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.
Walking & Hiking
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Galápagos, Andes & Amazon River Cruise Family Walking & Hiking Tour - Older Teens & 20s
Ecuador’s Extraordinary Wildlife & Ancient Culture
Traverse the Amazon on a river cruise, each bend uncovering exotic sights and species. Witness snow-covered volcanoes on walks in the towering Andes. Discover the Galápagos Islands by kayak and on foot, revealing a white-sand wonderland teeming with life. One family trip. So many ways to explore.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels & Ship*
Ecuador
Start/End Quito
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Experience three amazing trips in one—an epic journey through Ecuador's unequaled biodiversity, history and culture
- Cruise in luxury through the Amazon and encounter some of the most unique creatures on the planet by foot and kayak
- Swim, snorkel and kayak in the Galápagos Islands alongside extraordinary wildlife, like sea lions, sea turtles and even reef sharks
- Hike in the Andes for breathtaking views of snowcapped volcanoes and remnants of ancient civilizations
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
11 Days Premiere Hotels & Ship*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-3
Journey to the Amazon and board the luxurious Anakonda ship | Voyage into the rain forest before an evening walk among the nocturnal jungle life | Explore Pañayacu River Delta’s unique ecosystem in motorized canoes and kayak a canopied riverWalk remote jungle trails watching for squirrel monkeys, toucans and macaws | Visit one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles in all of Amazonia—a salt lick that attracts flocks of parrots and parakeetsEngage with a group of indigenous Kichwa women who share their customs, cuisine and stories | Hike into Yasuni National Park and climb a canopy tower high above the treetops.
Anakonda Amazon Ship
Napo River
| * Ship A luxurious custom-designed ship with an expansive observation deck, large panoramic windows, spacious staterooms and an outdoor whirlpool.
Days 4-6
Deep in the Andean highlands, you’re welcomed at spectacular Hacienda Zuleta by Fernando Polanco, grandson of an Ecuadorian president | Experience history and warm hospitality at this exclusive 4,000-acre working farm | Hike through the Zuleta Valley's lush pastureland amid volcano vistas and pre-Inca ruins to a project that reintroduces captive Andean condors into the wild | Visit Zuleta’s embroidery shop—local women are renowned for their fine needlework.
Hacienda Zuleta
Zuleta
| Premiere Hotel Luxuriate at this 4,000-acre working farm and living museum open only to select groups of travelers. Our host is Fernando Polanco, the great-grandson and grandson of former Ecuadorian presidents.
Days 7-11
Travel from the Ecuadorian mainland to the Enchanted Islands, as the Galápagos are known | Walk through Santa Cruz Island’s lush highlands, home to docile giant tortoises | With an expert local naturalist at your side, explore islands brimming with blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and frigate birds | Explore a lava tunnel, one of the unique geological features on the island | Kayak and snorkel while keeping an eye out for sea turtles, sea lions, reef sharks and colorful fish.
Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel
Santa Cruz Island
| Premiere Hotel A beautiful waterfront lodge near the heart of Puerto Ayora and a designated National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. (pool, spa)
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.
- 2020
- Dec
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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: The terrain on this trip includes cobblestone paths, dirt roads, unpaved trails, grassy paths, beach walks and lush jungle trails that may be muddy. Please note we provide rubber boots in the Amazon.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 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
In order to fully experience the best of three incredibly diverse regions of Ecuador, this trip involves an ample amount of travel to and from the Ecuadorian mainland, the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands (including two round-trip flights, one of which requires us to get going as early as 5 a.m.). We take commercial flights on one or more of the following planes, depending on your departure date: twin-jet planes operated by LATAM Ecuador or Avianca, and twin-jet or turboprop planes operated by Tame Airlines or Avianca.
Activity Time & Boat Travel
The wildlife in the Amazon and Galápagos is at its liveliest early morning, late afternoon and evening, so our activities line up accordingly, allowing optimal animal encounters in the cooler hours while giving you plenty of time to relax midday. The main form of travel for activities in the Amazon and Galápagos is by boat. Our Amazon ship cruises on calm river waters while our Galápagos boats sail through open ocean, with the potential for occasional wet and windy conditions, so bring medication if you're prone to motion sickness.
Itinerary Changes
The Amazon and Galápagos Islands are welcoming and fascinating places, 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 Galápagos is part of Ecuador, the islands can feel worlds away from the mainland, including slow or no 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 or boats 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. Ample 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 Amazon and Galápagos, in accordance with the national parks' environmental protection regulations, hikers must stay in designated areas and be accompanied by our local naturalist.
Accommodations, Group Size & Meals
The Anakonda ship is your floating luxury hotel, letting you visit many locations along the Amazon's Napo River without having to pack up your bags! We've limited our Backroads group size to 20, but just like any hotel, we'll be sharing the ship with other guests. This 40-passenger ship is custom-designed with multiple inviting common spaces so you'll have room for both relaxing and socializing with other guests.
Itinerary Flexibility: Going with the Flow
In the Amazon, our daily itinerary is based on scheduled sailing and port arrival times and as a result some days have more opportunities for exploring on land while other days have a little more sailing time. The Napo River has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and the currents. Low water levels result in slower sailing and lead to extra cruising time or possible shifts in activity timing. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with the Anakonda's captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow, in which case your leaders will adjust the activities as necessary.
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