TORONTO – GUAYAQUIL  Depart from Toronto to Guayaquil via Panama. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to your hotel.

GUAYAQUIL – EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK – CUENCA  After breakfast, depart from Guayaquil for a dramatic ride, travelling from sea level up to 4,000m. Observe tropical plantations such as coffee, bananas and cacao before reaching the cloud forest and El Cajas National Park. In the afternoon, arrive in Cuenca, a quaint colonial city known for its handicrafts, pottery and the world-famous Panama Hat. Visit the Main Square, new Cathedral and the flower market. Visit either the Central Bank Museum or the Conceptas Religious Museum.

CUENCA – INGAPIRCA – ALAUSÍ Breakfast. Pass through the southern highlands to arrive at Ingapirca Inca-Cañari, the most important Incan relic in Ecuador. This citadel was built in the 15th-century along an ancient route that connected Quito to Cuzco, Peru. Visit the archaeological site, then continue to Alausí, known for its unique railway engineering and spectacular scenery.

ALAUSÍ – DEVIL’S NOSE – BAÑOS   Breakfast. In Alausí, we will take the spectacular bus and train ride through the Devil’s Nose, a true feat in railway engineering of the early 20th-century. Continue north to Riobamba for a panoramic tour of the city’s plazas and churches. Weather permitting, you may be able to see Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador. Enjoy a box lunch along the way. Continue to Baños, known for its hot springs and waterfalls.

BAÑOS – ROSE PLANTATION – COTOPAXI – QUITO    Breakfast. Head down into the Pastaza River canyon to the Avenue of Waterfalls surrounded by green, lush vegetation. Travel north to Cotopaxi National Park to admire the highest active snowcapped volcano in the world. Visit Limpiopungo Lagoon and a rose plantation. Continue to your hotel in Quito.

QUITO   After breakfast, begin your private tour of Quito, including Independence Plaza, seeing important sites such as the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús, then continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco. Drive 15 minutes north of the city to the Equatorial Monument and Ethnographic Museum which features exhibits showing the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Get your certificate for having crossed the Equator.

QUITO – GALAPAGOS  (CRUISE) After breakfast, take your shared transfer to the airport to board your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, a naturalist guide will transfer you to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend, a boutique expedition ship. Depending on seasonality and weather conditions, itineraries and wildlife will vary. Many visitors spot red and blue-footed boobies, penguins, sea lions, giant tortoises and other fascinating wildlife.

GALAPAGOS (CRUISE)  Continue your astonishing journey in the Galapagos with daily lectures, excursions, activities and relaxation aboard your vessel.

GALAPAGOS (CRUISE) – QUITO  On your last day aboard the ship, visit the north side of Santa Cruz and Bachas Beach. After your visit, disembark and transfer to the airport to board your flight to Quito. Upon arrival, check-in at the airport hotel.

QUITO – EL SALVADOR – TORONTO  Board your very early homebound flight via El Salvador.