Ecuador holiday, Quito & the Galapagos
From
£5300
10 Days excluding flights
Countries:Ecuador, Galapagos Islands
More info:2021 guide price includes: Airport transfers, 9 nights twin share (2 hotels, 7 on Beagle), meals shown, half-day Quito tour, guided excursions on the cruise, use of kayaks and snorkelling equipment, return flights to Galapagos Islands from mainland.
“A tailor made 10 days to explore the Galapagos Islands, travelling by yacht to see its incredible wildlife, with time to enjoy colonial Quito, too.”
Highlights
Two nights in Quito | guided tour of Quito | fly to the Galapagos Islands | seven night Galapagos cruise | choice of yachts | explore various islands | swimming, hiking and walking | full boardDescription of Ecuador holiday, Quito & the Galapagos
This Ecuador holiday, Quito and the Galapagos is ideal for any wildlife enthusiast or nature lover who has always dreamed of visiting the Galapagos Islands, but doesn’t have much time to explore mainland Ecuador. You’ll spend two nights in Quito, enough time to enjoy this attractive city, before flying to the Galapagos Islands and joining a week long cruise around them. This has to be one of the very best wildlife experiences on the planet. Where else in the world does the wildlife, even birds, have no fear of man?You’ll travel on a small and friendly motor sailing yacht, and explore the islands, spotting amusing blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, the iconic giant tortoises and marine iguanas that live here and even swimming with sea lions. For anyone passionate about wildlife, this is one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ trips which you just have to consider.
Day-by-day experiences
Day 1: | ARRIVE QUITO: You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day free to relax or explore the city on your own. |
Day 2: | QUITO. A half day tour of Quito's attractive colonial old town will be arranged for the morning. Quito is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in South America, with a well preserved colonial heart. Our tour will take in the palaces, mansions and churches of the old town, including the impressive cathedral on the Plaza de la Independenceia and the Monasterio de San Francisco. We'll also take you to El Pancillo, a hill in the middle of the city from which you get great views over Quito to the surrounding volcanoes - on a clear day! The afternoon is free. Perhaps relax in the cafes and bars or shop for souvenirs. (Breakfast) |
Day 3: | GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE. We'll take you to the airport to board the morning flight to the Galapagos, arriving around midday. On arrival, you will need to pay the Galapagos National Park Fee before meeting your guide who will be waiting for you at the airport. Once everyone from your yacht has arrived, you'll be taken the short journey to Baltra harbour to begin your 8 day Galapagos cruise. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. (Note: The exact itinerary for the next week will depend on the yacht you choose, with different yachts operating different itineraries on different weeks. The yachts' itineraries are all set by the Galapagos national park authorities. We work with the majority of the boats in the Galapagos so we're sure to find the right yacht for you. This has been priced on the Beagle yacht, an elegant motor sailer with 6 double cabins). |
Day 4: | In the Galapagos Islands. Full board. |
Day 5: | In the Galapagos Islands. Full board. |
Day 6: | In the Galapagos Islands. Full board. |
Day 7: | In the Galapagos Islands. Full board. |
Day 8: | In the Galapagos Islands. Full board. |
Day 9: | In the Galapagos Islands. Full board. |
Day 10: | BACK TO THE MAINLAND. At the end of your cruise you will be taken back to the airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. Here you can either catch a plane home, or we can arrange further services for you. (Breakfast) |
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Vouchers
Accepted
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

Environment:
Carbon Offsetting: Every person that travels with this company automatically has their flights carbon offset. This is done through The Travel Forest, a project of registered charity, The Tribes Foundation. The Travel Forest plants indigenous trees to offset the carbon emissions produced when you fly on holiday. Whilst this is the primary motivation for planting the trees, the project also works as a poverty alleviation scheme and also aims to combat environmental degradation
In the UK: The UK head office has a good policy of recycling, reducing and re-using (electricity, paper, plastic etc). They also buy only fair trade goods such as tea, coffee, and use biodegradable detergents etc. They also make a point of buying only top eco-rated equipment (eg monitors).
Community:
Eco-ratings & community tourism: The company works with partners on the ground in each destination, and only uses local guides. They also primarily promote locally-owned services (hotels etc). They have eco-rated about 300 properties worldwide which they work with closely, so they are very clear which accommodations have good environmental and social responsibility credentials. This information is used to ensure that any traveller wanting to ensure they are really making a difference, can choose between one property and another on eco-issues. They also promote community-owned projects and services where applicable and possible. Indeed they were instrumental in setting up two community-owned ventures in Tanzania and Peru.
Travel Philanthropy: The company backs a charity called The Tribes Foundation with funds and administration. This is a registered UK charity whose principle aim is to relieve the poverty of indigenous communities in areas outside of the UK which are affected by tourism. The charity backs poverty alleviation, education, cultural preservation and conservation projects within these regions. It has backed schools, clinics, micro-business projects and more. They are currently raising funds for 9 different grassroots projects in nine different counties, which travellers are encouraged to donate to if they would like to give something back.
The yacht used in the Galapagos on this trip is Smart Voyager certificated. Other yachts are available.
Environment


Environment:
Carbon Offsetting: Every person that travels with this company automatically has their flights carbon offset. This is done through The Travel Forest, a project of registered charity, The Tribes Foundation. The Travel Forest plants indigenous trees to offset the carbon emissions produced when you fly on holiday. Whilst this is the primary motivation for planting the trees, the project also works as a poverty alleviation scheme and also aims to combat environmental degradation
In the UK: The UK head office has a good policy of recycling, reducing and re-using (electricity, paper, plastic etc). They also buy only fair trade goods such as tea, coffee, and use biodegradable detergents etc. They also make a point of buying only top eco-rated equipment (eg monitors).
Community:
Eco-ratings & community tourism: The company works with partners on the ground in each destination, and only uses local guides. They also primarily promote locally-owned services (hotels etc). They have eco-rated about 300 properties worldwide which they work with closely, so they are very clear which accommodations have good environmental and social responsibility credentials. This information is used to ensure that any traveller wanting to ensure they are really making a difference, can choose between one property and another on eco-issues. They also promote community-owned projects and services where applicable and possible. Indeed they were instrumental in setting up two community-owned ventures in Tanzania and Peru.
Travel Philanthropy: The company backs a charity called The Tribes Foundation with funds and administration. This is a registered UK charity whose principle aim is to relieve the poverty of indigenous communities in areas outside of the UK which are affected by tourism. The charity backs poverty alleviation, education, cultural preservation and conservation projects within these regions. It has backed schools, clinics, micro-business projects and more. They are currently raising funds for 9 different grassroots projects in nine different counties, which travellers are encouraged to donate to if they would like to give something back.
The yacht used in the Galapagos on this trip is Smart Voyager certificated. Other yachts are available.
Community

Climate

1 Reviews of Ecuador holiday, Quito & the Galapagos
5 out of 5 stars
SHOW
1
0
0
0
0
Reviewed on 25 Sep 2014 by Sarah Hext
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming with sea-lions in the Galapagos.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't delay! There wasn't anything I could fault.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - local guides were used in each city and also for the boat crew. The boat was classified as an eco-catamaran.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Very sad to have had to leave.
Our travel guides
Find related holidays
From
£5300
10 Days excluding flights
Countries:Ecuador, Galapagos Islands
More info:2021 guide price includes: Airport transfers, 9 nights twin share (2 hotels, 7 on Beagle), meals shown, half-day Quito tour, guided excursions on the cruise, use of kayaks and snorkelling equipment, return flights to Galapagos Islands from mainland.
Our travel guides
Find related holidays
Popular similar holidays
Galapagos adventure holiday
An active Galapagos Islands adventure holiday
From £4424 10 days excluding flights
Galapagos activity & wildlife holiday, land based
Tailor-made land-based activity holiday in Galapagos
From £4715 10 days excluding flights
Ecuador holidays, Andes to Amazon
Ecuador's landscapes & wildlife
From £3149 - £3699 15 days including UK flights
Galapagos land based adventure holiday
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
From £2350 - £2935 10 days excluding flights