Explore Ecuador & Galapagos

Combine Ecuador and Galapagos – two of South America’s top destinations – to create the trip of a lifetime.

Ecuador and Galapagos Holidays

Ecuador is as dazzling as it is diverse. From high Andes, to the Amazon Rainforest and Pacific Coast, Ecuador really packs a punch. Add to this Galapagos, one of the most enthralling wildlife destinations on the planet, and you see why an Ecuador and Galapagos holiday offers some of the best wildlife, culture and scenery experiences in the world.

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Ecuador and galapagos tour ideas

These trips are purely for inspiration. Each Galapagos and Ecuador holiday we create is always unique and tailored to match your interests, timescale and budget

Our Favourite Places in Ecuador

You can choose to visit any of these places as part of your trip to Ecuador and Galapagos.

Guest Reviews

Everything you promised and more
Jenny Handiforth
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Everything you promised and more. Thank you so much for putting it together - it worked beautifully. I have been singing your praises to all who listen.
Truly Spectacular!
Maureen and Robert Macpherson
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The most amazing trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. We only wish we had managed to spend more time on the mainland, as we loved the Cloud Forest. It was a truly spectacular trip.
Exceeded our wildest dreams
Caroline and Philip Baylis
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Thank you so much for your meticulous planning and organising of THE most wonderful holiday that exceeded even our wildest dreams. We couldn't have asked for more.
Dream come true
Susan Harper and Friends
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A most amazing holiday. Everything you organized went off without a hitch. This was truly a holiday of a lifetime and we will remember it and be talking about it for ages... a dream come true!
Just about perfect
Margaret Parry
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Thank you for organising the most incredible trip for us. Every part (Quito / Andes, Cloud Forest, Galapagos and Amazon) was just about perfect and we felt was in exactly the best order for us.
Most wonderful holiday
Denise and Gerald Massey
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This is probably the most wonderful holiday we have ever had. We will never forget all the amazing things we saw. Thank you for all your work and efforts to give us our holiday to remember.
An unforgettable trip
David & Amy Donselar
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I can't speak highly enough of this company... they put together an unforgettable trip through Quito, the Cloud Forrest, and the Galapagos Islands. This trip exceeded our highest expectations.
Astonishing and wonderful
Joyce Rothschild
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Your care and attention and amazing knowledge made the trip extra special. I felt safe, excited, curious, happy, amazed... for the entire trip. It was an astonishing and wonderful two weeks.
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Why Choose Us?

We listen to you. We take the time to understand what you want your Galapagos trip of a lifetime to be. We then we use our decades of experience and unrivalled network of local contacts and team of top guides to make it happen.

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“We understand travelling is more complicated now than before COVID. That’s why you need to use a company you can trust every step of the way.”

Travel in a time of uncertainty…

Now travel has resumed, planning your Galapagos holiday should be a source of excitement, but making sense of all the travel regulations can be a headache. We follow developments in Ecuador, Peru and Galapagos incredibly closely so we have all the latest information on hand.

Having all the latest information and expert teams on the ground helps us take the uncertainty out of your planning and give you the confidence to book, secure in the knowledge we have you covered! If you want to find out the latest advice on travel to Ecuador, Galapagos and Peru please contact us

When to visit?

Thanks to Ecuador’s location on the equator, it is a great destination to visit year round. Ecuador’s cloud forests, Amazon and Andes are great to visit at any time of the year. There are some weather variations, but these are due to regional differences and micro-climates rather than clearly defined seasons.

In the past it was generally accepted that there was a drier season in the Andes region from June to September, and as a general rule this is true, however the weather no longer follows the patterns as it used to. The saying in Quito, is true for the whole Andes region, you can get 3 seasons in one day (Spring, Summer and Autumn) and if you go high in the Andes or a particularly cold snap of weather you also get Winter in there too!

For the Amazon Rainforest, the seasons are the rainy and rainier season, but this is all part of the joy of visiting the rainforest, and usually any rain doesn’t last too long.

All these different climates does make it a challenge to pack for your Ecuador and Galapagos holiday, but we have lots of great information about what to pack and how to prepare for your trip.

oC
oF

Amazon (Tena)

Month Min Max Rain (mm)
January
19
29
273
February
18
28
258
March
18
28
370
April
18
28
451
May
19
28
448
June
18
27
488
July
18
27
429
August
18
28
305
September
18
29
334
October
19
29
352
November
19
28
323
December
19
29
299

Amazon (Tena)

Month Min Max Rain (mm)
January
66.2
84.2
273
February
64.4
82.4
258
March
64.4
82.4
370
April
64.4
82.4
451
May
66.2
82.4
448
June
64.4
80.6
488
July
64.4
80.6
429
August
64.4
82.4
305
September
64.4
84.2
334
October
66.2
84.2
352
November
66.2
82.4
323
December
66.2
84.2
299
oC
oF

Galapagos

Month Min Max Rain (mm)
January
22
29
68
February
24
29
91
March
24
31
94
April
24
31
71
May
22
27
33
June
21
26
23
July
20
25
15
August
19
24
5
September
19
24
5
October
20
25
5
November
21
26
8
December
22
26
30

Galapagos

Month Min Max Rain (mm)
January
71.6
84.2
68
February
75.2
84.2
91
March
75.2
87.8
94
April
75.2
87.8
71
May
71.6
80.6
33
June
69.8
78.8
23
July
68
77
15
August
66.2
75.2
5
September
66.2
75.2
5
October
68
77
5
November
69.8
78.8
8
December
71.6
78.8
30
oC
oF

Quito and the Andes Weather

Month Min Max Rain (mm)
January
3
21
121
February
3
20
143
March
3
20
158
April
4
20
174
May
4
20
128
June
3
20
64
July
3
20
30
August
2
21
38
September
2
21
82
October
3
20
132
November
3
20
127
December
3
20
109

Quito and the Andes Weather

Month Min Max Rain (mm)
January
37.4
69.8
121
February
37.4
68
143
March
37.4
68
158
April
39.2
68
174
May
39.2
68
128
June
37.4
68
64
July
37.4
68
30
August
35.6
69.8
38
September
35.6
69.8
82
October
37.4
68
132
November
37.4
68
127
December
37.4
68
109

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Ecuador travel guide

Ecuador Quick Facts

Straddling the equator – for which it is named – Ecuador is one of South America’s smallest countries. Yet despite its relatively small size few can match its diverse range of habitats, culture and rich wildlife. All Galapagos holidays must start and end in Ecuador with a domestic flight to Galapagos from either Quito or Guayaquil so it works really to spend at least a little time exploring Ecuador as part of your Galapagos trip.

Ecuador’s Amazing Plant and Animal Life

No page talking about Ecuador and Galapagos holidays would be complete without us talking a little bit more about Ecuador’s amazing plant and animal life. According to Conservation International Ecuador is the most biodiverse country on Earth with the most plant and animal species per square kilometre of any country. With only 0.2% of the world’s total land mass (around the size of the UK and just slightly smaller than the state of Arizona), Ecuador is home to an estimated 8% of amphibian species, 5% of reptile species, 8% of mammal species, 10% of plant species and a whopping 16% of the world’s bird species.

Why is Ecuador so biodiverse?

The answer lies in the 3 distinct regions of mainland Ecuador, plus the Galapagos Islands. Running right through the centre of Ecuador is the Andean mountain range, then travelling down from the Andes to the west you reach the Pacific Ocean where it includes the Galapagos Archipelago and travelling down to the east the Amazon rainforest.

This makes for an incredibly rich and varied country but in a relatively small area compared to other countries in South America. Quite literally in a day, it is possible to travel from a steamy tropical beach to a snow capped volcano. From the tropical rainforest of the Amazon basin to altitudes above the tree-line on Ecuador’s altiplano, the Andean version of artic tundra.

Planning your Ecuador and Galapagos Trip

The best way to start planning your Ecuador and Galapagos holiday is to give us a call or contact us via email. We are genuinely delighted always to answer any questions and help get you started planning your trip. But in case it is helpful, here are the answer to some frequently asked questions about travel in Ecuador and the best way to combine it with your Galapagos holiday.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE IN Ecuador IF I ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS?

The capital city of Quito where most of our Galapagos and Ecuador tours start is itself a wonder. Nestled high in the Andes, Quito was the world’s first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and showcases the most important and best preserved colonial centre in Latin America. If you have only two days free before your Galapagos cruise, the best option is to stay in Quito which gives you a real taste of Andean life. If you have longer…. read on!

WHAT ARE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR DAY TRIP FROM QUITO?

To the south of Quito just a one hour drive down the Pan-American Highway, you enter the impressive Avenue of Volcanoes with the first stop at Cotopaxi National Park, with its beautiful snow-capped peak, the highest active volcano in the world in a region that is home to bustling indigenous markets as well as spectacular scenery.

Just one hour drive to the East of Quito will take you to the thermal baths of Papallacta on the road that leads you towards the Amazon Rainforest. The road to reach here takes you through rare elfin forests, to the Andean Paramo above the treeline with beautiful scenery, hummingbirds, some gentle walls and steamy thermal pools to soak in.

WHERE SHOULD I VISIT IF I HAVE 4-5 DAYS TO SPEND IN ECUADOR?

Our recommendation would be combining Quito with either the cloud forest or the Andes to the North of the capital. Just two hours drive northwest of Quito takes you to the cloud forest area of Mindo, literally buzzing with hummingbirds. The whole area is a paradise for bird lovers with 500 species found in the area. The cloud forests here are filled with bromeliads and orchids and waterfalls, giving a taste of pristine tropical forest without the travel required to go to the Amazon with some beautiful lodges.

Two hours north is the province of Imbabura, home to one of South America’s most famous and colourful indigenous markets at Otavalo. Also home to amazing Andean scenery and the spectacular Hacienda Zuleta, one of the few places on the world where you are virtually guaranteed to see wild Andean Condors.

CAN I TRAVEL DOWN THROUGH ECUADOR BEFORE MY GALAPAGOS CRUISE?

If you want to travel through Ecuador, the best option is travelling south from Quito, through the Avenue of Volcanoes to Riobamba where you have a chance to ride the famous Devils Nose Trail and see the spectacular Chimborazo volcano. From here you continue south, visiting Inca ruins onto the city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a true gem of a city with beautiful colonial architecture and real charm.

You then continue south on a dramatic 4 hour drive from the high Andes down to the steamy tropical coastal plain to the commercial capital of Guayaquil. From here you can fly out and join your Galapagos cruise from here. Ideally this journey takes around a week giving you time to explore and enjoy the places you are visiting.

SHOULD WE INCLUDE THE AMAZON RAINFOREST IN OUR ECUADOR TOUR?

If time allows and you love nature, then the answer to this is a resounding YES! You can visit in as little as 4 days, but we recommend 5 days if you can. Accounting for 40% of Ecuador’s land mass, Ecuador’s corner of the Amazon rainforest is arguably the most biodiverse and easily accessible of anywhere. The wildlife viewing is simply spectacular and the forests here are home to award winning lodges, like the Napo Wildlife Centre, which is 100% community owned and run sitting in the heart of the Yasuni National Park.

Pre-Trip Information

This downloadable pre-trip information document will help you plan for your Ecuador and Galapagos holiday with lots of practical tips and travel advice. Although it is long, we don’t cover every question that may arise, so please do get in touch any time with questions and we are always delighted to help.