Region Overviews: Ecuador Travel Guide: Overview
Ecuador is home to Amazonian jungle, mountainous Andean sierra and stunning Pacific coastline. Ecuador even boasts the wildlife-abundant Galapagos Islands.
Multi-Adventure
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Galápagos & Andes Family Multi-Adventure Tour - Teens & Kids
Ecuador's Magical Wildlife, Isles & Peaks
Hike to villages in volcano-studded highlands and discover crafts, music and ancient ruins. Then enjoy a mind-blowing adventure in the Galápagos Islands. Ever see a frigate bird strut his stuff? Or a seaweed-eating iguana? Alongside a naturalist, witness incredible wildlife behavior right before your eyes.
THIS ITINERARY: 8 days, 7 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual & Premiere Hotels*
FROM:
$7,099 - $7,299 pp dbl occ
Plus $600 internal air
($900 for sgl occ)
Walk/Hike
Snorkel
Bike
Kayak
Ecuador
Start Cotacachi / End Quito
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Hike in the Andes with views of snowcapped mountains and visit an award-winning rehabilitation center for Andean condors
- Explore small, indigenous highland villages where centuries-old traditions are still thriving and bike to local coffee and sugarcane farms
- Captivate the kids with activities like crafting Andean pan flutes, milking a cow and weaving with a local artist
- Snorkel and kayak with tropical fish, sea lions and white-tipped reef sharks in the Galápagos—a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
8 Days Casual & Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Hike the orchid-lined caldera rim of deep-blue Laguna de Cuicocha | Enjoy the spirited serenading of musicians playing handcrafted instruments | Explore the quaint town of Cotacachi, famous for its leather goods | Kids enjoy a special Andean pan flute making workshop and a scavenger hunt in the local artisan market.
La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa
Cotacachi
| Casual Hotel Peacocks stroll freely in the lavish gardens of this stately hotel, which combines Ecuadorian and European styles. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Visit Ecuador's foremost master weavers—kids get a chance to learn the ancient craft firsthand | Learn about daily life from the locals in the community of Angla | Fernando Polanco, grandson of an Ecuadorian president, welcomes us to our home for two nights, the luxurious Hacienda Zuleta, set amid volcano vistas and pre-Inca ruins | Exclusive opportunities for kids to participate in interactive games at the Condor Wasi, milk cows and see how homemade cheese is made | Hike along steep-sided valleys to a pre-Inca archaeological site.
Hacienda Zuleta
Zuleta
| *Premiere Hotel Luxuriate at this idyllic 17th century hotel, 4,000-acre working farm and living museum owned by a former Ecuadorian president and his family.
Days 4-5
Fly to the Galápagos Islands, an isolated sanctuary for a stunning array of unique plants and animals, and get set for incredible up-close wildlife viewing | With an expert local guide, head to pasturelands once dotted with grazing cattle but now form a secluded private reserve where many of the island's most notable residents—giant tortoises—hang out | Bike through the highlands and rural Galapagueño villages to a local coffee and sugarcane farm | Swim, snorkel or kayak at Tortuga Bay, a favorite spot for sea turtles, eagle rays and white-tipped reef sharks.
Royal Palm Hotel Galápagos
Santa Cruz Island
| Casual Plus Hotel Designed to complement its lush highland surroundings, this serene hotel features a natural lava tube on its grounds. (pool)
Days 6-8
Boat from island to island, stopping to snorkel, kayak, hike and swim | Marvel at blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, white-tipped reef sharks, fluorescent fish, sea lions and lava lizards | Kick back at our comfortable island lodges or venture out to hike, play at the beach and discover quaint port towns | The younger set gets their creative juices flowing with a special art activity.
Golden Bay Galápagos
San Cristóbal Island
| Casual Hotel Set on Playa de Oro beach, this eco-friendly hotel features a modern touch that blends with its natural surroundings. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 1-2
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
Note: Our Andes highlands routes follow cobblestone paths, dirt roads and forest trails across rocky and uneven terrain with some climbs and descents. You may encounter mud, rocks and roots in spots. Keep in mind that our mountain hikes are made more challenging in the Andes as we hike in altitudes between 8,000–11,000 feet. Our Galápagos walking routes are generally easygoing on beach or dirt paths—predominantly flat and rolling with few steep or technical sections. If it rains, trails can become muddy. Biking in the Galápagos is mainly along paved roads with some bike lanes and some short stretches of dirt road.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Touring Bike
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Kids' Bikes
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
Trailer Bike
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Travel Time, Internal Flights & Comfort
Please note that there is an ample amount of travel time on this trip, and we may have earlier mornings than you are used to on Backroads trips—including as early as 4 a.m.—due to our flights between the Ecuadorian mainland and the Galápagos Islands. We will be flying on commercial flights with Avianca aboard a twin-jet plane. Once in the Galápagos, the main form of travel is by boat, so be prepared for occasional wet, windy conditions and bring seasickness medication if you think you'll need it. Also, in summer months the waters can be a bit rougher.
Itinerary Changes
The Galápagos Islands are a welcoming and fascinating place, yet complex and at times logistically challenging due to national park regulations. Mid-trip itinerary changes are quite common. Rest assured, if we encounter changes to our planned activities, your Trip Leaders will find alternate activities that you're sure to enjoy.
Service Standards
Although the Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador, they can feel worlds away from the mainland, including challenges such as slow or nonexistent internet connectivity and ATMs possibly running out of cash. Service at hotels and restaurants can lack a sense of urgency when compared with other regions. Your best bet is to sit back, relax and soak in the island way of life.
Terrain & Trail Support
Some hikes on this trip are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won't see our vehicles along the route. Significant trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
Hiking on Your Own
We provide plenty of hiking options and ample trail support so that you can hike at your chosen pace throughout the trip. However, in the Galápagos, in accordance with the national park's environmental protection regulations, hikers must stay in designated areas and be accompanied by our local naturalist.
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