Upon arrival in Quito you will meet your EduTrips escort and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon we will begin a guided tour of Quito’s colonial quarter. Sites include the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. We will continue to the Equatorial Monument where we can stand with a foot on each hemisphere.

This morning you will board your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival we will visit the breeding center and the Giant Tortoise pens located at Puerto Ayora.

Today you will spend the day at Bartolome Island – famous for Pinnacle Rock. You will get to see Galápagos penguins, Sea lions, shoals of tropical fish, sea stars and anemones. You can relax on a perfectly crescent, pink and white sandy beach where the Sea turtles use the beach as a nesting site and can sometimes be found wading in the shallow water near the shore, or resting in the sand to recover from the arduous task of digging nests, laying eggs and covering them. You will also have the opportunity to climb Bartolome’s summit. At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island and James Bay to the west, and far below, Pinnacle Rock and the beach.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galapagos tortoises and take an excursion to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Free time for shopping or exploration of Puerto Ayora.

Flight departs for Galapagos for Quito. Upon arrival to Quito we will transfer to Cotopaxi. The next two days you will go on a Horseback riding adventure where the trails will take you through typical high Andean villages such as Ticatilin with its whitewashed colonial church. You will also visit Several Indian Markets include those of Pujilí and Saquisilí, one of the most authentic markets in Ecuador, with their colorful displays of spices, fruits and hand woven ponchos.

Transfer to the airport & flight departs for home