Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands

DURATION

13 days

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

Trip Difficulty
DIFFICULTY
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LOCATION

Ecuador, South America

MEETING POINT

London or Quito

GROUP SIZE

16

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FROM
£4000
£3600
Early Bird Discount! £400 off for first 8 bookings!

Challenge rating

difficulty

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the captivating landscapes and vibrant cultures of Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands.

This 13-day adventure will immerse you in the country’s diverse beauty, from the heights of the Andes Mountains to the depths of the Amazon rainforest and the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands.   

  • Exploring the historic streets of Quito, the world’s highest capital city.  
  • Witnessing the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, the highest active volcano in the world, in Cotopaxi National Park.   
  • Cycling through the breathtaking “Avenue of the Waterfalls” near Baños.   
  • Soaring through the rainforest canopy on a ziplining adventure.   
  • Delving into the depths of the Amazon rainforest, encountering incredible wildlife and learning about indigenous cultures.   
  • Cruising through the enchanted Galapagos Islands, home to unique creatures found nowhere else on Earth.   
  • Snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, surrounded by playful sea lions and colourful fish.   
  • Hiking across volcanic landscapes, discovering hidden coves and pristine beaches.   
  • Marvelling at the iconic Kicker Rock, a towering natural sculpture rising from the ocean.   

This is your chance to tick off some truly unforgettable experiences, all while enjoying comfortable accommodation and the expertise of our experienced guides.

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

What is 'Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands' like?

Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands Gallery

Whats Included In Our Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands

  •  whats_included_text3* Hotels (Twin Share)
  •  whats_included_textAll Activities Mentioned In The Itinerary
  •  whats_included_textExpert Guides With You Throughout The Trip
  •  whats_included_text12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches & 3 Dinners
  •  whats_included_textMax 16 Travellers Per Group
  •  whats_included_textPrivate Transport

Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands Itinerary

Welcome to Quito, the highest capital city in the world (2,850 m/9,350 ft; over 2.6 MM inhabitants).

Its historic centre is one of the largest, least-altered, and best-preserved in the Americas, and it was the first World Cultural Heritage Site declared by UNESCO.

Today you will be picked up from the hotel and brought to discover the highlights of historic Quito. Starting at the Independence Square, you will be able to appreciate side by side the architectural wealth of Quito with the modern folklore of the concurrence.

You will then continue to admire the colonial church of San Francisco, the elegant façades of the Carondelet presidential palace, the former Archbishops palace and the Jesuit church of La Compañia de Jesús. The latter is the major and best example of Latin American baroque architecture. Besides its elaborate façade, masterly carved out of volcanic rock, you probably will get overwhelmed by its completely gold-leafed interior, a fusion of Spanish, Indigenous, Moorish, Italian and Flemish influences. The city tour finishes with a visit to the top of Panecillo hill, which offers panoramic views of Quito and surrounding volcanoes, and is crowned by a giant replica of the city’s Madonna patron saint.

Lunch included at La Cuchara Orgánica — a special site where local gastronomy blends with ancient plants under fair trade policies. Now you are going to visit the place crossed by the equatorial line, which divides Earth into two hemispheres -and gives the country its name- at the Middle of the World complex & museum. The first thing you will be able to do there is to stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern, and take a memorable photo! Then, at the Inti Ñan Solar Museum (Inti Ñan means “Path of the Sun” in Kichwa), you will travel back in time to learn about the history of the peoples who inhabited these valleys thousands of years ago, who were vastly knowledgeable in astronomy. Their legacy is preserved in the museum collection to help everyone understand the physical phenomena unique to this place. Return to Quito.

This morning you will embark on a journey southward, until you reach the central Ecuadorian Andes, where the majestic Cotopaxi National Park is located.
It is named after the symmetrical and glaciated Cotopaxi volcano – the highest active worldwide – with an altitude of 5,897 m/19,347 ft.

A native guide will give you a tour of the highlands that surround the Cotopaxi volcano, including the picturesque Limpiopungo lagoon (at 3,840 m/12,600 ft of altitude), where the majestic cone reflects into the water on clear days; though windy, cloudy or foggy conditions occur as well.
There are many trails surrounding the lagoon, leading to panoramic viewpoints of the surrounding volcanoes and spots for birdwatching, with precious Andean gulls, Andean lapwings, black-chested eagles, and the endangered giant óndor occasionally flying by.

Lunch will be at Tambopaxi, a working farm, restaurant and hotel located in a very scenic prairie.

Next, you will be driven in sharp zigzags up the slopes of the volcano, until even the montane vegetation becomes scarce and you reach a mostly sandy and red lava rock area. Walking over it leads to the mountaineer’s refugee, at an altitude of 4,630 m/15,200 ft, where you can have a hot beverage while gazing at the spectacular views below.

After enjoying the atmosphere and breathtaking views, you will transfer to hotel.

The 3h+ cascades tour has become one of the most sought-after activities in Baños. There are several ways to enjoy the spectacle this route offers, but the best is on a bike.
You will be provided with a mountain bike, helmet and assistance by a guide to cycle along this 15-kilometer route that stretches between the limits of two grandiose National Parks: Sangay and Llanganates mountains. Several cascades decorate the unique landscape, including the 80-meter high Pailón del Diablo (Cauldron of the devil), which has a winding staircase carved on the rock right next to it. Make sure to take great pictures and enjoy the drizzle! Later, you will head to the Tree House, home of “The swing at the end of the world”. This is a swing located right next to a cliff, that people ride to watch the eventual eruptions of the Tungurahua Volcano, which is located right in front. The surrounding area also offers a good opportunity to enjoy a peaceful ride.

After your biking experience in Baños, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

If you are not afraid of heights and always wanted to know what it feels like to fly, Baños has got you covered. You will practice ziplining, which consists in securing you on a safety belt that is attached to a suspended stainless steel cable, so using the force of gravity, you will fly over canyons, waterfalls and wide gorges. Baños is a world-famous destination for this activity.

Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor and catch the trade winds in your sails!

This morning you will depart towards the upper Amazon. The route features a scenic stretch of road which takes you out of the majestic Andes highlands and down into the Amazon region. Along the way there are several opportunities to stop for photographs, overlooking lush green valleys and sparkling waterfalls.

From the moment you arrive in Suchipakari, our packages will allow you to make the most of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our Staff will be waiting for you, to help you with your bags. Once you arrive at the lodge, you will be welcomed with a Cocktail and our lodge manager will give you a short orientation talk about the lodge and its facilities. Then you will be shown your room where you can rest for a moment.

We will start our day with a delicious breakfast and then the opportunity to explore the Jungle, observing the flora and fauna together with our native guide.

The Napo River is one of the largest tributaries mighty Amazon River, with its characteristics orange colored waters its source in Ecuador. Behind the shores of one the beaches along the River Arajuno is the famous animal refuge known as AmaZoonico. This refuge was founded for the purpose of protecting and taking care of the native and wild animals of the area that have either been injured, mistreated or been confiscated and handed over because they were being smuggled. This is a great opportunity to observe how it is exactly that these creatures live in their natural habitat, something which is rather hard to do given how elusive these creatures are in the wild.

Once this visit is over, you’ll return to Suchipakari aboard a canoe on a journey by the Napo River. After box lunch, you can visit the home of a native Quichua family- . Once here, you’ll get to observe how their typical and alcoholic drink known as “chicha” is prepared, along with a chance to drink and taste it. In addition, you’ll get a hands-on experience with the blowgun – an important weapon used by the people of the jungle in hunting food. You’ll soon find out that it isn’t easy to aim! Also you can visit the caiman lagoon. The first thing you see is the ripple in the water, before a pair of eyes appear in the dark and look at you fixedly.

Your guide will attract the reptiles with a little meat and you can watch them closely

Subject to availability within the lodge, early in the morning there could be a final excursion, aimed to find species only visible at sunset, accompanied by the beautiful symphony of their singing greeting the new day. Breakfast time and leisure until departure time.

Transfer back to Quito and drop off at the hotel.

 

Subject to availability within the lodge, early in the morning there could be a final excursion, aimed to find species only visible at sunset, accompanied by the beautiful symphony of their singing greeting the new day. Breakfast time and leisure until departure time.

Transfer back to Quito and drop off at the hotel.

 

Today you fly to the magical Galapagos Islands!

In the morning, you will be picked up at the hotel and brought to the Quito’s airport. There, at the departures hall, you must reach the Galapagos Government Council counter, to purchase the Transit Control Card ($20 per person only cash, must be kept safe during the trip as it has to be presented again upon return). Then your luggage will be inspected to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced on the islands. Next you will catch the flight to Baltra island, and upon landing there, authorities will collect the Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 per adult).

You will be met at Baltra airport by a native guide, who will accompany you on the 1 hour journey to reach your hotel, located on Santa Cruz Island. On the way, you will enjoy a tour of the highlands of Santa Cruz, visiting the Twin Craters, impressive lava formations that appeared during a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, and are now covered by rich forest ecosystems. The endemic woodpecker finch, considered a holy grail of evolution, can be seen in these areas using tools to feed.

Subsequently you will visit a ranch visited by giant Galapagos tortoises. Since these magnificent reptiles do not stop their migrations at the official boundaries of the National Park, dozens of them enter the private properties on the island, taking mud baths, devouring fallen fruit and carrying birds in their shells. Back in town, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, named after the British naturalist who developed his Theory of Evolution after visiting the islands in 1835. Besides working as a NGO, this institution hosts the headquarters of the Galapagos National Park, from where biological research and conservation management are directed. Here you will be taken on an educational stroll, and the most memorable part will be the successful breeding centre of Galapagos giant tortoises.

You will enjoy lunch with a view of the tortoises, and then transfer to the hotel.

Today, depending availability, you get to explore a remote island, options being Bartolomé, Seymour Santa Fé or South Plaza. The destination is selected by the operator based on daily availability. Lunch, snorkel equipment and bilingual guide are included.

The colossal pinnacle of Bartolomé presents an iconic postcard view of Galapagos. Enjoy it from different angles, and next, climb to its summit crossing paths with Galapagos hawks, lava lizards and snakes to reach an otherworldly landscape. Golden beaches with crystal clear turquoise waters offer an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.

The second option, North Seymour is a pure natural paradise, replete with seabird colonies, offering unique opportunities to get up close and personal with blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, Galapagos sea lions, and endemic land iguanas. You may swim in close company with playful Galapagos sea lions, which form right on this beach their largest colony of the entire archipelago.

A third option is Santa Fé island, where you could stroll right through a Galapagos sea lion rookery and a giant opuntia cactus forest, inhabited by the pale Barrington land iguana, which is endemic to this uninhabited island (as many incredibly evolved island species featuring gigantism). You won’t return to Santa Cruz without the unique opportunity to snorkel in the exotic Barrington Bay.

Finally, South Plaza might be the destination. This islet breaths a complete distinct ambience with its reddish psychedelic flora and its resemblance with Jurassic Park, with endemic Galapagos land or marine iguanas scattered everywhere. You will be able to swim over a reef of boulders that attracts an amazing variety of tropical reef fish, harmless whitetip sharks and playful Galapagos sea lions.

Today you get to explore a different island.
In the morning, you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora dock, where you will board a public speedboat to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in San Cristobal island. Please bring sunscreen, a windbreaker jacket, and seasick pills.

A guide will be waiting for you at the destination dock, and without further ado, your Galapagos adventure begins. First, you will visit the island’s Interpretation Center, where you will get a glimpse of the seriousness and complexity of preserving the unique ecosystems of Galapagos. Photos, historic documents and maquettes are used as educational means. After this visit, you have time for lunch (not included).

Next, you will ascend Frigatebird hill, located right behind the center, and from its summit you will marvel at the panoramic views of the rugged coastline. On clear days even the distant, offshore rock sculpture of Kicker Rock can be seen. These wooded hilltops are one of the rare places where Magnificent and Great frigatebirds form a mixed breeding colony.

You will cross a Charles Darwin statue on your way down, which is a reminder that this scientist, along with his scientific expedition, anchored here in 1835. From here a trail descends to Carola point, a secluded beach and popular surf location, where you might opt for a refreshing swim in the accompanied by baby sea lions. Transfer to hotel.

Today, you will embark on a shared navigable tour to Kicker Rock. Roundtrip transportation, lunch, snorkelling gear and assistance which English-speaking guide are included.

Kicker Rock is an impressive natural sculpture that rises up from the ocean at the northeast coast of San Cristobal Island.

From the side it has the shape of a giant shoe upside down with the tower as a high heel (hence its name Kicker Rock). In its longitudinal direction, it rather resembles a sleeping lion (which explains its Spanish name Leon Dormido).

Plunge into this chilly tropical aquarium, carefully overseen by your guide and the closely following boat. The surge around hauls you into the wide channel between the tower and the main formation of Kicker Rock, an area teeming with rarely seen marine life. While floating between its high walls, a bright day may offer dazzling views down to the bottom.

Before and after your swim, you might also enjoy the plentiful presence of seabirds that nest and breed in the edges of Kicker Rock. Galapagos shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed and Nazca boobies are a regular sight.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to San Cristobal airport to take your international flight back home.

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Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands Dates & Availability

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