5 Days • 4 Nights
Ecuador Short Escape: Quito, the Andes & Cotopaxi
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Colonial Quito and its gilded churches
- Standing on the equator
- The colourful Otavalo market
- The Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Cotopaxi, a towering active volcano
- Andean haciendas and scenery
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 5-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Quito, high in the Andes. Take it easy to acclimatise, with a welcome dinner.
A guided tour of Quito's beautifully preserved colonial old town, a UNESCO site of grand plazas and gilded churches, and a visit to the equator monument at the Mitad del Mundo.
You travel north through dramatic Andean scenery to the colourful Otavalo indigenous market, with crafts, textiles and Andean life, staying at a highland hacienda.
You travel south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park, one of the world's highest active volcanoes, with walks and Andean scenery and a hacienda lunch.
You return to Quito for your onward flight or Galapagos connection, having experienced the best of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a hacienda lunch
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking naturalist guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and Galapagos fees as per itinerary
- a Quito and equator tour, an Otavalo market excursion and a Cotopaxi National Park visit
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, which makes budgeting easy; carry small notes for markets, tips and rural areas, as change for large bills can be scarce
- Altitude: Quito and the Andean highlands sit high (Quito is around 2,850 metres), so allow time to acclimatise, ascend gradually, stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival at altitude
- Galapagos rules & fees: The Galapagos are a strictly protected national park; a park entrance fee and a transit control card are payable (currently in cash on arrival), you must follow your naturalist guide's rules at all times, and single-use plastics are restricted
- Best time to visit: Ecuador is a year-round destination; the highlands are mild all year, while the Galapagos have a warm, sunny season (December to May) with calmer seas and a cool, dry 'garua' season (June to November) with more active wildlife
- Getting around: Ecuador is compact for South America, but itineraries use domestic flights to the Galapagos and sometimes the Amazon; these are arranged and included where specified, and the highlands are toured by road
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon lowlands; bring sun protection (the equatorial sun is intense, especially at altitude and at sea), insect repellent for the jungle, and any seasickness remedies for Galapagos cruises
- Culture & power: Ecuador has a rich indigenous culture, vibrant in its markets and villages; a little Spanish helps, and tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a good add-on to the Galapagos?
Perfect — many travellers combine a few days in the Andean highlands with a Galapagos cruise or land-based trip, and this itinerary is designed to slot neatly before or after. We can seamlessly combine them for you.
Is five days enough for mainland Ecuador?
It is a taste rather than a full tour, but it captures the highlights of the Andean highlands beautifully. It is ideal for a short break or a Galapagos add-on, and can be extended with the Amazon or the cloud forest.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary and full board on Galapagos cruises and at jungle lodges. Ecuadorian food is varied and fresh, so most other meals in the highlands are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights specified in your itinerary, such as to the Galapagos or the Amazon, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
Should I do a Galapagos cruise or a land-based trip?
Both are wonderful. A cruise reaches more remote islands and maximises wildlife, while a land-based trip (staying on the inhabited islands with day trips) is gentler on the budget and better for those prone to seasickness. We help you choose and tailor either.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos?
The Galapagos are excellent year-round. The warm season (December to May) brings sunny skies and calmer seas ideal for snorkelling, while the cool 'garua' season (June to November) has more active wildlife and richer waters. We advise on timing.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Galapagos, Andes and Amazon, choose a cruise or land-based Galapagos programme, add Quito, Otavalo or the cloud forest, and tailor everything to your interests and budget.
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