Volcanoes and Galapagos Tour with 28 Reviews by Explore

15 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants

15 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Ends

Quito, Ecuador

Guayaquil, Ecuador

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Highlights

Discover the wild paradise of the Galapagos as well as local life on mainland Ecuador

Visit local communities living in the mountainous highlands around Otavalo

Stay in hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands and search for iconic Galapagos wildlife

Itinerary

Wildlife encounters and volcanic landscapes define the 'Volcanoes and Galapagos' tour, a 15-day guided journey from Quito to Guayaquil. Designed for experienced travelers, this trip offers a perfect mix of Ecuador’s vibrant mainland culture and the extraordinary natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands.

Start by visiting indigenous communities near Otavalo, delving into local traditions and colorful markets. Explore the lush Mindo Cloud Forest, alive with hummingbirds and butterflies, before heading to the coast for a week-long adventure across Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Santa Fe Islands. Here, you’ll get up close with the Galapagos’ unique wildlife—think playful sea lions, ancient tortoises, and a parade of rare birds.

Unlike traditional cruises, this tour lets you experience the Galapagos from land-based lodges, providing a deeper connection with the islands and their communities. Guided walks, snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities for wildlife photography round out the experience.

The unique selling point of this trip is its land-based approach to the Galapagos, offering more immersive, flexible encounters with both people and wildlife, all within a comprehensive active and outdoor tour package.

day 1Join trip in Tumbaco, near Quito

Our tour starts today in Tumbaco, a quiet rural neighbourhood of Quito located around 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the downtown city centre.
Ecuador's mountain capital is the second highest in Latin America at 2,850 metres. It lies in a narrow valley at the foot of the Pichincha volcano. Arriving in the city by air is quite spectacular as you approach over snow-capped mountains and extinct volcanoes - we highly recommend booking a window seat!
Due to the number of evening flights into Quito, our tour leader plans to hold a welcome meeting on the morning of day two and will leave a message in reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Quito at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), approximately a 20-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
Our hotel in Tumbaco is a tranquil property. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, we recommend resting here and acclimatising to the altitude before the trip begins. It's approximately a 45-minute drive into downtown Quito, and the hotel can help to organise taxi transport for you if you'd like to head out and explore the city.

Accommodation

Ilalo Garden Hotel (or similar)

day 2Travel to Otavalo via Parque Condor; visit Peguche village

day 3Walk at the Laguna Cuicocha; share in rural life at indigenous communities; visit Otavalo Market

day 4Drive to the Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve; visit a chocolate factory

day 5Explore the cloud forest on foot and by cable car; visit a hummingbird garden; drive to Quito

day 6Walking tour of Quito's UNESCO Heritage Old Town

day 7Drive the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park; walks at the Limpiopungo Lagoon

day 8Fly to the Galapagos; view giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz highlands

day 9Boat to Isabela Island, overnight in Puerto Villamil

day 10Walk up Sierra Negra Volcano; afternoon snorkel

day 11Tintoreras Islands trip; return by boat to Santa Cruz

day 12Visit Tortuga Bay; afternoon Charles Darwin Station visit

day 13Discover Seymour, Plazas, Bartolome or Santa Fe Island

day 14Fly to Quito on the mainland

day 15Tour ends in Quito

What's Included

Accommodation

Ilalo Garden Hotel (or similar) (3 nights)Hostal Riviera Sucre (or similar) (2 nights)Grand Hotel Mindo (or similar) (1 night)Ikala Quito Hotel (or similar) (2 nights)Hotel Deja Vu (or similar) (4 nights)Hotel Cally (or similar) (2 nights)

Meals

14 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches

Transport

Driver(s)BusBoatFlight

Guide

Explore Tour LeaderBoat CrewLocal Guide(s)

Others

Naturalist(s)

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

4.8

based on 28 reviews

Availability

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Good to Know

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.67/5

Excellent based on 846 customer reviews from

Anonymous

Guillia put a great self-drive tour together for us and Susana looked after us as we travelled. (Even when we got lost) The car and accommodation was good and the guides patient and informative. Only issue we had was parking in small villages, garages, and cities. Apart from the parking we had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, thank you.

3 weeks ago

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