Take a frequent direct bus from the main bus station that will take you to the center of Baos. Home Itineraries Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Itinerary. Ecuador How To Visit the . It includes a taste of most unique places in Ecuador and enough time to enjoy each of them. Still, when thinking of it retrospectively, we would have saved a lot of time to visit the site on the way from Riobamba, and that's why we suggest it in this itinerary. We hiked the classic route from Sigchos to Quilotoa, which took us three days and two nights, but you can adjust the itinerary to your walking pace and spend on the trail either shorter or longer. To get there, we had to take Tarabita Cable Car, which transported us across the valley to the world of waterfalls. What is even more interesting, Riobamba is yet another indigenous town. An itinerary from a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world. Ecuador and Galapagos are must-visit places and this itinerary covers both since Ecuador is easily one of the best South American countries to visit. Land on Genovesa Island at Darwin Bay, a beautiful beach formed by the rim of a sunken crater. Travelling with Ecuador Hop, its super easy to visit Laguna Quilotoa directly from Cotopaxi, either staying overnight in a small town on its shores or just spending a few hours exploring before continuing onwards to Baos. Enjoy exploring trails that lead to gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna, and snorkel nearby with the fur seals and marine birds. For who did we create this Ecuador travel itinerary? A leader in customized, luxury eco-travel (877) 891-3539; . Don't you mind to move from one place to another every other day? How to get to your next destination: As our one-month wandering around Ecuador has come to an end, you have several options. Just be careful; this bus route is infamous for robberies, so keep your hand luggage with valuables on your lap all the time. Our itineraries and trip styles are only starting points, designed to give you ideas and inspiration. Each day included one (or more) walks on an island to see unique species of animals and plants that generally dont exist elsewhere. After our adventure in nature, we made our way to the Cotopaxi Province to stay at Hacienda el Porvenir. You can take a Quito City Tour with a knowledgeable guide, take a trip to one of the highest mountains in the area, Rucu Pichincha, or Papallacta Hot Springs. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. There is, however, a chance of experiencing problems related to the altitude in Quito (2,850m) or if youre trekking around Cotopaxi (5,000m), which might be as minor as general fatigue and lightheadedness or as serious as actual altitude sickness. That's great because it would be a shame not to do a hike or two. Here you will walk a short trail that winds through the mangroves filled with nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Tours: If you want to know more about Cuenca and make sure you won't miss any architectural gem, check out this Cuenca City Tour. Amazon Jungle. The black beach had tidal pools, marine birds, and iguanas that nearly matched the color of the sand. With 4-5 days, you can hike the popular Quilotoa Loop, but even with just half a day, youll be able to see the active craters most spectacular vantage points and really fall in love with its sparkling turquoise lake. Id recommend the night bus, which will take 10hrs; book directly at the bus station in Baos, no need to reserve in advance. One of our favorite attractions was walking the Mindo Waterfall Hike. There is NO BETTER end to your trip than coming face to cephalin fin with the queen of the ocean. At nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, the working ranch sits on the slopes of Rumiahui volcano and provides sweeping views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Then, just wait by the road for a bus returning to Cuenca. Highlights: Snorkel with sea turtles, reef sharks, golden rays, eagle rays, sea horses, and more at Los Tuneles, Las Tintoreras, or Cocha de la Perla; cycle to El Muro de las Lgrimas to discover the unique flora and fauna of the island; swim with marine iguanas at Playa Isabela; look for flamingos in Los Humedales; trek upVolcn Chico or Volcn Sierra Negro. Since founding Knowmad Adventures while living in Patagonia well over a decade ago, he has won countless awards for creating innovative custom trips that blend adventure and luxury. Theres also the option totravel with Ecuador Hop,a new hop-on/hop-off bus service from Quito to Montaita via all the destinations in this post (plus a couple others that have been added since I travelled!). How long is the flight from Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands? A selection of international flight times to Quito include: From Miami - around 5 hours (direct flights operated by American Airlines) From London - around 15 hours (all flights have at least 1 . But theres definitely another, less well-known reason to come to Montaita: diving with giant Manta Ray. Really, the main places you need to be alert are Quito and Guayaquil its probably best not to walk around alone at night, always take an Uber rather than a taxi, and keep your personal belongings close in crowded public areas. This itinerary works with either Quito or Guayaquil as your port of arrival, and both cities have large international airports and bustling international bus terminals that make it easy to arrive into Ecuador from pretty much anywhere in the world. A Sea Lion in Los Tuneles Tour Last Updated: May 18, 2023 If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a trip to the Galapagos Islands should be at the top of your list. To get an idea of what you can see in Quito and how you could plan your time, check out our post on the best things to do in Quito. Ecuador & Galapagos | Gate 1 Travel - More of the World For Less! The national park is still a bit off the beaten path but worry not. Where to stay in Cajas NP: Although we visited Cajas NP on a day trip from Cuenca, you can stay on the national park's border; and closer to the visitors center. Ecuador Travel Guides and Backpacking Itinerary - BucketListly Blog Highlights: Explore dozens of waterfalls around Baos, including Cascada de Agoyn, Cascada Manto de la Novia, El Paln del Diablo, and Cascada Roco Machay, by cycling the Ruta de las Cascadas; white water rafting, canyoning, canopying, or bungy jumping in the jungle; mingle with the locals at Termas de la Virgen, the boiling hot springs at the base of a waterfall right in town; swing over all of Baos on the Extreme Swing or at the insta-famous Casa del Arbol. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. Dynamic pricing from $11,695. Getting there:Ecuador Hopdirectly connects Quito with all the main highlights ofCotopaxi National Park and Laguna Quilotoa; passes start at $69USD for the section between Quito and Baos (including as many days as you want in Cotopaxi and Quilotoa). Ecuador and the Galpagos | Holidays 2023/2024 - The Luxury Holiday Read more:9 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BAOS: A GUIDE TO ECUADORS ADVENTURE CAPITAL. The cliffs and jagged rocks of Punta Vicente Roca rise majestically from the ocean. The next day, before boarding our flight to Quito, we visited Los Gemelostwin sinkholes surrounded by forest. Most importantly, this town in northern Ecuador is known for its indigenous culture and traditional markets. Furthermore, there is no bridge between the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian mainland, despite its proximity to the Ecuadorian coast on the world map. Its the perfect place to wrap up a spectacular land-based trip out to the islands before heading back to the mainland for even more incredible natural beauty. Further down the path, you may see sea lions playing in tidal pools. Dive operators in Puerto Lopez and Ayangue operate boats out to the sites, and both of these towns are easily reached from Montaita in a single day. xx bb. World Nomads Travel Insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers to cover your trip essentials. Were working to support our habit. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. We began the day with a very early journey to Prince Philips Steps on Genovesa Island. Yes, you need to keep an eye on your valuables and avoid dimly-lit alleyways after dark, but it should be a norm in any larger city in South America such as Lima or Rio de Janeiro. Offers may be subject to change without notice. If you are still not convinced, read our post Reasons to visit the Galapagos Islands. In this case, check out Hosteria Dos Chorreras. The hot, spiced, alcoholic beverage, which is traditionally served in the Ecuadorian highlands, tastes like fall and was a great introduction to all the tasty things we would eat and drink in Ecuador. If you still have some time to spare, there's one more place that is worth visiting - Peguche Waterfall. A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ALTITUDE SICKNESS IN SOUTH AMERICA, GALPAGOS ON A BUDGET: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & PUERTO AYORA TRAVEL GUIDE, GALPAGOS ON A BUDGET: ISLA ISABELA & PUERTO VILLAMIL TRAVEL GUIDE, Ecuadors high-adrenaline adventure capital. The convenient size, incredible diversity, newly built roads, and, of course, the Galapagos Islands make Ecuador an attractive travel destination. This 2 week Ecuador itinerary is the exact route I would recommend to anyone visiting Ecuador for the first time. This itinerary necessitates 2 domestic flights (to and from the Galpagos), but beyond that, you can easily visit every destination and point of interest below using only public buses, which dont need to be booked in advance. We spent our second night at the Sachatamia Lodge. I would like to have a week in Galapagos - probably will do day trips from some island, unless we could find an affordable last-minute cruise. We missed this national park during our visit, but that's for us a reason to come back. Tables are piled high with textiles and goods in every color, alongside displays of fruits and vegetables, many of which are unique to the region. Read more:WHAT TO DO IN QUITO: 12 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN ECUADORS CAPITAL. With the help of the chagras (Ecuadorian cowboys) from Hacienda el Porvenir, wee suited up in chaps and ponchos and made our way out into the foothills. How could the suggested Quito itinerary look like? The itinerary below combines my favorite properties in the country into an enviable vacation incorporating vastly different natural environments as well as some appealing urban attractions like museums, churches and art galleries in Quito. Do not be put off by the backpacker's vibe - you can easily avoid it by booking a room in a more expensive hotel, and Baos is really worth including in your itinerary. Highlights: See Galpagos Tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station; go swimming at Las Grietas or snorkelling at Tortuga Bay; scuba dive with enormous schools of hammerhead sharks and rays at Gordon Rocks, Mosquera, or North Seymour; explore the highlands at El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve or Los Gemelos; take a day trip out to beautiful Isla Bartolom. Otherwise, Secret Garden Cotopaxi is a top choice in the National Park, with amazing views of the surrounding mountains and a great social vibe. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I've spent the last decade exploring the world everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics. . Still, you should know it is possible to do white river rafting, zip-lining, or paragliding in Baos. 13 Day Custom Tour. Read more: HIKING TO REFUGIO JOS RIVAS & COTOPAXI GLACIER IN ECUADOR. Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, probably the smallest one among those few which are frequently visited by travelers. The Galapagos Islands are the source of Darwin's Theory of Evolution and home to some of the most unique landscapes, animals, and marine life in the world. This assumes that youd be staying in some Airbnbs or private hostel rooms, eating at some nicer restaurants, occasionally taking Uber or a tourist bus over the public bus, and splurging on a few tours or activities, like a guided trip to Cotopaxi National Park and diving in Ayangue. Spot pintail ducks and pink flamingos at Espumilla Beach before exploring Buccaneer Cove. Simply put, Baos de Agua Santa is a destination where you can relax, but it would be a shame not to explore what the photogenic surroundings have to offer. Visiting only theGalpagos Islandsand skipping the rest ofEcuador seems a shame, especially now that the mainland has several world-class hotels. xx bb, .zoom-instagram.feed-25685{font-size:14px!important;}.zoom-instagram.feed-25685 .zoom-instagram-widget__items{display:grid!important;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);}.zoom-instagram.feed-25685 .zoom-instagram-widget__items{gap:11px!important;}.zoom-instagram.feed-25685 .wpz-insta-view-on-insta-button{background-color:#ccb3e2!important;} Best Ecuador Tours & Vacations 2023/2024 | Intrepid Travel US Once back in Quito, we spent a final night at La Casona de la Ronda before returning home. The disadvantage we see is that day-trips won't take you to places further from the shores and you should also know that you need a naturalist guide for island hopping.
