Compare Ecuador & Galapagos Islands by Rothschild Safaris vs Highlights of Colombia, Ecuador & Galapagos by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 13 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 15,000 | $ 9,538 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,154 | $ 596 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| 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. |
Enjoy a walking tour of Quito with your guide. Exploring how the landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity. Explore Isabela Island further, journeying to the mangroves. |
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
Accommodation options: La Casona de la Ronda, Casa Gangotena, Hotel Hilton Colon & Patio Andaluz
On arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Quito
Accommodation options: La Casona de la Ronda, Casa Gangotena, Hotel Hilton Colon & Patio Andaluz
Enjoy a walking tour of Quito with your guide.
Day 3: The Galapagos Islands
Accommodation options: Galapagos Odyssey, Casa Opuntia, Casa Opuntia & Floreana Lava Lodge
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in the Islands you will be met and taken to your boat for the start of your cruise.
Day 4: The Galapagos Islands
Accommodation options: Galapagos Odyssey, Casa Opuntia & Floreana Lava Lodge
Today will be spent exploring Isabela Island. Lava herons are often spotted in the mangroves here, as are sea lions and Galapagos penguins. There is an optional snorkel and swim: white-tipped reef sharks often come to rest in the shallow waters. In the afternoon you'll hike to the Sierra Negra and Chino volcanoes, exploring how the landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity.
Day 5: The Galapagos Islands
Accommodation options: Galapagos Odyssey, Casa Opuntia & Floreana Lava Lodge
Today you'll explore Isabela Island further, journeying to the mangroves and lakes on the north coast which are a haven for birdlife. In the afternoon you'll take a Zodiac trip around Elizabeth Bay. Wildlife commonly seen here includes sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and flightless cormorants.
Day 6: The Galapagos Islands
Accommodation options: Galapagos Odyssey, Casa Opuntia & Floreana Lava Lodge
This morning you'll explore Fernandina Island, which has the largest population of marine iguanas in the Galapagos. Later you'll take a Zodiac tour of Tagus Cove on Isabela island, keeping an eye out for Galapagos penguins, and take a short but steep hike up the cliff side for great views over the island and some nearby volcanoes.
Day 7: The Galapagos Islands
Accommodation options: Galapagos Odyssey, Casa Opuntia & Floreana Lava Lodge
Today you'll visit Santiago Island, with optional snorkeling and kayaking around a beach that's a nesting site for marine turtles.
Day 8: Bogotá
Accommodation options: Hotel Abadia Colonial, Hotel de la Opera & Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia
Today you will disembark your cruise and will fly back to mainland Ecuador where you will connect with a flight to Bogota. In Colombia you will be met and taken to your hotel for the night.
Day 9: Hacienda Bambusa
Accommodation: Hacienda Bambusa
Enjoy a morning walking tour of Bogota before transferring back to the airport and fly to the coffee region. You will be met upon arrival and taken to your hacienda in the coffee region.
Day 10: Hacienda Bambusa
Today you will visit Filandia, Salento and Valle Cocora.
Accommodation: Finca Bambusa & Hacienda Bambusa
Day 11: Cartagena
Accommodation options: Hotel Alfiz, Casa San Agustin, Hotel Ananda & Hotel Las Islas
Morning coffee tour, ending at the airport for your flight to Cartagena where you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Day 12: Cartagena
Accommodation options: Hotel Alfiz, Casa San Agustin, Hotel Ananda, & Hotel Las Islas
Enjoy a tour of Cartagena with your guide.
Day 13: Cartagena
Accommodation options: Hotel Alfiz, Casa San Agustin, Hotel Ananda & Hotel Las
Time at your leisure to further explore Cartagena.
Day 14: Return home
Transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Day 15: International return flight
Transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Day 16: International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey
