Why should you travel to Ecuador and Galapagos?

Ecuador might be the smallest of the South American countries, but its wildlife and nature are some of the most varied in the world. Discover stunning landscapes, hot springs, white sandy beaches, mountains, volcanoes and, of course, the magical Galapagos Islands.

What’s more, Ecuador offers historical experiences and the legacy of the Spanish colonial era, traditional indigenous cultures and beautiful towns and cities.

Our tours to Ecuador

Our tours start on the mainland of Ecuador, followed by either island hopping or a cruise in the Galapagos Islands.

Read more below about what you can experience.

Quito, the capital

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, located 2,850 metres above sea level, making it the second highest capital in the world.

The city nestles beautifully between the mountains with a gem of a historic city centre, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The area is teeming with colonial buildings and architectural treasures from the 17th century, including the beautiful church La Compañia de Jesus and the central square Plaza de la Independencia, where you can see the cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Presidential Palace.

Quito is just 20 km south of the equator, and when you are in the city, the Equatorial Monument (La Mitad del Mundo) is a must-see. The monument stands 30 metres high and marks the equator or the middle of the world. Posing for a photo with one foot on either side of the equator is popular here!

Cotopaxi

A few hours away from Quito, in Cotopaxi National Park, you will find Cotopaxi, one of the world’s tallest active snow-capped volcanoes, located at an altitude of 5,897 metres. Discover the volcano and the amazing view from a height of 4,600–4,800 metres.

The park itself is home to many different species of plants and animals. Inhabited by condors and humming birds, it is the perfect destination for bird lovers.

Quilotoa Crater Lake

South of Quito is the fascinating crater lake, Quilotoa. The crater lake is a result of the eruption of Quilotoa volcano in 1280, which left a 250-metre-deep and 3-kilometre-wide crater. It is a breathtaking sight with its colourful water, which changes from completely turquoise to almost yellow, depending on the time of year you visit the crater lake.

You can walk all the way down to the lake via a path, which takes around 30 minutes. The walk back, on the other hand, is steep and can take up to 2 hours. Naturally, you can also rent a donkey, which will carry you safely back to the top.

Baños

Baños, or Baños de Agua Santa, is a scenically situated city, located in a lush valley at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano. The city is popular with locals and international visitors alike. The full name of the city means “holy springs”, and it and offers just that: lots of hot springs and lovely spas.

What’s more, Baños is a paradise for adventurers. Go mountain biking, try ziplining or head to Casa del Árbol – a vantage point where you can try a nerve-racking swing across the abyss.

Guayaquil

Guayaquil is a vibrant metropolis and the largest city in Ecuador. It is the country’s most important commercial city, where you will find Ecuador’s commercial and financial centre, and all flights to the Galapagos Islands depart from here.

The main highlight of the city is the old town of Las Peñas, which is beautifully situated at the top of a hill, giving you an excellent view of the city. The neighbourhood offers colourful houses and charming, cobbled streets with lots of cosy cafés where you can relax with a cup of coffee.

At the foot of the hill is the 2.5-kilometre Malecón 2000 boardwalk along the Guayas River. Go for a stroll along the pleasant promenade or visit one of the many outdoor restaurants.

Visit the Amazon Rainforest

Combine your tour with a trip to the fascinating Amazon rainforest.

The hot, humid Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest and is spread over 9 countries. It is home to 40,000 different plant species and millions of animal species.

Located in the upper Amazon in Ecuador, Tena is a great introduction for those who want a taste of what the rainforest has to offer. Get right up close to the wild nature and learn about the jungle’s many different plants, trees, birds and insects. Of course, many mammals and reptiles live here, too, but they’re more difficult to spot because this part of the Amazon is relatively close to habitation.

The Galapagos Islands

About 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador are the Galapagos Islands, a group of islands large and small. The islands form the top of a long volcanic chain rising 2–3,000 metres above sea level.

The Galapagos Islands were really brought to public attention when Charles Darwin used them in his research for his book “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”, published after his visit in 1835.

The islands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are one of the most unique and biologically outstanding areas of the world. With its own fragile ecosystem, each island has something unique to offer.

It is believed that one of the reasons for the unique ecosystem is that the islands have emerged as volcanic islands, and have therefore never been part of the mainland.

Life on the islands probably originally arrived via the water or the air before evolving further. The Galapagos Islands are home to the most species not found elsewhere in the world, e.g. the Galápagos turtle, which the islands are named after.

All our tours take you to the Galapagos Islands, where you can experience several different magical islands. Which ones depends on whether you choose to round off your tour with island hopping or a cruise. No matter which islands you visit, you are guaranteed to experience unique nature and wildlife.

Combine with Peru

Combine Ecuador with a tour to Peru and cross two South American countries off your bucket list.

Peru offers a treasure trove of historical experiences.

Look forward to experiencing:

• Cusco, the formal capital of the Inca Empire and subsequently a Spanish colonial city. The city, located at an altitude of 3,399 metres in the Andes, offers colonial buildings, fortresses from the Inca era and, not least, the most beautiful view of the Andes Mountains.

• The Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which houses charming little villages such as Pisac, known for its large Indian market, Ollantaytambo, which is known for its amazing Inca fortress and Aguas Calientes, which is known for its hot springs and for its location at the foot of Machu Picchu

• The legendary ruin complex Machu Picchu, Peru’s biggest attraction and a must-see on your tour in Peru. Dating back to the 15th century, the ruin complex offers not only a breathtaking history, but also a unique view from its fairy-tale location on the steep ridges of the Urubamba Valley, surrounded by green mountain peaks and cloud forest.

Any questions?

We’ve compiled all the travel information you need about Ecuador and Galapagos on our “Practical information about Ecuador” page.

You are also very welcome to contact our travel specialists who know everything there is to know about our tours to South America and Central America.

We look forward to sending you on your journey of a lifetime!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller