3 Week Ecuador Itinerary + Map (Mailand & Galapagos)
TL;DR
Our 3 week Ecuador itinerary combines a week on the mainland with two unforgettable weeks in the Galapagos Islands for the ultimate adventure.
Planning to spend 3 weeks in Ecuador and don’t know where to start? You’re in for one of the most diverse adventures in South America. From exploring colonial Quito and hiking volcanoes on the mainland to snorkelling with sea lions and spotting giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador packs more variety into three weeks than most countries manage in a lifetime.
In this itinerary, we’ve combined our tried-and-tested 7-day mainland Ecuador itinerary with our 14-day Galapagos itinerary to give you the ultimate 21-day plan. Whether you love vibrant cities, adrenaline-filled adventures, or unique wildlife encounters, our backpacking route balances it all – without the stress of planning it yourself.
Ready to discover how to make the most of your Ecuador trip? Let’s dive into the full itinerary.
3 Week Ecuador Itinerary
This blog post is a combination of our 7-day mainland Ecuador itinerary and our 2-week Galapagos itinerary:
Ecuador Itinerary Map
Week 1 – Mainland Ecuador
Days 1–3 in Quito
Day 1 – Quito Old Town & Walking Tour
Join a free walking tour to discover highlights like the Basílica del Voto Nacional, Plaza Grande, and San Francisco Monastery.
Explore hidden gems like the Museo Numismático, the Biblioteca rooftop, and Hotel Sucre’s terrace.
End the day at the Virgen del Panecillo viewpoint.
Here’s our full 3-day Quito itinerary:
Day 2 – Mitad del Mundo & TelefériQo
Visit the Mitad del Mundo and the quirky Intiñan Museum.
Ride the TelefériQo cable car up to nearly 4,000m (13,000 ft) for sweeping views and optional hikes.
Day 3 – Cotopaxi Day Trip
Join a guided Cotopaxi tour.
Hike around Laguna de Limpiopungo, visit the park’s interpretation centre, and trek to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,864 m (15960 ft) above sea level.
Days 4–5 in Baños
Day 4 – Waterfalls, Swing at the End of the World & Hot Springs
Cycle or quad along the Ruta de las Cascadas.
Visit Casa del Arbol and swing at the “End of the World.”
Soak in the hot springs of Termas de la Virgen.
Here’s our full Baños travel guide:
Day 5 – Amazon Day Trip
Take a day tour to Puyo, your gateway to the Amazon.
Return to Baños, then take the night bus to Cuenca.
Days 6–7 in Cuenca
Day 6 – Walking Tour & Centro Histórico
Join a walking tour.
Explore Parque Calderón, churches, local markets, and free museums.
Here’s our full Cuenca travel guide:
Day 7 – Ingapirca Day Trip
Visit the Ingapirca ruins, blending Inca and Cañari cultures.
Hike the Cara del Inca trail and meet the llamas.
Week 2 & 3 – Galapagos Islands:
Days 8–12 on San Cristobal
Day 8 – Orientation Day
Head to Guayaquil to catch your flight to the Galapagos Islands.
Once you arrive on San Cristobal, check out the downtown area of the capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and spot your first sea lions along the malecon.
If you still have time, swim with turtles, sea lions, and iguanas at La Loberia.
Here’s our full San Cristobal travel guide:
Day 9 – Interpretation Centre, Tijeretas Viewpoint & Dock, Playa Punta Carola & Playa Mann
Visit the Interpretation Centre, snorkel at Tijeretas dock, spot blue-footed boobies at Playa Punta Carola, and relax at Playa Mann.
Day 10 – Highlands Tour
See the El Junco crater lake, giant tortoises at the breeding centre, and relax at Puerto Chino beach.
Day 11 – 360° Tour
It’s time for the highlight a full-day boat trip 360° around San Cristobal: snorkel at Kicker Rock, visit Bahía Rosa Blanca and Bahía Sardina, and birdwatch at Punta Pitt.
Read our full 360° tour review to find out if this tour is for you (or not):
Day 12 – Transfer Day
Boat San Cristobal → Santa Cruz → Isabela (takes most of the day).
Days 13–16 on Isabela
Day 13 – Wall of Tears Bike Trip
Cycle to the Wall of Tears and stop at beaches, lagoons, and tortoise habitats along the way.
Here’s our full Isabela travel guide:
Day 14 – Wildlife & Relaxation
Spot penguins at Playa Isabela, snorkel at Concha Perla, and see flamingos in the lagoons.
Relax at Port Villamil Beach.
Day 15 – Sierra Negra Volcano Hike
Guided hike to the Sierra Negra caldera and Chico volcano.
Here’s a full review of the hiking tour to Sierra Negra Volcano that we did:
Day 16 – Snorkelling Tour
Choose between Las Tintoreras (budget-friendly) or Los Tuneles (spectacular lava tunnels, pricier).
We chose the Los Tuneles tour and have zero regrets. Here’s our full review:
Days 17–21 on Santa Cruz
Day 17 – Arrival & Charles Darwin Station
Arrive from Isabela by boat.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and nearby beaches.
Here’s our full Santa Cruz travel guide:
Day 18 – Tortuga Bay
Walk the 30-minute trail to Playa Brava (no swimming) and Playa Mansa (bring a snorkel!).
Day 19 – Highlands Tour
A popular tour in Santa Cruz is the Highlands tour that visits the twin craters Los Gemelos, lava tunnels, and a giant tortoise reserve.
Day 20 – Playa Los Alemanes & Las Grietas
Snorkel at Playa Los Alemanes and swim in the turquoise waters of Las Grietas.
Day 21 – Diving or Snorkelling Day Trip
Certified divers can Scuba dive at the famous dive site Gordon Rocks.
Non-divers can join one of Santa Cruz’s many snorkelling excursions.
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