15 Day Ecuador Complete Classic Tour: Andes, Amazon & Galapagos

From $3,219 p.p.

Highlights
Map
Itinerary
Inclusions
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Tour Summary

This Ecuador complete classic tour will show you all the highlights of this so diverse country. During this 15-day Ecuador complete classic tour, you will visit the 3 main regions of Ecuador: the Andes, the Amazon, and the Galapagos. In the Andes, you will visit the highlights of nature, culture, and colonial history. In the Amazon, you will try to spot as many animals as possible and you can even visit a local tribe! At the Galapagos Islands, you can enjoy the white beach and the blue waters while seeing sea lions, flamingos, iguanas, many special birds, and many tropical fish!

Highlights

Los TunelesSnorkel in the clear waters and swim with a lot of different unique animal species.
Santa Cruz HighlandsYou will be surrounded by impressive flora and fauna including giant tortoises in their natural habitat and unique volcanic features.
Quito's Old TownQuito has the biggest and the best-preserved historical center in South America.
Indigenous CommunityA group of Kichwa women will speak of their customs, cuisine and everyday life.
Papallacta Hot SpringsEnjoy Papallacta's waters that will help you to gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body.
Otavalo’s marketStroll through one of the biggest indigenous markets in South America and buy your typical Ecuadorian souvenirs.
AmaZoonicoRefuge founded for protecting and taking care of the native and wild animals of the area.

Itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVAL
At arrival at Quito Airport, you will have a transfer to your hotel.
- Transport:Car.
- Accommodation:Hotel Ikala Quito or similar.
DAY 2 CITY TOUR QUITO – EQUATOR LINE – PULULAHUA CRATER
Today your Ecuador complete tour will start! In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel, to start your Quito city tour. At first, you will go to the Panecillo Hill, with the famous Virgin of the Apocalypse statue, inspired in the original Bernardo de Legarda sculpture from the Colonial Art School of Quito. You will have an amazing view over the city. Then you will visit all the highlights: the la Basilica church, the main squares and the San Francisco church. After a typical Ecuadorian lunch, you will go to the Middle of the World Museum called Intiñan. Here you can do experiments, to prove the effects the equator has on gravity. After this, you will also visit the Pululahua crater before going back to Quito.
- Activity:Exploring, Sightseeing.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel Ikala Quito or similar.
DAY 3 QUITO – TENA
You have the morning off to visit for example the Teleferico (cable car), the Guayasamin Art Museum or other highlights of Quito. At 4:00 PM semi-private transportation will pick you up to go to your lodge in Tena, Suchipakari Lodge or similar. After a long drive (3-4 hours from Quito) you can relax in the beautiful and spacious common areas of the lodge. The lodge is built in a rustic native design, surrounded by gardens with colorful and big jungle plants and flowers. Later a delicious dinner will be served in a romantic candlelight-setting at the restaurant. Afterwards you can enjoy a special welcome drink and a relaxing chat with the administrator to coordinate and discuss next day’s activities.
- Activity:Exploring, Relaxing, Sightseeing.
- Transport:Bus, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Suchipakari Amazon Lodge or similar.
DAY 4 AMAZOONICO RESCUE CENTRE – QUICHUA FAMILY VISIT – CHOCO MAKING
After breakfast you will go to Misahualli where you stop to have a check by the marine police (don’t forget your passport). From there you will go further into the jungle to arrive at Rio Arajuno. Here you visit the AmaZOOnico Rescue Centre for animals. This is a center specialized in rescuing wild animals for conservation and reintegration into their natural habitat. On the way to the lodge you visit an indigenous community, where you will get to know a local Quichua family. They will show their ancient customs. After this interesting introduction in the Quichua culture, you go back to the lodge. In the lodge you join a workshop on the process of how to make Artisan chocolate and you will taste it with delicious fruits. At 08:00 PM you will have dinner at the lodge.
- Activity:Cooking, Exploring, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Suchipakari Amazon Lodge or similar.
DAY 5 LATAS FALLS – JUNGLE TREKKING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY FOREST
After breakfast you go by canoe upriver and after about 10 minutes you arrive at the banks of the Napo river where you start to have an entertaining walk of about 40 minutes, observing the flora and fauna of the forest. At the end of the journey you arrive at a breathtaking waterfall: “La Cascada de Latas”. You can have a refreshing bath in its crystal clear waters and you can enjoy the surrounding views. For lunch you go back to the Lodge. In the afternoon you go on another hike in the secondary forest where you can find several species of medicinal plants and insects of all kinds. With a bit of luck you can see monkeys in the trees and lots of birds. After dinner in the lodge you will have time to sit at the campfire.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Motorized Canoe.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Suchipakari Amazon Lodge or similar.
DAY 6 RETURN TO QUITO
After breakfast you go back to Quito in private transportation with a Spanish speaking driver.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.
- Accommodation:Hotel Ikala Quito or similar.
DAY 7 OTAVALO PRIVATE TOUR
At 08:00 AM the guide picks you up at your hotel and you will go to Otavalo. First you make a stop at Lago San Pablo to enjoy the delicious local Cayambe biscuits. From there you go to the Condor Rescue Centre to enjoy a flight show of the Ecuadorian raptors. Please note that the Condor Rescue Centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If it is closed you will make an extra stop in Cotocachi leathertown. Before lunch you will visit the Otavalo Poncho Market (biggest on Saturdays). You will have lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon you visit the Peguche Waterfall where you do small hike of about an hour. After this activity you go back to Quito.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel Ikala Quito or similar.
DAY 8 QUITO – BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
Your Ecuador Classic tour will go on at the beautiful Galapagos islands. Early in the morning you fly from Quito to the Island of Baltra. At Baltra Airport, you will meet up with the English speaking guide, who will take you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), but before you get there, you stop at one of the ranches in the highlands to visit to giant tortoises in their natural habitat. You will walk around and take some pictures of these amazing animals before getting to the village.
- Activity:Exploring, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Airplane, Boat, Bus, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 9 SANTA FE or PINZON
If you choose Santa Fe, brace yourself for an encounter with the archipelago’s most endemic species. After a scenic 45-minute boat ride, you’ll arrive at Santa Fe’s pristine bay. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for a thrilling snorkeling adventure, where you might even catch a glimpse of shorebirds perched on the outer rocks. Following this, a wet landing awaits at Playa Escondida or Garrapatero on Santa Cruz Island, offering ample time to explore the mesmerizing beach.

Alternatively, the Pinzon option unveils a mesmerizing display of marine iguanas and playful dolphins. La Fe, with its picturesque beach cradled by mangroves and rocky terrain, showcases an array of captivating marine life, from sea turtles and sea lions to small sharks and colorful fish. Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary beauty of these enchanting destinations.

*This tour includes an activity called “Pesca Vivencial” which means that you might be able to experience a fishing demonstration according to weather and park regulations.

*Wet landing means that the boat gets close to the beach and from there you will disembark in the sea. It is recommended that you bring extra clothing, as you might get wet.
- Activity:Exploring, Relaxing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Box Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 10 CHARLES DARWIN STATION – FLAMINGO LAGOON – ISABELA
In the morning you have time to visit the Charles Darwin Station or Tortuga Bay by yourself. At 2 PM you will take the public speedboat to Isabela (about 3 hours). Upon arrival, you will head to the Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the grand majority of flamingos.
- Activity:Exploring, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.
- Accommodation:Hotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 11 TINTORERAS AND WETLANDS
Early in the morning after breakfast you will have a tour to The Wetlands. Here, you will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where you will spot small and giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The next activity is a visit to The Wall of Tears. Please have in mind that the total length of the walk in The Wetlands area is approximately 3 to 4 hours.

After lunch you will have a little break and then you will visit Tintoreras Islet. It is called like this due to a large crack, in which white-tip sharks known as Tintoreras come daily to rest at the bottom. You will go to the pier of Puerto Villamil, here you will board a boat for 10 minutes to cross to the islet which is located across the bay. It will be necessary for passengers to use walking shoes or sneakers (closed shoes) to cross the volcanic rocks. You can also observe penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas and you can go snorkeling with colorful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Sightseeing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 12 SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
Early in the morning, you will go on boat ride from Puerto Villamil. The max group size is 10 participants per guide. You will explore the brilliant scenery in Los Tuneles which is considered the most beautiful place to snorkel in Isabela Island. This exciting activity takes approximately about 6 hours including the boat rides and a snack before a short hike. The departure time is between 07:00 AM and 11:30 AM and depends on availability and National Park regulations. So, depending on when you will go to Los Tuneles, you can choose to explore Concha Perla by yourself before or after this, since it is very close to the dock. If you would like to do the optional snorkeling there, you can get the snorkel equipment from your hotel and get to chance to spot even more animals.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Snack.
- Accommodation:Hotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 13 BALTRA – PAPALLACTA
Early in the morning, at 6:00 AM, you will take the public speedboat back to Puerto Ayora. Once you arrive, you will go by taxi to Baltra Airport, from where you will depart to Quito. When you arrive at Quito Airport, you will have a transfer out direct to Papallacta.
- Transport:Airplane, Boat, Bus, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.
- Accommodation:Papallacta Spa Hotel.
DAY 14 PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
After breakfast at 08:00 AM our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Quito to go to the Papallacta Hot Springs. On the way you will pass through the highest point in an Andean Road reaching 4000 meters above sea level and if the weather is good you can see the amazing Antisana volcano. You will hike about one hour around a river where you can discover Andean flora and fauna (3.500 m). After that you have time to enjoy the Papallacta Hot Springs. You will have lunch in a local restaurant and drive back to Quito. It’s possible to make a stop at the Mercado Artesanal to do some extra shopping before you go home the next day.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Relaxing.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Papallacta Spa Hotel.
DAY 15 AIRPORT TRANSFER
Your Ecuador Classic Tour is coming to an end. Today you will have a transfer back from Papallacta to Quito Airport.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.

Map

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Price Based on Number of Guests:

1 guest	$ 5173 p.p.
2 - 5 guests	$ 3881 p.p.
6 or more guests	$ 3219 p.p.

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Inclusions

Meals as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
Round trip flights Quito – Galapagos – Quito.
Transportation between Baltra Airport – Itabaca Channel.
Local naturalist guide (English & Spanish speaking).
Activities and transfers as mentioned in the itinerary.
Entrance fees to mentioned activities.
24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
Exclusions

+ Entrance for the community visit (Amazon): $8 p.p. (cash only).
+ Galapagos National Park entrance fee: $100 p.p. (cash only).
+ Migratory Control Card (Galapagos): $20 p.p. (cash only).
+ Isabela dock fee: $10 p.p. (cash only).
+ Water taxi each way (small boat that takes you from the Speedboat to the Harbor and vice versa).
+ Wet-suits rent.
+ Personal expenses.
+ Personal medical and travel insurance.
+ Extra food and beverages.
+ Optional tips for the guide.

Additional information

For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
It is one hour earlier in the Galapagos Islands compared to the Ecuadorian mainland.
Please take with you some zip-lock / plastic / dry bags, to protect your Camera and important documents from the rain in the Amazon. Also a headlight, it will be very helpful during the nights.
If you enjoy watching animals in the Amazon, we recommend you bring binoculars (10×40 are much better).
It is important to have valid travel insurance including personal medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Please note that tap water in the Galapagos might contain bacteria so we recommend always using bottled water, even when brushing your teeth.
Inform yourself with your doctor about food safety when traveling to tropical countries and precaution measurements on how to avoid food poisoning (e.g. always wash your hands always before eating, don’t eat things on the kiosks on the street, only eat peeled fruit, etc.).
Rebecca Adventure Travel can not take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals and tours due to an illness.
Rebecca Adventure Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary of this Ecuador complete classic tour, without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.