Overview & Highlights
This is a great value, short but variety-packed holiday suitable for families and individuals alike. Discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Andean Ecuador and explore Santa Cruz Island and further afield in the Galápagos from the well regarded, guesthouse-style Hotel Mainao.
- Ful day excursion to the famous Otavalo market
- Walking tour of historic colonial Quito
- Visit the Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa
- 4 days land based exploration in the Galápagos Islands
- Explore Santa Cruz and visit neighbouring islands
You might have thought that a holiday to the remote Pacific Galápagos islands would be prohibitively expensive. While cruising on a yacht can still be pricey, you now have the option of a land-based visit, where you can get to know one or two islands on shared guided day trips by boat. This holiday bases you at the popular Mainao hotel on the principal island, Santa Cruz, with a couple of motor yacht cruises included and a day at leisure to explore the sparking beaches, Puerto Ayora town, visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre or even venture inland to spot giant tortoises. You don't have to decide in advance: book up and pay locally.
Spend a few days on the mainland too, well worth exploring in its own right. Based at historic Quito, visit the famous Andean mountain town Otavalo with its indigenous market and travel down the aptly named Avenue of the Volcanoes, dominated by the towering snow-draped mountain Cotopaxi.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Quito high in the Andes. Transfer to hotel.
Day 2
Full day guided tour of the Andean highlands and market towns.
Day 3
Guided city tour of Quito
Day 4
Full day excursion to the Avenue of the Volcanoes,Cotopaxi and Quilotoa.
Day 5
Fly to the Galápagos Islands, transfer to hotel on Santa Cruz Island.
Day 6
A motor yacht day trip to neighbouring islands.
Day 7
Full day tour with a local resident
Day 8
At leisure in the Galápagos, optional excursions.
Day 9
Fly to Guayaquil; connect with international flight.
Things to do
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Accommodation
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What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
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.
Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert
Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.
Inspired by this trip
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Papagaio
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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.
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Holidays Value Ecuador and Galapagos: At a glance
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
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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.
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Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert
After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.
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Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert
Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.
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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.
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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.
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Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert
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 a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.
