Ecuador & Galapagos tailor made tour
On this 23-day Ecuador and Galapagos tour you’ll drive from the Andes to the Amazon, via volcanos and cloud forest. The second half of the trip is all about the Galapagos. This vacation uses a slow travel approach, and practises community-based tourism, so that you can get to know Ecuador in depth.
Quito Otavalo Otavalo Market Cotacachi Mindo Cloud Forest Cotopaxi National Park The Amazon basin walking safari Amazon exploration by boat on Paykawe Lake cultural experiences with the Quichua community Avenue of Volcanoes Devils Nose train Inca ruins Cuenca Cajas National Park Guayaquil Santa Cruz, Galapagos Galapagos island exploration Tintoreras group of islands Isabela, Galapagos on board naturalist
Price
£6800To£7900 excluding flights
More info
Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing.
As this is a tailor-made itinerary, we can change it to suit your own needs, wants, time and budget. Inquire now to start planning your own adventure with one of our Ecuador & Galapagos experts.
As this is a tailor-made itinerary, we can change it to suit your own needs, wants, time and budget. Inquire now to start planning your own adventure with one of our Ecuador & Galapagos experts.
Description of Ecuador & Galapagos tailor made tour
Price information
£6800To£7900 excluding flights
Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing.
As this is a tailor-made itinerary, we can change it to suit your own needs, wants, time and budget. Inquire now to start planning your own adventure with one of our Ecuador & Galapagos experts.
As this is a tailor-made itinerary, we can change it to suit your own needs, wants, time and budget. Inquire now to start planning your own adventure with one of our Ecuador & Galapagos experts.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
The behaviour of wildlife on Galápagos does vary, so you may want to take this into consideration – whether you want to play with penguins, swim with ...
Reviews
2 Reviews of Ecuador & Galapagos tailor made tour
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 05 Jan 2024 by Dana LaFontsee
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The wildlife! It was fascinating to learn more about the different species on each island, and then actually get to see them. The snorkeling was the best we've ever done, and I will never ever forget the up-close encounters I had with a sea lion, green turtles, penguins and marine iguana! It was the experience of a lifetime!
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you thoroughly read about and understand what the itinerary and activities will be like. This is not a "cruise." The days are full and active. You need
to be able to walk on uneven surfaces and get in and out of the zodiac boats. You also need to be able to handle heat, wind, and sometimes rough seas.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think tourism in the Galapagos benefits local people, but I am conflicted about the environmental impacts and conservation. Our guide told us that 2023 would be a record year for visitors. Because everything needs to be shipped to the islands (food, fuel, etc.), that creates more pollution from transport. The more people, the more waste/trash/pollution. Everyone on our boat respected the animals and did as our guide requested, but we heard stories that this is not always the case, so I worry about the safety of the animals. I am shocked at how many people I know who have no idea where Galapagos is or what makes the islands so special. Tourism helps people become aware of this special place, and to hopefully want to protect it. But at the same time, I could not help feeling guilty for being part of the problem (too many people) and very, very sad to see the impact humanity has already had on the wildlife and the land. More pressure needs to be put on the Ecuadorian government to protect the Galapagos, even if it means limiting tourism.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Spectacular!
Reviewed on 10 Oct 2023 by Polly Tyrer
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The Galapagos.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you are interested in snorkelling & have a small wet suit take it. Can be $75 to hire. Although water not too cold you feel it if you are snorkelling for 30-40 mins. Be prepared for some choppy seas so if offered, take motion sickness tabs offered by the boat. They are very good
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefitted locals and wildlife only by bringing income to the islands. I was impressed by the strict limitation on access to the islands.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Surprising and amazing.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
Using a slow travel approach, we encourage our guests to spend longer discovering their destination and avoiding flights where travel by land is possible. On this trip for example we travel by vehicle into the Amazon rather than flying in, and the only flights across the entire 23 days are between the Galapagos and the mainland, where there is no realistic alternative.We also handpick accommodation with a focus on environmental responsibility, such as the charming jungle lodge in Mindo built specifically to protect the flora and fauna of the local cloud forest habitat. Similar stories can be found in the Amazon, Cotopaxi, and Galapagos properties we prioritise when arranging the itinerary.
Simply by visiting the Galapagos, as well as other national parks on the mainland, you are also helping to support important conservation efforts. Indeed, the Galapagos provides a great example in how responsible tourism can thrive, providing both the opportunity for people to experience its wonders, but also limiting the human impact on the archipelago through strict national park regulations.
People
Community-based tourism is a key element of our trips to Ecuador, and in fact our ground partners are multi-award winners in this field. Throughout the trip we aim to involve local communities in our activities, from full day experiences like the Quichua Napo Runa cultural initiative in the Amazon, to optional visits to authentic artisan workshops, and close bonds with experts like Miguel Andrango the ‘master weaver’ near Otavalo. The aim throughout is to provide non-touristy, authentic cultural experiences, that benefit the people from those communities directly.We also avoid any international chain hotels or large cruise ships, prioritising independent local owner-run properties where possible. This keeps more money in the immediate area, and helps provides business and employment opportunities to local people, whilst providing us and our guests with a more genuine and enriching stay as part of our trips. All of our guides and drivers are also based out of partners local offices in Quito and the Galapagos.
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