iRISE ADVENTURE TRIPS
GALAPAGOS
ISLAND HOPPING ADVENTURE
April 18 - 26, 2026
We’ll pick you up from Quito International Airport (UIO) and transfer you to our beautiful hacienda set on a private natural reserve where you can enjoy birdwatching, nature trails, and an archaeological tunnel on-site. In the evening, we’ll dive right into the fun for our special iRise Above Bienvenida Dinner and get briefed on the epic adventure that lies ahead!
Today we’ll be on the move by air, sea, and land! We’ll kick off the day with our flight to the Galápagos archipelago, specifically to Baltra Airport. On the way to Isla Isabela, we’ll stop for lunch in the Santa Cruz Highlands, and wildlife viewing will already be underway! We’ll likely see Giant Tortoises, Cattle Egrets, and wandering Giant Land Iguanas with Finches perched on their backs, symbiotically picking ticks off for snacks (what good amigos)! After our meal—which, luckily, we won’t have to forage for—we’ll continue our epic journey, this time by speedboat, to our beachside hotel on Isla Isabela.
Today is one of our favorite days - we’ll snorkel “Los Tuneles,” one of the world’s premier dive sites! A 45-minute speedboat ride alongside the iconic Blue Footed Boobies and their larger cousin, Nazca Boobies, will take us to clear, calm waters that showcase stunning formations of lava arcs and underwater tunnels. These unique structures are a marine observer’s dream come true, filled with seahorses, sea turtles, and vibrant fish.
The temperature will start to become warmer and our surroundings more tropical as we follow the trail along the Santa Teresa River. The contrast between the lush forests and mountainous peaks is one of the many reasons this trail will take your breath away! We'll be entering the "Ceja de Selva" (eyebrow of the jungle), which is full of colorful orchids, hummingbirds and flocks of parrots. At the end of the trail we’ll be picked up and take a fun, panoramic drive to camp. At camp we’ll have time to relax and tour a local coffee farm, complete with a tasting, before dinner.
We'll pass through some avocado, banana and coffee plantations on the final leg of our journey to Machu Picchu. We'll start the day hiking up to Llactapata Ruins (2,650 m), one of the most scenic spots on the trail! Once there, we'll have a break and listen to the history of the area while we enjoy a spectacular view, a sneak peak if you will, of the backside of Machu Picchu! We will then head to the Hidroelectrica train station for lunch followed by a short train ride back to civilization to spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes. You'll have the evening to recuperate, take a hot shower and roam around the charming town.
We'll start early, so we can experience Machu Picchu in the magical morning light. You'll have time to get lost in the Lost City of the Incas, and our guide will be on hand to tell you more about the fascinating history of this World Heritage archaeological site. In the afternoon, we'll take a scenic train ride back to Cusco for the evening.
Every adventure is made more special by connecting and sharing adventure experiences with local women. Our last day in Cusco as a group, is all about reflecting, reinforcing and celebrating how special and powerful women coming together is! We'll begin the day with a visit to Mama Sherpa's village, Chinchero. Here you will connect with the local women as they tell you how they have come together to use their skills to improve the lives of those around them.
The next morning we will set out in the early morning for a 2 day adventure trek to Rainbow Mountain. After a three hour drive to the trailhead, a hot breakfast will be waiting for us! Our hike to Surine Cocha will take us past herds of alpacas and llamas, and we’ll enjoy stunning views of Ausangate Mountain the whole time. We'll stop trailside for a delicious lunch to fuel up before heading to the highest point of our trek so far, Warmisaya pass (5,025 m), and from there we’ll be able to see our first views of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain in the distance! By early evening we'll reach our camp at Surine Cocha where we will enjoy a beautiful evening under an unforgettable night sky full of constellations and shooting stars.
We'll wake up bright and early with the rising sun over the Andes. Our chef will prepare a hearty breakfast to fuel us up for our final climb to Vinicunca (aka Rainbow Mountain). After breakfast we'll make our final push towards the beautifully colored Rainbow Mountain. After soaking in the vibrant views, and of course grabbing some unforgettable photos, we'll head down towards the bottom of Llaqto where we’ll enjoy a final delicious lunch together before our journey back to Cusco for one more night together.
