Volcanoes and Galapagos

15 days
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Small Group Tour
Discover the spectacular wildlife and fascinating cultural blend of mainland Ecuador, before exploring the 'enchanted isles' of the Galapagos. Experience this natural paradise from a different perspective, staying on land on Santa Cruz and Isabela islands. Indigenous Ecuador - Discover the heart of Ecuador, visiting indigenous communities in the mountainou...
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$4,859
From$4,650
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Discover the wild paradise of the Galapagos as well as local life on mainland Ecuador
    • Visit local communities living in the mountainous highlands around Otavalo
    • Stay in hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands and search for iconic Galapagos wildlife

What's this trip about?

    Discover the spectacular wildlife and fascinating cultural blend of mainland Ecuador, before exploring the 'enchanted isles' of the Galapagos. Experience this natural paradise from a different perspective, staying on land on Santa Cruz and Isabela islands. Indigenous Ecuador - Discover the heart of Ecuador, visiting indigenous communities in the mountainous surroundings of rural Otavalo Galapagos Islands - Spend one week getting up close to the remarkable wildlife of Darwin's paradise islands Cloud Forest - Visit the Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve, a protected area that is home to a stunning array of hummingbirds and butterflies.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bar
  • Cotopaxi
  • Cotopaxi National Park
  • Darwin
  • Galapagos
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Guayaquil
  • Isabela Island
  • Mindo
  • Otavalo
  • Puerto Villamil
  • Quito
  • Santa Cruz
  • Sucre

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Tumbaco, near Quito

Our tour starts today in Tumbaco, a quiet rural neighbourhood of Quito located around 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the downtown city centre. Ecuador's mountain capital is the second highest in Latin America at 2,850 metres. It lies in a narrow vall...

Day 2 Travel to Otavalo via Parque Condor; visit Peguche village

We'll go straight to rural Ecuador today, driving north towards the small market town of Otavalo. Set within a fertile valley encircled by imposing sacred mountains, Otavalo is idyllically situated and is well-known for its thriving indigenous communities. This area i...

Day 3 Walk at the Laguna Cuicocha; share in rural life at indigenous communities; visit Otavalo Market

We'll drive out to the tranquil setting of Cuicocha this morning, a turquoise crater lake located at 3,100 metres, approached through a wonderful landscape of alpine vegetation. We'll walk on a segment of the trail that goes around the lake (an easy walk of approximat...

Day 4 Drive to the Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve; visit a chocolate factory

We have a spectacular drive ahead of us today, leaving the sparse mountain landscapes of Otavalo for the dense cloud forest on the slopes of the western Andes. En route, we might make a small stop at a local biscuit factory, to try fresh bizcochos made in a wood oven....

Day 5 Explore the cloud forest on foot and by cable car; visit a hummingbird garden; drive to Quito

An early start this morning gives us the best chance of spotting Mindo's bird life at a time when it is most active. One of our first stops is at a hummingbird garden, catching some of the iridescent colours of the many hummingbird species that feed here. We'll then g...

Day 6 Walking tour of Quito's UNESCO Heritage Old Town

Ecuador's capital is one of the best-preserved colonial cities of the Americas, and a UNESCO Heritage Site with a rich blend of colonial architecture, imposing churches and busy markets. We'll visit some of the main sites, including La Compania church with its elabora...

Day 7 Drive the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park; walks at the Limpiopungo Lagoon

Our journey today takes us through some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the entire country, into the landscapes aptly described by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt as the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes'. Our destination is Cotopaxi National Park - just ...

Day 8 Fly to the Galapagos; view giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz highlands

The Galapagos are an isolated chain of volcanic islands supporting a distinct and unique flora and fauna, including prehistoric creatures found nowhere else on earth. Of the extraordinary animals to be found in the Galapagos many are reptiles, such as the giant tortoi...

Day 9 Boat to Isabela Island, overnight in Puerto Villamil

This morning, we leave Santa Cruz and journey west by speed boat for approximately two and a half hours. Our destination is nearby Isabela Island, where we'll spend the next two days. The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is formed from five volcanoes, of whi...

Day 10 Walk up Sierra Negra Volcano; afternoon snorkel

The beauty of staying on land during a trip to the Galapagos is having the opportunity to explore its volcanic side. The geological formation of the Galapagos lends itself to hiking, and the scenery is just as impressive as the wildlife. Today we start by taking a wal...

Day 11 Tintoreras Islands trip; return by boat to Santa Cruz

Formed from volcanic lava flow, the tiny islets of the Tintoreras Islets are fantastic for viewing wildlife, and accessible by a short boat trip from Puerto Villamil. On land, there is an array of birdlife and an abundance of the famous marine iguanas that are endemic...

Day 12 Discover Seymour, Plazas, Bartolome or Santa Fe Island

Today, we'll discover one of the smaller islands of the Galapagos, and our plan is at the mercy of the yacht schedule departing from Santa Cruz. The island visited could be either Seymour, Bartolome, Santa Fe or Plazas Island - but no matter which island we will certa...

Day 13 Visit Tortuga Bay; afternoon Charles Darwin Station visit

This morning, we take a walk to Tortuga Bay (a 5-kilometre/3-mile return walk) where we'll have the opportunity to swim at one of the most spectacular beaches of the entire chain, an important turtle nesting ground. After lunch, we'll visit the nearby Charles Darwin ...

Day 14 Fly to Quito on the mainland

Leaving the Galapagos behind today, we fly to Quito on the mainland (there may be a touchdown in Guayaquil en route). On arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel in the Tumbaco suburb of the city and enjoy a last evening together as a group.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 15 Tour ends in Quito

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Tumbaco, Quito. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Quito at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,650
Price per day$310
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
29 Mar 2025
12 Apr 2025
$5,010
$400
03 May 2025
17 May 2025
$5,140
$410
24 May 2025
07 Jun 2025
$4,650
$400
07 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$4,650
$400
21 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$4,650
$400
26 Jul 2025
09 Aug 2025
$4,650
$400
06 Sep 2025
20 Sep 2025
$4,810
$410
04 Oct 2025
18 Oct 2025
$4,950
$400
18 Oct 2025
01 Nov 2025
$4,950
$400
25 Oct 2025
08 Nov 2025
$4,650
$400

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

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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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
P

Pam

Mar 2025

Written on

Volcanoes and Galapagos

Galapagos entirely lived up to expectations and more. Giant tortoises, blue footed boobies, iguanas, sea lions, turtles, amazingly colourful bird life, all breathtak...

K

Kim

Feb 2025

Written on

Volcanoes and Galapagos

Our island guides were great.Yanni in particular was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Galapagos islands that she really managed to convey just how very sp...

J

Janet

Feb 2025

Written on

Volcanoes and Galapagos

If you are reading this you have already seen the brochure description and want to know if it is all true. The trip does cover a huge variety of ground both in miles...

J

Jacqueline

Feb 2025

Written on

Volcanoes and Galapagos

Just a great trip

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Flight,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Flight
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s), Local Guide(s), Naturalist(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Ecuador: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens, and your passport will be stamped on arrival into the country. In order for this entry stamp to be granted on arrival, you may be required to show proof of travel insurance valid for the duration of your trip. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry; this is a strict legal requirement from the Ecuadorean government. Without this minimum validity entry to the country will be denied. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. For the Galapagos a pre-registration form does need to be complete 24hours before arriving on the islands. The tour leader can assist with this if needed, however the website is https:/iiws.gobiernogalapagos.gob.eciicgg_web/ Once on the website, select the Individual Pre-Registration on the left hand side, this is shown under TCT pre-registration. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 14
  • Lunch : 3
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-GPS

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