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Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
Ecuador, a country that captivates with its diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich history! Nestled in the heart of South America, Ecuador is a land of contrasts, where the Amazon rain forest, the Andes Mountains, and the Pacific Coast converge. We will discover the enchanting colonial charm of Quito, the world's highest capital, and explore the unique Galápagos Islands, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in indigenous markets, where vibrant colours and ancient traditions come to life, or lose yourself in the lush biodiversity of the Amazon basin. Bienvenidos a Ecuador! (Welcome to Ecuador!) Day 1 Arrive to Quito You can arrive anytime today, and a transfer will be arranged to meet your flight. I will be at the hotel to greet you and introduce you to Quito. Accommodation: Quito charming central hotel Meals: None included. We can dine at a restaurant close to the hotel so that those who are tired after a long flight can retreat to their bed at leisure. Day 2 Explore Quito with our local guide Our guide will pick us up at 9am to head out and explore! The Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Equator monument is our must-see first stop. We’ll also visit the nearby, Inti Nan museum where we learn about the science and social history of the Equator. This afternoon we’ll spend exploring Quito´s historic colonial centre, which is the best-preserved in all of South America. Meals: Breakfast and lunch Day 3 Luxury jungle experience One of the most incredible things about Ecuador is how diverse it is in such a small space and today we’ll earn that firsthand, when a morning’s drive brings us to the jungle Napo province. Here we’ll stay the night in lovely Kuyana Lodge where we’ll take an energetic bath by a sacred waterfall, and enjoy a campfire and night walk by the river. Meals: All meals included Day 4 To Baños There’s time for some bird watching, meditation and yoga in the Amazon this morning, before we head to Baños (3.5 hours) Charming Baños, with its incredible climate and beautiful tropical mountain scenery, is Ecuador’s most beloved holiday destination. There’s time this afternoon for a spa treatment or swim at our resort style accommodation, or a soak in one of the hot baths and water complexes that Baños is named after. Meals: All meals included Day 5 Enjoy Baños! Baños is the adventure and spa center of Ecuador! Options for the adventurous today include hiking, waterfalls, adventure parks, biking, rafting, a giant swing, and much more! Soaking in the hot springs or pampering yourself in a spa is also on offer if you feel like a more relaxing day. Our guide is there to advise and coordinate so each of you can enjoy this day to the max, and our private vehicle is on hand to get everyone where they want to be. How this day pans out totally depends on who wants to do what! This evening we´ll join all the Ecuadoreans downtown in Baños for a paseo - a stroll through the lively streets and inviting plazas of this quintessential South American resort town. Meals: Breakfast and dinner included Day 6 To a high Andean hacienda There’s time this morning for some last-minute souvenir shopping or one last hot pool in Baños, before we head off on our way to a hacienda (accommodation in a historic farm) in the heart of Ecuador’s famous Avenue of Volcanoes. The 1200 meters of altitude we gain make the contrast between the lushness of Baños and the windswept plains around the hacienda quite mind-blowing – you’ll feel you’ve stepped into a different world! Meals: All meals included Day 7 Horse riding and back to Quito This morning we’ll go horse riding, unless you prefer to just wander around and soak up the amazing surroundings. Then we’ll head back to Quito (1.5 hours approx.) where there's free time for a last wander around on Ecuador’s mainland. Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 8 To the Galapágos! We’ll need a very early start this morning, as we’re taking the 7am flight to the Galapagos islands! After a 2.5 hour flight we’ll land on the island of Baltra then hop - by bus, taxi, and ferry across Itabaca Channel– to Santa Cruz where we’ll visit a highlands ranch to get up close and personal with giant tortoises, before heading to the Charles Darwin Research Center where we’ll learn more about these incredible animals. We’ll spend the night in Puerto Ayora, the biggest town in Galapagos and the perfect place to enjoy one of the great aspects of Latin American beachside life – the central street of Puerto Ayora is closed to traffic and restaurants put tables and chairs on the street, so kids can run free and everyone can enjoy an al fresco dinner. Meals: All meals included Day 9 Yacht tour to uninhabited island Today we’ll sail to an uninhabited island on a yacht. Here we’ll wander among land iguanas, blue footed boobies, and dozens of other species of birds. The various uninhabited islands - Santa Fé, Plazas, Bartolomé and Seymour – all have different highlights, such as the lava landscapes of Bartolomé and the frigate bird and iguana breeding grounds of Seymour. Let us know if you have particular interests and we’ll make sure to match you with the island that suits you best! Otherwise we’ll just go to the one that’s at its best at the time you travel. Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 10 Isabela Island An early start gets us on the 7am speed boat to Isabela where we’ll get you settled in to your accommodation and oriented for a free morning. You might like to spend this checking out the tortoise breeding centre or the flamingo lagoon, or if you’re a bird lover simply wandering along the stunning, white sand beach, which offers the best opportunity to spot migratory birds in the entire Galapagos! After lunch we’ll take a short boat ride – past reef sharks, blue footed boobies, pelicans and penguins – to the Tintoreras islets, where we’ll take a short hike (be careful not to step on a marine iguana – they are everywhere!). We’ll also snorkel here in crystalline water, among sea turtles, rays, penguins, and multitudes of different fish. Meals: All meals included Day 11 Snorkel Cabo Rosa lava tunnels You have some free time this morning, which you might like to spend swimming, checking out the tortoise breeding centre or the flamingo lagoon, or if you’re a bird lover simply wandering along the stunning, white sand beach, which offers the best opportunity to spot migratory birds in the entire Galapagos! This afternoon a 45 minute boat ride takes us to Cabo Rosa, where lava flows into the ocean have created hundreds of natural tunnels and arches above and below the water. Here we’ll experience the best snorkelling in the Galapagos, sharing the water with giant sea turtles, sea lions, rays, seahorses and many tropical fish, and observed with interest by sea lions, penguins and blue-footed boobies. Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 12 Beach time in Santa Cruz This morning we’ll take the ferry back to Santa Cruz then spend the afternoon enjoying one last afternoon by the sea, at one of the most beautiful beaches in Galapagos, where we can wander, kayak, snorkel, gaze at the sea, and ready ourselves to say goodbye to this incredible place. Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 13 Back to the mainland This morning we’ll hop via speed boat and ferry across two different channels, back to Baltra airport where we take a flight back to Guayaquil on the mainland. Guayaquil’s famous riverside Malecon (esplanade) starts right outside our accommodation, and is the perfect place to stroll and enjoy the sunset, food, and entertainment that’s a highlight of any trip to Guayaquil, and the perfect way to end our South American adventure. Meals: All meals included Day 14 Departure day Your transfer to the airport is included. Meals: Breakfast included As with all our trips let go of the concept you're signing up for a structured tour, you're not, you're joining us on an adventure , yes its a semi structured adventure with all the hard work done, but it is nevertheless an adventure. Things will go wrong some days, and changes will need to be taken in their stride, you will need your wits about you, and to expect to do some exploring on your own occasionally. |
Dates 17th - 30th August 2025
Starts in Quito (UIO) and finishes in Guayaquil (GYE) Small group Min 8, Max 14. This trip will be hosted by Richard OTS Founder. and a local guide. FULL (Wait-list possible) Highlights include :
What’s included:
What’s not included:
Cost estimate for 2025 Twin share USD $6975pp Due to the 4* accomodation a private room on this trip is prohibitive at a sup of $1450 but can be requested. We will try and match singles with a same sex buddy. Deposit for this trip is U$1000 pp The green "Book Now" button will appear above when live bookings and deposits open for this trip.
Register your interest below, to ask any questions, and to to be the first to be notified when deposits open and you can secure a place on the adventure. Payment options Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure. 
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