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
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
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 / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Hacienda La Alegria
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Hosteria Tambopaxi
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Isamar Hotel
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Quito
Casa Gardenia
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Hotel Mainao
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.
It is hard to choose one particular part of the trip as it was all amazing but in different ways. One of the most memorable parts was the few days in Suchitoto, El Salvador and the optional town tour. Listening to the experiences of the people in the area was humbling.
MF, 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.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
Inspired by this trip
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.
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
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert
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.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
Ben Line - Travel Expert
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
