Ecuador and Galapagos Holidays

The Galapagos Islands are unlike anywhere else on earth. A paradise for rare birds, iconic wildlife and rich biodiversity. Ecuador is also quite simply one of the most diverse countries on the planet, featuring an astonishing array of wildlife, landscapes and indigenous cultures albeit in an area only slightly larger than the UK. From the Amazon Jungle to Galapagos Islands, via the mighty Andes mountains, our bespoke journeys will suit every nature enthusiast.

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Example Ecuador and Galapagos Holidays

Our 16-day family adventure holiday to Colombia is inspired by the Disney film Encanto, which means lots of colour and charm. Visit small towns, try delicious local food featured in the film and explore the magical Rainbow River Cano Cristales; a must-see in Colombia.

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Amazon jungle, connecting with nature and learning about Colombian culture. Explore the coffee region and uncover the breathtaking landscapes and colourful houses of El Penol and Guatape.

Visit UNESCO-protected Cartagena and sample the exquisite street food, ‘Arepitas’, as in the movie, and even dance to local music. To finish your family adventure holiday, head to the crystal waters of the Caribbean Coast of Rosario Islands. And yes, on this holiday, we definitely talk about Bruno!

If you’re looking for Colombia family holidays that offer a wonderful experience for both parents and kids, it’s hard to beat an Encanto adventure to this South American gem.

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World-renowned for its stunning coastline, this is the ideal trip for those interested in luxury Brazil beach holidays. It seamlessly blends relaxation with adventure, all the while completely avoiding internal flights.

Kayak to pristine bays and mangrove forests. Hike to dramatic lookouts and untouched beaches. Visit waterfalls and clifftops. And of course, relax! Immerse yourself in the beauty of the shores of the “Land of the Palm Trees” with a beach holiday to Brazil.

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For those seeking adventure travel in Brazil, explore everywhere from the wildlife wonderland of the Pantanal to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, all the way to iconic Rio de Janeiro via the Green Coast on this itinerary.

Kayak through mangroves, hike into the Atlantic Rainforest and discover dozens of hidden beaches, accompanied by mouth-watering cuisine and hidden communities. If you’re seeking wildlife holidays to Brazil that also tick off cascading waterfalls and breathtaking coastlines, this is the adventure for you.

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Combine the wildlife wonderlands of the Pantanal wetlands and Amazon rainforest on this luxury holiday to Brazil, staying at strategically located first-class wilderness lodges with expert naturalist guides. In between you will visit the lesser-known but equally dramatic Chapada dos Guimarães, a land of waterfalls, caves and rock formations waiting to be explored. Finish with days of relaxation and iconic sightseeing in the incomparable Rio de Janeiro.

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Hike, bike, swim and kayak your way around Ecuador’s multitude of natural wonders. From snow-capped volcanoes and mountain valleys, to the remarkable Galapagos archipelago via the steamy cloud forest, this example trip is one for the outdoor enthusiasts.

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Go deep on this journey through a remarkably diverse little country. Explore indigenous markets, steamy cloud forests, volcanoes, lakes, the Amazon basin, Inca ruins, colonial cities, working farms, and the Galapagos Islands. Designed at a leisurely pace to immerse yourself in the true spirit of Ecuador.

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Explore Ecuador in supreme comfort. Stay at a historic hacienda amongst Otavalo’s lakes and volcanoes, enjoy the cloud forest from the iconic Mashpi Lodge, and explore colonial Quito with a cacao-infused twist. Complete your Galapagos Island holiday with a choice of deluxe boutique cruise or safari-style.

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Combine With Peru

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Top Ecuador Experiences

Trek amongst volcanoes

Trek Amongst Volcanoes

Base yourself near Otavalo town or Cotopaxi National Park – or both when there is time – for unforgettable treks past sparkling lakes and snow-capped peaks.

Meet the Galapagos wildlife

Meet Galapagos Wildlife

One of the world’s ultimate wildlife experiences is obviously a holiday to the Galapagos Islands. Meet Giant Tortoises, Blue Footed Boobies, Marine Iguanas, and basically everything in between.

Amazon with the Kichwa

Immerse yourself in the unspoilt Ecuadorian Amazon, before staying in a comfortable eco-lodge hosted by the indigenous Kichwa community. An experience unlike any other.

Stay in a Hacienda

Spend a day or two experiencing the horse-riding, sheep-herding, cheese-making way of life in a traditional rural retreat. If you have not tried horse-riding previously, this is certainly the place.

Birds of the Cloud Forest

This misty but mysterious landscape is also home to one of the highest concentration of bird species on the planet. A twitchers paradise, especially if you can extend your stay here.

Andean Culture

Witness Andean Culture

From the colourful Otavalo market to the colonial gems of Quito and Cuenca (the highlands) are basically awash with true cultural gems. Hence these are must-visits during an Ecuador holiday.

Ecuador Galapagos Eco Holidays: Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@traveldifferently.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.

When planning Ecuador and Galapagos Islands holidays, it’s crucial to consider weather patterns, as they can greatly impact your experience on the archipelago. The warm season, spanning from December to June, is generally regarded as the best time to visit. This is because seas are warmer and also offer wonderful water visibility.

In addition, air temperatures are higher and any showers that occur are typically brief. This makes December to June particularly ideal for those going on Galapagos Islands holidays as you have more opportunities to greet the local wildlife and explore the unique landscapes with the weather on your side.

British citizens going on Galapagos holidays from the UK must ensure that their passports will remain valid for at least 6 months after the last day of their trip and have ample space for entry and exit stamps.

Visas are also not required for United States, Canadian and most other European citizens unless they are staying for longer than 90 days.

In addition to a valid passport, Brits going on holidays to the Galapagos Islands must provide evidence of a hotel booking or a host invitation, proof of a return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland, travel insurance and have completed the online Galapagos control card at least 24 hours before their flight and have a copy of it for their records.

It’s worth noting that visitors must pay a park fee upon arriving at the archipelago. Currently, it is $100 for non-Ecuadorian adults and $50 for non-Ecuadorian children under 12.

Set aside at least 8 days when planning an Ecuador holiday. Doing so will give you enough time to island hop across the landmasses, immersing yourself in the extraordinary landscape and wildlife each has to offer.

After all, one of the best things about holidays to the Galapagos is that they offer the opportunity to experience the unique animals and topography that make the different islands so special. Basically, the more time the better.

Why Book a Luxury Eco Holiday With Travel Differently?

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Travel Ecuador and Galapagos Greener

Here at Travel Differently, we appreciate the toll that modern tourism has taken on many of the world’s most precious natural wonders. So we offer greener holidays to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador.

For our Ecuador adventure tours, we work exclusively with accommodations and activity providers who are committed to operating in a way that is respectful of their local environment. Additionally, we offset the emissions of each trip by 150% to ensure our holidays have a net positive impact on the environment.

Drawing of a compass

Travel Ecuador and Galapagos Slower

Our Ecuador and Galapagos adventure tours involve travelling at a slow pace, allowing you to truly experience everything that the archipelago has to offer. Not only does this give you more time to uncover all of the wonders to be found on the islands, but ensures the benefits extend to a broader range of local communities.

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Travel Ecuador and Galapagos Fairer

We ensure our holidays to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador operate in as fair a way as possible by actively engaging and supporting local communities. We only work with companies in the destinations that share our commitment to social development and sustainability.

Our carbon offset schemes also support the local communities on top of the environment, reducing poverty, inequality, and reliance on fossil fuels.

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Travel Ecuador and Galapagos Better

As a 100% independent boutique tour operator, we specialise in luxury Galapagos holidays. We offer a fully personalised service that includes direct communication with our founder. Each trip is thoughtfully crafted to cater to your individual needs, preferences and interests, guaranteeing you the most unforgettable getaway possible in this unique corner of the world.

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Ecuador Mini Guide

Population

Ecuador’s total population is around 18 million, with just 25,000 living in the Galapagos.

The capital is Quito, at an altitude of 2,850m.

Timezones

Ecuador standard time zone is GMT-5.

The Galapagos is one hour behind (GMT-6)

Money & Currency

Ecuador has used the US Dollar as it’s national currency since the year 2000.

When to Travel

Situated on the Equator, Ecuador is a real year-round destination. The mainland is at its driest June to September, but that is also a slightly rougher time to take to take to the seas on a Galapagos cruise.

When to book

Most hotels can be booked as late as 2-3 months before travel, however specialist ecolodges or Galapagos cruises can often be fully booked up to a year in advance

For a fully bespoke holiday – Enquire Now

Ecuador and Galapagos Holidays

Example Ecuador and Galapagos Holidays

‘Encanto’ Colombia Family holiday

14 days from £4,200 pp

Rio and Green Coast Beach Adventure

14 days from £2900 pp

Brazil Wildlife, Waterfalls & Beach

16 days from £3950 pp

Pantanal, Amazon & Rio Luxury Adventure

15 days from £6500 pp

Ecuador & Galapagos Active Adventure

17 days from £4300 pp

Slow Travel: Ecuador in-depth

23 days from £6400 pp

Ecuador & Galapagos in Luxury

14 days from £9550 pp