Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos
- Best price guaranteed
- No booking fees
- COVID-19protected
- Explorer
- Family
- Customizable
- Booking Type Instant booking
- duration 17 days
- tour type Small group Request as private
- age requirement 15-99 yrs
- max group size 16
- guiding method Fully guided
- Tour Code BM-41332
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Footprint
Carbonneutral
CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on
Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
- Operated in English
- Starts Quito, Ecuador
- Ends Quito, Ecuador +7
HIGHLIGHTS
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- Stay on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest in eco lodge-style accommodation on the banks of the Arajuno River and enjoy a special evening walk through the jungle under the night sky.
- Walk in the rainforest with an Indigenous guide by your side to lead the way, point out local birds and teach you about the incredible plant life that thrives here. Then, visit an Amazon animal rescue centre.
- Marvel at the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano – one of the largest active volcanos in the world – while hiking through Cotopaxi National Park.
- Live like a local as you’re welcomed into a family home in a sustainable community high in the hills of Ecuador, getting your hands dirty and helping with everyday tasks like reforestation projects, organic gardening or jam making, to name a few.
- Get your blood pumping as you scale a volcano on Isabela Island, then get up close and personal with giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island. These nearly extinct creatures are one of the greatest drawcards to the Galapagos.
Starting and ending in Quito, the "Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos" trip is a guided explorer trip that takes 17 days. You will travel through Isla Isabela, Floreana Island, Banos and 6 other destinations in Ecuador. "Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos" is a small group trip which includes accommodation, transport, meals and others.
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle to the amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater. Tour the Galapagos' outstanding natural beauty and interesting history by foot and boat on this active adventure. You’ll also walk through the Amazon Jungle with an Indigenous guide leading the way, hike in Cotopaxi National Park – home to one of the world’s largest active volcanos – and canoe to your river-side eco-lodge accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. You’ll also get a glimpse into everyday life during a homestay with a local family where you’ll connect with them, lending a hand with chores, doing seasonal activities and maybe brushing up on your Espanol. There’s so much to see, do and learn in this South American paradise.
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle to the amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater. Tour the Galapagos' outstanding natural beauty and interesting history by foot and boat on this active adventure. You’ll also walk through the Amazon Jungle with an Indigenous guide leading the way, hike in Cotopaxi National Park – home to one of the world’s largest active volcanos – and canoe to your river-side eco-lodge accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. You’ll also get a glimpse into everyday life during a homestay with a local family where you’ll connect with them, lending a hand with chores, doing seasonal activities and maybe brushing up on your Espanol. There’s so much to see, do and learn in this South American paradise.
ITINERARY
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Day 1: Quito
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Day 2: Tena - Amazon
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Day 3: Tena- Amazon
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Day 4: Banos
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Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park- Yunguilla Community Stay
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Day 6: Yunguilla Community Stay
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Day 7: Otavalo-Quito
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Day 8: Quito
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Day 9: Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos
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Day 10: Isla San Cristobal
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Day 11: Isla Floreana/ Isla Isabela
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Day 12: Isla Isabela
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Day 13: Isla Isabela
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Day 14: Isla Isabela / Isla Santa Cruz
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Day 15: Isla Santa Cruz
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Day 16: Quito
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Day 17: Quito
WHAT'S INCLUDED
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
Accommodation
- Hotel (12 nights), Jungle Eco Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (2 nights)
Meals
- 16 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Transport
- Plane , Speed Boat , Private Vehicle , Taxi , Public bus
Guide
- An expert tour leader
Included Activities
- Amazon - Guided rainforest hike and visit to animal rescue centre
- Pailon del Diablo Waterfall
- Walking tour of Banos
- Cotopaxi -National Park walk
- Quito - Local community experience
- Otavalo - Market Visit
- Quito - Historic District Walking Tour
- Isla San Cristobal- Snorkeling in La Loberia (1.5 Hours)
- San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido or Lobos Islands
- Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
- Isla San Cristobal - Cerro Tijeretas View Point (1 Hour)
- Floreana - Snorkeling
- Isla Isabela -Tintoreras or Shark Alley (2.5 Hours)
- Isla Isabela - Flamingo lagoon visit (30 Minutes)
- Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
- Isla Isabela - Kayaking
- Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
- Santa Cruz Highlands Visit (3 Hours)
- Santa Cruz – Organic Farm Tour
- Santa Cruz – Encebollado Cooking Class
- Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk
- Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy visit
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre
- Any international flights to/from Quito are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
- Travel insurance is not included in this Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. World Nomads' travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a Premier This travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.5 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 189 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6 rating.
REQUEST A PRIVATE, CUSTOMIZABLE DEPARTURE
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
- Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
- Protected Travel within your own bubble.
- Professional Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
- Privacy Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Request a private and/or personalized departure
To design a private tour, we'll ask you some more information in the following steps.
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GOOD TO KNOW
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CANCELLATION
COVID VACCINATION POLICY
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer mandatory on departures after 1st January 2023. Nonetheless, all travellers are strongly advised to be vaccinated as a safety measure to protect themselves and others on the tour. This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination are required.
Also, proof of vaccination may still be required at specific entry points or by the airlines. Therefore, please make sure to check all the travel requirements carefully before travelling.
COVID-19 Safety Measures
No additional cancellation fees apply for this Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos tour. You can cancel the tour up to 58 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 57 days of departure.
PaymentFor any tour departures within 20 June 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 20 June 2024, a deposit is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 57 days before trip departure.
Travel InsuranceEcuador Highlands & Galapagos tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.
VisaFor this Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.
Is this trip right for you- This trip involves a lot of travel by speed boat between the various Galapagos Islands, the rides can be quite bumpy at times. The good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Consult a health professional before your trip.
- This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6–7 hours) on rocky terrain. It's recommended you bring comfortable walking shoes that offer good support. This trip also includes jungle hikes, which can be strenuous due to the humidity. A decent level of fitness is required to feel comfortable when exploring the jungle.
- This trip does include snorkeling on multiple days throughout the itinerary. Confident swimming skills are required to take part in this tour.
- This trip visits Quito which is at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.Â
- Temperatures in the Amazon and on the Galapagos Islands can fluctuate. It can get really hot, humid and sticky during the day, and cold at night. Light cotton clothing is the best way to tackle the heat during the day, and base layers are ideal for keeping warm at night.
- Insects, especially mosquitoes, abound in the Amazon. Bring tropical strength insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin.
- While accommodation in the Amazon is clean, comfortable and ideally located, it can seem pretty basic. Please remember that this is a very remote part of the world.
This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:
- This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
- Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
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