Darwin's Ecuador: Andes to Galapagos
Darwin's Ecuador: Andes to Galapagos
Darwin's Ecuador: Andes to Galapagos
16 Days Starting in QUITO and ending in QUITO
Visiting: Quito, Bellavista, Chugchilán, Banos, Chimborazo, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Santiago Island, Galapagos Islands
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DWE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Straddling the equator on the Pacific coast, wedged between Colombia and Peru, the smallest of the Andean nations covers an area no bigger than 284,000 square kilometres. For all its diminutive size, however, the country is packed with the most startling contrasts of scenery, and the diversity of this tiny country is simply dazzling. Encompassing tropical islands, towering snow-capped peaks, cloud forests, and simmering jungle, visitors are treated to a variety of unique landscapes, and many say that Ecuador manages to capture an entire continent in one country.This trip incorporates traditional villages, bio-diverse cloud forests, colonial towns and the incredible volcanic Galapagos Islands, where the vast variety of flora and fauna will delight the nature lover and activity seeker alike.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Tour Starts In Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City Art Silberstein or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Join the tour at the hotel late this afternoon. After freshening up at our hotel, we shall have dinner out at a local restaurant.
Day 2 : To Bellavista Reserve
Location: Bellavista
Accommodation: Lodge, Lodge
Accommodation Name: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing Quito we drive northwest, taking in the views over the city. Leaving the metropolis of Quito behind us, the scenery changes dramatically becoming green and sub-tropical as we enter the cloud forest. Spending a day at Bellavista, there is plenty of time to explore the region, taking some of the well-marked trails through the forest. These span a large area around the lodge and afford us plenty of opportunity for bird watching, and learning about the medicinal plants of the forest.
Day 3 : To Chugchilan
Location: Chugchilán
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Black Sheep Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will depart Bellavista early this morning and head south, with a brief stop at the Equator monument as we cross from the northern hemisphere into the southern hemisphere. Our drive takes us along ‘the avenue of the volcanoes’ where the road is flanked by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Passing Cotopaxi Corazon, Pasachoa, Ruminahui and Illinizas, some of Ecuador’s most impressive volcanoes, we will stop en route at the tiny town of Tigua, an important centre for local arts and crafts of the region. The final section of our journey is over a bumpy and often muddy road before we finally arrive in the Andean village of Chugchilan.
Day 4 : In Chugchilan
Location: Chugchilán
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Black Sheep Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nestled in the heart of the country, this region showcases the sheer beauty of Ecuador’s mountains and is rated as one of the hidden gems of the Andes. The region is riddled with splendid hikes, traditional highland villages and indigenous people. Today is a free day to recover from the journey and take advantage of some of the activities on offer in the area. Options include treks (of varying degrees of difficulty) and horse rides. Alternatively you could take advantage of the yoga studio and board games available at the lodge.
Day 5 : To Banos
Location: Banos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Posada Del Arte or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we set off from our accommodation to the rim of the spectacular Quilotoa crater lake, which offers tremendous views of the surrounding peaks of Cotopaxi and Iliniza Sur, and the green, mirror-like lake below. Here we will take time to walk into the crater (or for those preferring a less strenuous experience it is possible to trek there and hire mules for the trip back) before continuing on to Banos, where we’ll spend the next two nights.
Day 6 : Day Trip To Chimborazo
Location: Chimborazo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Posada Del Arte or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we have a free day to explore the spa town of Banos - indulge yourself in the hot springs. However for those of you who would be interested in some fairly strenuous activity your tour leader is able to offer an optional trek to the Chimborazo Volcano for a unique experience to participate in the ancient ‘Iceman’ tradition
This trek is not included as part of the tour, but if interested it can be arranged through your Tour Leader at an additional cost.
Day 7 : To Cuenca
Location: Cuenca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Victoria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A very early start is required today to board the ‘Nariz del Diablo’ (Devil’s Nose) train* for a ride along the historic Trans-Andean Railroad. Travelling from Alausi to Sibambe, we pass through the most dramatic section of the railroad that once ran to the coast, where a series of steep switchbacks cut through the rock face and offer amazing views of the surrounding countryside. This afternoon we’ll visit the archaeological site of Ingapirca (15th century) - Ecuador’s most important set of Inca ruins - before continuing on to the Colonial city of Cuenca for a fairly late arrival. *Please note that the train can be unreliable - if it is not running we will visit one of the project sites supported by Inti Sisa and travel by road instead
Day 8 : In Cuenca
Location: Cuenca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Victoria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we’ll enjoy a city tour of the ‘jewel of the south’, Cuenca (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) visiting some of the parks, churches, plazas and local landmarks. Despite being the country’s third largest city, Cuenca retains the feel and pace of a much smaller town and is a pleasure to wander around. We’ll then have the rest of the day free to explore the museums, shops and markets, or visit one of the centres that produces panama hats and other haberdashery. Dinner tonight will be at your own expense.
Day 9 : To Guayaquil
Location: Guayaquil
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City Plaza or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading northwest today, a 5-hour drive takes us through the El Cajas National Park, where we’ll make some photo stops and also take a scenic walk of around 2 hours. El Cajas is the lake district of Ecuador with breathtaking glacial valleys and over 200 lakes, and is also home to forests of Polylepis, the world’s highest altitude tree. We continue down through steamy banana and cocoa plantations to the city of Guayaquil, where we’ll prepare for our Galapagos adventure.
Day 10 : To The Galapagos Islands (Isabela)
Location: Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Albemarle or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A morning flight takes us to the main airport in the Galapagos Islands. After clearing immigration we take a bus ride to Puerto Ayora where we’ll board the speedboat ferry over to Isabela. Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands (4588 sq km) and home to a string of volcanoes, mangrove beaches and wildlife colonies. The boat crossing takes around 2 hours, giving us the rest of the afternoon to settle into our stunningly located hotel - our base for the next 3 nights - and relax on the white sandy beaches.
Day 11 : In The Galapagos Islands (Isabela)
Location: Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Albemarle or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we’ll take a walk in the National Park to see the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre and investigate the plant and bird life en route in the mangrove wetlands. After lunch we will take a short boat ride to visit the small islet of Las Tintoreras, where a colony of white-tipped reef sharks can often be seen resting in the black-lava canal. This area is also famed for an abundance of marine iguanas, birdlife and sea lions, and we’ll take time to snorkel in the crystal clear waters before returning to Isabela for the night.
Day 12 : Galapagos Islands (Isabela)
Location: Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Albemarle or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day’s trekking on Isabela Island takes us to the top of the Sierra Negra Volcano (1,124m) – a geological feature that is the second widest active crater in the world and dates back approximately 535,000 years. Spotting various wildlife en route including Darwin finches and warblers, our walk up to the crater is a moderate trek of around 2½ hours (taking 1½ hours for the return journey) and on a clear day we’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the island. For the less energetic there are mules available for hire to take you up to the crater, or a relaxing day at the hotel and beach.
Day 13 : Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz)
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mainao or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we’ll take a boat back to Santa Cruz, where we’ll spend the next two nights. The remainder of the day will be free to explore Puerto Ayora, whose highlights are Tortuga Bay Beach, the Fish Market (the sea lions and pelicans cause quite a spectacle!) and shopping for souvenirs (the best boutiques/souvenir stands in the Galapagos!). Your tour leader will be able to assist you with further recommendations. Dinner tonight will be at your own expense.
Day 14 : In The Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz)
Location: Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mainao or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will take a day trip by boat to nearby South Plaza Island. South Plaza has one of the most concentrated sea lion colonies in the islands, with about 1000 shifting around as males continually vie for “harems” of about 20 females each. The island is also rich in bird life, specifically red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, brown pelicans, and the odd frigate bird, and it is also possible to see both land and marine iguanas here. There is a cliff trail which we will follow and offshore you may spot Audubon’s shearwaters, Brown Noddy terns and schools of mullet and surgeonfish. The vegetation of the island belongs to the arid and littoral zones; half the island covered with saltbush, leatherleaf (Maytenus), and thorn scrub (Scutia pauciflora). The side with the trail is treeless, but covered with a rock-garden-like mat of the endemic sea purslane. This is a good place to get started on recognition of Darwin’s finches; only the medium, small and cactus ground finches live here. We will explore the island with our naturalist guide, who will explain about the wonderful wildlife we encounter en route. Also this afternoon there will be time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station with our guide to learn more about these unique islands. The centre is responsible for conducting a number of important scientific research projects on the flora, fauna and geology of the islands and houses an informative museum, as well as a number of famous Galapagos tortoises and a hatchling centre. It should be noted that today’s planned visit is subject to National Park guidelines and it may be necessary to visit an alternative island. In addition, depending on the final group size, this may be a shared tour.
Day 15 : Galapagos - Quito
Location: Quito, Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City Art Silberstein or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A morning flight today sees us return to Quito on the mainland for our last night in Ecuador. Quito was recognised as the very first World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, for its beautifully ornate and well-preserved architecture, forming an important part of Ecuadorian colonial history. You will have the evening free to explore this picturesque city at your own pace, and perhaps taking in some last minute souvenir hunting. Tonight we’ll head out into town to enjoy a final group dinner together.
Day 16 : Quito
Location: Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning is your chance to discover the main historic & architectural icons in Quito’s colonial old town. The tour starts with a visit to the impressive gothic style Basilica, with great views of the old town for those who are interested in climbing up into the tower. Next, we head into the heart of the colonial centre to see the many beautiful colonial plazas and churches. We will also visit the recently restored streets of La Ronda, now filled with artistic workshops. Our trip ends after lunch, with those on the group flight being transferred to the airport.
What's Included
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MEALS
15 x Breakfasts, 12 x Lunches, 12 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses, motorboat, train and domestic flights.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings
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ACCOMMODATION
5 nights x Premium10 nights x Superior
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
What's Not Included
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Ecuador.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
NB. Please note that as of January 2016 US policy (subject to change) has stated that anyone wishing to travel to or via the USA must have a biometric passport. In addition, anyone who has travelled to several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen or Somalia since March 2011, is required to apply for a US visa (rather than just an ESTA). If you are affected by this, the process is fairly straightforward and you can read more about it here:-
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/us-visa .
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be limited.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Ecuador.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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