Ecuador in 12 Days
Amazon Adventure & Galapagos Discovery
Alex
Travel crafter
Our classic tour of Ecuador, complete with a stay in the Amazon rainforest and wildlife-spotting in the Galapagos Islands.
- Free Cancellation
- Flexible Booking
- COVID-19 Protection included
- Exoticca is a member of ASTA
Extra discount!
Up to $1,000
Applied at checkout +info- New York $1,999
- Los Angeles$1,999
- Chicago$2,199
- Miami$1,699
- Fort Lauderdale$1,799
- Orlando$1,899
- Atlanta$1,899
- Washington DC$1,899
- Jacksonville$1,999
- Boston$1,999
- Las Vegas$1,999
- Nashville$1,999
- Tampa$2,099
- San Francisco$2,299
- Philadelphia$2,299
- San Diego$2,299
- Dallas$2,299
- Pittsburgh$2,299
- Detroit$2,299
- Birmingham (Alabama)$2,299
- Houston$2,399
- Minneapolis$2,399
- Phoenix$2,399
- Denver$2,399
- Portland$2,399
- Charlotte$2,499
- Seattle$2,699
- Oakland$11,099
- charm san cristobal island
- superior san cristobal
Itinerary
Discover Ecuador on an unforgettable journey from the tropical Amazon rainforest to the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands. Touch down in Quito, the historic Andean capital, before exploring the amazing Amazon in Tena. You can select San Cristobal or Santa Cruz as your gateway to the Galapagos Islands as you search for blue-footed boobies and sea turtles, before ending your adventure in Guayaquil.
12 days trip including flights*
11 days and 10 nights in destination
1
NYC - UIO
Quito
2
Tena
3
Tena
4
Quito
5
Quito
6
UIO-SCY
San Cristobal
7
San Cristobal
8
San Cristobal
9
SCY-GYE
Guayaquil
10
Guayaquil
11
GYE - NYC
12
GYE - NYC
* 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.
Arrive at your US 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.
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you set off into the Ecuadorian highlands and down into the rainforest, headed for Tena, in the Amazon. Continue through verdant landscapes towards the lodge, in the heart of the jungle. Arrive in time for dinner and enjoy a night walk to admire the nocturnal wildlife as the rainforest comes to life after sundown. Overnight stay in the Amazon.
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting off for a wildlife walk through the primary and secondary rainforest of the Amazon. Look out for tropical wildlife and appreciate the sheer scale and beauty of the jungle. Return to the lodge for lunch before enjoying the afternoon at your leisure with the opportunity to join in optional Amazon activities organised at the lodge. However, you choose to spend the remainder of the day, simply taking in the amazing natural environment and listening to the cacophony of wildlife sounds is sure to be a memorable experience. Dinner and overnight stay in the Amazon.
After breakfast at the lodge, return to Tena and continue your journey, heading back towards the capital. Along the way, visit the Middle of the World Monument, on the equator, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere! Continue to Quito and take a guided city tour to get to know the capitals most emblematic sights. Admire the colonial-era architecture and picturesque plazas and stroll through the narrow streets of the city centre. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in 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. We recommend enjoying our excursion to Quilotoa*. Overnight stay in Quito.
* Optional Quilotoa Crater Lake Excursion: Set off through the Andean Mountains, passing by the snow-capped peaks of Tungurahua and Chimborazo. Stop at a local market for a taste of the Andean culture and visit Quilotoa Crater Lake, known for its everchanging color, depending on the sun and clouds.
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to the airport this morning for a flight to the Galapagos Islands, a true wonder of nature known for its immense biodiversity! San Cristobal is the easternmost Galapagos island and is home to a rich array of unique wildlife, such as blue and red-footed boobies, marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions. It's also the island that Charles Darwin first explored during his research into the islands. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and get comfortable before setting off on a brief afternoon tour of Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Province. Explore this quaint coastal community and get to know its most important sights. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax before your adventure continues tomorrow. We recommend an optional cooking class in a local restaurant near the beach of Mann Beach to uncover the secret to making the perfect ceviche!* Overnight stay in San Cristobal.
*Optional Beach Cooking Class in San Cristobal: Learn how to cook the traditional Galapagos dish of ceviche with this guided cooking class in a local restaurant near the beach of Mann Beach, known for its friendly sea lions! Use authentic ingredients to craft a delicious dish whilst listening to fascinating insights about Galapagos life from the locals. And of course, you can enjoy your homemade ceviche at the end of class!
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on a full-day tour of San Cristobal to explore the delights of the island. Visit Galapaguera, home to amazing giant tortoises and observe diverse species of sea birds from Puerto Chino. The white sand here is perfect for a short rest before continuing to La Loberia, home to a large colony of sea lions who can be seen resting on the rocks. Return to your hotel and overnight stay in San Cristobal.
After breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for you to explore the Galapagos at your own. Overnight stay in San Cristobal.
Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the mainland, with a flight from San Cristobal airport. Arrive in Guayaquil, and join a shared transfer to your hotel in the city centre. 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, Paque Iguanas and Las Peñas neighbourhood. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
Breakfast at the hotel. The day is at your leisure to do some last-minute souvenir shopping, relax in the arty neighbourhood of Santa Ana Hill or take our optional excursion to beautiful Puerto Morro*. Overnight stay in Guayaquil.
*Optional Excursion to Puerto Morro: From Guayaquil, visit the charming fishing village of Puerto Morro. Take a boat ride through the mangroves to watch colourful Ibis birds and look out for playful pods of dolphins! Spend some time relaxing at Puerto Morro Beach before returning to Guayaquil.
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board.
Please note: Depending on the flight departure time you may arrive back in the US today.
Arrive in the US and end your trip.
Included activities
Included activity for day 2
Duration 01:00h Approx. Pick up time: 20:00 Approx
Physical rating:
Night-walk in Tena
Night-walk through the jungle to admire the nocturnal wildlife as the rainforest comes to life after sundown.
Included activity for day 3
Duration 02:30h Approx. Pick up time: 08:30 Approx
Physical rating:
Wildlife walk in Tena
Wildlife walk through the primary and secondary rainforest of the Amazon. Look out for tropical wildlife and appreciate the sheer scale and beauty of the jungle.
Included activity for day 4
Duration 01:45h Approx.
Physical rating:
Middle of the World Monument
Visit the Middle of the World Monument, on the equator, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere!
Included activity for day 4
Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: 09:30 Approx
Physical rating:
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.
Available Activities
If you have reduced mobility you can request assistance for these activities by speaking to one of our experts
Suggested activity for day 1
Meal Package (4 dinners & 1 Box-Lunch) 3*
Add 4 dinners and 1 box-lunch to your trip.
Suggested activity for day 5
Duration 02:30h Approx. Pick up time: 09:30 Approx
Physical rating:
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 color, depending on the position of the sun and the clouds.
Suggested activity for day 6 in Galapagos Islands
Duration 02:00h Approx. Pick up time: 16:30 Approx
Prepare your own Ceviche near the beach in San Cristobal
Learn how to make your own ceviche with a local near Mann Beach, known for its friendly sea lions! Use authentic ingredients to craft a delicious dish, and of course, you can enjoy your homemade ceviche at the end of class!
What's included: Cooking class materials, English translation assistance and ceviche prepared by you. Not included: Drinks, extras.
Suggested activity for day 10
Duration 06:00h Approx. Pick up time: 09:00 Approx
Boat Excursion from Puerto Morro
From Guayaquil, we will travel 100 km west to the small fishing village of Puerto El Morro. The village is located within the marine protected area El Morro Mangrove Refugee and has access to a beautiful mangrove area which you will explore on a boat tour.
What's included: Round-trip transportation, boat ride to watch dolphins Not included: Lunch, drinks, extras
The price includes
- Included in all our trips. more information
- Departures from main US airports.
- International flights: US - Quito, Guayaquil - US.
- Internal flights: Quito - Galapagos, Galapagos - Guayaquil. *more information
- 10 nights accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.See hotels included
- 10 breakfasts and Full-Board in Amazon.
- Transfers.
- Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.See itinerary
- All air taxes & fuel surcharge.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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