Ecuador - Galapagos
Nature & Culture at the EquatorEcuador captivates travelers above all with its breathtaking natural beauty and the warmth of its people. Even Alexander von Humboldt was fascinated by the country’s uniqueness. This journey takes you from the capital city of Quito to bird sanctuaries, crater lakes, and picturesque villages in the lush highlands. You will discover age-old traditions and handicrafts, watch hummingbirds and condors, and marvel at the precision with which the Tsáchila determined the equator line in Quitsato over 1,000 years ago.
On the Galapagos Islands, you will immerse yourself in the archipelago’s incomparable wildlife, encountering giant tortoises and sea lions, frigatebirds and land iguanas. The trip concludes with a visit to Cuenca, one of South America’s most beautiful colonial cities – a stylish finale to an unforgettable journey.
You will stay in carefully selected accommodations, stylish boutique hotels, and historic haciendas with charm. During the first days, you will be traveling at altitudes between 2,500 and 3,000 meters above sea level. The day trip to Antisana National Park (on Day 8) takes you up to approx. 4,000 meters. The program ensures a gradual acclimatization, so healthy travelers should not experience any restrictions.
Travel itinerary
- Flight Luxembourg–Amsterdam (KLM, 06:10–07:20)
- Flight Amsterdam–Quito (KLM, 10:10–16:15)
- Transfer to the hotel
- Overnight at Boutique Hotel Ikala Quito **** in Quito
- Walking tour of Quito’s colonial old town
- Free time at leisure
- Overnight at Boutique Hotel Ikala Quito ****
- Walk along the Pululahua volcanic crater
- Lunch in a traditional village
- Overnight at Maquipucuna Lodge *** (*) in the Maquipucuna Nature Reserve
- Excursions and walks in the nature reserve
- Birdwatching
- Evening nature walk
- Overnight at Maquipucuna Lodge *** (*)
- Visit to the archaeological site of Quitsato
- Visit to a rose farm
- Overnight at Hotel Hacienda San Juan de Molino *** in Cayambe.
- Visits to villages in the Andes
- Lunch in a village (with music)
- Insights into local handicrafts
- Overnight at Hotel Palmeras Inn *** near Otavalo.
- Short hike (max. 1 hour) along Lake Cuicocha crater
- Boat ride on the lake
- Visit to a local market
- Overnight at Hotel Hacienda Su Merced *** in Puembo.
- Exploring the flora and fauna of Antisana National Park
- Spotting condors in the wild
- Opportunity for a short hike and observation of eagles, hawks, and falcons
- Overnight at Hotel Hacienda Su Merced *** in Puembo.
- Flight Quito–San Cristobal (LATAM, 10:45–13:08)
- Viewpoint Tijeretas (frigatebirds)
- Insights into the formation and history of the Galapagos Archipelago (Visitor Center)
- Overnight at Hotel Casa Opuntia *** in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno / San Cristobal.
- Excursion into the highlands
- El Junco Lagoon and Galapaguera (tortoise breeding station)
- Puerto Chino beach (opportunity for swimming or snorkeling)
- La Lobería (large sea lion colonies)
- Overnight at Hotel Casa Opuntia ***.
- Speedboat transfer San Cristobal–Santa Cruz (approx. 2 hrs)
- Journey into the highlands
- Observation of giant tortoises in the wild
- Free time in Puerto Ayora
- Overnight at Hotel Ikala Galapagos *** (*) in Puerto Ayora / Santa Cruz.
- Boat excursion to a nearby island (Bartolomé, Santa Fe, Plaza, or North Seymour)
- Wildlife and nature observation
- Overnight at Hotel Ikala Galapagos *** (*)
- Transfer to Baltra Airport
Flight Baltra–Guayaquil (LATAM, 10:07–12:58) - Journey to Cuenca
- Overnight at Hotel Cruz del Vado **** in Cuenca.
- Visit to the local market
- City tour of Cuenca
- Free time at leisure
- Overnight at Hotel Cruz del Vado ****
- Walk in Cajas National Park
- Departure to Guayaquil Airport
- Flight Guayaquil–Amsterdam (KLM, dep. 20:05)
- Arrival in Amsterdam at 13:25
- Flight Amsterdam–Luxembourg (KLM, 16:50–17:50)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lunchbox / Picnic
- Tasting
- Night
Prices (per person)
Minimum number of participants: 10, maximum number of participants: 12.
Included Services
*Other departure airports available on request.
Not included: Seat reservations with KLM, additional excursions & activities, meals not mentioned, beverages, tips & personal expenses.
Authentic and sustainable
- Overnight stays in the highlands in authentic boutique hotels, a welcoming ecolodge, and historic haciendas full of character
- Stays on the Galápagos Islands in hotels operated by Ecuadorian hotel groups
- Visits to local communities with the chance to experience indigenous traditions
- Excursions in the Galápagos led by specially trained naturalist guides
- 100% CO₂ offset via Atmosfair (3.661 t per traveller, of which 89.24% = 3.267 t from flights)
- Small group travel (10–12 participants)
Important information
Luxembourgish and German citizens require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. Immigration authorities may ask for proof of travel health insurance. The passport must be in good condition and contain at least one blank page. When entering directly from Luxembourg, the Netherlands, or Germany, no vaccinations are required. However, as with any long-haul journey, travelers should consult their doctor beforehand and ensure that all standard vaccinations are up to date.
During the first days, you will be at an altitude of approx. 2,550 to 2,950 meters above sea level. The excursion to Antisana National Park takes you up to 4,000 meters. The program is designed to allow for gradual acclimatization, so healthy travelers should not experience any restrictions.
Most accommodations offer Wi-Fi; however, coverage is not always perfect. Please note that many hotels and lodges provide non-smoking rooms only. Should one of the accommodations we booked unexpectedly not be available, we will arrange an alternative of equal standard whenever possible (this may especially occur on the Galapagos Islands).
Our package prices for flights are generally based on special or tour operator fares of the respective airlines chosen for the trip. Seat availability is limited, and bookings made less than four months before departure may incur surcharges.
Further information about the journey and the destination country will be provided with your travel documents.
This trip is not suitable for guests with mobility restrictions due to walks on uneven terrain, embarking/disembarking from small boats (water taxis), and excursions on the Galapagos Islands. Should you have any mobility issues, please inform us prior to booking and clarify with us whether we can accommodate your individual needs.
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We strongly recommend purchasing travel health insurance as well as trip cancellation insurance. Both should also cover Covid-19. Please note that in Ecuador, all medical treatments must be paid for in advance. Currently, all Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted; however, this is subject to change depending on the pandemic situation (as of 03/2025).
Planet B is a brand of Bollig Tours s.à r.l. Therefore, Bollig Tours is listed as the tour operator in our General Terms and Conditions.
Related document(s)
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