Wild Frontiers

Day 1: Quito
Upon arrival you will be met by your driver and transfer straight to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, acclimatise and explore Quito.

Day 2: Quito
Today you explore the countries diverse capital and visit the equator. Starting off with a city tour of the old town, packed with vintage facades, churches and plazas, you'll then take the teleférico (the cities impressive 4000m cablecar) up Pichincha Volcano to see the spectacular views down the valley. A short drive from Quito is Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world), the equator monument where you can stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere. After a visit to the science museum, and some interesting tests at zero latitude, you return to Quito for the night. (B)

Day 3: Quito - Mindo - Quito
Mindo is a tiny town reknowned for it's incredible bio-diversity, set amidst the spectacular cloud forest, popular with both nature and adventure lovers alike. Starting at a butterfly farm, you will be be dazzled by the many species and see orchids and an array of colourful humming birds. Heading into the heart of the cloud forest, you then embark on a unique adrenaline fuelled 'flying fox' experience high in the tree-tops, sailing on a network of zip wires from tower to tower through the forest canopy. Finally, before returning to Quito for the night, you take a chocolate making tour, learning about the production process from bean to bar, and sampling the local delicacies! (B)

Day 4: Quito - Cotopaxi
Departing Quito on the Panamerican Highway, you head 80km south to Cotopaxi National Park, paying a short visit to the local museum. Ascending to 4500m above sea level, you are greeted by great views of 11 surrounding mountains (including Antisana, Cayambe, and Illinizas), as you don your safety equipment and mount your bike. This spectacular down-hill ride onto the high plains allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of Ecuador's premier park. Enjoying a picnic lunch and snacks enroute, you spend the night at a local ecolodge. (B,L)

Day 5: Cotopaxi - Tena
Departing Cotopaxi, your journey takes you along the awe-inspiring 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' and the scenery changes dramatically as you descend from the Andes to the Amazon Basin. After checking in to your lodge, you'll start your jungle adventure, horse-riding through the lush forest and along rivers. This activity is guided, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced riders alike. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Tena
Today you learn about the incredibly diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest, as you venture into the wilds. You will be accompanied by a native guide/naturalist who can explain about the flora and fauna you encounter, as well as some interesting insights into medicinal properties of the plants. Returning to the lodge there is time to swim in the pool or river before dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Tena
An adrenalin-packed day today, as you take on the Jatunyacu river for a spot of white-water rafting. As well as navigating some of the exhilarating grade 3 rapids with your experienced rafting guide, you'll also get to drift down the calmer stretches where you can appreciate the passing scenery. Again this activity is suitable for beginners as well as experienced rafters. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Tena - Papallacta - Quito
After breakfast you begin your return journey to Quito, stopping en route to enjoy a spot of pampering at Papallacta. Famed for exquisite hot-springs boasting renowned curative properties, there are over 15 pools fed by natural springs, heated by the nearby volcanoes with temperatures of between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius. There is also an on-site spa offering an excellent array of treatments and a small network of trekking trails. (B)

Day 9: Quito - Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz)
Today you'll fly from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands, before taking a short ferry across to the island of Santa Cruz, where you will check into your accommodation. After lunch you head to Garrapatero beach, famed for it's tropical white sands and abundant flamingoes and mockingbirds. Taking an easy trail, you'll also visit a freshwater lake to spot a wild array of other bird life, before returning to the hotel for a welcome cocktail and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz - Floreana)
Today you'll embark on the 'Tortoise Quest Tour', starting at "Los Gemelos" (The Twins). These two enormous collapsed lava chambers are an awe-inspiring reminder of the power of nature, and the walk to get there is swarming with endemic flora and fauna. After a visit to a private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, you'll arrive at a 450m (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel, where stalagmites, stalactites, sulphur and mineral coloured walls all await you on this uniquely Galapagos experience. Sailing on to the island of Floreana, you visit Black Beach to enjoy a spot of snorkelling or simply relaxing, before returning to your lodge and enjoy a tradition Galapaguena dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Galapagos Islands (Floreana - Isabela)
After breakfast you'll depart to the highlands of Floreana, where you'll walk up to see the Peace Asylum spring, Pirate's Cave and Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) - a great spot to watch the antics of the famous Galapagos finches. After a visit to a tortoise reserve, you board a boat for the island of Isabela, spotting blue-footed boobies and penguins en-route. After a bay tour of Las Tintoreras littered with marine iguanas, you return to the dock for an opportunity to swim with sea lions, penguins and more. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Galapagos Islands (Isabela - Santa Cruz)
You'll begin today with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in all of Galapagos, Long Beach. From here you walk up the trail for astounding views from the top of Cerro Orchilla and visit the "Wall of Tears", stepping over the lava lizards that congregate on the path. Departing by speedboat to Santa Cruz, you'll take a tour of the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station, and then have free time to shop for souvenirs, before returning to the lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Galapagos Islands - Quito
Returning to the domestic airport you'll board your flight back to the sprawling metropolis of Quito, arriving in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 14: Quito
Day 14: After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)