12 days Ecuador & Galapagos Island Hopper
| 12 DAYS
Request Information12 days Ecuador & Galapagos Island Hopper
THE ONE THAT WILL HAVE YOU KICKING BACK ALONGSIDE IGUANAS IN THIS BIODIVERSE PARADISE
From the heights of the volcanoes to the unexplored waters of Galapagos, this tour is a must for the lovers of the great outdoors. Whether you are snorkelling with Sea Lions & Rays, or chillling with the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, this adventure is epic!
DAY 1 - Quito
Quito
Welcome to Quito! The mood will be sky high as we gather in Ecuador’s capital. This modern day city (nicknamed the ‘light of America’) is built on ancient Incan ruins and boasts one of the best preserved historic centres in America. It was also the first city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Fact. We’ll jump straight in to a team tour of the city, skip between two hemispheres at the Equatorial line. Squeezing in a visit to the IInti-Ñan Museum should round off the first day on trip pretty nicely.
Stay
Hostal de La Mancha Quito (or similar)
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Locally Guided City Tour
Visit the Equator and internan Museum
Visit a handicraft market
DAY 2 - Quito to Tena
Quito
It’s out of the city & into the lush jungle with spectacular views en route. A perfect way to spend the day.
Tena
Stay
Hotel Las Heliconias
DAY 3 - Tena
Tena
Today is yours to roam the city and jungle to your hearts content. Maybe unwind over a few hot sugar cane and cinnamon drinks and a traditional canelazo brew, or opt to visit a local indigenous community – a pretty cool way to truly go local and give back on your trip. You’ll get the chance to meet a shaman, play soccer with the local kids and really experience what tribe life is all about in this part of the world. Like the sound of this? Maybe consider packing some extra school supplies or tasty treats in your luggage – absolutely not essential but definitely appreciated by the local children. This afternoon, take the adrenaline up a notch and and hit the river for some fast and furious rafting. Nothing like a spot of rapid riding to induce group bonding. Tonight, we’ll feast on delicious meats, sauces and salads, all traditional and sourced locally from the area. YUM.
Stay
Hotel Las Heliconias
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Community Visit
US$40.00
Rafting Experience
US$50.00
DAY 4 - Tena to Banos
Tena
Good morning, Amazonian roamers! Today we’re off to the adrenaline capital of Banos, so time to shimmy our way out of the rainforest – our next adventure awaits…
Banos
Sitting amidst tumbling valleys, waterfalls, and the still active Volcán Tungurahua, Banos is a big deal on the natural beauty front. With tomorrow earmarked as our day of outdoor adventuring, tonight is all about learning the art of sultry salsa with an included lesson to get our snake hips a-shaking. Our friendly local teacher, Edith, knows what’s up on the dance floor, and by the time we leave those salsa pro’s won’t know what’s hit them. Dance floor goals complete, we’ll hop around some watering holes for a taste of the local nightlife.
Stay
Hotel Napolitano Apart Banos (or similar)
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Salsa Lesson
DAY 5 - Banos
Banos
The adventure opportunities are endless today, with horseback riding, canyoneering and ziplining all on the menu. And trust us, this isn’t just any regular old zipline – we’re talking aerial bridges, rock climbing and speeding through the skies, Superman style – pretty much the ultimate aerial adventure. Don’t have such a head for heights? Horsey fun and canyoneering expeditions will keep you on your toes. Oh what a tough day this will be in Banos – deciding how best to embrace your inner adventurer.
Stay
Hotel Napolitano Apart Banos (or similar)
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Adventure Zipline/Climb
US$25.00
Canyoneering
US$28.00
Horseback riding
US$40.00
DAY 6 - Baños to Guayaquil
Banos
Today we’re off to discover Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city & its economic hub. This cosmopolitan city is one of Ecuador’s new hotspots, a walk down to the Malecón (Cities riverfront) is a must. For a bit of a historic enlightenment why not venture to Las Peñas, one of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Guayaquil, its narrow streets and interesting past makes it a great visit.
Guayaquil
Stay
Hotel Palace Guayaquil
DAY 7 - Guayaquil to Isabela Island via Santa Cruz
Guayaquil
We’ve arrived in Ecuador’s largest city and are ready and raring to conquer it all. Getting out of here pretty early we’ll take to the skies, bound for the glorious Galapagos Islands. Excited much? You should be. On arrival we’ll appease our rumbling stomachs with some munch.
Santa Cruz Island
Giant tortoises roaming their natural surroundings and incredible old lava tunnels will welcome us onto the island of Santa Cruz. After lunch, we’ll take to the ocean and make tracks to our home for the night – the impossibly glorious Isabela Island, where we’ll sleep amidst the spellbinding beauty of the Galapagos National Park.
Isabela Island
The inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’, Isabela Island is home to wildlife you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Picture the scene – sandy streets, palm trees, crystal waters and seal pups playing – can it really get any more perfect? Soak it all in, as it’s home for the next little while.
Stay
Hotel Albemarle
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Included Flight to Baltra
Boat Ride to Isabela Island
See Galapagos famous giant tortoises
Visit the lava tunnels
DAY 8 - Isabela Island
Isabela Island
Well good morning paradise. The ocean is calling, and who are we to resist her? Our wildlife kayaking adventure will see us taking to the seas with beady eyes on the lookout for green sea turtles.
Stay
Hotel Albemarle
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Snorkelling experience
Wildlife kayaking adventure
DAY 9 - Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island
Isabela Island
We’ll wake up hungry for the day this morning (that’s what island life does to you), and for good reason – Santa Cruz is on the horizon.
Santa Cruz Island
After settling in to the Santa Cruz way of life, we’ll stroll down to the beach and the cosy Tortuga Bay. Wildlife fanatics will be in their element – the island is known for sharks, rays, turtles, great blue herons, and even blue footed boobies. Spend your time sunbaking next to a marine iguana, or roam the streets stopping off in cute cafes for fresh juice pit stops.
Stay
Hotel Red Booby
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Visit Tortuga Bay and take a hike to a secluded beach
DAY 10 - Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island
Santa Cruz Island
Our stint on Santa Cruz wraps up this morning with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station where one of the island’s most famous residents once lived, Lonesome George, the now deceased 100-year old tortoise. The Research Station is something of a mini miracle in action, where countless species of tortoise and land iguanas have been brought back from the brink of extinction.
San Cristobal Island
Back on our boat we’ll set sail for San Cristobal, keeping our eyes peeled for cute bathing sea lions (we won’t have to look too hard – they’re literally everywhere). Four extinct volcanoes sit across the island creating scenic highlands that are best experienced by bike – mainly cruising downhill, you’ll be happy to know. The tiny town of El Progreso will add a splash of colour to our journey, and we’ll also cross five different vegetation zones before arriving at our seaside destination – La Loberia beach.
Stay
Casa de Nelly
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
See some Famous Sea Lions
FREE TIME ADD-ONS
Island Biking Adventure
US$40.00
Paddleboarding
DAY 11 - San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal Island
It’s our last day soaking up the natural beauty of the Galapagos, and what a day we’ve got planned. Bird-watching will kick us off, followed by a cruise to the 143-metre Kicker Rock – a natural phenomenon that protrudes from the ocean and is one of the greatest icons of the area. Our Local Guide will give us the low-down on the wildlife – both above and below the water – that surrounds the rock, then we’ll jump in and explore for ourselves. Keep a look out for chocolate chip starfish and a Galapagos Shark or two, but remember the golden rule – keep those toes off the coral, as you can do serious damage to the delicate eco-system. Back on board, we’ll make tracks for Puerto Grande beach. Here, we’ll eat lunch on board and enjoy a final afternoon of Galapagos fun, before rounding off the day with a feat to end all feasts. WHAT A DAY.
Stay
Casa de Nelly
NO REGRETS INCLUSIONS
Explore Kicker Rock
Boat cruise and off shore bird spotting experience
Galapagos Meal
Visit a private beach
DAY 12 - San Cristobal to Guayaquil
San Cristobal Island
There’s time to relax this morning & take in the beauty of the island before heading back to the mainland where your trip ends on arrival. Not done yet? Why not fly to Peru and join our Peru Uncovered trip?
Guayaqui
WHAT YOU GET
11 nights accommodation
11 nights in Hotel
We always provide comfortable accommodation in a relaxed atmosphere – think comfy hotels with bright communal areas for you and your new squad to relax and socialise.
17 included Meals
5 Dinner, 11 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
You can expect to refuel with hearty breakfasts, luscious lunches and delicious dinners from us but we’ll also give you the opportunity to sample some of the best local cuisine. We’ll get 17 of your meals, you get the rest. You’ll taste it all – from simple street eats to gourmet fare.
Team
Expert Trip Manager, Driver and Local Guides
A highly trained Trip Manager who brings your adventure to life. An expert driver who knows foreign roads better than Google Maps. Local Guides who make tourist traps a thing of the past. This is your team. Smart, friendly, fun, and integral to everything we do.
Transport
All transport included during the trip
Getting around Latin America is half the fun, and all transport is included for the duration of your trip. Private, air conditioned mini coaches allow you soak up all that scenery in style, but it’s our unique, local forms of transport that make the journey all part of the adventure.
Your group
Travel with other 18-35 year olds from around the world
Our trips are exclusively 18-35. This means you’ll be travelling with people just like you, from all over the world- laughter and friendships always guaranteed.
Experiences
15 included, 7 optional that you can add
Apart from transport, accommodation and meals along the way, we provide sightseeing tours of all major areas as well as a ridiculous amount of activities. We’ll teach you to salsa dance and take you snorkelling at Isabela Island. And that’s just the beginning.
AMD
India
DXB
United Arab Emirates
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