Galapagos & the Southern Highlands

Heading south via the Avenue of Volcanoes our Ecuador holiday begins with a visit to Cotopaxi National Park and the highest active volcano in the world. The next three days are spent with your own private guide and driver and you can explore the region as you, like including the famous Devil's Nose train ride and an overnight in the city of Cuenca, one of Ecuador's most beautiful cities.

From Cuenca travel overland to the city of Guayaquil and explore the craggy landscape of El Cajas National Park en route. Your Ecuador holiday finishes with a 7 night cruise around the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences. Your home for the next week is a prestige class yacht and you will have the opportunity to explore some of the islands on foot and also go swimming and snorkelling, perhaps even being joined by sea lions.

Trip information

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Included

Transfers, private ground transport on mainland, 8 day cruise, guide on days 3-7 and on cruise, flights Quito-Galapagos-Quito

Not included

US$110 Galapagos National Park tax and transit card.

Is it for you?

This is an easy trip with private services on land, and using a prestige yacht in the Galapagos Islands.

Best time

The Galapagos Islands is a year round destination. The driest season for the Andean regions is from about late May to early October.

Getting there

You will need international flights to/from Quito. Prices from the UK start from around £675.

Weather and highlights

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Cotopaxi National Park
Exhilarating rooftop train ride through the Devil's Nose.
The colonial splendour of Cuenca.
Cajas National Park
The spectacular wildlife of the Galapagos Islands

Itinerary

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Duration: 16 days

Day 1:
Arrive in Quito. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2:
Morning city tour. Afternoon travel to a hacienda near Cotopaxi. (B)
Day 3:
Visit Cotopaxi NP and an Andean market if open, before driving to Banos. (FB)
Day 4:
Explore Banos this morning, or hike. Drive to Riobamba in afternoon. (FB)
Day 5:
Take Devil's Nose train. Explore Ingapirca, then end in Cuenca. (B, L)
Day 6:
Explore Cuenca, then afternoon free. (B)
Day 7:
Road transfer to Guayaquil with Las Cajas National Park visit en route. (B, L)
Day 8:
Fly to the Galapagos Islands and join your yacht for a cruise around the Galapagos. (FB)
Days 9-14:
Galapagos cruise. Ask us for itinerary. (FB)
Day 15:
End of cruise. Fly back to Quito. (B)
Day 16:
Transfer to airport for flight home. (B)

Pricing guidelines for Ecuador

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £750 to £1000 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Ecuador combines very well with Peru, but can also be linked with Brazil.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
2 weeks highlights of Ecuador’s mainland using good standard accommodationBetween £1800 and £2750
2 week trip staying in top end haciendas and lodgesFrom around £3500+
10 days Andes & rainforest holidayBetween £1200 and £1600
16 days Andes & Galapagos (this can be very variable due to Galapagos yacht prices)From about £3200+

Ecuador