Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

15 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
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 gia...
$7,250
From$5,370
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star

Highlights

    • Combine the best of mainland Ecuador with a wildlife-watching adventure in the Galapagos
    • Spend two nights in the Amazon Rainforest, exploring jungle trails with expert local guides
    • Hike Cotopaxi National Park to see the iconic volcano
    • Snorkel the wildlife-rich Galapagos waters, hopefully with sharks, sea lions and turtles
    • See pirate lava caves and giant tortoises in the highlands of Floreana
    • Enjoy downtime on the white sands of Tortuga Bay and Isla Lobos

What's this trip about?

    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.Discover diverse wonders, from the Amazon Rainforest and volcanoes to the wonderful wildlife of the Enchanted Islands

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Galapagos
  • Quito

Activities

  • Wildlife Viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 6

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, seven lunches and two dinners included
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Arrival and departure transfers

Itinerary

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 ...

Day 2 Quito tour; agave experience and Intiñan Equator Museum

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, fa...

Day 3 Cotopaxi National Park; to Baños

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...

Day 4 Visit Devil's Cauldron waterfall and the Swing at the End of the World

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 p...

Day 5 To the Amazon Rainforest

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. Af...

Day 6 Visit amaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre; rainforest exploration

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 ...

Day 7 To Papallacta hot springs

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 the...

Day 8 Fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos; visit La Lobería

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 abou...

Day 9 Tour Isla Lobos and Playa Ochoa

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 frigatebir...

Day 10 Boat to Floreana; visit the highlands

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 seei...

Day 11 Morning visit to Las Tintoreras Islet; afternoon exploration at the Wall of Tears

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 ...

Day 12 Sail to Santa Cruz; visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay

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...

Day 13 Morning bay tour; afternoon visit to the Santa Cruz highlands

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 m...

Day 14 Transfer to Baltra airport, fly back to Quito

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

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.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,370
Price per day$358
Last Updated: 2/27/2025

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Apr 2025

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Logistics

What's excluded

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

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.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
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.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-WAQ

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