Holiday to Ecuador & Galapagos
| country: | Ecuador, Galapagos Islands |
| departures: | Daily departures throughout the year with 2 people minimum. This trip can be tailormade to suit your budget, interests and requirements |
| price: | From US $2630 (20 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Ecuador has the biggest biodiversity per area in the world, with 4 diverse and unique regions: The Amazon Rain forest, the Highlands Andes, the Coast, and the Galapagos Islands.
Ecuador is home to an impressive variety of ethnic groups, including communities who still practice ancient cultural traditions.
This trip explores all the rich variety of Ecuador's landscapes and wildlife. In and around Quito, its high Andean capital, we find remarkable colonial architecture, colorful Indian markets and cloud forests where you can find a great amazing variety of orchids and Andean flora.
After spending a day in the capital, Quito, we visit the Otavalo market, which the visitors find an impressive variety of all kinds of Ecuadorian handicrafts. We follow the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', pausing for a hike in the Cotopaxi National Park, which is the second highest active volcano in the world.
Then we visit the Quilotoa Lake and stay 3 days in the jungle where we will learn about the local and medicinal plants, which have been used by the natives. We'll also visit the Quichuas del Oriente (indigenous community) to learn about their traditions, customs, etc.
Next stop is Riobamba; we will take the small train that chugs from the Andes to the lowlands via the Devil's Nose, a remarkable and spectacular feat of railway engineering. Then we will visit Cuenca, where we find a history center. Finally we will visit the Cajas National Park where we will enjoy its lagoons. Then you will visit our coast where you can enjoy the beach. Also you can watch animals, as at the Galapagos Islands.
Finally we will visit the lost paradise of Galapagos. Tourists can enjoy the magic of Isabela and Puerto Ayora Island, because on this two islands we'll see different animalws such as birds, reptiles, fish, etc. Our naturalist guide will explain about the native and endemic plants that we can find on our route.
Ecuador is home to an impressive variety of ethnic groups, including communities who still practice ancient cultural traditions.
This trip explores all the rich variety of Ecuador's landscapes and wildlife. In and around Quito, its high Andean capital, we find remarkable colonial architecture, colorful Indian markets and cloud forests where you can find a great amazing variety of orchids and Andean flora.
After spending a day in the capital, Quito, we visit the Otavalo market, which the visitors find an impressive variety of all kinds of Ecuadorian handicrafts. We follow the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes', pausing for a hike in the Cotopaxi National Park, which is the second highest active volcano in the world.
Then we visit the Quilotoa Lake and stay 3 days in the jungle where we will learn about the local and medicinal plants, which have been used by the natives. We'll also visit the Quichuas del Oriente (indigenous community) to learn about their traditions, customs, etc.
Next stop is Riobamba; we will take the small train that chugs from the Andes to the lowlands via the Devil's Nose, a remarkable and spectacular feat of railway engineering. Then we will visit Cuenca, where we find a history center. Finally we will visit the Cajas National Park where we will enjoy its lagoons. Then you will visit our coast where you can enjoy the beach. Also you can watch animals, as at the Galapagos Islands.
Finally we will visit the lost paradise of Galapagos. Tourists can enjoy the magic of Isabela and Puerto Ayora Island, because on this two islands we'll see different animalws such as birds, reptiles, fish, etc. Our naturalist guide will explain about the native and endemic plants that we can find on our route.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | We meet you in your hotel in Quito at 9:00 am. Then we leave to Mitad del Mundo, where we visit the Museum Intiñan. Lunch before to go to Otavalo. Visit of San Pablo Lake and handicrafts market. We drive back to Quito where we arrive around 4:00-5:00 pm. Night in your hotel. |
| Day 2: | 8:30 am we leave Quito and drive through the Volcano Avenue. Stop at Cotopaxi National Park and visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon. Discover the vegetation of the area and go by van till the parking 4500m and walk 300 m more to the refuge 4800 m. Have a tea or coffee and depending on the weather, continue to the glacier 5000m. We walk back to the van and travel to Latacunga where we overnight |
| Day 3: | Breakfast and then we travel until Quilotoa Lagoon. On the road, we pass through small indigenes villages as Zumbahua. From the top of the crater (3900 m), we have a wonderful view of the lagoon and the mountains all around. Packed lunch and then we walk down to the lagoon. Once we are back on the top of the crater (with the help of a donkey, if your want), we travel to Baños. Overnight in Baños. |
| Day 4: | 9:15 am. On the road to Puyo, the car drives us through the Waterfall Avenue. As optional activities we offer: bicycle riding for 17 km (1h15) and rafting level III (suitable for beginners) for 1h30 on the Pastaza River . Otherwise, you can go directly (an hour and a half) to our private campsite in the jungle. After arriving at Hola Vida Reserve, we have our lunch, and then we walk about 15 min to our private campsite. We visit a beautiful waterfall, which is about two hours away from the cabañas. A refreshing bath in the breathtaking environment makes the area unforgettable. The way back to our camp through the Jungle with the informative explanation of the guide gives us everlasting impression of the Rainforest. Furthermore dinner in the peaceful environment, enjoying the fascinating sounds of fauna; give us an ideal opportunity to imagine life without cars, radio and traffic. |
| Day 5: | After having our breakfast in the camp we walk for about four hours through the Jungle to reach another waterfall which is slightly different from the one on the previous day. While yesterday's waterfall was easily accessible by foot, this one, in order to be visible to us, demands a bit more adventure since it is hidden behind the rocks. After having a good swim we return to our camp through the thick jungle vegetation to have our lunch. In the afternoon we visit a Quichuas Indian family, where we will find out how they make handicrafts, how they hunt in the jungle, and about their use of hallucinogenic plants. We will take an unforgettable canoe ride for about 40 minutes to the next camp which is on the bank of the Puyo River . In the evening we will have dinner at the second campsite. |
| Day 6: | After breakfast we will go for a short trek up to the top of a small hill. This sightseeing point allows us to obtain a remarkable view of the Tropical Rainforest. After that we return to our lodge for lunch time, and then we will take a truck from here to Puyo arriving around 2 p.m. After that we'll visit a jungle animal reserve, and we will return to Baños by bus around 4 p.m. to our Agency. Overnight in Baños. |
| Day 7: | Free day in Baños. |
| Day 8: | We leave Baños to go to Riobamba, where we could take the train if the dates coincide (Sundays, Wednesdays or Fridays). The train would bring us to the Nariz del Diablo and then Alausi where would be waiting our driver. Visit of Incas archaeological ruins called Ingapirca then travel to Cuenca where we overnight. |
| Day 9: | Breakfast and City Tour in Cuenca (Churches, museums, viewing point in Turi, archaeological centre Pumapungo). Visit of the workshops of the Panama hats. Lunch and Dinner in town. |
| Day 10: | Breakfast and visit of Cajas National Park: trekking to the top of a mountain where we will have a beautiful of many lagoons. Then we travel until Guayaquil for about 4 hours. Dinner and walk on the Malecon 2000 along the Pacific Ocean. Overnight in Guayaquil |
| Day 11: | City tour in Guayaquil by the typical car called chiva (cerro de Santa Ana, las Peñas district, Historic Park of Guayaquil, Malecon 1900) |
| Day 12: | After breakfast, we travel for 3 hours and a half from Guayaquil to Salinas, a famous resort of the Ecuadorian coast. Then we drive along the Pacific Coast until Puerto Lopez 3 hours further. Walk in this small fishing town in the afternoon. |
| Day 13: | Excursion to the Plata Island which we will reach after 3 hours by motor boat. Guided visit of the island that is famous fot having the same animals as the Galapagos Islands. Lunch and return to Puerto Lopez in the afternoon. |
| Day 14: | We visit Salango Museum of Puerto Lopez in order to learn about the culture of the coast and their ceramics. Then we go to the famous beach of Los Frailes before finishing the day at the archaeological site Aguas Blancas and its sulfur baths. |
| Day 15: | We go to Playas, where we can swim and go on the beach. After lunch we will go to Guayaquil. Overnight in Guayaquil. |
| Day 16: | We fly Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra. At the airport in Baltra we will be met by our English speaking guide who will take us to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for the lunch. After lunch we are ready to take our speed boat to Isabela for a trip of approximately three and half hours, where we arrive to San Vicente Hotel or similar. Later and after a quick rest at the hotel, we will visit the Flamingos Lagoon; this place is the largest coastal lagoon found in Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the greater flamingos. Dinner and accommodations. |
| Day 17: | Early in the morning after breakfast, we will have a full day tour to the Sierra Negra Volcano including box lunch .This volcano is located at 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and boast of the world’s second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep, which is the reason why we will be using horses during this visit. This special place has two visitors’ sites: 1. La Bocanilla, 2. Volcan Chico, and of course, we visit both of them. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel and later we will have the opportunity to kayak in Playa Grande which is located in Puerto Villamil or the option of snorkelling in Concha Perla. Dinner and accommodations. |
| Day 18: | After breakfast we will go to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where we will visit “The Wall of Tears”; from 1946 to 1959 Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government. Prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as “El Muro de las Lagrimas”. Additionally we will visit a small lava tunnel, and another Flamingos lagoon, and then we will return to the hotel to have lunch. In the afternoon we will sail to “Islote Tintoreras”. It is called this due to a large crevice with very clear, calm water in which white-tip sharks also called “tintoreras” come daily to rest on the bottom. Also we can see Penguins, Sea Lions, marine Iguanas and we can do snorkelling with sharks and colourful tropical fishes, and enjoy the beaches of Isabela. Dinner and accommodations. |
| Day 19: | Early in the morning and after breakfast, we will take our speed boat to Puerto Ayora - there the guide will be waiting for us in order to go to the hotel for checking. Afterwards we will begin our visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. In this place we can enjoy a wonderful visit to see the Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. After lunch in the Highlands, we will return to Puerto Ayora town and go to the Charles Darwin Research Station and its interpretive Center; at this place we will have the big opportunity to see Lonesome George who is the last Galapagos Turtle of its species. Dinner and accommodations. Mainao Hotel or similar. Optional: you may visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment. |
| Day 20: | We will travel to the Baltra Airport, and during this route you will visit “The Twins, in Spanish name “The Gemelos”, they are similar to a crater but they were formed by collapsing of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below the Earth. We then depart to Baltra airport to take our flight to Quito or Guayaquil. |
travelling with a local operator
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.how this holiday makes a difference
 In this trip we stay in guesthouses that are either Ecuadorian owned or make a significant contribution to their local community, such as the excellent lodge in Hola Vida Reserve (secondary jungle). When we visit Otavalo, we always stop in the local shops that belong to the Otavaleños and Zuletas (indigenous community in the highland region). In Quilotoa we stop in the local shops that belong to the Quichuas de la Sierra, Zumbahuas (indigenous community in the highland region). Also in Quilotoa we use the restaurant that belongs to the indigenous community. In the jungle, the area we visit is property of the Quichua’s community, so many times you will see another group during your trip, but the lodge where you’ll stay is exclusive for our passengers. We pay the Quichua community to provide visitors with accommodation, food and guides. All the personnel we employ belong to the indigenous community. Every group has a Native Guide accompanied by a Naturalist Guide who speaks English fluently; they have a great knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area. We support community work in the conservation of the Rain forest, preventing market hunting and the cutting down of trees, all of which are actively destroying local forests. In Hola Vida Reserve, the visitors can see different species of animals and plants; the guides try to create awareness. We use the established footpaths in the reserve because we know that around the footpath there are wild species of native and endemic plants. We prohibit our tourists from going off the footpath, because they could step on any wildlife in the area. The lodge has an environmentally sustainable system because the rubbish is kept to a minimum and they compost what they can, burn and bury what is safe to burn, and send out the remainder to designated landfills. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |