consumption and get a taste of the farm’s Galapagos Coffee and homemade empanadas. (B/L/T)
Day 6
Isabela Island
Enjoy a free morning before you transfer by boat to Isabela Island and the quaint town of Puerto Villamil. After settling in, take part in a practice snorkelling session before this afternoon’s boat tour along Isabela’s Bay. This sheltered area is home to an amazing array of wildlife, and you may spot Galapagos penguins, pelicans, turtles, sharks and blue-footed boobies. On Tintoreras Islet, you’ll hop off for a short walk on land to look for nesting marine iguanas and lava lizards. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Isabela Island
Today starts with an exciting hike up the Sierra Negra volcano, one of the most active in the Galapagos. Along the way, you’ll visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, home to nearly 1,000 tortoises in different stages of development. As you hike to the rim of the caldera, formed from a past volcanic eruption, keep an eye out for highland bird species like the bright red vermillion flycatcher. Once you reach the rim, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of one of the largest active calderas in the world. (B/L)
Day 8
Santa Cruz
Spend your day at leisure, relaxing or exploring nearby beaches and wildlife. Enjoy a group lunch with your fellow travellers. (B/L)
Day 9
San Cristóbal Island
Today, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, where you’ll learn about the efforts to conserve Galapagos tortoise species. Afterward, travel by boat to San Cristóbal Island and check into your hotel. Take a walk to the Interpretation Centre to discover the history of the Galapagos and the ongoing conservation efforts in the archipelago. You’ll have free time to explore local trails that lead to Frigatebird Hill, Punta Carola beach, or Darwin Bay. (B/L)
Day 10
San Cristóbal Island
Cruise along the coast of San Cristóbal, keeping an eye out for marine birds like frigates and blue-footed boobies. Visit Kicker Rock, a volcanic formation rising 143 metres from the ocean, and choose to snorkel a channel between the rocks in search of spotted eagle rays, chocolate chip starfish, sea turtles and Galapagos sharks. After lunch on board, relax on a secluded beach accessible only by boat. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Quito
Spend your final morning in the Galapagos at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, unwind at your hotel before enjoying dinner with the group. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Quito
End your journey with a visit to the Middle of the World Monument and Quitsato, where you can experience latitude zero. Next is a trip to Otavalo Market, one of the biggest markets in South America and famous for its colourful textiles and handicrafts. Pick up more souvenirs in Cotacachi, known for its leather goods, before gathering for your farewell dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Transfer to the Quito airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
*IMPORTANT - During this tour you will travel to altitudes of over 9,000ft where altitude sickness can occur. If you suffer from heart or respiratory conditions or have other medical concerns please consult with your doctor before finalizing a reservation on this tour.
This tour is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility. Most walks take place on paths and tracks, some slightly more strenuous than others, and may involve moderate slopes, tracks, hills and foot bridges which may be rough underfoot at times.