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Cities, Volcanos & Galapagos Discovery
Ecuador in 12 Days, 10 Nights in Destination
Irene
Travel crafter
This trip is a great overview of Ecuador and the Galapagos, with an added focus on the natural landscapes of the Andes.
Trip Highlights
- Banos
- Cotopaxi National Park
- Galapagos Islands
- Guayaquil
- Middle of the World Monument
- Quito
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Breakfast only
Availability
Departures available until
Available Group tours
Solo travelers available
- WHAT'S THIS?
Categories available
charm included
superior from + £ 500
- WHAT'S THIS?
Itinerary
Begin in the Andean capital of Quito, known for its Inca ruins and colonial architecture before exploring Quilotoa Crater Lake. Enjoy the verdant landscapes of Baños the 'Gateway to the Amazon', before heading to Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands, where you can spot giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. End your trip in Guayaquil, on Ecuador's Pacific coast.
1st Day: UK/Ireland - Quito
Arrive at your UK/Ireland departure airport, ready for a flight to Quito.* Arrive in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a city famed for its high vantage point in the Andean mountains and its ancient Incan significance. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay in Quito.
*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
* Optional Meal Package: Add 4 dinners and 1 lunch to your trip, so you can relax in the knowledge that you have a meal waiting for you! Includes: 2 dinners in Quito, 1 dinner in Galapagos, 1 dinner in Guayaquil and 1 lunch box for the journey from Galapagos - Guayaquil.
Please note: If you purchase the Optional Meal Package and your arrival flight lands late this evening you will be provided with a cold dinner box if the hotel restaurant is closed when you arrive.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Mercure Alameda or similar
1064 Reviews
See our full selection
2nd Day: Quito - Quilotoa - Baños
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a 'meet and greet' at the hotel with your guide. Later, set off to the amazing Quilotoa Crater Lake, a vibrant, green-colored volcanic lake, thought to be 250-meters deep. Here, you have the opportunity to climb to the edge of the lake to enjoy beautiful views of the crater and its surroundings. Continue to the small town of Tigua, known for its traditional folk art paintings, before arriving in Baños, home to mineral hot springs and waterfalls and nestled within a verdant natural environment. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring this unique city, known as a gateway to the Amazon Basin. Overnight stay in Baños.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Sangay Spa Hotel - Standa... or similar
372 Reviews
See our full selection
3rd Day: Baños
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in beautiful Baños, where there are plenty of opportunities to experience the rich natural environment. We recommend visiting the nearby Tungurahua Volcano, relaxing in the steaming hot springs, exploring the hills and waterfalls or heading into the Amazon Basin. However, you spend your day at leisure, be sure to make the most of these unique and breathtaking surroundings. We recommend an optional jungle tour as part of our Highlights of Ecuador excursion package.* Alternatively, opt for a little relaxation by trying a traditional Baño de Cajón as part of our Wow Experiences excursion package.** Overnight stay in Baños.
* Optional Highlights of Ecuador - Pack of 3 Excursions: Add a little extra to your Ecuador experience with this highlights package of three excursions. Discover the rainforest on a jungle tour from Baños which includes lunch and a canoe trip on the Puyo River and explore the colonial heritage of Quito with a half-day tour of the historic center and La Compania church. Finally, take a guided tour of Guayaquil Historical Park to discover more about the culture and natural environment of the Ecuadorian coast.
** Optional Wow Experiences - Pack of 3 Excursions: Head off the beaten path in Ecuador with this package of three inspiring experiences! Enjoy a traditional Baño de Cajón, or 'drawer bath' a type of thermal bath used to harness the healing powers of water in Baños and enjoy a guided fruit and food tasting tour at a local market in Quito. In the Galapagos Islands, take a day trip to one of the spectacular uninhabited islands such as Bartholomew, the Plaza Islands or Seymour Islands.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Sangay Spa Hotel - Standa... or similar
372 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Wow Experiences - Pack of 3 Excursions
See more
4th Day: Baños - Cotopaxi - Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Returning to Quito today, stop en-route at the Cotopaxi National Park, home to the famous Cotopaxi Volcano. Cotopaxi is 5897 meters high and is considered to be one of the highest active volcanos in the world. Look out for unique birdlife such as Andean Gulls and Hummingbirds as you take in the beautiful views of the snow-capped volcano at the center of this park. After exploring these unforgettable landscapes, continue to Quito, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Quito.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Mercure Alameda or similar
1064 Reviews
See our full selection
5th Day: Quito
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day in Quito at your leisure, exploring the city or simply taking some time to enjoy the beautiful climate and natural environment. Admire the eclectic architecture of the city's colonial center or perhaps take a trip to the famous Middle of the World Monument. Overnight stay in Quito.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Mercure Alameda or similar
1064 Reviews
See our full selection
6th Day: Quito - Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Baltra, in the wonderful Galapagos Islands. From Baltra, transfer to the island of Santa Cruz by crossing the Itabaca channel on a ferry. Stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz, a lush, green natural habitat of the famous Galápagos giant tortoises. Visit a private ranch, take a tour of the area and walk among the trees, looking for giant tortoises that prefer to stay near the small lagoons. Also admire the amazing lava tubes, created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Transfer to your hotel in Santa Cruz and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Villa Laguna or similar
118 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz
Light
See more
7th Day: Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a half-day island tour. From Puerto Ayora take a boat trip along the canal to La Loberia, a bay known for its large population of blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Disembark the boat and begin a guided hike through the protected area in the hope of spotting white-tip reef sharks from a lookout point. Continue to Playa de Los Perros, a favourite resting place for the fascinating marine iguanas, especially on a sunny day. Take in the unique wildlife and natural environment, with its bright red rocks, cacti and turquoise ocean. Take the opportunity to experience a snorkelling excursion along the bay before hiking on to Las Grietas, a beautiful rock formation and crystal-clear swimming area. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure to explore the local town or simply relax at your own pace. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Villa Laguna or similar
118 Reviews
See our full selection
8th Day: Galapagos (Santa Cruz)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the beautiful beaches and wonderful wildlife. Why not look for sea turtles and brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crab at Tortuga Bay or visit the volcanic calderas of Los Gemelos. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Villa Laguna or similar
118 Reviews
See our full selection
9th Day: Galapagos (Santa Cruz) - Guayaquil
Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the mainland, with a flight from Santa Cruz airport. Arrive in Guayaquil, and join a shared transfer to your hotel in the city center. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and is located on the Pacific Coast. Later, enjoy a walking tour of the city, visiting the Malecon, Parque Iguanas and Las Peñas neighbourhood. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Double Tree by Hilton Gua... or similar
187 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Walking Tour of Guayaquil
Moderate
See more
10th Day: Guayaquil
Breakfast at the hotel. The day is at your leisure to do some last-minute souvenir shopping, or relax in the arty neighborhood of Santa Ana Hill. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Double Tree by Hilton Gua... or similar
187 Reviews
See our full selection
11th Day: Guayaquil - Night on board
Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bring your adventure through Ecuador and the amazing Galapagos Islands to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board.
Please note: Depending on the flight departure time you may arrive back in the UK/Ireland today.
12th Day: UK/Ireland
Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip.
Categories
charm
From £ 2,149
- Accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.
superior
From £ 2,649
- Accommodation in Superior category hotels.
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Included activities
The price includes
- Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
- International flights: UK/Ireland - Quito, Guayaquil - UK/Ireland.
- Internal flights: Quito - Galapagos, Galapagos - Guayaquil. *more information
- 10 nights accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.See hotels included
- 10 breakfasts.
- Transfers.
- Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.See itinerary
- All air taxes & fuel surcharge.
- Boat trip along the bay in Santa Cruz.
- ATOL Protection.
- English-speaking guide.
Not included
Entrances, drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
Transit control card (TCC)* (20 USD) and entrance to the Galapagos National Park * (100 USD).
* More information can be found in Offer Conditions.
* Documentation of the internal flights will be delivered at your destination. It is essential to fill in the passport information correctly for each passenger in the given boxes at the end of the reservations process.
We strongly recommend you consult your doctor regarding the possible effects of altitude sickness before you travel.
If you would like to travel with children, please contact Customer Services to find out the conditions.
For the flight to Galapagos we will transfer you to the airport 3 hours in advance in order to complete the required formalities.
Entry requirements
Minimum of 6 months validity with one passport page. Mandatory travel insurance.
Visa
No visa required for stays of up to 90 days
Currency
US Dollar
Language
Spanish
Electricity
Types A and B, 110 V North American type plug
Health
Please consult your doctor regarding the vaccination against yellow fever and malaria prophylaxis. Travellers over 60 years must consult their doctor as the Yellow Fever vaccine can have serious side effects.
Time zone
UTC -5
Other useful information
It is mandatory for tourists to carry a valid health insurance policy.
Tourist Office website
https://ecuador.travel/en/
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
At the airport Galapagos passengers must present their transit control card (TCC) with their passport and pay the entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park. Cost: US$100 per person.
If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +44 20 8068 3176 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.
While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Pay in installments
Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.
Rest is paid in instalments according to your departure date.
Exoticca Travel Stories
Creating unforgettable memories, one traveller at a time
Bucket list destinations at bucket shop prices!
Everything that you have dreamt about and imagined is right there. From mating blue-footed boobies to swimming with sea lions! This was our David Attenborough moment, a bucket list destination. Finally, we were able to take the plunge and boy was it worth it. Be brave, be explorers!
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