Compare Ecuador & Galapagos Islands by Rothschild Safaris vs Andes & Galapagos by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 15,000 | $ 7,655 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,154 | $ 547 |
| Highlights |
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N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
From history-rich Quito to the vibrant cloud forests of Mashpi Reserve to the remarkable and utterly unique Galápagos Islands, explore the best of what Ecuador has to offer. Visit Otavalo and its world-renowned indigenous markets full of color and life, while staying at one of Ecuador’s top haciendas; stand along the equator when you visit the “Middle of the World;” and relax in hot springs with views of the Andes and rolling hills. This is a trip you will never forget. |
Ecuador may be slightly dwarfed by other South American countries, but it punches well above its weight. It’s tempting to pass through only the mainland en route to the celebrated Galapagos Islands, but our specialists would urge you to holiday in continental Ecuador, too. They’re able to help you experience all the country’s beguiling variety in a tailor-made Ecuador itinerary. |
Days 1-2: Quito/ Hotel Casa Gangotena
Welcome to Ecuador! On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend your first two nights in Ecuador in luxury at Hotel Casa Gangotena, situated in the heart of Quito’s Old Town.
Spend your time here getting to know magnificent Quito, visiting the city’s historic district, enjoying this urban jewel and its artistic and architectural treasures. Drive to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the principal religious monuments of the New World, then visit the exact middle of the planet where the equator crosses the earth at latitude 0° 0’ 0”. Here you will be able to stand with one foot in each hemisphere!
Days 3- 7: Galapagos Islands/ M/V Eclipse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your adventure continues as we fly you to the Galápagos Islands to begin your 5-night cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse.
During your cruise your days will be filled with morning and afternoon excursions on different islands where you will can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife viewing all the while! Explore Cerro Brujo’s gorgeous beach, home to many sea lions and the place where Charles Darwin first stepped foot on the Archipelago; spot land iguanas, flocks of Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and different types of finches; or visit the inside of a lava tunnel!
Overnight: M/V Eclipse
Day 8: Pappallacta/ Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
This morning you will fly back into Quito for your drive to Termas de Papallacta. Here you can relax and refresh yourself, taking in the stunning mountain views while having a soak in the lodge’s hot springs, or enjoy a spa treatment.
Days 9, 10: Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve/ Mashpi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge
Continue your journey northwest into the Mashpi Forest Reserve, a 3,200-acre haven for wildlife and biodiversity. Here, you will stay at National Geographic’s Unique Lodge of the World – Mashpi Lodge – a modern architectural marvel of glass where nature takes center stage.
Afternoon activities in the reserve will be organized depending on your group’s size and physical conditions and weather conditions. Activities include visiting the observation tower to experience life in the forest from a height of 90 feet, taking a 200-yard aerial cable ride on the “Sky Bike” through the forest canopy and visiting the San Vicente waterfalls to discover the lush secrets this forest holds. Follow the Howler Monkey Trail, which passes through primary forest, on to the Life Center and Butterfly Pavilion.
Days 11, 12: Otavalo/ Hacienda Zuleta
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta
It’s time to leave the forest behind as you journey to Ecuador’s Otavalo region. Your first stop is Otavalo Indigenous Market, one of the largest and best-known in South America. After some time perusing the local wares, you will continue on to enjoy lunch at Hacienda Zuleta – an amazing jewel tucked away amid several volcanoes.
A host of optional activities await you here, including easy mountain biking along the hacienda grounds, or a short hike around beautiful “Guinea Pig Lake.” Visit Cotacachi´s Leather Market and a family of weavers who not only have amazing wares but will demonstrate for you how they weave on their traditional back-strap looms and make striking colors from local plants. Around the corner lives a family of musicians, where you will get a feel for authentic Andean music and watch as they craft perfectly-tuned Andean flutes.
Day 13: Your Journey Ends
Today you will be transferred to Quito International Airport for your international flight home.
Day 1 : Quito
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Quito. On arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 : Quito
Enjoy a guided city tour of Quito.
Day 3 : Hacienda Cusin
Travel north along the Pan America highway through pretty villages to your rural hacienda.
Day 4 : Quito
An early start to visit the colourful and vibrant market at Otavalo. You will have time to explore and perhaps barter for goods before returning to Quito for the night.
Day 5 : Riobamba
Travel down the Avenue of Volcanoes with your private guide, exploring en route and enjoying the views of Cotopaxi.
Day 6 : Cuenca
Onward to Cuenca, with a train ride along the Devils Nose.
Day 7 : Cuenca
Explore Cuenca colonial city with your guide, including one of the famous panama hat factories.
Day 8 : Guayaquil
Travel by road through the beautiful El Cajas National Park all the way to sea level and Guayaquil.
Day 9 : Galapagos Islands
Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to the Galapagos islands. Here you will be met by a member of your hotel who will take you to your accommodation.
Day 10 : Galapagos Islands
Today you'll take a yacht trip to either North Seymour Island or Santa Island. At North Seymour, you can take a guided walk through woods of palo santo trees in order to observe colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. At Santa, you'll follow your guide on a short hike through opuntia cacti, looking out for land iguanas, lava lizards and sea lions.
Day 11 : Galapagos Islands
Today you'll visit the crescent-shaped Plazas Islands by yacht. These small islands are dense in wildlife and plant life. Prickly pear cacti and the low-lying succulent plant sesuvium (which changes hues with the seasons) carpet the island. You have a good chance of seeing sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas.
Day 12 : Galapagos Islands
Today you'll visit Bartolomé Island. Here, you can climb to the island's summit for far-reaching views over the surrounding islands. It's a geologically intriguing place, with tuff cones and lava formations. The sea here is often busy with sea lions and penguins so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled.
Day 13 : International return flight
You will fly back to the mainland to connect with your international flight home.
Day 14 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
