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Explore The Best of Ecuador & Galapagos for 12 days with Adventure Journeys and discover unforgettable experiences - Photo 2

The Best of Ecuador & Galapagos

Country:

Ecuador

Flight:

Not included

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Tour id:

86538

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  • Operator:

    Adventure Journeys

  • Length:

    12 days

  • Group size:

    15 pax

  • Age:

    8 to 89

  • Difficulty:

    Difficulty levels:
    • Relaxing
    • Easy
    • Moderate
    • Serious
    • Heart-pumping
  • 14.06-25.06.26 scheduled icon
  • 21.06-02.07.26 scheduled icon
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Itinerary

A truly unique lifetime adventure blending the spectacular geography of Ecuador's mainland of active volcanoes, immense canyons, vast tropical rain forests and powerful waterfalls, with the enchanted Galapagos Islands, where the magic diversity of fearless animals flourishing in a volcanic ecosystem create an awe-inspiring atmosphere. This is a perfect combination that includes a wide variety of outdoor activities, while discovering the highlights of Ecuador in the same journey.

Tour program

Day 1

Arrival Day

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.


Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.


Accommodation: Sheraton Quito.

Meals included: None

Start point

Sheraton Quito Hotel, Avenida Naciones Unidas Y Avenida Republica De El Salvador, Quito, Pichincha 1705, Ecuador

18:00 - 18:30

Day 2

Arrive in Galapagos - Isabela Island

This morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Quito to start your journey to the Galapagos. You’ll arrive at Baltra airport and go through the usual procedure for the entrance to the Enchanted Islands.


Then, we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here, we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago, where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf; five of them are still active, which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.


Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador, it is really important to understand that you will have to take air, road and sea transportation to get there.

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Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 3

Snorkel at Lava Tunnels

Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.

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Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at "Concha de Perla", taking surfing lessons, biking or just relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located walking distance from the hotel.


Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 4

Hike Sierra Negra and Kayak in Las Tintoreras

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018.


Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia.


In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

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Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 5

Charles Darwing Research Station - Highlands Santa Cruz

In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.


In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘Primicias’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through Primicias’ beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake.


Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

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Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 6

Flight back to Quito

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Islands and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.


Once in Quito, you’ll head to the selected hotel to rest and prepare for your following day activities.

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Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 7

Free day in Quito

Today is a day on your own to explore the beautiful surroundings of Quito, ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip.

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COLONIAL CITY TOUR & THE EQUADOR LINE

DISCOVER QUITO UNESCO CITY ON TWO WHEELS!

MINDO CLOUD FOREST

OTAVALO MARKET FAIR

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Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 8

Hike in Cotopaxi

After breakfast, we leave Quito driving southwards along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes, getting the chance to see the colorful Andean fields. On our way, we will reach 12,000 feet (3657 meters). After arriving at the Cotopaxi National Park, we will go hiking around Limpiopungo lagoon at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From here, we have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.


In the afternoon we continue our drive towards the Llanganates National Park, known as the sacred mountain, until we reach the town of Baños, located at the entrance of the Amazon. Here we can enjoy the best nightlife by drinking cocktails and dancing salsa.


Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.


Day 9

Biking in The Cloud Forest

This morning we cross country mountain biking from the Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, enjoying the beauty of the special cloud rainforest climate. The road brings us through some Andean farms and a great canyon with many waterfalls.


While descending into the jungle, we will have a breath-taking view of Baños, a town well known for its spectacular location right at the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. The volcano is the main attraction of this region. In the afternoon we will have some time to explore the town and also go to The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo.


Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 10

Canyoning in the Amazon - Pimpilala

This morning we will hit the road of the waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride’s Veil waterfall, where we will take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. Then we will hike down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador.


Later, we will go deeper into the jungle inside the Llanganates National Park. The name “llanganates” comes from “beautiful mountain” in the local native language. Here, 600 years ago, the Incas hid their golden treasures. Many explorers have spent years looking for these treasures, some have even disappeared with no luck in this dense pristine jungle.


During a hike through the tropical rainforest, we will climb through several waterfall canyons. Our local native guide will teach about the incredible flora and fauna that thrive in this unequaled habitat.


We will spend the night at the Local Basic Jungle Lodge run by a kichwa indigenous family.


NOTE – This is a very basic accommodation, you will have your own room but will have to share the bathroom. The rooms are very clean and all the beds have mosquito nets. There is no electricity in the room but there is a social area where you can have access to power to charge your batteries.


Accommodation: Amazon Homestay

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 11

Rafting in The Amazon

We greet the day by preparing our gear to paddle the wild waves of the Jatunyacu River, located just a 5 minute drive from the homestead. The beauty of this river will inspire you and reveal the magic of the Amazon rainforest. After a very important safety briefing from our rafting guides, we will start our class III rafting expedition down the Jatunyacu River, well known for its clear waters and awesome rapids. We will have a lot of fun playing some games and also exploring one of the canyons. The end of the journey offers us a stop for a picnic, prepared by our guides.


We conclude our day with a drive back up to the Andes to a spot called Papallacta, where we will stay the night and recharge in the volcanic hot springs high in the midst of the cool Andes.


Accommodation: Papallacta Spa Resort or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 12

End of Services

Today, our trip will end, and you will have your International departures. Take your memories and photos with you, and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!


Meals included: Breakfast

End point

Termas de Papallacta, Vía Quito - Baeza, Quijos, Napo, Ecuador

EPL Terms & Conditions

Dear customer below is a copy of our standard contract / terms and conditions that applies to all reservations and our privacy policy. Please be aware that by making a deposit (or full) payment to us for a contracted tour you will be registering the acceptance of every clause for yourself and each member of your travel party, no signature(s) is (are) necessary. Please read carefully and be sure your understand all of them to enjoy a pleasant adventure overseas

FIRST CLAUSE Payments:

1.1 EPL requieres full payment to  comfirm the services. If the tour starts in more than 6 months a deposit can be made of 50% and the balance to be paid 3 months before the depature. if the balance is due and haven't been paid EPL will proceed with the cancelation of the services. For tours departing in less than 3 months from the confirmation date EPL requires full payment for all services. 

PAYMENT METHODS
1.2 EPL offers USA bank account and PayPal wires as payment methods. USA bank account charges $10 fee for transaction and PayPal the 5.4% additional of the total amount of the transaction. These fees are in no way from EPL as a company, but subject to the companies that collect the payment.

SECOND CLAUSE Insurance:

2.1 It is the responsibility of every traveler to be adequately insured against personal accidents and medical expenses during his/her trip to Ecuador, as well as having travel, trip cancellation and baggage insurance to protect your travel investment.


THIRD CLAUSE Alterations:


3.1 EPL reserves the right at any time to make changes to your trip arrangements (including flights, transport, hotels or other services). Such changes are often minor, but if not, we will advise you or your travel agent, prior departure.


FOURTH CLAUSE Cancellations:


4.1 Discounted Trips, Special Offers and No-Shows

Cancellations received at any time after the payment are subject to forfeiture of 100% of the payment amount. This will apply for trips with special discount, trips booked with special offers on fixed departures and No-shows. These conditions are strictly enforced.
In case of cancellations before final payment, some hotels, local operators, trains and Galapagos boats do charge a fee; in these cases, clients will be billed for these charges plus our service charge of 200 USD per person.


4.2 Ecuador & Mainland

Up to 120 days prior to departure, total amount paid will be refunded in full, except for USD 200 per person service charge. From 119 to 60 days prior to departure, 50% of the total rate will be forfeited; 59 or less days before the day of departure, the total tour rate will be charged.


4.3 Galapagos

Up to 180 days prior to departure, total amount paid will be refunded in full, except for USD 200 per person service charge. From 179 to 60 days prior to departure, 50% of the total tour rate will be forfeited. 59 or less days before the day of departure, the total tour rate will be charge. A cancellation in case of medical reasons will be accepted only with a medical report and the agreement of the boat operator, in this case 50% of the total cruise rate will be refund. Once the trip has started, no refund can be given for any unused portion of the trip.

In case of a request of changing the date of departure for a future trip in the same conditions, it will only apply depending on availability and the charge will be $200 USD per person. Restricted to the timing indicated in Clause 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.

FIFTH CLAUSE Passports & Visas:


5.1 Passengers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after date of travel. Additionally, all passengers are required to hold a valid visa wherever required. It is the passenger's responsibility to check with the appropriate consulates as to the visa requirements and obtain proper travel documents before the trip. Visa fees are not included.

 

SIXTH CLAUSE Itinerary:

6.1 It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

SEVENTH CLAUSE Accommodation & Transportation:

7.1 Accommodations: are on a "run-of-the-house" basis. Ecuador Pure Life will reserve the right to substitute hotels for a similar or better category due to unforeseen operational requirements.
7.2 Most of our accommodation is based in double occupancy, in case of requirement of a single accommodation please check the supplement cost $ that will varied depending of your trip.
7.3 Itinerary and Domestic Transportation: domestic transportation and flights are only at the discretion of the local land operators and are subject to change without notice.


EIGHT CLAUSE Not included:


8.1 Passport and visa fees, foreign airport taxes and fees, U.S. departure taxes, excess baggage charges, baggage and personal insurance, gratuities, optional tours, beverages, other items and expenses of personal nature and any items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary or tour inclusions section.

8.2 Ecuador Pure Life reserves the right to adjust tour prices in the event of unexpected increase in airfares, government taxes and fees, fuel surcharges, entrance and park fees as well as currency fluctuations.


NINETH Consumer disclosure and responsibility:

 

The Travel Agent/ Tour Operator, Ecuador Pure Life, acts as agent for the companies they represent, and as a consequence, accepts no responsibility for accidents, damage, baggage losses and/or delays due to strikes, weather, acts of God, acts of governments or authorities, wars, criminal acts committed by third parties, hostilities, civil disturbances, riots, pilferage, defects of vehicles or breakdown in equipment, or to the fault or default of any company used for carrying out these tours. Nor shall Ecuador Pure Life be liable for any damage resulting directly or indirectly from delays, cancellation or changes in flights. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable, for the comfort or well being of the passengers, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Tour Operator. Additional expenses shall be borne by the passengers. No refund can be made for the absence from parts of the tour. The right is also reserved by the Tour Operator, at its absolute discretion, to refuse or cancel any person at any time, without being under obligation to assign a reason therefore. In the event of exercise of this right, the Tour Operator shall be under no liability to that person whatsoever. The airlines, rail and steamship companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any acts, omissions, or events during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft and/or vessels. The passage contract in use by the companies concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the company and the purchase of these tours, and/or the passengers. Ecuador Pure Life reserves the right to cancel any tour, for any reason, prior to departure and cannot be held responsible for any damages resulting from said cancellation. In case of such tour cancellation by Ecuador Pure Life, a full refund of the monies paid to Ecuador Pure Life will be offered. There is no additional liability. Any dispute arising out of these tours will be settled in the courts of Ecuador under Ecuadorian laws.

The airlines concerned shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularities which may be occasioned by reason of defect or through the act or omissions of any person or company performing or rendering the services other than carriage by air, as described in the tour brochure. By utilizing the services of the suppliers, you agree that Ecuador Pure Life shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay incurred by you or those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services resulting directly or indirectly from any acts or default of the suppliers or from any occurrence or conditions beyond the control of Ecuador Pure Life, including the defects of vehicles or breakdown in equipment. Nor shall Ecuador Pure Life be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay resulting directly or indirectly from delays, cancellation or changes in flights, itineraries, schedules or other services, strikes, theft, sickness, weather, quarantine, criminal acts committed by third parties, acts of declared or undeclared war, or other causes. The services described in the tour brochure, other than carriage by the outlined airlines, are furnished by independent contractors who are not servants of or joint venture or partners with the airlines concerned.

Tour Details

Accommodation

  • Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5*hotel in Quito, 3* hotels in Galapagos, 3* hotel in Baños, home stay in the Amazon, 4* spa resort in Papallacta.

Transport

Transportation: Comfortable land and sea transportation.  Transfers for Galapagos flights.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered.

Flights

  • International flights.
  • Round trip Air ticket Quito - Galapagos - Quito.

Additional Services

  • Activities:Hiking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano, snorkeling and kayaking in Tintoreras, snorkel at the lava tunnels, visit the charles darwin research station, hiking in santa cruz highlands, 3 hours walking in cotopaxi national park in the andes, 3 hours biking in the llanganates national park, 4 hours white-water rafting on jatunyacu river in the amazon rainforest, 3 hours canyoning at pimpilala waterfalls, bird watching and hiking exploration in the cloud forest, soaking in papallacta hot springs, share time with local indigenous people in the amazon, making chocolate, salsa lesson.
  • Gear: For snorkeling: fins and mask, trekking or hiking: black diamond trekking sticks, biking: trek x-caliber mtb (hydraulic disc brakes, front rock shock suspension), bontrager helmets, biking gloves, canyoning: rubber boots, ropes, black diamond harnesses, rafting: aire and nrs 7-people rafts, nrs life jackets, nrs paddles, splash jackets.

Additional Services

Airport transfers (International flights)

Galapagos Ingala Card – $ 20 USD.

Galapagos National Park Fee – $ 200 USD.

Isabela Pier Fee – $ 10 USD.

Wetsuit rental: $ 15 USD.

My own room supplement.

Meals not described in the itinerary.

Tips for guides, drivers, and hotels.

Meals

  • 10 Breakfasts 
  • 5 Lunches
  • 1 Dinner

Guide

  • Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park

Good to know

Currency

$

US Dollar

Ecuador

Customer reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

Itinerary

5

Guide

5

Transport

4

Accommodation

4

Food

4

Operator

4.7

Faq Tour

How can I book a tour?
You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.
Which payment options are available?
We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.
Can I change or cancel my reservation?
Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.
What documents are required to participate in the tour?
You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.
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