Classic 15 Day Ecuador and Galapagos

CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS
CLASSIC 15 DAY ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS

Classic 15 Day Ecuador and Galapagos

Duration

15 Days / 14 Nights

Package Type

https://cms.vaexpeditions.com/media/images/package_type/museum.svg

Traditional

Activity Level

Activity Level

Moderate

Wildlife expectation

Physical Difficulty

Wildlife expectation

Cultural rating

Wildlife expectation

Wildlife expectation

Specialist

Travel specialist

Claire
Contact Us

Discover the extra-ordinary magic of Ecuador by travelling from The Andean mountain range to the Amazon Basin, travelling by train and trekking through the Volcano Avenue. Starting high in the Andean mountain range, and exploring the mountain towns of indigenous Otavalo, Quito, Baños and Cuenca to cruising the tropical Amazon rivers and exploring the indigenous jungle tribes and civilizations of this biodiverse region. The Galapagos Islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. This 15 day itinerary covers the best of this amazing country.

Special features of our 15 day Classic Ecuador and Galapagos Tour: 

Type of Tourism:  Nature, Biodiversity, Classic, Adventure

Places to Visit:  Galapagos, Quito, Cotopaxi, Guayaquil, Otavalo, Baños, Cuenca

Duration:  15 Days and 14 Nights. 

Type of Service: group tours. 

Accommodation:  4 star hotels at every destination that you will visit. These hotels had been carefully chosen and we can guarantee that you will feel comfortable and your every need catered for! 

DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE

Today is arrival day to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This well preserved colonial city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. You can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area if you arrive early. In the evening, the guide will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 6 pm. We will discuss the details and questions you may have about the tour. This first day is a good acclimatizati...

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    In the morning, we will head, across the Andes to stop at the equatorial line to witness this great attraction and for standing on both of the planets’ hemispheres at the same time. We will then continue to Otavalo, where you will have plenty of time to wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Learn all about their way of life and their native language. We will visit the famous handicraft market, with its wonderfu...

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      Today is a day to enjoy the optional activities that the Zuleta Hacienda offers. You can learn about the conservation program Cóndor Huasi which seeks to preserve the emblematic Andean condor in its natural habitat. You can also see how the Hacienda retains its authenticity as a working farm, producing milk, wheat, barley, 14 kinds of cheese, cream, trout, wool, mutton, horses, wood, and even compost from their earthworm farm. Another activity is the exclusive stable with their own breed of Zuleteño horses. You will fin...

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        Today, we will head to the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi. The snow-capped volcano is surrounded by its national park, home to abundant flora, fauna and Inca ruins. We will begin our visit at the interpretation centre at the park's entrance before continuing our drive across the paramo to the Limpiopungo Lake. During a short walk around the lake, we can observe a variety of birds and enjoy the stunning views of the conical Cotopaxi volcano. Afterwards, we will drive to the colonial Hacienda of San Agustín de Cal...

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          Today, begins with a visit to a local indigenous market at Saquilisilí or the historic church in Pujilí. The drive to Laguna Quilotoa offers spectacular views of the Andes, passing the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands. Before lunch, we will visit a local indigenous home, where you have the opportunity to interact with the inhabitants and perhaps learn some Quechua. We will then head to the Quilotoa Volcano, where we will hike into its crater lake. This lake is considered as one of the m...

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            Today we will explore this beautiful town at the base of the active Tungurahua volcano, It has erupted many times recently, offering a lava and steam display that can be seen from a variety of viewpoints in the region. We will then hike to the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where immense cascades of water crash on the rocks, which we can view from the bridge. We can also hike behind these immense falls. We will then head on to another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in...

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              After breakfast, we will take the Devil’s Nose train, where the train tracks wind through the landscape, creating a totally unique travel experience. After this incredible experience, will head to Ingapirca, the most impressive archaeological site in Ecuador. We will spend the afternoon learning about these Inca remnants and their unique fusion of Inca and native Cañari architecture, as well as for religious aspects. We will continue to the city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its colonial architecture...

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                In the morning we will enjoy a city tour, visiting the most important buildings and notable places in Cuenca, such as Calderon Square, the New Cathedral, El Barranco and El Turi lookout point. In the afternoon, we will visit a famous Panama hat factory where we can learn about this famous hats history. You can then enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city.

                  Today we will visit the Cajas National Park, located 30km east of Cuenca. There are over 200 recreational lakes connected by small rivers and crystal-clear waters flowing into the Pacific in this park. After a walk through the mountains, we’ll arrive in the city of Guayaquil.

                    Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of evolution of species. We will fly to the Island of San Cristobal.  In the afternoon, we will visit "La Loberia", which is the home of the Galapagos sea lions. We can see them while we are snorkelling, and these curious creatures will come up close and personal as you are swimming. You can also see them basking on the rocks or just napping on the sandy shores. We can also see many bird species, su...

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                      Today you will have 2 activities to choose from:

                       Kicker Rock - A lava cone eroded by the waves, with 2 vertical rocks rising high above the ocean. This natural monument has become a highlight of the Galapagos due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky.  Under the ocean, the crystal clear waters offer the spectacle of brightly colourful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach before we head back to th...

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                        Today we will head for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. We can learn all about the endemic species found on the islands, as well as the ongoing conservation work on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the 'El Chato' reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's picturesque landscape with these giant creatures is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatc...

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                          Bartolome is a small Galapagos Island located northwest of the Itabaca Channel. It’s among the most famous of all the islands, due to its impressive volcanic landscapes and the wildlife species that inhabit the island. The other-worldly landscape explain all we need to know about the island's origins. The summit trail begins at the dock, with its accompanying sea-lions greeting us on arrival. The trail twists and turns uphill over volcanic ash and old craters. The only vegetation is the Tiquilia plant. This is one of the best s...

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                            Today we will walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay, a spectacular white sandy beach and the nesting site of marine turtles. This beautiful beach is perfect for swimming or snorkelling. In the afternoon, you can wander Puerto Ayora at your pace, exploring the narrow streets and interacting with the locals. This will be the final evening of your tour!

                              Enjoy some more free time this morning before heading to the Baltra airport. We will take a flight back to Guayaquil to catch your international connection back home. Or on to your next exciting destination!


                                WHAT'S INCLUDED

                                • Transportation: Airfare Guayaquil – Galapagos – Guayaquil, airport transfers (national & international flights), private and comfortable land transportation.
                                • Meals: 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 7 dinners.
                                • Gear:  hiking sticks, life jackets, snorkelling equipment.
                                • Trip Leader: Certified expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and local guides.

                                WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

                                • International flights
                                • Single Supplement
                                • Galapagos National Park entrance fee USD 100 per person
                                • INGALA transit control card USD 20 per person
                                • Travel insurance (mandatory)
                                • Meals not described in the itinerary
                                • Tips for guides and drivers

                                Trip Preparation & FAQS

                                You can check our safety protocols in the following link: https://adventurejourneys.com/news-about-covid-19

                                We do not include travel or health insurance and we strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance for any unexpected circumstances. This is not obligatory, however. An full travel insurance policy that covers cancellations and delays as well as medical insurance.

                                We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure that you are up-to-date with the recommended vaccinations when traveling to the destination. In any case, a negative Coronavirus Molecular Test (PCR) is needed to enter the country.

                                We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure what medications you will need to bring to the destination. Pharmacies and drugstores are common in all cities, however, it is not certain that you will be able to find a specific drug that you can find in your country of origin.

                                As in any city in the world, there can be pickpockets in crowded places. We suggest being vigilant at all times, but if you are in a group you will always be safer.

                                We do not include the cost of any domestic or international flight in any of our programs. These services must be booked independently by each guest.

                                Yes, hotels will charge the cost of a double room as standard, so a single supplement will be charged if you are traveling alone.

                                VA Expeditions is supported by Valencia Travel, a company with more than 12 years of foundation with a solid financial position. We have insurance from the insurance company La Positiva, that supports us and protects our guests from any eventuality at the destination, covering our guests for more than 5 million US dollars.

                                Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.

                                Yes, in addition to multi-day programs, we offer half-day experiences and excursions without overnight, which you can purchase as additional services. In case you wish to purchase one of these services, you can ask your guide, the transfer representative or your sales representative to provide you with the support you need.

                                Yes, you can add additional or optional services to your regular tour. We appreciate contacting your sales representative for any changes you wish to make.

                                Yes, you can travel with children and we have many activities to do as a family, however, depending on your itinerary, some experiences can be a bit demanding for young children. As a recommendation, we suggest that you ask your sales consultant if the tour you wish to book is suitable for children.

                                We work with a maximum group size of 12 passengers for sustainability reasons and a more personaized experience.

                                We suggest making your reservations at least one month before your trip in order to reserve the best hotels, transportation and services for your travel dates, however, in last minute cases, we can reserve up to 15 days in advance.

                                We suggest consulting with your embassy to review any documents, tests or special visa you need for your trip.

                                The official currency in Ecuador is the United States dollar (USD). In large cities there is a good chance that you will find ATMs or ATMs, however, we suggest that you do not rely entirely on this solution, as it may not be enabled to work with your bank.

                                Yes, we cater for all special dietary requirements. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any allergies or special dietary needs.

                                As a sustainable travel company, we are in constant search of how we can improve the sustainability of our operations, that is why we carry out the following activities to generate a fair and sustainable development in our areas of operation: "Women & Weaving - Sacha Warmi" project to support women from an indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Andes and Pan Animalia

                                a project to improve the quality of life of stray dogs in Galapagos Islands.

                                Tips are not included in the cost of the tour. You should plan to tip 10% in restaurants and for your guided services, however, tipping is never required.

                                Cultural norms vary within each Latin American country, even within each city within the country, however, we recommend the following measures to have a pleasant visit in each destination: Latin American culture in general tends to be closer and more informal than in others cultures, so there is usually always a friendly approach in all conversations, and going directly to the point could be considered offensive to some people. Personal space can be much shorter as well, but without being interpreted as sexual in nature. 

                                The schedules are also usually more relaxed and informal, however, this is not the case of VA EXPEDITIONS, since we will always respect the hours indicated in your itinerary. This may be different for other appointments that you can book on your own at other locations.

                                This depends on each itinerary, and will be indicated in the detail of the day. However, our itineraries always usually include free times to offer more flexibility to our guests. 

                                For any emergency, we appreciate contacting the following number: +593 2 255 8805

                                At VA Expeditions we believe that every action we take should generate a positive impact on the communities and the environment of our entire production chain, which is why we carry out various activities focused on this objective. For an example of our sustainable projects, visit: https://adventurejourneys.com/pan-animalia/

                                All our guests have 24/7 support for any type of emergency or eventuality. For emergencies you can contact the following number: +593 2 255 8805. For general inquiries, you can write to us at the following email: info@valenciatravelcusco.com 

                                This depends on each itinerary, but generally is a ratio of one guide for every nine guests.

                                This depends on the type of the type of Travel insurance that the passenger has. We recommend that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy for better care and hospital facilities.

                                The tours are carried out by an expert team that has determined the optimal times of visits to make the most of our guests' time, without rushing. All our programs are customizable, so if at any time at the destination you want to adjust the pace of the trip, you can ask your guide to reach a consensus with the whole group in case you need to make adjustments to the pace of the trip.

                                Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.

                                Yes, you can safely store any luggage at your  hotel.

                                For city tours, there are public bathrooms available, in remote destinations bathroom facilities are more sparse.

                                In the mountains and remote places there is no Internet connection. Hotels and public places usually have WIFI available.

                                In cities and tourist centers you will have good telephone reception. In remote areas, there may be no cell phone reception.

                                It depends on each itinerary. We suggest contacting your account representative to give you specific information regarding your  program.

                                The tap water in Ecuador is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven't been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodations which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. There will also be water in the transportation.

                                Thank you very much for your interest! You can follow us on our networks:

                                 

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