Ecuador & Galapagos - Roundtrip and Photography Tour

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Overview
Highlights
- Quito’s Historic Center (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Indigenous market in Otavalo and surroundings
- Mojanda Lagoons
- National Park El Angel
- Ecuador’s famous mountain Cotopaxi
- Crater lake Quilotoa
- Adventure capital Baños de Agua Santa with its tree house and famous waterfall Pailón del Diablo
- Island hopping on Galapagos
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- International airfare not included (tickets to Galapagos and all ground and water transport in Ecuador and Galapagos included)
- Photography coach to support you throughout the tour with the shooting and photo reviews
- Certified national guide
- Local guides on Galapagos
- Accommodation in 3* hotels
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation and flights from / to Galapagos
- Entrance fees historic center: Basilica del Voto Nacional (towers), Compania de Jesus, Panecillo
- Entrance fees Middle of the World Park
- Park entrance fees (continent)
Itinerary

Transfer to the hotel. Meet and greet your photo coach & guide in the evening. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.
We start early and dive into Quito’s historic center. We visit magic squares, stroll through the streets, and admire colonial style buildings. We check out the best view points: the towers of Basilica del Voto Nacional & El Panecillo. At night we visit El Ventanal for breathtaking views and an optional dinner. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.
Time to leave Quito, but not without having visited the Middle of the World, the Equator. In the afternoon we arrive in the indigenous town of Otavalo and visit the Plaza de Ponchos (handicraft market). Hotel Indio Inn, Otavalo.
After breakfast we drive up to the Lagunas de Mojanda, surrounded by the famous “Paramo” grass lands, below mystic FuyaFuya summit. In the afternoon we continue to Ibarra, the white city. Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi.
Breath-taking nature awaits us today in the National Park El Angel, close to the Colombian border. Landscape and flora will make us feel like in a fairy-tale. We spend the night in Ibarra. Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi.
Today we head south, towards Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon we’ll try to get the mirror of Cotopaxi volcano in Limpiopungo Lake. We spend the night in the park. From the lodge we enjoy amazing views of the surrounding volcanos. Tambopaxi Lodge.
Let’s take it easy today – Cotopaxi Park has plenty of options for great pics. According to weather and conditions we decide what’s the best option for a productive day: a visit of owls caves, the Refuge José Ribas & glacier or some Inka ruins. Tambopaxi Lodge.
We leave Cotopaxi park after breakfast and head to the next hot spot: Quilotoa crater lake. We appreciate typical country side on our way up and try to get a hold of Quilotoa lake with the afternoon sun. Blacksheep Inn.
In the morning we visit the view point at Quilotoa lake for some more good perspectives. In the afternoon we continue to Baños de Agua Santa. Gamboa Spa Hotel.
We visit Fincapalmonte, in the cloud forest close to Baños, incredible variety of orchids and typical flora wait for being captured by us. Rivers, birds and more will contribute to an unforgettable day. Gamboa Spa Hotel.
Stunning waterfalls and the famous swing at the end of the world at the Tree House are today‘s main attractions. With a bit of luck we will even see volcano Tungurahua overlooking the town. At night we continue to Quito. Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito.
Flight from Quito to Galapagos. We visit Cerro Tijeretas and have the first opportunity to discover Galapagos wildlife. Some leisure time in the evening allows us to visit Darwin Bay and the Malecon. Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro.
By boat we go to Lobo Island and during the tour we have the chance to swim with the sea lions. In the afternoon the white sands of Ochoa Beach and its fauna await us in all its glory. Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro.
From San Cristobal we continue by boat to Santa Cruz today. Our main target is the famous Tortuga Bay. In addition to countless animals we see the impressive lava tunnels. Hotel Deja Vu.
An excursion to one of the following islands is our today’s program: Bartolome, Plazas, Seymour Norte or Santa Fe. Each of the islands offers breathtaking fauna and flora to create unforgettable photos. Hotel Deja Vu.
Departure from Galapagos and flight back to Quito (or Guayaquil). We enjoy a last day in Ecuador on Hacienda La Jimenita, with wonderful gardens, wildlife as well as some culinary highlights. Hacienda La Jimenita.
After breakfast we have some free time at the Hacienda for a wrap up of our photo tour through Ecuador. Transfer to the airport.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Andean Summit Adventure.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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ASA is a great team with Eli on the backup side and Jaime on the field with us. Eli followed us with all the administrative and paper work, and make everything clear...
Andean Summit Adventure is a top notch tour operator
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International airfare from / to Ecuador
- Galapagos entrance (approx. $ 120 for fees and taxes)
- Travel insurance
- Visa expenses
- Tips
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned
Accommodation
Value - 3 start level accommodations - Trips labeled “Value” fall into a mid-range budget and the accommodations can range from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
- Boutique Hotel Vieja Cuba, Quito
- Hotel Indio Inn, Otavalo
- Hacienda Hosteria Chorlavi, Ibarra
- Tambopaxi Lodge, Cotopaxi National Park
- Blacksheep Inn, Quilotoa
- Gamboa Spa Hotel, Banos de Agua Santa
- Hotel Cabanas Pimampiro, Galapagos
- Hotel Deja Vu, Galapagos
- Hacienda La Jimenita, Quito
16 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches and 3 Dinners
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