Overview & Highlights
This scenic outdoor holiday offers an in depth experience of Ecuador’s traditional Andean culture and a land-based exploration of a select few of the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands.
- Mojanda to Otavalo Market walk, with community visits
- Zuleta Valley hike with Andean cookery lesson
- Climb Pasachoa peak
- Hike Pedregal trail in Cotopaxi National Park
- Climb to the snowline of Cotopaxi volcano
- Walking city tour
- in Quito
- Full programme of daily activities in the Galápagos
With gentle hillwalking and a couple of a bit more challenging climbs, this holiday offers a unique perspective on the deeply traditional rural lifestyle of the indigenous Andean communities in Ecuador while at the same time you appreciate glorious mountain scenery.
Having explored the markets, craft villages and fertile valleys studded with snow-clad volcanoes, you will fly to the Galápagos Islands - rather than join as more conventional cruise you’ll spend for a few days discovering a select few of the contrasting islands with walks, water-based activities and short trips by motor launch. The famous trusting wildlife is everywhere to be seen, both from afar and way up close.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Quito, continue by road to Otavalo.
Day 2
Visit Andean craft villages and Otavalo market.
Day 3
Trek from Zuleta to Cotopaxi.
Day 4
Climb Pasochoa peak 4,200m.
Day 5
Hike the Pedregal Trail in Cotopaxi National Park.
Day 6
Climb to the snowline on Cotopaxi volcano, 5,100m.
Day 7
Quito: walking city tour.
Day 8
Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos Islands.
Day 9
Explore the Galápagos seas - snorkelling and kayaking
Day 10
Discover Isabela's giant tortoise breeding centre and Tintoreras Island.
Day 11
Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano.
Day 12
Return to the mainland via Baltra for your international flight.
Things to do
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Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Quito
Casa Gardenia
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Hacienda La Alegria
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Hosteria Tambopaxi
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Hotel Mainao
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Isamar Hotel
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Otavalo and the northern highlands
Las Palmeras Inn
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
Very efficient with the booking process and very helpful with his service throughout. Adam was always prompt and helpful in answering all our questions prior to departure.
IR, London
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Evie Oswald - Travel Consultant
It’s hard to believe that Evie has had time to cram so much in to her life so far. Having lived as a child in the Americas and Europe she found herself immediately attracted to Latin America.
Inspired by this trip
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Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration
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Sophie Barber - Travel Consultant
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia.
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Lina Fuller - Travel Consultant
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
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Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Consultant
Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
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Carrie Gallagher - Travel Consultant
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Escorted Groups team.
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Hannah Donaldson - Travel Consultant
Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is an invaluable part of our Group Tours team.
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Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Consultant
Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our Sales team.
