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Volcanoes and Galapagos

BM-22017
4.9Based on
15 days

Carbon neutral

Tour Type
Small Group
Max Group Size
15
Age Requirement
16 - 99 yrs
Operated In
English
Physical Rating
EasyLight physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Ends

Quito, Ecuador

Guayaquil, Ecuador

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
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 12Discover Seymour, Plazas, Bartolome or Santa Fe Island
Day 13Visit Tortuga Bay; afternoon Charles Darwin Station visit
Day 14Fly to Quito on the mainland
Day 15Tour ends in Quito
Volcanoes and Galapagos

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What's Included

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

4.9

based on 28 reviews
25
3
0
0
0
AnonymousOn Sep 29, 2025

Really good trip! The leader was very knowledgeable and nice but he should have spent more time with us such as coming with us for some meals and suggesting and joining us during some of our free time. The hotels were pretty good but in Quito it would be much better to stay in the historic district.

AnonymousOn Jun 30, 2025

Excellent trip well organised. The Explore guide Tierra (Dario) was excellent and very knowledgeable. It sorted any issues out immediately.

AnonymousOn Jun 16, 2025

A well organised and varied tour. There was plenty of opportunity to mix with local people and get a taste of their lifestyle. Wildlife was abundant and especially in Galapagos was surprisingly visible.

JuliaOn May 29, 2025

Some admin problems before but this was a brilliant trip. The places I visited were excellent and I saw and learned so much. There was such diversity between Ecuador, the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon and they each had their own beauty. We met a lot of Indigenous people, both as local guides and families we met , learning a huge amount about their different cultures. The only downside was, because of flight changes, we did not arrive in the Amazon until after dark and missed the activities of Day 1

MartinOn May 25, 2025

Ecuador is a small country with surprisingly good infrastructure, especially roads. Restaurants are inexpensive compared to the UK. Our leader Fabian is experienced and made the whole trip run smoothly and did the bureaucracy on our behalf when possible. He left us alone most evenings but provided suggested restaurants that previous groups had used and this worked well in practice. On the Galapagos a local guide is required and most of these added to the experience. The itinerary lies within the area considered safe by the FCDO and so there is no problem travelling. Nevertheless one lady had her mobile phone snatched and so a high degree of caution is required. This trip is very good for a person who wishes to visit Ecuador and get a taste of the Galapagos in a single trip and at a reasonable cost.

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Mircea

The info about the trip is exactly as on the page of the provider and it is neatly organized. The booking process is simple, straight forward and indeed with no extra fee showing last minute
1 week ago

Keep Exploring Ecuador