EN Xplore Ecuador & Galapagos Islands FIT
EN Xplore Ecuador & Galapagos Islands FIT
EN Xplore Ecuador & Galapagos Islands FIT
12 Days Starting in Quito and ending in Guayaquil
Visiting: Quito, Latacunga, Riobamba, Ingapirca, Cuenca, Puerto Ayora, Guayaquil
Tour operator:
Tour code:
54430
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 10
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Day 1 Arrival in Quito. Transfer to the hotel Day 2 Quito free day / optional tours Day 3 Quito- Latacunga Day 4 Latacunga -Cotopaxi -Riobamba Day 5 Riobamba-Balbanera-Ingapirca-Cuenca Day 6 Cuenca city tour Day 7 Cuenca -El Cajas Park -Guayaquil Day 8 Guayaquil-flight to Galapagos Islands Day 9 Santa Cruz Day 10 Santa Cruz Day 11 Santa Cruz - flight to Guayaquil Day 12 Guayaquil - international flight
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : (✈) Arrival In Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: HOTEL VIEJA CUBA
Arrival at Quito International Airport.
Meeting and welcome by your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.
Advantages of LatinXplore:
- Delivery of your welcome kit
- Dinner on your own. Due to the time difference and late arrival, many passengers prefer to sleep directly after the snack provided by the airline.
- Early check-in option with extra charge for passengers who arrive earlier
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Driving time 38 km / 40 min – Altitude 2850 m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Welcome kit
Day 2 : Quito Free Day Or Optional Activities In Quito Or Region De Los Lagos / Otavalo
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: HOTEL VIEJA CUBA
Breakfast at the hotel
Free day or optional activities
Lunch and Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Altitude 2850 m /
Services included: ☒ Accommodation
Day 3 : Quito: Visit Of The Colonial City / Latacunga (Cotopaxi)
Location: Latacunga
Accommodation Name: HOTEL CUELLO DE LUNA
Breakfast at the hotel
Advantages of LatinXplore:
- Overnight in an Andean hostel
Departure to the historic center with your English-speaking guide. Visit the center of the largest colonial city in South America, witness to the indigenous, colonial, inquisition and republican eras.
Lunch on your own
Departure towards the south of the city, following the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes, named after Alexander Va Humboldt. You arrive at your Lodge, on the slopes of the Cotopaxi Volcano.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Driving time 70 km / 1h30 min in 2 trips – Altitude 3750 m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance fees to visiting sites
Day 4 : Cotopaxi: Visit Of The Park And The Cotopaxi Volcano / Riobamba
Location: Riobamba
Accommodation Name: HOTEL CASA REAL
Breakfast at the hotel
Cotopaxi National Park, visit the Limpiopungo lagoon, climb to the first refuge (by vehicle if the weather permits).
Lunch on your own
In the afternoon, departure to the south, continuing through the Ecuadorian Andes until reaching the sultan city of the Andes, Riobamba.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Driving time 190 km / 3h50 min – Altitude 2750 m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance to the National Park
Day 5 : Riobamba – Balbanera – Alausà –Ingapirca Cuenca
Location: Ingapirca
Accommodation Name: HOTEL LOS BALCONES
Breakfast at the hotel
LatinXplore "advantages"
- Explore the archaeological site of Ingapirca
Visit what is recognized as the first Hispanic church in the country and discover the vegetable ivory, the Tagua. Continue to Pitishi Viewpoint, weather permitting, to admire and understand the Devil's Nose Railway. A true engineering feat of the time. It was here that the exchange of goods took place between the cultures of the Andes and those of sea level.
Arrival in Ingapirca, a small town in the mountains next to the Inca site of Ingapirca.
Lunch on your own
Guided tour of the site. Continuation towards the city of Cuenca.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Travel time 192 km / 3h50 completed in 3 trips – Altitude 2560 m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance fees to visiting sites
Day 6 : Cuenca: City Tour
Location: Cuenca
Accommodation Name: HOTEL LOS BALCONES
Breakfast at the hotel
LatinXplore "advantages"
- Learn more about the museum, which features pieces from the country's various indigenous cultures.
- Enjoy the afternoon and evening freely, and the numerous gastronomic options in the city
Visit to a hat factory in Panama, originally from Ecuador. Belonging to a well-known family from Cuenca who opened their small store where they display a wide variety of hats. Afterwards, your guide will give you a tour of the city. You can enjoy the largest private collection of pre-Hispanic art in the country, at the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures.
Lunch on your own
Free afternoon to enjoy this beautiful city of English architecture, very pleasant and well organized for pedestrians. Your guide will remain at your disposal.
Dinner on your own to enjoy the city's wide gastronomic offer.
Hotel accommodation
Driving time 5 km / 20 min – Altitude 2560 m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance fees to visiting sites
Day 7 : Cuenca: El Cajas National Park – Guayaquil – City Tour
Location: Cuenca
Accommodation Name: HOTEL IBIS STYLES
Breakfast at the hotel
LatinXplore "advantages"
-Visit the unique Cajas National Park with its paramo vegetation.
Passing and visiting the El Cajas National Park. Magical, wild, bewitching landscapes, with one of its majestic lagoons – La Toreadora.
Continuation to Guayaquil
Lunch on your own
Panoramic tour of the city, with the Malecón, the Iguana Park, the Cathedral and the La Peñas neighborhood.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Travel time 203 km/ 4h in 2 trips – Altitude 0 m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance to the national park
Day 8 : Guayaquil: Baltra (✈) / Arrival At Santa Cruz De Galapagos – Twin Craters And Turtle Ranch Excursion
Location: Puerto Ayora
Accommodation Name: HOTEL DEJA VU
Breakfast at the hotel
Your English-speaking guide will accompany you to the airport for your departure to the Galapagos.
Meeting and welcome by your guide upon arrival at Baltra airport and then transfer to the capital, Puerto Ayora. You will travel to the upper part of the island of Santa Cruz to discover the twin craters, volcanic formations caused by the sinking of the surface layers of the earth. Observation of flora and fauna. Continue with a visit to one of the local ranches with free-ranging giant tortoises. You will then pass through an end-to-end lava tunnel for a distance of 300m underground. The lava tunnels, splendid volcanic formations, show by their magnitude how these islands originate from large underwater volcanic eruptions.
Lunch on your own
Continuation to Puerto Ayora and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Flight time: 10 minutes by shared bus; 10 minutes by boat; 45 minutes by private bus.
Services included: ☒ Transfers ☒ English-speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance to the Ranch
Day 9 : Santa Cruz / Galápagos: Optional Excursion To Tortuga Bay And Charles Darwin Station
Location: Puerto Ayora
Accommodation Name: HOTEL DEJA VU
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day or optional excursions
Lunch on your own.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
45 minutes’ walk – Maximum altitude 0 m
Included services: ☒ Accommodation
Day 10 : Santa Cruz / Galápagos: 1/2 Day Tour To Franklin Bay
Location: Puerto Ayora
Accommodation Name: HOTEL DEJA VU
Breakfast at the hotel
Embark on a boat to observe blue-footed boobies, frigates, seagulls and other endemic birds. Snorkel in Franklin Bay, where you can see a wide variety of colorful fish of all sizes, sea turtles, small sharks, blue sharks from the creek which are completely harmless. You will disembark to observe the vegetation of the island as well as the marine iguanas, to continue towards Las Grietas, lava fissures, you will also visit the salt mines and a natural pool where the salt waters of the sea meet the fresh water of the upper part of the island. Ideal place to swim with fish and snorkel.
Lunch on your own
Free afternoon to explore Puerto Ayora
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
Boat and 45 minutes’ walk – Max altitude 0 m
Services included: ☒ Transfers ☒ English -speaking guide ☒ Accommodation ☒ Entrance fees to visiting sites
Day 11 : Santa Cruz / Galápagos – Guayaquil (✈) / Arrival In Guayaquil
Location: Guayaquil
Accommodation Name: HOTEL IBIS STYLES
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Guayaquil.
Lunch on your own (at Santa Cruz airport or in Guayaquil)
Arrival in Guayaquil and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner on your own
Hotel accommodation
10 minutes by boat and 1h15 by bus, in 3 trips – Max altitude. m
Services included: ☒ Transfers ☒ English speaking guide ☒ Accommodation
Day 12 : Guayaquil (✈) / Departure Transfer International Flight
Location: Guayaquil
Breakfast at the hotel
Lunch on your own
Depending on the departure time of your flight, transfer to the airport is coordinated.
Night on the plane
Altitude 0m
Services included: ☒ Transfer ☒ English-speaking guide
What's Included
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Hotel Accommodation
All hotel nights in a double room (breakfast included) in the hotels mentioned or equivalent depending on the hotel category you choose.
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Ground Transfers
All ground transfers in private service for the entire program.
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Guides
Private English-speaking guide for the continent; for Galapagos, guides in shared services.
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Activities
All the activities mentioned in private services according to conditions and availability; for Galapagos in shared services.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for the continent.
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Domestic Flights
Domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands round trip.
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Meals
The meals as mentioned. Breakfast.
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Assistance
Continuous assistance from our Office and our operators along the entire route.
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All hotel nights in a double room (breakfast included) in the hotels mentioned or equivalent depending on the hotel category you choose
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All ground transfers in private service for the entire program
What's Not Included
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Drinks
Drinks (meals included).
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Unmentioned Meals
Meals not mentioned in the program.
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Optional Visits
Visits mentioned as 'optional'.
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International Airfare
International airfare.
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Migration Card
Migration card for Galapagos (20 USD).
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Galapagos National Park Fee
Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (200 USD).
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Personal Equipment
Personal equipment: sunglasses, sunscreen, warm clothing (windbreaker and fleece, hat, gloves, socks), walking shoes, hat, and personal first aid.
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Luggage Carriers
Luggage carriers.
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Tips
Tips to guides and drivers.
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Travel Insurance
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Drinks (meals included)
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Meals not mentioned in the program
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Visits mentioned as "optional"
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International airfare
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Migration card for Galapagos (20 USD)
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Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (200 USD)
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Personal equipment: sunglasses; sunscreen; warm clothing (windbreaker and fleece; hat; gloves;socks);walking shoes; hat and personal first aid
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Luggage carriers
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Tips to guides and drivers
Mode of Transport
All ground transfers are provided in private service throughout the program, including domestic flights to the Galapagos Islands. Transfers include private buses, shared buses, and boats for island excursions.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at carefully selected hotels with excellent reviews, including Hotel Vieja Cuba in Quito, Hotel Cuello de Luna in Cotopaxi, Hotel Casa Real in Riobamba, Hotel Los Balcones in Cuenca, Hotel Ibis Styles in Guayaquil, and Hotel Deja Vu in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of guide will accompany us during the tour?
An English-speaking guide will accompany you for the entire program on the continent, and guides in shared services will be available for the Galapagos portion of the tour.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities available on Day 2 in Quito and on Day 9 in Santa Cruz/Galapagos.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
Breakfast is included for all hotel nights. Other meals such as lunch and dinner are generally on your own unless specified otherwise in the itinerary.
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What kind of accommodation can we expect during the tour?
The tour includes carefully selected hotels with a minimum rating of 4/5 or 8/10 on online review sites. The hotels are located in charming historical places.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
All ground transfers are provided in private service for the entire program. Additionally, there is a domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands round trip.
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What kind of activities are included in the Galapagos Islands portion of the tour?
Activities in the Galapagos Islands include visiting the twin craters, a turtle ranch, snorkeling in Franklin Bay, and optional excursions to Tortuga Bay and the Charles Darwin Station.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour package?
Yes, entrance fees for the continent and the Galapagos National Park are included in the tour package.
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What should I bring with me for the tour?
You should bring personal equipment such as sunglasses, sunscreen, warm clothing (windbreaker and fleece, hat, gloves, socks), walking shoes, a hat, and a personal first aid kit.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included in the tour package. You will need to arrange for your own travel insurance.
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What kind of assistance is available during the tour?
Continuous assistance from the tour operator's office and their operators is available along the entire route.
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How does Today Voyages work?
We are an Online Travel Agency, specialized in Group Vacations and Private Vacations. We have been in business for over 30 years through our sister company Go West Tours and, throughout the years, have developed an extensive network of trusted professionals around the world and a structured methodology to screen our suppliers. Today Voyages offers a selection of tours that are designed, managed and operated by our network of trusted Tour Operators and DMCs. Our database is connected with our partners so that when you make a booking with us this will immediately be received and processed by the Tour Operator.
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Where should I buy the flights to reach my destination?
Today Voyages does not sell flights directly. None of our tours come with flights included. Why? Because we prefer to give full flexibility to our valued customers to select the airlines and the booking platform they prefer. As soon as your flight is booked and confirmed, we invite you to update your flight plan within your Today Voyages booking confirmation page by entering your flight number, departure and arrival times, as well as your Passport information (if needed). None of these fields are mandatory but we highly encourage you to provide as much information as possible. This will allow us to provide you with the excellent service you are looking for.
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What is an additional excursion or tour optional?
Certain tours might show a selection of additional excursions/optional activities that you may want to add to our standard itinerary. These services are priced separately and can be added to the cart before completing the booking. We believe these optional services to contribute to making your vacation unforgettable; however, you are in no way obliged to purchase them. All our tours are awesome with our without optional services!
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What is the difference between Group Vacations and Private Vacations?
If you purchase one of our Group vacation packages, you will be escorted by a professional tour guide and will be traveling with other like-minded travelers you may not know. The group size depends on the tour you select. If you purchase one of our Private vacation packages, you will be traveling only within your group of friends. You may or may not be escorted by a professional tour guide; this depends on the type of private tour you are interested in.
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When and how will I receive the travel documents (vouchers)?
If you book one of our Group or Private tours, you will receive your travel documents via email approximately 20 days prior to travel date. If you reserve one of our Vacation Rentals, you will hear back from the property manager via email a few days prior to checking-in. We recommend checking your emails on a regular basis as this is our most reliable method of communication. If you have questions or need additional support, you can always chat with us or email us directly.
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What happens if a Group tour does not get confirmed?
It is very simple... you will be offered an alternative departure date or be refunded the full amount you pre-paid. No questions asked!
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What happens after I book?
The majority of our tours are confirmed at the time of booking. This means that, after submitting the payment online, you will receive an order confirmation email; make sure to save this email and to note down your confirmation number for any future communication with us. Some tours may be sold on a 'on request' basis. This means that for these tours we reserve the right to check the availability of your spot(s) with the Tour Operator before confirming the tour to you. As soon as you submit the payment online for a 'on request' tour you will receive an email notification that confirms your order request. Within 72 hours, you will receive either a confirmation email or a denial email. Do not worry... we will do everything we can to confirm your tour!
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Today Voyages allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 65 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Today Voyages requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of today voyages charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.