Tropical Discovery & Galapagos Dreams
Ecuador in 14 Days • 12 Nights in Destination
Isabel
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Breakfast at the hotel. Take the day at your leisure or go to discover the delights of the Galapagos. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip.
14 days trip including flights*
13 days and 12 nights in destination
1
LON - UIO
Quito
2
Quito
3
Baños
4
Baños
5
Riobamba
6
Cuenca
7
Guayaquil
8
Santa Cruz
9
Santa Cruz
10
San Cristobal
11
San Cristobal
12
Quito
13
UIO - LON
14
UIO - LON
* It may change depending of your departure city, departure date and arrival date.
The calendar does not display internal flights, trains or other transportation included in the itinerary.
Accommodation: 12 Nights
*In case the advertised hotels are not available they will be replaced by one of these alternative hotels with the same quality: Hotel Rio Amazonas.
Included activities
Quito City Tour
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.
Quilotoa Excursion
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.
Chiva ride and visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfalls.
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!
Not included: Entrance to the waterfall is not included and must be paid at the destination.
Visit to the Inti Sisa Project
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.
Available Activities
Cajon Bath Treatment in Baños
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.
What's included: Entrance to the spa facilities for 2 hours, 30-minute traditional cajon steam bath
Uninhabited Island Premium Cruise from Santa Cruz
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.
What's included: Yacht cruise, hot lunch, snacks, tea, coffee, water, towel
Half-Day Tijeretas Nature Trail & Cooking Experience
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.
What's included: One-way transportation to the Interpretation Center, Bilingual naturalist guide, materials for the cooking class, ceviche prepared by you Not included: Beverages
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.
- Entry requirementsMinimum of 6 months validity with one passport page. Mandatory travel insurance.
- VisaNo visa required for stays of up to 90 days
- CurrencyUS Dollar
- LanguageSpanish
- ElectricityTypes A and B, 110 V North American type plug
- HealthPlease 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 zoneUTC -5
- Other useful informationIt is mandatory for tourists to carry a valid health insurance policy.
- Tourist Office websitehttps://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
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.
