- ✓ Explore Quito’s UNESCO Old Town and lively markets in the Andes.
- ✓ Visit Otavalo’s colourful markets and stand astride the equator line.
- ✓ Discover Mindo’s lush cloud forests, waterfalls, and vibrant birdlife.
- ✓ Meet giant tortoises and snorkel with sea lions in Galapagos.
Get a taste of mainland Ecuador and the incredible Galapagos Islands in under 2 weeks. You’ll visit Quito and the equator line, experience Andean traditions in Otavalo, relax in the cloud forests of Mindo and set foot on the huge Cotopaxi Volcano, before heading over to experience the unique wildlife of the Galapagos.
Days 1 & 2 – ¡Hola Quito!
One of the highest capital cities in the world, and almost on the equator, Quito’s mountain location is something to behold. The city itself has lots of Latin charm too, with colonial buildings and impressive cathedrals, as well a youthful edge which you’ll see in the street art and bars. You’ll be picked up from the airport by our local partner, will spend a couple of nights in the trendy Mariscal district.
The next day, a local guide will take you into the heart of the city, starting at a local market before exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its colonial buildings, grand churches and atmospheric plazas.
After your city tour, the rest of your time is free to enjoy Quito at your own pace before continuing your journey through Ecuador.
Days 3 & 4 – Andean traditions of Otavalo
It’s time to explore the northern highlands of Ecuador. Today you’ll be collected from your hotel in Quito by private transfer and driven to Otavalo. This journey takes around 2.5 hours. This colourful town is most famous for its market where you’ll see the very best of Andean craftsmanship. The area also gives a glimpse into everyday life in the mountains, and the surrounding volcanoes provide a spectacular backdrop.
You’ll take a tour around the surrounding indigenous villages during your stay, and will also have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the town independently.
Days 5 & 6 – Cloud forests of Mindo
You’ll be picked up by a private driver who’ll take you to Mindo. The usual drive time is around 3.5 hours, but you’ll break up the journey with a stop at Mitad del Mundo – a monument and surrounding park which marks the Equator. Admittedly it’s a little touristy, but how often do you get the chance to stand with one foot in each hemisphere?
Mindo is in the heart of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest – a tranquil, almost mystical area full of lush green vegetation, waterfalls and hiking trails, as well as a huge variety of butterflies and birds. You’ll be staying in a cosy, rustic bungalow surrounded by tropical gardens.
During your stay we’ll arrange a visit to a spectacular butterfly house. There are also plenty of more adventurous activities on offer here like ziplining, along with hours of rural trails to explore.
Days 7 & 8 – High times at the Cotopaxi volcano
Today you’ll be transferred by private car from Mindo to Cotopaxi, this usually takes around 4 hours. You’ll spend the evening in a peaceful hacienda set on a farm in the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park, surrounded by cattle, horses and alpacas grazing on the grassy plains. Your first afternoon is free to relax and get used to the altitude, or perhaps take a walk through the countryside, before you head to the volcano cone tomorrow morning…
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll drive to the foot of the Cotopaxi Volcano. From here it’s a 300m climb to the refugio – a mountain hut where you’ll be able to see over the National Park and other nearby volcanoes. It’s a fairly tough scramble as you’re walking on volcanic ash and at altitude, but the view makes it worth the effort. If you have the energy, it’s a further 200m up to the start of the glacier!
After your time at the Cotopaxi volcano, you’ll be transferred back to Quito for an overnight stay, before flying to the Galapagos tomorrow.
Day 9 - Arrival at Santa Cruz, Galapagos
From Quito, it’s just a three-hour flight to the famous Galapagos Islands. These islands are a paradise for wildlife spotting, but also surprisingly more inhabited than you might expect. Each island has its own charm, and three of them are inhabited: Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, and Isla San Cristobal. You could easily spend a week on each of the islands, but for a teasing taster, this trip visits two of them.
Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by your driver. First, you will take the bus together to the Itabaca Channel, and cross to the nearby island of Santa Cruz, which is home to around 24,000 people. Here, you’ll get in your driver’s car and he’ll take you through the highlands to the centre of Puerto Ayora. Along the way, you’ll visit a local farm where you’ll meet giant tortoises that live here in the wild. These mighty creatures walk around freely but come to the farm to eat. After lunch, continue to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. Here you will meet a local guide who will explain your program for the next few days. Then, you’ll head into Puerto Ayaroa with your guide on a food tour to sample the local delicacies.
A stay at the Galapagos is pricey because it’s a protected area, there is a limited number of places to stay and everything is imported. For this trip we have chosen simple hotels that are more basic than the hotels you will have experienced during the rest of your Ecuador trip. The hotels are small-scale, have friendly owners and are within walking distance of the harbour.
Day 10 – The waters around Santa Cruz
Today is free for you to explore independently. Enjoy a short morning walk to Tortuga Bay, an idyllic beach where you’ll find loads of iguanas bathing in the sun. Don’t forget to take your snorkel, you have a good chance of spotting a number of reef sharks. If you’re a diving enthusiasts check out Gordon Rocks. You might come across hammerhead sharks, turtles, manta rays, and barracudas. It’s easy to arrange a dive on the spot. Just make sure you bring your diving certificate.
Day 11 – Santa Cruz to San Cristobal
After a leisurely morning, make your way to the pier for the 1.30pm ferry to San Cristobal. The journey can be choppy so you may want to take precautions against sea sickness. In the port of San Cristobal, our local contact will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon you have time to walk along the boulevard where you can watch the sea lions that sleep there. If you prefer to relax yourself, go to one of the nearby beaches. Later today you’ll also learn how to make ceviche at Playa Mann. Your teacher used to sell this local delicacy at the harbour, but now she’s opened her own restaurant. Her fish dish is famous across the region.
Day 12 – Free day on San Cristobal
We haven’t planned any activities for you today. But there are plenty of things to do. You can snorkel with sea lions at Playa Lobita or we can arrange a snorkelling tour for you to an uninhabited island. Hike to the Cerro Tijeretas to spot the famous frigate birds, or take a half-day tour to the highlands of San Cristobal. We recommend ending the day with a cold beer at the local brewery.
Days 13 & 14 - Overnight in Quito and departure from Ecuador
Make the most of your last morning before an afternoon flight back to Quito. Enjoy the last views of the amazing landscape and keep your eyes peeled on the road to the airport because you never know when an animal might pop up. Top tip: Make sure to stop by the shops and grab a Galapagos stamp for your passport. It’s a fun memento that proves you were really there.
After a night back in Quito it’s time to head home. We’ll arrange a transfer to the airport in time for your international departure.
Accommodation
