Ecuador & Galapagos Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
Ecuador is often described as encapsulating an entire continent in a single country. Straddling the equator on South America’s Pacific coast, and wedged between Colombia and Peru, this small Latin American nation is able to boast landscapes as diverse as the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, Bellavista Cloud Forest, the Amazon Rainforest and the volcanic terrain of the Galapagos Islands.
Considered one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world, Ecuador is home to a higher ...
Ecuador is often described as encapsulating an entire continent in a single country. Straddling the equator on South America’s Pacific coast, and wedged between Colombia and Peru, this small Latin American nation is able to boast landscapes as diverse as the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, Bellavista Cloud Forest, the Amazon Rainforest and the volcanic terrain of the Galapagos Islands.
Considered one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world, Ecuador is home to a higher concentration of biodiversity per square kilometre than anywhere in the world. On the mainland over 1,600 species of birds have been recorded, alongside 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians and nearly 6,000 species of butterflies. And we haven’t even started on the Galapagos Islands yet.
The Galapagos Islands are a short flight from the Ecuadorian mainland and add an extra dimension to Ecuador’s already rich ecological tapestry. Holding UNESCO World Heritage status, the Galapagos are famous as the foundation on which Darwin developed his Theory of Evolution. To this day they provide unparalleled natural landscapes, including volcanoes and black sandy beaches, and extraordinary wildlife, such as giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and marine iguanas. Facing environmental threats from both climate change and increased levels of tourism, all our tours to the Galapagos Islands are taken with the utmost care for the environment to ensure we leave as small a footprint as possible.
Heading back to the mainland visitors can’t fail to be impressed by the majestic ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’, a 200-mile ridge of precipitous peaks that provides the backdrop for surely one of the best road journeys in the world. A short drive from Quito lies the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected forest of plunging valleys filled with tall, orchid-festooned trees and a plethora of plants, birds and mammals, making the region a delight for anyone with an interest in ecology. Hiking, bird watching and guided walks with local naturalists are available and horse riding is also possible. Ecuador also produces the world’s biggest and most beautiful roses and is the world’s largest exporter of the flower. And then there is the country’s wonderful coffee and chocolate.
Whilst the stunning wildlife and ecological diversity attract the headlines, Ecuador also has a fascinating human side to it. Quito, Ecuador's capital city, is considered one of the finest in Latin America and its setting, which is flanked by volcanic peaks, is simply breath-taking. Divided into the UNESCO designated old town and the new city of multi-story hotels and high-rise government buildings, Quito offers a diverse mix of tradition and modernity, while somehow managing to retain a wholly Ecuadorian flavour.
Just north of Quito lies the pretty town of Otavalo, famous for its market (particularly on Saturdays), which is one of the best places in South America to buy handicrafts. On the journey to Otavalo from Quito you will pass through the equator, offering the chance to stand straddling both the southern and northern hemispheres. In the south meanwhile, sits the colonial city of Cuenca whose UNESCO designated old town hides mysterious Incan origins; local legends speak of lost temples of gold and magnificent royal palaces.
Ecuador and the Galapagos provide the perfect holiday destination for those seeking nature in all its glory. Our exciting and varied range of group tours and tailor-made holidays to both Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are an ideal place to begin exploring all this unique country has to offer.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Ecuador & Galapagos with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS
BEST EXPERIENCES
Get up close to Galapagos wildlife
Explore the turquoise waters of the Itabaca Channel via kayak, snorkel or SUP rich in famous Galapagos wildlife such as blue footed boobies, sea lions, brown pelicans, a variety of herons and white tipped reef sharks.
Explore Andean cloud forests
Visit the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve for guided hiking, nature and bird watching of over 170 species, including the Platebilled Mountain-Toucan. Enjoy panoramic views of the cloud forest jungle.
Summit the Pasochoa Volcano
Take a seven-hour hike to the summit of this extinct volcano and then down through the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge, home to pumas, unique bird and plant life and one of the last remaining primary Andean forests, finishing at the Chilcabamba Lodge.
Journey to the middle of the earth
Mitad del Mundo, where the Incas celebrated the equatorial equinox, marks the exact ‘middle of the world’ at latitude 0º. Have fun spanning both hemispheres and exploring the scientific experiments that have been set up to show the polarity between them.
Visit an Amazonian community project
Meet with the local Sani community, owners of the Sani lodge. Visit a community women’s project, turtle breeding work, and participate in a cooking class spending time with the Sani women for a special glimpse into their culture and customs.
Visit Quilotoa Crater Lake
The mysterious and serene green waters of the Quilotoa volcanic crater lake are the inspiration for a 1.7 km hike along the crater's rim and en route visit artist Julio Toaquiza to learn about his inspiration: the Andes, volcanoes, condors and indigenous communities.
Experience a rainbow of butterflies
At Mindo you will be surrounded by hundreds of colourful butterflies; observe the four stages of a butterfly’s life and feed one of the 25 different species.
Enjoy a cooking and chocolate class
Take a relaxed cooking class in colonial Quito and learn to make traditional dishes with an expert local chef before the desert experience; a sumptuous chocolate tasting experience with one of Ecuador’s finest chocolate producers.
Visit the Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station is the matrix of all the scientific research in the Galapagos Islands. Learn about the conservation and preservation of giant tortoises and marine iguanas and learn about current studies taking place.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
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WHEN TO GO
Being situated so close to the equator, Ecuador experiences the same climatic conditions year round, and weather can vary dramatically depending on the region you are in. You WILL encounter rain, but the sun can also be fierce (especially at altitude) and you should be prepared for all eventualities. Quito is quite prone to experiencing all four seasons in one day! The Galapagos Islands enjoy a tropical climate with a warmer, wetter season from December to May and a cooler, dryer season from June to November.
Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map of countries that criminalise LGBTQIA+ people, which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Ecuador though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria and Yellow Fever are present in some parts of Ecuador. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Ecuador the official unit of currency is the US Dollar. Notes are the same, and US coins are also accepted, but the country also mints its own coins that cannot be used outside of Ecuador.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Although South Americans are very relaxed in comparison to people in other parts of the world, some places (especially up in the Andes) are very traditional and conservative, and your dress and behaviour should respect this. Public displays of affection are considered inappropriate, and when visiting churches and cathedrals, women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat while men should take their hats off.
Language & Religion
In Ecuador the major language is Spanish, with several other indigenous languages spoken in the Andes. English is also widely spoken. The main religion is Catholic.
Time
Ecuador is 5 hours behind GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Ecuador is known for its fabulous exotic fruits, high quality fish and seafood, and the countless varieties of Andean potatoes. Across the country you will find a broad spectrum of national and regional dishes, including lemon-marinated shrimp, toasted corn, and pastries stuffed with spiced meats. If you are feeling courageous, you can put your culinary bravery to the test with roasted cuy (guinea pig). Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for; however, in some rural places the type of food may be limited. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can make any arrangements to cater for your needs.