12-Day The Best Of Ecuador & Galapagos
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Ngôn ngữ có sẵn
288 giờ
Vé di động
Unique lifetime adventure blending the fascinating geography of Ecuador's mainland, made of active volcanoes, big canyons, large tropical rainforests and huge waterfalls, with the mythical Galapagos Islands, where the magic diversity of fearless animals and the stunning landscapes of the volcanic islands create a unique atmosphere. This is a perfect combination that includes a wide variety of outdoor activities, while discovering the highlights of Ecuador
Thông tin khác
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
2h 45 min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers
2 - 3 hours a day while in mainland
45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito
45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos
45 minutes each way in Sierra Negra
2 hours each way from Isabela to Santa Cruz
45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels
15 minutes each way - Tintoreras
Cloudforest: 2 hours easy uphill; 1 hour downhill same way back.
Sierra Negra: 30 minutes easy uphill; 1 and a half hours on flat terrain; 30 minutes downhill; 2 hours same way back.
1 hour moderate uphill; 2 hours downhill (terrain: cobblestone, dirt, muddy and asphalt)
RAFTING TIME
From 3 to 4 hours depending on water level.
SNORKELLING TIME
Tintoreras: 1 hour.
Lava Tunnels: 2 times of 1 hour each.
All year
Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Pastaza, Napo, Galapagos.
Andes highlands, Amazon rainforest and Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.
Quito: 2800 m (9,186 ft.
Quilotoa: 3962 m (13,000 ft.
Baños: 1820 m (5,971 ft.
Amazon: 510 m (1,640 ft.
Papallacta: 3300 m (10,827 ft.
Galápagos: From sea level (most activities) to 1200 m (3,937 ft.) - Sierra Negra Volcano.
Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF.
Moderate to Challenging: In the cloud forest the uphill biking part can be challenging but there is always a truck behind supporting the team; the whitewater rafting on the Jatunyacu is Class III; the trekking in the cloud forest is moderate; the hiking in Sierra Negra is moderate but long and muddy during the wet season (from July to November); snorkeling is easy.
Travelling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF
All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same gender. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some location and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.
Clients receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands with the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both Local People cultural identity and their environment. Your visit will encourage them to support responsible ecotourism. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage.support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.
Chính sách hủy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Cần Quan Tâm
Arrival day to Quito City
Lưu Trú
Sheraton Quito or similar
Quito Old Town
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.
Arrive in Galapagos - Isabela Island
Lưu Trú
Cormorant Beach House or similar.
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Isabela Island
Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago and where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. The Galapagos Islands is located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador, it is really important to understand that you will have to take air, road and sea transportation to get there.
Snorkel at Lava Tunnels
Lưu Trú
Cormorant Beach House or similar.
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Isabela Island
Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at "Concha de Perla", biking or just relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located within walking distance from the hotel.
Hike and Kayak
Lưu Trú
Cormorant Beach House or similar
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Isabela Island
After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trailhead, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano that last erupted in June 2018. Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions.
Charles Darwin Research Station
Lưu Trú
Silberstein Hotel or similar
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Santa Cruz
In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check-in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the 'El Chato' reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake. Afterward, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos' most populous town.
Flight back to Quito
Lưu Trú
Sheraton Quito or similar
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Santa Cruz
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland. What to wear today: Pants, t-shirt, fleece top, tennis shoes, hat.
Free day in Quito
Lưu Trú
Sheraton Quito or similar
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Quito
Today is a day on your own to explore the beautiful surroundings of Quito, ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip. COLONIAL CITY TOUR & THE EQUATOR LINE MINDO CLOUD FOREST OTAVALO MARKET FAIR
Hike in Cotopaxi
Lưu Trú
Casa de Luis or similar
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, we leave Quito driving southwards along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes, getting the chance to see the colorful Andean fields. On our way, we will reach 12,000 feet. (3657 meters). After arriving at the Cotopaxi National Park, we will go hiking around Limpiopungo lagoon of the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From here, we have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. In the afternoon we continue our drive towards the Llanganates National Park, known as the sacred mountain until we reach the town of Baños, located at the entrance of the Amazon. Here we can enjoy the best nightlife by drinking cocktails and dancing salsa.
Biking in The Cloud Forest
Lưu Trú
Casa de Luis or similar
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Banos
This morning we cross country mountain bike from the Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, enjoying the beauty of the special cloud rain forest climate. The road brings us through some Andean farms and a great canyon with many waterfalls. While descending into the jungle, we will have a breath-taking view of Baños, a town well known for its spectacular location right at the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. The volcano is the main attraction of this region. In the afternoon we will have some time to explore the town and also go to The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo.
Canyoning in the Amazon
Lưu Trú
Amazon Homestay
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
This morning we will hit the road of the waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride´s Veil waterfall, where we will take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. Then we will hike down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second-highest in Ecuador. Later, we will go deeper into the jungle inside the Llanganates National Park. The name “Llanganates” comes from “beautiful mountain” in the local native language. Here, 600 years ago, the Incas hid their golden treasures. Many explorers have spent years looking for these treasures, some have even disappeared with no luck in this dense pristine jungle. During a hike through the tropical rain forest, we will climb through several waterfall canyons. Our local native guide will teach about the incredible flora and fauna that thrive in this unequaled habitat. We will spend the night at the Local Basic Jungle Lodge run by a kichwa indigenous family.
Rafting in The Amazon
Lưu Trú
Papallacta Spa Resort
Đồ ăn và uống
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Termas de Papallacta
We greet the day by preparing our gear to paddle the wild waves of the Jatunyacu River, located just a 5-minute drive from the homestead. The beauty of this river will inspire you and reveal the magic of the Amazon rain forest. After a very important safety briefing from our rafting guides, we will start our class III rafting expedition down the Jatunyacu River, well known for its clear waters and awesome rapids. We will have a lot of fun playing some games and also exploring one of the canyons. The end of the journey offers us a stop for a picnic, prepared by our guides. We conclude our day with a drive back up to the Andes, stopping to visit the paradise of hummingbirds at the Guango Reserve. Finally, we will continue up to Papallacta, where we will stay the night and recharge in the volcanic hot springs high in the midst of the cool Andes.
End of services
Quito
International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “Buen Viaje”!
Bao gồm
3 HOURS HIKING IN COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK, 3 HOURS BIKING IN THE LLANGANATES NATIONAL PARK, 4 HOURS WHITE-WATER RAFTING ON JATUNYACU RIVER IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST, 3 HOURS CANYONING AT PIMPILALA WATERFALLS, BIRD WATCHING AND HIKING EXPLORATION IN THE CLOUD FOREST, SOAKING IN PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS, 5 HOURS TREKKING THE LOOP OF CUICOCHA CRATER LAKE, SHARE TIME WITH LOCAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN THE AMAZON, MAKING CHOCOLATE, SALSA LESSON, SNORKELING IN THE LAVA TUNNELS, HIKING TO THE TOP OF SIERRA NEGRA ACTIVE VOLCANO, SNORKELING AND KAYAKING IN TINTORERAS, VISIT THE CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, HIKING IN SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS.
CERTIFIED EPL EXPERT ENGLISH-SPEAKING ADVENTURE TRIP LEADER AND LOCAL GUIDES
Dinner
TREKKING OR HIKING: BLACK DIAMOND TREKKING STICKS BIKING: TREK X CALIPER MTB (HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES, FRONT ROCK SHOCK SUSPENSION), BONTRAGER HELMETS, FULL FINGER GLOVES CANYONING: RUBBER BOOTS, ROPES, HARNESSES RAFTING: AIRE AND NRS 7-PEOPLE- RAFTS, NRS LIFE JACKETS, NRS PADDLES, SPLASH JACKETS SNORKELING: MASK AND FINS
FIRST CLASS HOTEL IN QUITO, 4-STAR HOTEL IN BAÑOS, HOME STAY IN THE AMAZON, 5-STAR SPA RESORT IN PAPALLACTA, 4-STAR HOTELS IN GALAPAGOS
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
MY OWN ROOM SUPPLEMENT
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TRAVEL INSURANCE (MANDATORY)
MEALS NOT DESCRIBED IN THE ITINERARY
TIPS FOR GUIDES, DRIVERS AND HOTELS
GALAPAGOS INGALA CARD FEE
GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK FEE
ISABELA PIER FEE
Galapagos flights
Điểm đón
Mariscal Sucre Airport
Quito Ecuador
Sheraton Quito Hotel
Avenida Naciones Unidas Y Avenida Republica De El Salvador Quito Ecuador
Tùy chọn
12-Day The Best Of Ecuador & Galapagos
Pickup included
Đánh giá
50 đánh giá
Tổng số đánh giá và xếp hạng từ Viator & TripAdvisor
Journey Through Ecuador with David
637erwinf,,28 thg 11, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was incredibly interesting. The organization was excellent. The guide, David Gainza, was as energetic and creative as the Ecuadorian volcanoes. He was very knowledgeable and kind. We had some wonderful days with him. Thank you, David!
Amazing Ecuador with David
Aga Niesia,,11 thg 10, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00Ecuador captivates with its immense natural diversity, it is an exotic paradise for connoisseurs. This is a trip to a country where every day is a different adventure. Ecuador offers the opportunity to admire majestic volcanoes, encounter tropical jungles, dive into the waters of the Pacific, and admire wildlife. Throughout the entire trip, you'll have the opportunity to feel like you're in an exotic paradise! You can: • stand on the equator—with your right foot in the Northern Hemisphere, your left in the Southern Hemisphere; • test your endurance climbing Cotopaxi; • spend the night in an Amazonian loggia with the nightly sounds of wild animals in the background; • float on tires in the Amazon basin; • feel like a big kid swinging over a precipice at the end of the world; • relax in thermal waters; • get your adrenaline pumping on ziplines and rafting in Baños. • Cruise between the magical islands of the Galapagos Archipelago; • Admire a beautiful sunset on Isabela Island; • Come face-to-face with a giant tortoise on Santa Cruze Island. All you need is the will and good physical condition, because everything is included in this trip's program. Those who manage to take advantage of everything are guaranteed to have their batteries recharged for a long time. And it's all thanks to the amaizing guide, David, who spreads his love for Ecuador, encourages you to explore the country and to take part in many activities. It was a pleasure to travel with such a guide. The best of the best. Thanks, David!
Ecuador at its best!
AnetaK707,,31 thg 1, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00From the very beginning at the Quito Airport the organisation of the tour was excellent. Thanks to our professional and friendly guide Diego Muñoz and the driver Guillermo we felt very secured, taken care off and well informed. The profesionalism of Diego was exceptional. In every hotel rooms were ready for us, the food was excellent and all the beautiful places in Ecuador were shown to us with lots of details. On Galapagos we also had a very good local guides and even the animals were very cooperative 🙂 we have seen lots of them. I highly recommend this tour to everybody who wants to see Ecuador from different perspectives. Good job guys!😘
Everyone should experience this amazing country and tour with AJ!
Lynn D,,16 thg 1, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00Where to begin….this 14-day Ecuador/Amazon/Galapagos trip was AMAZING and exceeded our expectations. An extremely professional company from the minute we inquired about this Active tour, adding a 2 day extension to our Galapagos portion and bringing us back to Quito, we can’t say enough great things about Diego who organized the tour for us. We booked last minute Dec 2, 2024 and decided to make it a 3 week trip with exploring Mindo cloud forest on our own (which we also highly recommend) and left Canada on Dec 31st! Jorge, our amazing and professional, friendly guide took us on a 5 day Ecuador mainland loop that included mountain biking in Banos, river rafting in the Amazon (super spectacular) and many a hike along the way. Jorge’s knowledge about absolutely everything brought new knowledge to us about beautiful Ecuador. We always felt safe and cared for. Jorge became a friend who we hope to see again in the future. When it came to our departure from Quito to Galapagos, Milton made sure we passed through the gates at the airport with all the Galapagos requirements and all went as smooth as can be. When we landed in San Cristobal we were met by our beautiful, intelligent and amazing Indira! AJ sure knows how to pick their guides…as all of them become our friends and family so quickly. Highlights were plentiful: Kicker Rock snorkelling with hammerheads, rays, sea turtles; sea lions now have a special place with us; Isabela Isl with it’s Sierra Negra crater hike; biking to Wall of Tears and seeing the huge tortoises in the wild; Santa Cruz’s Tortuga Bay - stunning! El Chato tortoise reserve….can’t fit it all in this space. Thank you, AJ, for giving us the time of our lives. We will be back for sure!
Beautiful Ecuador
barbaragX3448MH,,25 thg 12, 2024
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting tour, beautiful views in the Andes, especially the Cotopaxi volcano, the wild Amazon forest and the unforgettable Galapagos Islands. Thanks to our amazing guide David we learned many interesting things. His positive energy, commitment and professionalism allowed us to better know and understand Ecuador and inspired us to visit this beautiful country again.
An amazing introduction to Ecuador!!
LindenHills,,16 thg 12, 2024
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent visit to the Galapagos, Mindi & Quito. All the logistics were flawless. And there were a lot! We had to make a last minute change to our itinerary due to a strike in the Amazon. While disappointing for us, Adventure Journeys quickly gave us 2 other options and we chose Mindo. Our guides were all exceptionally well versed & enthusiastic people. Nancy ?, Emma Tejada Flor and Rafael Arevalo made the trip so much fun and truly educational. We learned about the history of Ecuador and Chito: we learned a ton about the flora and fauna of each location. We stayed active but not exhausted. This was our first structured tour experience and I was a little apprehensive but I found the support in logistics, transfers, knowledgeable guides an incredibly helpful service & source of ongoing support. I usually play this role for our travels and having Adventure Journeys do all that leg work made the trip so relaxing & completely enjoyable for me. They struck just the right balance of structure and flexibility. I hope we can do another trip with Adventure Journeys one day!
Beautiful Ecuador!
R3333TPwojciechs,,29 thg 11, 2024
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
4.00The trip itself was very interesting. Special thanks to David - our amazing guide tour who help us to understand his country and culture!
A wonderful trip around Ecuador
katarzynah913,,16 thg 11, 2024
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00Ecuador is an amazing country🤗all points of the trip are very interesting☺️ Wonderful cities, mountains, volcanoes, jungle😎 Climbing Cotopaxi is a great experience. Staying in the jungle is another extraordinary experience. Our guide David is the best guide I've ever had. I've traveled to many countries and this is the first time I've seen such a well-organized trip😎 I think that Polish guides should learn from people like him. Thank you David for everything🥰 I can't forget about our very nice driver. Edgar, thank you for your help and safe journey🥰
One of my favourite tour operators!:))
677kasial,,21 thg 10, 2024
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00I'm not a regular tourist so my opinion would be based on a different point of view;) - I'm a tour leader, so I travel with groups of tourists and I pay attention to different things than "normal tourists" do;) As I work with different tour operators I can easily make some comparisons and in this case I must admit that AJ is really one of my favourite agencies!:) They're very reliable, they always try their best to satisfy my group - if there's something I don't particularly like - they do their best to change which I do appreciate - some agencies just ignore what I say and they don't make any changes to improve things... During years of my work I've been working with different local guides and different drivers of course - one of the guides who really impresses me every time we work together is David - no idea where is all his energy coming from - but it's truly amazing!!! My tourists love it - I love it too!:D He's always ready to help, always ready to organise whatever needs to be organised, always willing to go this bit further to make everybody happy - it's wonderful! I wish all the guides could be at least half as enthusiastic about what they're doing as this boy is!:)) It's a big pleasure for me working with guide like David!:) And with Alejandro as the driver - that gives my best Ecuadorian team!:D Ale is always up to do whatever I ask him for, which is super sweet and there's nothing impossible for him!!!:)) With their sense of humour, willingness to help any time, enthusiasm and such friendliness towards my tourists - they make my tours extremely enjoyable (not only for me, but also for my groups!!!:)) can't wait to come and work with them again!:)) Thank you Guys!:)) Muchas gracias!:)
Indescribable experiences😉
borysm142,,24 thg 2, 2024
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00It is impossible to describe what we saw and experienced there. You have to see it live. Guide David is the best - cool👌👍🏻♥️
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