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On this twin-centre family holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands you can experience the country's cultural and wildlife highlights.

  • Explore Guayaquil's beautiful parks and suburbs
  • Cruise the Galapagos Islands
  • Discover the origins of the Panama hat
  • Discover Ecuador's most important Incan site
  • Unlock your inner chocolatier at a chocolate workshop

Take an insightful and inspiring journey of discovery of both mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is one of the most fascinating destinations on the South American continent, full of rich history, varied landscapes, a wide diversity of wildlife and home to the Galápagos Islands that were the inspiration behind one of the most important scientific discoveries and theories of all time.

Discover Guayaquil's beautiful parks and suburbs, the origins of the Panama hat in Cuenca, ancient Incan ruins and hike and bike around beautiful haciendas and national parks. You then cruise around the legendary Galapagos Islands and discover its amazing, unique and diverse wildlife.

The isolated volcanic archipelago of the Galapagos is like nowhere else on Earth and is considered one of the world's greatest destinations for wildlife viewing. This part of the holiday is bound to inspire young wildlife enthusiasts with its biodiversity and unique plant and animal species. The Galapagos cruise visits three islands where you can take nature walks, go snorkelling, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding and come face to face with sea lions, iguanas and giant tortoise and learn why the island's wildlife inspired Charles Darwin's ‘Theory of Evolution’.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart UK & Arrive Guayaquil

    Today your adventure begins! Departing the UK you arrive in Guayaquil late afternoon.
  2. Day 2: Half Day Guayaquil City Tour

    See the iguanas in Parque Seminario and the beautiful historical Las Penas neighbourhood for the best view in Guayaquil.
  3. Day 3: Hacienda La Danesa

    Take a full-day tour to Hacienda La Danesa for a tour of the cocoa plantation. Here you can enjoy a chocolate making workshop and spend time discovering the hiking and biking trails around the hacienda's 500 hectares of land.
  4. Day 4: Fly to Cuenca, Cuenca City tour & Panama Hat Making Experience

    Take a 40-minute flight to Cuenca. Enjoy an afternoon exploring the historical sites of Cuenca and the amazing Turi Viewpoint before visiting a working Panama hat making factory.
  5. Day 5: Ingapirca Ruins

    Take a full-day excursion to discover Ecuador's most important Incan ruins. See the ‘Sun Temple’ and take a short walk to see the ‘Inca Face’ before enjoying some time with one of the local communities, learning about their daily activities and customs.
  6. Day 6: Return to Guayaquil via Cajas National Park

    Drive back to Guayaquil via Cajas National Park where you visit a family-run hacienda to enjoy cycling, horse riding or fishing and a scenic hike.
  7. Day 7: Fly to San Cristobal & Start Your Galapagos Cruise

    Fly to San Cristobal island, visit the Galapagos interpretation centre to learn about the island's history and Tijeretas Hill to see the frigatebird colony. Later you embark your cruise vessel and set sail.

  8. Day 8: Sail to Espanola Island & Visit Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez

    Sail to Espanola Island, where you can visit the sea lions at Gardner Bay and snorkel with tropical fish around Tortuga Rock. You then visit Punta Suarez, and its large colonies of seabirds, including waved albatross.
  9. Day 9: Sail to Floreana & Visit Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay

    Sail to Floreana and visit the green and white beaches at Punta Cormorant. Here, you can go for a nature walk to discover marine iguana, penguins and flamingos and spend time snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office Bay in the afternoon and continue the tradition started in the 18th century of leaving a letter and taking a letter to deliver.
  10. Day 10: Sail to Santa Cruz, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station & Fly to Guayaquil

    Sail to Santa Cruz and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the famous giant tortoises. Fly back to Guayaquil in the afternoon, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
  11. Day 11: Depart Guayaquil

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
  12. Day 12: Arrive UK

Duration and Guide Prices

Excluding international flights 11 days from £4,395 per adult, £4,395 per child
Including flights from/to UK 12 days from £5,795 per adult, £5,545 per child
Child prices are dependent on age - contact us for details. Flight prices are a guideline only and are subject to change.
  • Age Guide: 8+
  • Itinerary Type: Tailor-made Holiday

When To Go

View dates and prices
  • Easter
  • Summer
  • Xmas

Our Tailor-made Holidays

Our tailor-made trip ideas can be adapted to suit your requirements. Contact our experts for a personalised itinerary.

Next Steps

View All Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands Trips

Dates & Prices

Our trip ideas are flexible and can be offered during the school holidays highlighted below or on a date of your choice. To book, make a no obligation booking request with your preferred departure date or enquire to find out more.

Prices Per Person From (Exc. Flights)
When To Go Adult price, excluding flights, from Child price, excluding flights, from Options
  • Easter
  • Summer
  • Xmas
£4,395 £4,395 Book or Enquire