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From the Cloud Forests of Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands

  • Quito
  • Cloud Forest
  • Galapagos Islands
From the Cloud Forests of Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands From the Cloud Forests of Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands
£ 7492
Return to Ecuador and Galapagos IslandsAlternative itineraries

Being one of the smallest countries in South America, Ecuador often gets overlooked but for a country that is less than 3% of the size of the US, it packs a massive punch!

In just under two weeks you will stay in a 5* hotel in the beautiful colonial capital of Quito, experience one of National Geographic's ‘Unique Lodge's of the World’ in the Ecuadorian cloud-forest and end with six-nights in the Galapagos Islands, splitting your time between an expedition cruise and a stunning hotel on the coast of Santa Cruz Island.

See the churches and cobbled streets which have led Quito to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Venture into the steamy cloud-forest, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet and home to Mashpi Lodge, featured in the BBC television show ‘Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby’, before ending with six nights in the majestic Galapagos Islands. Swim with sea-lions and turtles, kayak with Galapagos penguins and discover giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies in their natural setting. Before flying home, relax, unwind and reflect at the beautiful Finch Bay hotel. 

Experience some of the diversity this country has to offer, staying in some of the most comfortable accommodation available whilst being looked after by our expert naturalist guides.

13 days from
per person
Price Includes
  • All flights in economy class and transfers
  • Bed and breakfast at Casa Gangotena and Finch Bay
  • Full board at Mashpi Lodge and on board Santa Cruz II
  • Guided activities in small groups at Mashpi Lodge and on Santa Cruz II and private tour of Quito
  • Galapagos National Park fees and transit cards
Price Excludes
  • Extend to a six-night cruise on the Santa Cruz II in the Galapagos for an additional £1,165 per person
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The Cloud Forest to the Galapagos Islands

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Day 1 Day flight from the UK to Quito

After an early morning flight from London (or elsewhere) you will arrive into Quito later that afternoon. You will be met and transferred to your 5* hotel in the heart of the Ecuadorian capital’s old-town.

Stay: Two nights at Casa Gangotena – bed & breakfast

Day 2 Quito

With your expert local guide you will be taken on a guided tour of the world’s second highest capital. You will have the opportunity to explore the historical centre of the city, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 3-4 Cloud forest

After breakfast on day 3 you will be driven out of Quito onto a windy road which will take you down into the lush cloud-forest, approximately 4 hours by road from the capital. En route stopping at the archaeological site of Tulipe, dating back to 800AD.

Soon you will arrive at Mashpi Lodge, a solid glass structure, surrounded by forest and built deep inside Mashpi’s own private reserve. This will be your base for the next two nights as you discover the secrets of the cloud forest.

During your stay the lodge’s expert guides will take you on daily activities into the cloud forest. Explore the trails of the 2,500 acre reserve, climb the 85ft observation tower, swim in waterfalls or strap yourself in for a ride on the ‘Dragon Fly’ – an open-air cable car system, which takes guests above the forest canopy. Huge numbers of tropical birds and mammals can be seen in the reserve and with Mashpi’s expert guides on hand, you will be well looked after as you explore one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet.

Stay: Two nights at Mashpi Lodge – full board

Day 5 Quito

After a morning activity at Mashpi Lodge you will be driven back to Quito, for a final night in the city before flying to the Galapagos Islands

Stay: One night at Casa Gangotena – bed & breakfast

Day 6-9 Galapagos Cruise

After an early breakfast on day 6 you will return to Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos. On arrival you will be met by guides and crew of the Santa Cruz II expedition ship and taken on board for lunch and your first activity that afternoon.

Over the next four days the naturalist guides on board the Santa Cruz II will take you on a variety of activities, discovering the wildlife which makes the islands so iconic. From nature trails on the islands, to snorkelling with sea-lions in the crystal-clear waters, you will discover what makes the archipelago so special. Daily presentations take place on board the boat and each day you will be treated to delicious meals on board.

Stay: Four nights on the Santa Cruz II – full board

Day 10-11 Galapagos by land

Disembark the boat in the morning of day 10 and taken to your hotel, in a tranquil setting on the coast of Santa Cruz island. Organise an activity at the hotel, visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station or simply relax by the pool or on the beach. The final two days are for you to unwind before flying home.

Stay: Two nights at Finch Bay – bed & breakfast

Day 12-13 Overnight flight from the Galapagos Islands to the UK

Fly from the Galapagos back to mainland Ecuador and the coastal city of Guayaquil. Here you will connect onto your overnight international flight home.

Arrive back home the following day.

THE ITINERARY
Day 1
Day flight from the UK to Quito

After an early morning flight from London (or elsewhere) you will arrive into Quito later that afternoon. You will be met and transferred to your 5* hotel in the heart of the Ecuadorian capital’s old-town.

Stay: Two nights at Casa Gangotena – bed & breakfast

Day 2
Quito

With your expert local guide you will be taken on a guided tour of the world’s second highest capital. You will have the opportunity to explore the historical centre of the city, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Days 3 - 4
Cloud forest

After breakfast on day 3 you will be driven out of Quito onto a windy road which will take you down into the lush cloud-forest, approximately 4 hours by road from the capital. En route stopping at the archaeological site of Tulipe, dating back to 800AD.

Soon you will arrive at Mashpi Lodge, a solid glass structure, surrounded by forest and built deep inside Mashpi’s own private reserve. This will be your base for the next two nights as you discover the secrets of the cloud forest.

During your stay the lodge’s expert guides will take you on daily activities into the cloud forest. Explore the trails of the 2,500 acre reserve, climb the 85ft observation tower, swim in waterfalls or strap yourself in for a ride on the ‘Dragon Fly’ – an open-air cable car system, which takes guests above the forest canopy. Huge numbers of tropical birds and mammals can be seen in the reserve and with Mashpi’s expert guides on hand, you will be well looked after as you explore one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet.

Stay: Two nights at Mashpi Lodge – full board

Day 5
Quito

After a morning activity at Mashpi Lodge you will be driven back to Quito, for a final night in the city before flying to the Galapagos Islands

Stay: One night at Casa Gangotena – bed & breakfast

Days 6 - 9
Galapagos Cruise

After an early breakfast on day 6 you will return to Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos. On arrival you will be met by guides and crew of the Santa Cruz II expedition ship and taken on board for lunch and your first activity that afternoon.

Over the next four days the naturalist guides on board the Santa Cruz II will take you on a variety of activities, discovering the wildlife which makes the islands so iconic. From nature trails on the islands, to snorkelling with sea-lions in the crystal-clear waters, you will discover what makes the archipelago so special. Daily presentations take place on board the boat and each day you will be treated to delicious meals on board.

Stay: Four nights on the Santa Cruz II – full board

Days 10 - 11
Galapagos by land

Disembark the boat in the morning of day 10 and taken to your hotel, in a tranquil setting on the coast of Santa Cruz island. Organise an activity at the hotel, visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station or simply relax by the pool or on the beach. The final two days are for you to unwind before flying home.

Stay: Two nights at Finch Bay – bed & breakfast

Days 12 - 13
Overnight flight from the Galapagos Islands to the UK

Fly from the Galapagos back to mainland Ecuador and the coastal city of Guayaquil. Here you will connect onto your overnight international flight home.

Arrive back home the following day.

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  • Absolutely outstanding. This was the best holiday we have ever had.

    -     SF, Mexico