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    Tropical Discovery & Galapagos Dreams

    Ecuador in 14 Days, 12 Nights in Destination

    Book now for a £400 reward

    Ends soon

    + info

    -50%

    From

    £ 5,799

    £ 2,899

    /person

    Alex
    Travel crafter

    The ideal trip for lovers of history and nature, including Inca ruins and the chance to discover two different islands in the Galapagos.

    Trip Highlights

    1. Banos
    2. Cuenca
    3. Galapagos Islands
    4. Guayaquil
    5. Quito
    6. Riobamba
    7. Ruins of Ingapirca

    Included

    1. All flights

    2. Accommodation

    3. All transfers.

    4. Activities

    5. Some meals

    Availability

    1. Departures available until December 2024

    2. Available Group tours

    3. Solo travelers from + £ 520

    4. Add up to 3 nights to your stay

    5. WHAT'S THIS?

    Categories available

    1. charm included

    2. superior from + £ 1,200

    3. WHAT'S THIS?

    Book with an expert for free:

    +44 20 8068 3176

    Exoticca is fully ABTA and ATOL protected

    Our Travel Protection takes care of you

    More info

    Select a day to go to next step

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    September 2023
    October 2023
    November 2023
    December 2023

    Categories Available:

    charm

    From £ 2,899

    Selected

    • Charm category hotels.
    superior

    From £ 4,099

    • Charm and Superior category hotels.

    Accommodation: 12 Nights

    calendar

    Day 1 to 3

    Mercure Alameda

    Location

    Quito

    Category

    Nights

    2

    Rating TripAdvisor travelers

    The hotels we select comply with our high standards and requirements per category. The allocation is dependent on availability and seasonality, so you can be assigned any of our selection, including the following: Hotel Rio Amazonas

    Itinerary

    Travel to Ecuador and discover Quito, the oldest capital in South America, the waterfalls of Banos, the volcanos of Riobamba and the charm of Cuenca. Explore the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy its spectacular fauna and flora on the islands of Santa Cruz & San Cristobal. Relax on the paradise beaches and look out for rare blue-footed boobies and giant Galapagos tortoise.

    1st Day: UK/Ireland - 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 spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the relaxed culture of the Ecuadorian Sierra. Overnight stay.

    If you want to have the hotel room available before 2:00 p.m., you can add early check-in at an additional cost. In case you are interested, you will be able to see the price and do the upsell in the next step of the purchase process.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Mercure Alameda or similar

    1011 Reviews

    See our full selection

    2nd Day: Quito

    After breakfast,  meet with a local guide who will take you on a fascinating guided tour of some most emblematic sights of Quito. Explore the Historic Center, declared a World Heritage Site for its great beauty, and also a discover the city's traditional market where you can taste a great variety of the tropical fruits grown in Ecuador. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight stay.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Mercure Alameda or similar

    1011 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Quito City Tour

    Moderate

    See more

    3rd Day: Quito - Quilotoa - Baños

    Breakfast at the hotel. Set off towards Banos, a subtropical area close to the Amazon basin, known for its beautiful hot springs. On route, pass through the Cotopaxi National Park on a panoramic tour, where you can see a wonderful panoramic view of the active volcano Cotopaxi. Then, stop at the impressive volcanic lake of Quilotoa. The water is the lake is an amazing green colour due to the high mineral content of the volcanic terrain.  After Quilotoa, stop in the small artisan town of Tigua and visit an artists workshop where you can discover the intricate and colourful art of the region. Continue to Banos, arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay. 

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Sangay Spa or similar

    346 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Quilotoa Excursion (Limited to 2023)

    Challenging

    See more

    4th Day: Baños

    Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an adventure to the stunning Banos Waterfalls on board a traditional Chiva, the typical transport of the Ecuadorian coast. In the afternoon, take time at your leisure to visit the waterfalls (entrance not included) or discover the city of Banos. Overnight stay.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Sangay Spa or similar

    346 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Chiva ride and visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfalls.

    Light

    See more
    Optional
    Cajon Bath Treatment in Baños

    Active

    See more

    5th Day: Baños - Chimborazo - Riobamba

    Breakfast at the hotel. Journey through to the province of Chimborazo on route to El Chimborazo, the highest volcano in Ecuador standing at 6,310 meters. It was estimated that the last eruption was around 550 a.D. and therefore it is a dormant volcano. Enjoy the beautiful views of the volcano, the surrounding landscape and lush vegetation. Stop at the interesting "Palacio Real" community, a complex at the foot of the volcano before arriving at the city of Riobamba, which has a large indigenous popular and colourful culture, to enjoy an included lunch. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Riobamba.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Mansion Santa Isabella or similar

    256 Reviews

    See our full selection

    6th Day: Riobamba - Guamote - Alausi - Inca Pirca - Cuenca

    Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit the quaint towns of Guamote and Alausi, before heading for the fascinating ruins of Ingapirca, the largest and most well preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. Discover the ancient city and wonder at the history behind the ruins. Continue to Cuenca, thought to be the most beautiful city in Ecuador, and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, discovering the beautiful waterfront and old colonial plazas. Overnight in Cuenca.

     

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Posada del Angel or similar

    256 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Visit to the Inti Sisa Project

    Light

    See more
    included
    Visit to the ruins of Ingapirca

    Light

    See more

    7th Day: Cuenca - Guayaquil

    Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning exploring Cuenca at your leisure. In the afternoon depart to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, located on the coast. On the way, stop in the impressive Cajas National Park, known for its glistening lakes and home to the mighty Andean Condor. Stop at a local cocoa community to discover how chocolate is made from the humble cacao tree and enjoy a tasting of the finished product. the process from the cacao tree to the chocolate bar and taste the chocolate. Continue towards Guayaquil, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Hotel River Garden - Stan... or similar

    127 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Cacao Experience

    Light

    See more

    8th Day: Guayaquil - 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 to enjoy a traditional lunch. After lunch, take a tour of the area and walk among the trees and look for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay near the small lagoons. 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
    Albatross or similar

    48 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Tortoises Ranch and lava tunnels

    Light

    See more

    9th Day: Galapagos

    Breakfast at the hotel. Take the day at your leisure or go to discover the delights of the Galapagos. Overnight in Santa Cruz.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Albatross or similar

    48 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    Optional
    Uninhabited Island Premium Cruise from Santa Cruz

    Active

    See more

    10th Day: Galapagos (Santa Cruz - San Cristobal)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning by exploring the beautiful island of Santa Cruz at your leisure. In the afternoon take the public speedboat to the island of San Cristobal, passing the island of Santa Fe on the way and taking approximately 2-3 hours. Arrive on the island of San Cristobal, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay. 

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Blue Marlin or similar

    97 Reviews

    See our full selection

    11th Day: Galapagos

    Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, we recommend discover the unique eco-system and wildlife on the Galapagos islands. Overnight in San Cristobal.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Blue Marlin or similar

    97 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    Optional
    Half-Day Tijeretas Nature Trail & Cooking Experience

    Moderate

    See more

    12th Day: Galapagos - Quito

    Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Quito. Arrive in Quito, transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure, soaking up the unique atmosphere and enjoying the Ecuadorian cuisine. Overnight stay.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Mercure Alameda or similar

    1011 Reviews

    See our full selection

    13th Day: Quito - Night on board

    Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board. *

    * If your return flight departs in the morning, your arrival in the UK/Ireland will be the same day and the total duration of your trip will be 13 days.

    14th Day: UK/Ireland

    Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip.

    Included activities

    Included

    Quito City Tour

    Included activity for day 2 in Quito

    A guided city tour to get to know Quito's most emblematic sights. Visit a local market, a number of picturesque squares and the narrow streets of the city centre.

    Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: 09:30 Approx

    Physical rating:

    Moderate

    more information
    Included

    Quilotoa Excursion (Limited to 2023)

    Included activity for day 3

    Stop at a local market for a taste of the local culture before visiting the amazing Quilotoa Crater Lake, known for its everchanging colour, depending on the position of the sun and the clouds.

    Duration 09:00h Approx. Pick up time: 07:30 Approx

    Physical rating:

    Challenging

    more information
    Included

    Chiva ride and visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfalls.

    Included activity for day 4 in Banos

    Set off on an exciting Chiva excursion! A Chiva is an open-sided vehicle from which you can enjoy captivating views of your surroundings. Follow the waterfall route, culminating at the thundering 265-foot-high Pailon del Diablo Waterfall!

    Duration 04:00h Approx. Pick up time: 10:30 Approx

    Physical rating:

    Light

    more information
    Included

    Visit to the Inti Sisa Project

    Included activity for day 6 in Cuenca

    Visit the Inti Sisa Project to learn more about the community projects that take place in and around Guamote and Alausi and enjoy a tasting of traditional empanadas.

    Duration 02:00h Approx. Pick up time: 08:00 Approx

    Physical rating:

    Light

    more information

    Show more

    Available Activities

    Activities are subject to availability. The price for each optional activity will be shown in the next step of the booking process.
    Optional

    Cajon Bath Treatment in Baños

    Suggested activity for day 4 in Banos

    Experience an authentic Cajon Bath treatment, a traditional remedy to eliminate toxins and increase wellbeing. The treatment involves sitting in a relaxing individual steam bath for up to 30 minutes before enjoying the other facilities of the spa.

    Duration 00:30h Approx. Pick up time: 08:30 Approx

    Physical rating:

    Active

    more information
    Optional

    Uninhabited Island Premium Cruise from Santa Cruz

    Suggested activity for day 9

    Depending on the availability, visit one of several uninhabited islands, such as Bartholomew, Seymour, Plaza or Santa Fe on board a yacht to discover their incredible wildlife and scenery. Hot lunch on board, snacks and some drinks are included.

    Physical rating:

    Active

    more information
    Optional

    Half-Day Tijeretas Nature Trail & Cooking Experience

    Suggested activity for day 11 in Galapagos Islands

    Visit the Interpretation Center before taking a guided walk along the Cerro Tijerates trail. Enjoy spectacular views from atop of the viewpoint and look out for frigatebirds before enjoying a beach cooking class at Playa Mann.

    Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: 09:00 Approx

    Physical rating:

    Moderate

    more information

    The price includes

    • Included in all our trips. more information

    • Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.

    • International flights: UK/Ireland - Quito - UK/Ireland. *

      more information

    • Internal flights: Guayaquil - Galapagos - Quito. **

      more information

    • 12 nights accommodation in Charm category hotels.

      See hotels included

    • 12 Breakfasts and 2 Lunches.

    • Transfers.

    • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary with English speaking guide.

      See itinerary

    • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.

    • ATOL Protection.

    • Excursion on a Traditional Ecuadorian Chiva.

    *The cancellation policy applicable is according to the Terms and Conditions available and agreed at the time of your purchase

    Not included

    Entrances, drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

    Transit control card (TCC)* (US$ 20) and entrance to the Galapagos National Park * (US$ 100) and Taxi Boat service from Santa Cruz and for day tours ($1 per person).

    * More information can be found in Offer Conditions.

    Please note: Depending on the weather, the public ferry service in the Galapagos Islands can become quite choppy at times. If you suffer from seasickness, we recommend taking precautions to alleviate your symptoms in case of rough seas. 

    It is mandatory to send a copy of the valid passports of all passengers to customers@exoticca.com once you have made your reservation.

    If your destination is in the USA or Canada, or if your selected flights to a different destination have connections in the USA or Canada, it is mandatory to have an ESTA (for USA) or an eTA (for Canada) before travelling.

    ESTA here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

    eTA here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html

    * 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.

    **  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.

    The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

    The itinerary is subject to changes and alterations due to weather conditions or force majeure.

    For the flight to Galapagos we will transfer you to the airport 3 hours in advance in order to complete the required formalities.

    Travelers with passports from the following countries are required to present a tourist visa in their country of origin:
     
    Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Burma, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Congo, Senegal, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam, Myanmar and Yemen.
    • 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.

    In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

    Galapagos transit control card (TCC) is mandatory and is checked at the airport in both Quito and Guayaquil before travel to the Galapagos Islands. Cost US$20 per person (subject to change) and made by cash payment. 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 and prefer to go at your own pace, please contact our customer service team at +44 20 8068 3176 or via our contact form.

    The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

    Exoticca Travel Stories

    Creating unforgettable memories, one traveller at a time

    Middle of the World Monument · Ecuador

    Ecuador

    Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands with Exoticca

    We have just returned from a tour of Ecuador and the Galápagos with Exoticca. It was a fantastic trip, with amazing scenery in the Andes, great guides and the ‘Charm’ hotels were excellent. We have already booked another holiday with Exoticca and the staff have been helpful and informative.

    Pay in installments

    60%

    At time of booking

    40%

    60 days before departure

    Customer support

    Payment methods

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