Ecuador & Galapagos in a nutshell
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – ¡Hola Quito!
One of the highest capital cities in the world, and almost on the equator, Quito’s location surrounded by mountains is something to behold. The city itself has lots of Latin charm too, with plenty of colonial buildings and impressive cathedrals, as well a youthful edge which you’ll see in the street art and bars. You’ll be picked up from the airport by our local partner, spend a couple of nights in the trendy Mariscal district, and explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town and markets with a local guide. Welcome to Ecuador!
Days 3-5 – Andean traditions of Otavalo
It’s time to explore the northern highlands of Ecuador. Today you’ll be collected from your hotel in Quito by private transfer and driven to Otavalo. This journey takes around 2.5 hours. This colourful town is most famous for its market where you’ll see the very best of Andean craftsmanship. The area also gives a glimpse into everyday life in the mountains, and the surrounding volcanoes provide a spectacular backdrop. You’ll take a tour around the surrounding indigenous villages during your stay, and will also have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the town independently.
You’ll be picked up by a private driver who’ll take you from Otavalo to Mindo. The usual drive time is around 3.5 hours, but you’ll break up the journey with a stop at Mitad del Mundo – a monument and surrounding park which marks the equator. Admittedly it’s a little touristy, but how often do you get the chance to stand with one foot in each hemisphere? Your driver will wait for you whilst you head into the park to explore and get that classic equator photo. There’s also an interesting museum and a place where they’ll demonstrate the different effects of gravity only metres apart.
Days 5-7 – Cloud forests of Mindo
Mindo is in the heart of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest – a tranquil, almost mystical area full of lush green vegetation, waterfalls and hiking trails, as well as a huge variety of butterflies and birds. You’ll be staying in a cosy, rustic bungalow surrounded by tropical gardens. During your stay we’ll arrange a visit to a spectacular butterfly house. There are also plenty of more adventurous activities on offer here like ziplining, along with hours of rural trails to explore.
Days 7-9 – High times at the Cotopaxi volcano
Today you’ll be picked up by a private driver for the journey from Mindo to Cotopaxi, the journey takes around 4 hours. You’ll spend the evening in a peaceful hacienda set on a farm in the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park, surrounded by cattle, horses and alpacas grazing on the grassy plains. You first afternoon is free to relax and get used to the altitude, or perhaps take a walk through the countryside, before you head to the volcano cone the following morning. Your driver will wait whilst you take on the 300m scramble up the volcanic ash, to a viewpoint not far from the top where you’ll get a spectacular panorama of the national park and surrounding volcanoes.
After your time at the Cotopaxi volcano, you’ll be transferred back to Quito to start your Galapagos adventure. Here, you’ll return to the same hotel for an overnight stay, before flying to the Galapagos tomorrow.
Days 9-11 – Galapagos Island Hopping: A taste of Santa Cruz
From Quito, it’s just a three-hour flight to the famous Galapagos Islands. These islands are a paradise for wildlife spotting but also surprisingly more inhabited than you might expect. Each island has its own charm, and three of them are inhabited: Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, and Isla San Cristobal. You could easily spend a week on each of the islands, but for a teasing taster, this trip visits two of them.
Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by your driver. First, you will take the bus together to the Itabaca Channel and cross to the nearby island of Santa Cruz, which is home to around 24,000 people. Here, you’ll get in your driver’s car and he’ll take you through the highlands to the centre of Puerto Ayora. Along the way, you’ll visit a local farm where you’ll meet giant tortoises that live here in the wild. These mighty creatures walk around freely but come to the farm to eat. After lunch, continue to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. Here, you will meet a local guide who will explain your program for the next few days. Then, you’ll head into Puerto Ayaroa with your guide on a food tour to sample the local delicacies.
The following day is free for you to explore independently. Enjoy a short morning walk to Tortuga Bay, an idyllic beach where you’ll find loads of iguanas bathing in the sun.
Days 11-13 – Galapagos Island Hopping: A taste of San Cristobal
After a leisurely morning, make your way to the pier for the 1.30 pm ferry to San Cristobal. The journey can be choppy, so you may want to take precautions against seasickness. In the port of San Cristobal, our local contact will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon, you have time to walk along the boulevard, where you can watch the sea lions that sleep there. If you prefer to relax, go to one of the nearby beaches. Later today, you’ll also learn how to make ceviche at Playa Mann. Your teacher used to sell this local delicacy at the harbour, but now she’s opened her own restaurant. Her fish dish is famous across the region.
We haven’t planned any activities for your second day in San Cristobal. But there are plenty of things to do. You can snorkel with sea lions at Playa Lobita, or we can arrange a snorkelling tour for you to an uninhabited island.
Days 13-14 – Overnight in Quito and Departure from Ecuador
This afternoon, after a leisurely morning soaking up the last moments of your Galapagos adventure, you’ll head to the airport for your flight back to Quito, where you will spend your final night. The next day, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your international flight home.
Accommodation
