Elife Travel - Латинська Америка Тури - Еквадор Тури - Амазонський басейн Тури - Ecuador (Northern) Тури - Explorer Тури - Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Name: Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos
Brand: Elife Travel
Price: 5320 USD
Availability: InStock

-9%

Країна:

Еквадор

Переліт:

Включено

В обране

Код туру:

294059

Поділіться:

Оператор:

Exodus Adventure Travels
Тривалість:

15 днів
Розмір групи:

16 ос.
Вік:

16 до 80
Складність:
Рівень складності:
- Relaxing
- Easy
- Moderate
- Serious
- Heart-pumping

20.09-04.10.25 гарантований
15.11-29.11.25 гарантований
14.02-28.02.26 гарантований
14.03-28.03.26 гарантований
16.05-30.05.26 гарантований
20.06-04.07.26 гарантований
19.09-03.10.26 гарантований
17.10-31.10.26 гарантований
14.11-28.11.26 гарантований
05.12-19.12.26 заплановано

План подорожі

Experience Ecuador in full glory, where the mainland combines natural and cultural wonders, and the Galapagos islands offer unrivalled wildlife watching. Beginning in Quito, we gaze over Cotopaxi volcano, experience indigenous culture and spend two nights in the Amazon Rainforest. It’s then off to the Galapagos, where we snorkel with sea lions, walk among giant tortoises and sunbathe on white sands with marine iguanas.

Програма туру

Day 1

Start Quito

Begin the adventure in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, high in the Andes. To make things easy, there are free transfers from the airport to the hotel for everyone today – check the Joining Instructions for further details. There will be a noticeboard in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held. In this meeting, our tour leader welcomes you to the city and explains the schedule for the next few days. Classic accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Day 2

Quito tour; agave experience and Intiñan Equator Museum (breakfast,lunch)

Start with a tour of Quito’s historic centre, a World Heritage site. Led by our tour leader, we visit the highlights, including the Plaza de la Independencia, home to the Carondelet Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral, followed by the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, famous for its gold-decorated interior. After, we head to La Mishquería to learn about the cultural and economic importance of agave in Ecuador and enjoy a tasting of agave products, including miske, an indigenous alcoholic drink. Lunch is served at this venue, a delicious sample of local cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Intiñan Equator Museum, which is located near the equator line. This fun interactive museum explores indigenous culture and traditions, as well as unique phenomena related to the geographic location. Classic accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Day 3

Cotopaxi National Park; to Baños (breakfast,lunch)

Travel (two hours) to Cotopaxi National Park in the morning, home to Cotopaxi, one of the highest and most active volcanoes in the world. Embark on a one-hour hike through the stunning park landscapes, passing the José Rivas Refuge and, weather permitting, approaching a glacier. We enjoy lunch at La Cienega, a colonial hacienda turned restaurant, eating traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a historic setting. Following lunch, we transfer (2hr 30min) to Baños de Agua Santa, a town known for its thermal baths and adventure activities. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore, visit cafes, or relax in the thermal baths. Classic accommodation: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Day 4

Visit Devil's Cauldron waterfall and the Swing at the End of the World (breakfast)

Start the day with a visit to Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), a power waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation. To get to the base of the falls, we take a trail (three hours) with hanging bridges and viewpoints where you can enjoy spectacular views and feel the power of nature. After, we walk (45 minutes) to the Swing at the End of the World, where you can swing out over a cliff to enjoy panoramic views of the valleys and mountains. In the afternoon, there’s free time to explore Baños at your own pace. Visit the hot springs, stroll through local markets, or relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. You can also use this time to pack your smaller bag for the next two nights in the Amazon. Classic accommodation: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Day 5

To the Amazon Rainforest (breakfast,lunch,dinner)

Leave Baños in the morning and transfer (2hr 40min) to Tena, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. The journey takes us through spectacular landscapes, from Andean mountains to lush rainforest. Enjoy lunch in Tena, then continue (1hr 15min) to our rainforest lodge. After a short briefing, we take a 45-minute night walk with an expert naturalist to discover our new surroundings. There are fantastic sounds to listen out for, including the calls of frogs, oropendolas, jays and a variety of insects, a wonderful experience amid the rainforest humidity. Classic accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Day 6

Visit amaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre; rainforest exploration (breakfast,lunch,dinner)

Begin with a visit to amaZOOnico, a rescue and rehabilitation facility for jungle animals, which is home to various Amazonian species, such as monkeys, toucans and ocelots. During the visit, we learn about their conservation efforts and the threats these animals face in their natural habitat. Guides provide detailed information about the different animals and the stories behind each rescue. After returning to Liana Lodge for lunch, we embark on an exploration of the Amazon jungle guided by local experts who show the rich biodiversity of the Amazon ecosystem. During the hike, we learn about medicinal plants, local flora and fauna, and survival techniques used by indigenous communities. Classic accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Day 7

To Papallacta hot springs (breakfast)

Bid farewell to the Amazon after breakfast and head to Papallacta, a town renowned for its thermal baths. A 2hr 30min drive takes us through the Amazon rainforest to the high Andes, offering diverse views of Ecuadorian landscapes. This afternoon, rejuvenate in the thermal waters at the hotel (which are heated by underground volcanic activity and said to have therapeutic properties) or explore the nearby trails. Classic accommodation: Termas de Papallacta (or similar)

Day 8

Fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos; visit La Lobería (breakfast)

Wake early this morning for our transfer (50 minutes) to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos islands. Your Galapagos tour leader (an official naturalist guide) will be at the airport to take you to the hotel for check-in and our first briefing about our time in the archipelago. We have time to explore the town and enjoy a restaurant lunch before our visit to La Lobería, a wonderful beach surrounded by mangroves, volcanic rocks and sea lion colonies. It’s a perfect spot to snorkel, enjoy beach time, or have a short walk along the shore. Classic accommodation: Paraiso Insular Hotel (or similar)

Day 9

Tour Isla Lobos and Playa Ochoa (breakfast,lunch)

Start the day with an exciting tour to Isla Lobos, a small island near San Cristóbal. This excursion takes us by boat to one of the best spots for observing sea lions in their natural habitat. Isla Lobos is also an excellent spot for birdwatching, including frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. You can also snorkel in the clear waters around the island, swimming with marine turtles, rays and, occasionally, whitetip reef sharks. In the afternoon, head to Playa Ochoa on San Cristóbal, a beautiful white-sand beach with turquoise waters, to relax and enjoy the natural setting. It also has excellent birdwatching and snorkelling opportunities. Classic accommodation: Paraiso Insular Hotel (or similar)

Day 10

Boat to Floreana; visit the highlands (breakfast,lunch)

A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first Galapagos islands to be inhabited. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we spend an hour exploring the highlands, visiting lava caves once used by pirates and seeing a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises. In the afternoon, we transfer (2hr 30min to three hours) to Isabela by speedboat. Classic accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 11

Morning visit to Las Tintoreras Islet; afternoon exploration at the Wall of Tears (breakfast)

Spend 45 minutes sailing around the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the Galapagos to see whitetip reef sharks, penguins and sea lions, with time to snorkel. This afternoon, we visit the Wall of Tears, a sad reminder of Isabela’s very different past when it was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. Classic accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 12

Sail to Santa Cruz; visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay (breakfast)

Navigate by motorboat (two hours to 2hr 30min) to Santa Cruz very early this morning. Upon arrival, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre, where scientists come from all over the world to study the flora and fauna. In the afternoon, we visit Tortuga Bay, a long stretch of white sand that’s regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes 45 minutes to one hour, with possibilities to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is scattered with marine iguanas, which lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. Turtles can sometimes be seen in the water, though swimming is not recommended due to the strong currents. Classic accommodation: Lobo de Mar Hotel (or similar)

Day 13

Morning bay tour; afternoon visit to the Santa Cruz highlands (breakfast,lunch)

Our first stop on our bay tour is the Canal de Tiburones, where we follow a small trail and hope to see whitetip reef sharks and, if lucky, lava herons. After, we visit Canal del Amor. At this beautiful turquoise water channel, we hope to snorkel among sea lions and marine iguanas, while Sally Lightfoot crabs and blue-footed boobies rest on the rocks. We continue with a visit to Playa de los Perros, where the largest marine iguanas on the islands live, and finish with snorkelling at Las Grietas, a lava formation with giant walls. In the afternoon, we transfer (40 minutes) to the giant tortoise reserve in the highlands, a great place to see giant tortoises in the wild. There is also time to visit underground tunnels and caves formed by lava that once flowed here. Classic accommodation: Lobo de Mar Hotel (or similar)

Day 14

Transfer to Baltra airport, fly back to Quito (breakfast)

After a few days following the footsteps of Darwin, Cousteau and world-renowned scientists, it is time to say goodbye to the Enchanted Islands. After breakfast, we drive to Baltra Airport and fly to Quito. Tonight, our groups normally gather for a final dinner, a chance to discuss the adventures we’ve had together. Classic accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Day 15

End Quito (breakfast)

Our adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to stay in Quito beyond the trip, speak to your sales representative to book extra nights.

Деталі туру

Розміщення / проживання

Accommodation is a real highlight on this Ecuadorian adventure, as we stay in a mixture of hotels, lodges and guesthouses. The places we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable stays on this trip. Baños: La Floresta Hotel (nights 3-4) At the foot of a forested slope, La Floresta is bright and cheery with a mural-painted front and lush gardens in a courtyard. There’s plenty of Ecuadorian design elements, plus the location makes exploring Baños easy. Tena (Amazon Rainforest): Liana Lodge (nights 5-6) Immerse yourself in the Amazon Rainforest with a stay at Liana Lodge, which can only be reached by boat. The cabins are modest, but the location is exceptional, right next to the Arajuno river. There’s a water-view bar, plus the in-house naturalists bring the sounds, sights and wildlife of the Amazon to life. Papallacta: Termas de Papallacta (night 7) The on-site hot spring pools surrounded by vegetation make Termas de Papallacta a relaxing place to say – some even say the geothermal waters have healing powers. For further relaxation, the pools also have hydromassage jets. We sleep in wooden bungalows, plus there’s a restaurant serving international dishes. Galapagos: nights 8-13 Lobo de Mar Hotel In the Galapagos, we use small, family-run hotels and guesthouses. They are well located for our adventures, meaning we can spend as much time as possible exploring the extraordinary landscapes and wildlife of the Enchanted Islands.

Переліт

Internal flights included.

Гід

Tour leader throughout

Харчування

All breakfasts, seven lunches and two dinners are included. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets with toast, cereal, eggs, fruits and tea/coffee. For lunch and dinner, the tour leader recommends options in convenient locations, usually booking restaurants and eating with the group. For the included meals at restaurants, they are usually a set menu with two or three options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos, snacks are usually included on the flights.

Опціонально

All listed activities

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Compulsory Galapagos taxes US$220, paid locally

Транспорт

We use a private bus throughout this trip. We also travel by boat.

Потрібно знати

Валюта

US Dollar

Еквадор

Відгуки клієнтів

Оператор

4.4

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