Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Galapagos and Ecuador experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
Ecuador has a rich cultural heritage throughout the Andean highlands that encompass the capital, Quito, as well as lush valleys, famous market towns and traditional communities. This itinerary has so much to offer, from colonial Quito through to the culturally rich Otavalo market. These wonderful destinations could only be topped by a full week in the astounding Galapagos Islands! This itinerary includes unbelievable wildlife, dramatic scenery, as well as an abundance of history and culture.
Arrive in the beautiful historic centre of Quito, beautifully restored with UNESCO funding and a pleasure to explore on foot. Then delve into the central highlands just north of the city to explore traditional villages that specialise in artisan crafts such as wood carving, woven textiles and more, from a delightful rural hacienda and working farm. The climax of this wonderful trip is, of course, a week long cruise around the Galapagos Islands – observing sealions, birds, iguanas, tortoises and a myriad of marine life in their natural habitat.
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Ecuador & Galapagos holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
Fly to Quito. You will be greeted on arrival and transferred into the city.
Your guided Quito tour will focus on the impressive historical plazas and cobbled streets of the Old Town. You will then continue north to visit the equator line, where you can straddle both the northern and southern hemispheres.
You will travel through a range of microclimates to reach the Otavalo region. Here, you will stay in a remote hacienda surrounded by scenic Andean landscapes.
Visit the impressive and bustling market town of Otavalo. Learn about its history and culture, and explore the colourful range of produce, textiles and handicrafts on offer.
You will be transferred back to Quito for an overnight stay near the airport.
Your Galapagos adventure begins today. Get ready to be impressed by what you are about to see. Keep your camera close and look out for lazing land iguanas, diving blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises roaming the wild. You will arrive at either San Cristobal or Baltra and be transferred to your waiting cruise, which will be your home for the next seven nights.
Spend these unforgettable days exploring the Galapagos Islands with your expert naturalist guide. Your itinerary will include a variety of the archipelago’s most fascinating islands, with daily boat trips, snorkelling excursions and occasional hikes. All meals and guided activities are included during your time on board.
In the evenings, your guide will often lead informal discussions about what you have seen, offering deeper insight into the wildlife and ecosystems of this unique region. The underwater world is equally rich, with frequent chances to spot sea turtles gliding by and even the occasional shark meandering below.
Look out for vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttling across black lava rocks, and keep an eye out for ancient giant tortoises rambling through the highlands of several key islands. Every month of the year offers a different wildlife experience in the Galapagos, and you are likely to witness extraordinary activity no matter when you travel.
You will disembark from your cruise and fly to balmy Guayaquil for your final night in mainland Ecuador.
You will meet your guide for a tour of Guayaquil, taking in the most impressive areas of the city. This evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Dawn and Louise are dedicated to all things Galapagos and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Speak to one of our travel specialists today.
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