14 Day Galapagos Islands & Kaleidoscope of Ecuador

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews  
68%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Group Tour
3 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos Islands, 2 Cuenca, 1 Riobamba, 2 Amazon, 2 Quito
From$4,949
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Embark on a journey to the beginning of time in the Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands Tour the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn about their preservation goals Explore areas with blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and sea lions In the old center of Guayaquil, visit Seminario Park, with its colonial atmosphere Enjoy a tour, demonstration and chocolate tasting at a cocoa plantation Learn about the cultivation of orchids in the small town of Gualaceo Discover the charm of Cuenca, a city located high in the Andean Mountains Marvel at the impressive stone foundations of Ingapirca Ruins, believed to have been used for religious purposes Spend two nights at an Amazon Lodge discovering the area's flora and fauna Visit a Quechua community interpretation center in the riverside village of Ahuano Visit Colonial Quito and walk through its cobblestone streets Excursion to the Middle of the World Monument †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

What's this trip about?

    3 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos Islands, 2 Cuenca, 1 Riobamba, 2 Amazon, 2 Quito

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • South America

Attractions

  • Cuenca
  • Galapagos
  • Guayaquil
  • Quito

Trip includes

    • Flights Miami-Guayaquil, Quito-Miami Some departure dates may be offered from an alternate nearby airport. Check flight itinerary options when booking. Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges All intra-flights: Guayaquil-Baltra & Baltra-Guayaquil 13 nights accommodations
    • 3 nights Guayaquil 3 nights Galapagos Islands 2 nights Cuenca 1 night Riobamba 2 nights Punta Ahuano (Amazon) 2 nights Quito Hotel taxes, fees, & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates† 30 meals: 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners Services of English-speaking local guides Services of English-speaking naturalist guides in the Galapagos (Day 2-4) Shore Excursions Galapagos National Park fee of $100 Galapagos Transit Control Card fee of $20 Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager (Days 5-13) Services of English-speaking local guides Entrance fees per itinerary

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Your Galapagos itinerary may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns.

DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Ecuador
Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Guayaquil and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure Overnight: Guayaquil

DAY 2, Friday - Galapagos Islands, Baltra, Santa Cruz
Embark this morning on a journey to the Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands, five million years in the making. Your flight from Guayaquil takes you to Baltra Airport; you'll be met by your naturalist guides and transferred by boat to Santa Cruz Island. Here, you vi...
DAY 3, Saturday - Bartolomé Island
Travel by boat to the golden beaches of Bartolomé Island, dominated by the iconic Pinnacle Rock, an impressive towering lava structure that rises from the ocean's edge. View an astonishing array of wildlife including Galapagos penguins, sea lions, turtles and a huge vari...
DAY 4, Sunday - North Seymour Island
You'll be transported on your yacht, The Sea Lion, to North Seymour Island, lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event. Cliffs that are only a few feet high form the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit perched on ledges and a tiny forest of silver-grey Palo San...
DAY 5, Monday - Port of Baltra, Flight to Guayaquil
Depart the Finch Bay Hotel. On your way to Baltra, stop at the Twin Pit Craters to view the great depressions of volcanic material formed by a long process of the sinking ground, and the exceptional view of Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses, and orchids. Then, proceed to the...
DAY 6, Tuesday - Guayaquil City Tour
Begin your tour of Guayaquil at Seminario Park, famous for its many green iguanas living within the trees and ornate gardens. Then, view the contrasting architecture of the city's Neo-Gothic Cathedral, Moorish clock tower, La Rotonda Monument and climb up the 444 steps t...
DAY 7, Wednesday - Chocolate Tasting & Cuenca
Travel today from Guayaquil to Cuenca, one of the country's most beautiful cities. En route, stop at a Cocoa (Cacao) Plantation for a tour and demonstration of the process that begins after the beans are picked from the cocoa trees. Ecuador is a major producer of cacao w...
DAY 8, Thursday - Orchid Nursery and Colonial Cuenca
Today in the small town of Gualaceo, attend a weaving and dying demonstration that will teach you about traditional textiles. Next, visit an Orchid nursery and meet with one of the orchid growers that produces and exports thousands of orchids annually. Learn about the cu...
DAY 9, Friday - Ingapirca Ruins, Riobamba
An adventurous day! Drive from Cuenca to the small town of Ingapirca, or "Inca Wall" in Kichwa, where Ecuador's most important pre-Columbian ruins can be found. Marvel at the impressive stone foundations, believed to have been used for religious purposes. Stroll the grou...
DAY 10, Saturday - Devil's Cauldron Waterfall, Amazon Lodge
This morning, visit the powerful Devil's Cauldron (El Pailon del Diablo)* one of Ecuador's most striking waterfalls, hidden in the Ecuadorian rainforest. After a box lunch, travel to Ahuano. Along the way, stop for a fascinating visit at a local Quechua community interpr...
DAY 11, Sunday - Nature Trail Hike, Leisure Time at the Lodge
This morning, after a canoe ride you can hike in the Misicocha Private Nature Reserve for approximately two hours while viewing the beautiful flora and fauna up-close. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest ecosystem, so be sure to keep an eye out for the innumerab...
DAY 12, Monday - San Isidro Lodge, Hummingbird Park, Quito
Depart the Amazon this morning by canoe. Then, continue by motor coach to the picturesque San Isidro Lodge, a paradise for hummingbird lovers and photographers. Walk along the scenic trails, stopping to see over 14 different species of hummingbirds. After lunch, head tow...
DAY 13, Tuesday - Quito City Tour, Middle of the World Monument
Discover Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved in Latin America, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin at Independence Plaza, flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace. C...
DAY 14, Wednesday - Depart Ecuador
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 14 and will require a transfer on Day 13. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time Meals: Breakfast

▲ Due t...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,949
Price per day$354
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

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.

Gate 1 Travel Reviews & Ratings

3.7/5  Great
Excellent
455
Great
26
Average
30
Disappointing
29
Terrible
206
Write a Review

Other Gate 1 Travel Reviews

D

DS

Jan 2024

Provided byGate 1 Travel

Gate 1 cares about money and not customer satisfaction or safety

We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however ...

N

NBR

Dec 2023

Written on

THE ABSOLUTE WORST

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent. We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish. The flight that we paid extra...

J

Joyce Toler

Dec 2023

Written on

Poor customer service

It has been about 7.5 years since I traveled with Gate 1 Travel. In the past, customer service was exceptionally great! Now I am appauded with the unprofessional and...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Gate 1 Travel

none
View Profile

Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

Company Background & Highlights

Mission: To deliver More of the World for Less by developing quality, affordable vacations for North Americans. To provide exemplary service to our customers and to earn their loyalty. To respect our partners. To invest in our employees, providing a safe and comfortable work environment. To know and understand our products and destinations. To constantly innovate and be a leader in technology.

Founded in 1981 with 3 employees; now with over 200 employees worldwide

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

Overseas Offices: Hungary, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, Argentina, Indonesia, Great Britain, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

Product Types

Escorted Tours - Group Tours

Small Group Tours

European River Cruises

Escorted Bus Tour/Sea Cruise Combinations

Independent City Stays

Independent Fly & Drive Packages

Multi-Destination Rail Packages

Customized Vacations (Vacation Builder)

Custom Groups and Individuals

Group Air

 

Target Consumer Market

Gate 1 Travel's target market is a traveler seeking high quality, affordable travel ranging from a superior tourist class to moderate deluxe class level of accommodations with the highest level of service.

Financial Security

Gate 1 Travel is backed by the largest, most well-respected financial institutions and insurance providers, guaranteeing the greatest level of financial security to every passenger. Gate 1 welcomes your inquiries of any of those independent offices.

Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

Additionally , Gate 1 is required to participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, requiring them to post $1 million in security, held by USTOA, in the unlikely event of bankruptcy or insolvency.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included:Optional tours and gratuities.
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 .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
Butterfly Farm & Balsa Wood Carving Demonstration Today, visit the nearby Butterfly Farm, just a 15 minute walk from the lodge. The farm houses and serves as the mating ground to many butterfly species found in the surrounding jungle, including the brilliant blue morpho butterfly. Observe how these beautiful creatures are fed, raised and undergo metamorphosis. Enter the "winged room" where you will be surrounded by hundreds of exquisite colored butterflies flying around. After, walk for another 15 minutes and visit an indigenous handicraft workshop, before returning to your lodge. Approximate tour duration is 1.5 hours. *Optionals "Cacao Farm and AmaZOOnico Rescue Center", "Butterfly Farm and Balsa Wood Demonstration", and "Canopy Adventure Park" operate at the same time and should not be booked together. OnDay : 11 Price : $12 Canopy Adventure Park Take a 15 minute drive and then hike 30 minutes through the rainforest to get to the Canopy Adventure Park that is located near the Pangayacu River. The Canopy Adventure Park is a ropes course or "parcour". You’ll find yourself whizzing under the foliage and over the jungle floor in no time with the help of experienced guides. There are two circuits, each with increasing level of difficulty. It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity as you will be walking some distance through the forest. For some, this activity may be considered very strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not choosing this optional tour. Minimum age is 8 years old and minimum height is 3' 3" (1 meter) Approximate tour duration is 2 hours. *Optionals "Cacao Farm and AmaZOOnico Rescue Center", "Butterfly Farm and Balsa Wood Demonstration", and "Canopy Adventure Park" operate at the same time and should not be booked together. OnDay : 11 Price : $19 Cacao Farm & AmaZOOnico Rescue Center Take a 25 minute canoe ride on the Arajuno River to visit a cacao farm, where you watch the process of obtaining chocolate from the seeds of the cacao fruit. Try your hand at grinding the roasted cacao beans in order to obtain the paste from which chocolate is made. At the end of the demonstration, taste a delicious cacao spread on toast or, a cup of hot chocolate. After, get back on your canoe and ride downriver to visit the AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue Center. The AmaZOOnico serves to rescue and care for the Amazonian animals who were injured, mistreated and illegally-trafficked. Take a guided tour of the center and watch rare species of animals in their natural habitat. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours. *Optionals "Cacao Farm and AmaZOOnico Rescue Center", "Butterfly Farm and Balsa Wood Demonstration", and "Canopy Adventure Park" operate at the same time and should not be booked together. OnDay : 11 Price : $15
Additional Information

Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Trip ID
gate1-EC-14DGPSISKALEC-PKG-22

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >