A sample of our Ecuador Experiences:
13 day Galapagos Galavanters: "Best of Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador"
17 Days Ecuatoriana and the Galapagos
Enquire about more Ecuador trips here
TravelBoecker Tailor-Made
- combing your personal preference with our expertise.
We create unique & authentic experiences
designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.
Travel Log: Galapagos - Nature at it's Best
Contact Vancouver Travel Consultant Christine Boecker for more Ecuador trips!
Visiting
the Galapagos is a very special and unique experience. You can hike
the trails as you admire blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, marine
iguanas, flightless cormorant birds, penguins and other species that
are endemic to this paradise.
The
rich marine life is fascinating for those who like snorkeling - a
wonderful world full of colorful fish, manta rays, sea turtles,
hammer head sharks, whale sharks, and magnificent reefs.
The Mainland
appeals to many travellers with varied interests and offers archeological ruins,
colonial cities and architecture, indigenous markets, handicrafts and
art, mountain trekking, bird watching and train rides through the
Avenue of the Volcanoes, jungle trekking and thermal springs and beach resorts.
For the professional and amateur photographer this region offers diversity of landscapes and cultures unseen anywhere else in the world.
Planning a Galapagos Cruise?
We are happy to help you arrange a Galapagos yacht cruise. There are many small ships, yachts & catamarans, leaving on different days and with varied classes of service. Each ship follows a slightly varied itinerary, as approved by Galapagos National Park authorities. This prevents overcrowding and controls human access to certain sensitive areas.
Contact Vancouver Travel Consultant Christine Boecker for more Ecuador trips!
Galapagos Galavanters
13 day Ecuador Explorer & Galapagos Cruise
Day 1: Arrive Quito
Welcome
to Quito international airport. On arrival clear customs and
immigration then make your way across to arrivals hall where a
representative will be waiting for you. You will be assisted with
your baggage then transferred to your hotel for check-in and
overnight.
Day 2: Quito - Galapagos
After breakfast transfer to the airport and flight to San Cristobal on the Galapagos archipelago. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the yacht. Enjoy lunch on board and begin your 7 day Galapagos cruise. Itinerary
Day 9: Galapagos - Quito
It is time to disembark the yacht and bid these wonderful islands ‘good-bye’. You will be transferred to the airport in time for your return flight to Quito. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 10: Quito - Cloud Forest
After breakfast you will be taken into the cloud forest of Ecuador to enjoy the vast views, hike the forest trails and immerse yourself in its mysteries.
Bromeliads and orchids, hummingbirds and tanagers, toucans and antpittas all vie for our attention. Overnight in comfortable, rustic accommodation and relax here for the next 2 days.
Day 12: Quito
Return transfer to Quito and enjoy an afternoon city tour of Colonial Quito, Ecuador’s capital.
Day 13: Depart Quito
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
TOUR
COST: from US$4497 per person sharing twin accommodation
Includes:
- Arrival & departure transfers in Quito
- 3 nights accommodation in Quito, including breakfast and hotel tax
- Half day Colonial Quito tour
- 2 nights in the Cloud Forest, including all meals & naturalist guided hikes
- Domestic flights Quito / Galapagos / Quito via Guayaquil
- Accommodation in an outside cabin
with private bath & air conditioning on a first class 16-passenger yacht for 7 nights including all
meals, shore excursions and guide services.
- Services of professional English speaking guides and naturalists
Excludes:
International
flights; Air taxes & surcharges; Galapagos National Park entrance fee; meals
not mentioned; passport and travel visa fees; medical
or travel insurance; items of a personal nature, such as beverages,
laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, etc.
GENERAL
INFORMATION - ECUADOR
Climate
and Seasons
Highland
Central Valleys - Quito, Cuenca: The weather in this area is
generally spring like most of the year despite the proximity to the
Equator. Air temperatures in these areas are determined primarily by
the altitude of the Andes. The dry season is from May through October
when temperatures will be in the 70's F during the day and 50's F at
night. From December through April, temperatures will be slightly
cooler and expect showers in the afternoons.
The
Coast - Guayaquil, Beach Resorts: The temperature in this
area
averages 83 F year round. The rainy season is December through May
and the dry season is June through November.
The
Jungle - The climate is tropically hot and humid year round
with
an average temperature of 82 F. Expect rain throughout the year
although more rainfall is received from April through August.
The
Galapagos Islands - December through June are the warmest
months
(avg. 80 F), and there is always some chance of rain and accompanying
humidity during this time. The majority of the rain is received from
January through March. July through November brings the "garua"
or misty season and slightly cooler temperatures. Temperatures
average in the 70's by day and slightly cooler in the evening. These
cooler temperatures are brought about by cooler ocean currents so
water temperatures are cooler at this time as well.
Quito
Quito,
colonial Capitol set in the Middle of the World and a UNESCO Cultural
Patrimony of Mankind and World Heritage Site. Surrounded by
snowcapped volcanoes, yet only 14 miles from the Equator line, the
quaint capital of Ecuador boats a spring-like climate all year round.
Located in a huge valley in the Andes Mountains at an altitude of
9,455 feet, visitors can feel the crisp air while enjoying the
city’s
rich colonial architecture, churches, monasteries and museums.
Rich
in history, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world,
founded in 1534 by Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Benacazar. For
nearly three centuries, the arts and intellectual societies
flourished under Spanish colonial rule until 1809, when Quito
established the first self-governing junta in the colonies. Liberator
Simon Bolivar led the country as part of the Republic of
Greater Colombia until 1830, when the Republic of Ecuador announced
its independence with the adoption of the Constitution signed in
Riobamba.
Otavalo
Otavalo
is an Indian town located in a beautiful mountain region, north of
Quito on the Pan-American Highway. The Indians of this region are
famous for the weaving of textiles, which has a history of 4000 years
and the town boasts of a great market, where you can buy or admire
their work.
For centuries, regional markets have played an important role in Indian life, providing regular gathering places for trade and socializing. In contrast to other markets, the Otavalenos barter in silence. They wear blue ponchos, white pants and have long braided hair. The colorful local markets are famous for their fine handicrafts. At the central plaza and along side streets, you will find weavings, sweaters, belts, blankets and rugs.
Main market day is Saturday but you will always find ware for sale in the Plaza del Poncho.
The town is surrounded by
beautiful scenery with mountain peaks and lakes. One of the most
impressive lakes is Cuicocha located at 3200m at the foot of
Cotacachi, a 4939 m high volcano, which we visit on this trip.
Documents
A
valid passport and proof of onward transportation is required for
Canadian & U.S. citizens. Others should contact the Ecuadorian
consulate for entry requirements.
Currency and Exchange Rates
The
currency of Ecuador is the Sucre, and major credit cards are accepted
as payment in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Dollars and
traveler's checks may be exchanged at banks and most hotels;
traveler's checks command a slightly lower rate than actual currency.
Tips
and Taxes
As
in most countries, taxes are unavoidable and tips are given on the
basis of the quality of service rendered. It is helpful to carry a
small quantity of US $1 bills for tips and easy change.
Valuables
We
suggest that while touring or shopping leave your passport and the
bulk of your money in the hotel safe; only take with you the money
you intend to spend or exchange at that particular time. It is also
helpful to take a copy of the picture page of your passport to carry
in your wallet because it is sometimes needed to exchange traveler's
checks. This copy can also be useful in the event your passport is
lost or stolen.
Health
No
inoculations are required for travel to Ecuador, and we do not find
health to be a problem as a general rule. Many major hotels in Quito,
Guayaquil and Cuenca have water purification systems and the water is
safe to drink. Please check with your hotel before drinking the tap
water to make sure it is one of them. In other areas, bottled water
is advisable.
Electric
Current
The
electric current is 110 volts AC, 60 cycles AC. Converters are not
necessary.
Time
Difference
The
time in mainland Ecuador is the same as Eastern Standard Time in
North America. Daylight savings time is not observed. Galapagos is
one hour earlier; however, some cruise ships operate on Galapagos
time and some operate on mainland time. Please check the time with
your particular cruise ship to be sure.
Language
Ecuador
has two official languages, Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in
most hotels, tourist shops and major visitor centers.
Business
Hours
Banks:
9:00am/1:30pm Monday - Friday, Shops: 9:00am/7:00pm Monday –
Saturday
Airports
On
international departures there is an exit tax of $25.00. National
Parks: The Galapagos Islands Park Fee $100.00. Amazon $10.00. San
Cristobal airport $40.
Souvenirs
and Such
The
best buys in Ecuador are the wide variety of handicrafts ranging from
woven ponchos, sweaters, rugs and wall hangings to ceramics, wood
carvings, straw and leather items.
Suggested Reading
You
are retracing some of the trip taken by Charles Darwin aboard the HMS
Beagle. You might enjoy reading one of these suggested accounts of
his trip. "Journal of the HMS Beagle" by Charles Darwin or
"Darwin and the Beagle" by Alan Moorhead.
Imported
Items
Items
not made in Ecuador are often difficult if not impossible to find and
are much more expensive than elsewhere due to taxation. Some of these
commonly needed items include film and camera equipment, insect
repellent, sunscreen, contact lens solutions and binoculars. If you
use these items, bring them from home.
Clothing
Casual
clothes - slacks, jeans, shorts, bathing suits, etc. - are
appropriate for almost all daytime and evenings activities outside of
Quito and Guayaquil with mode of dress determined more by air
temperature than formality. Dress in Quito and Guayaquil is more
formal with jeans or slacks appropriate for day wear and dinner
clothes (jacket and tie for men) appropriate for most evenings out.
Dark colored, lightweight shorts or slacks are advisable for
Galapagos cruises as they show dirt and dust less.
Useful items to include in packing list:
- Lightweight plastic raincoat / umbrella
- Light jacket for cool evenings (all year, higher elevations)
- Small flashlight (jungle excursions)
- Mosquito repellent (jungle excursions, the Galapagos)
- Snorkeling equipment (Galapagos cruises - often available for rent but quantity and quality sometimes limited)
- Sneakers or hiking boots (jungle walks/volcano tours)
- Extra pair of sneakers (Galapagos cruises, jungle excursions - these may get wet and/or muddy)
- Suntan lotion, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses (Galapagos cruises, jungle excursions, fishing trips)
- Warm jacket and heavy socks (Excursions to Cotopaxi Volcano)
- Binoculars, camera, batteries and plenty of film
- Windbreaker or sweatshirt style jacket (Galapagos cruises)
- Small waterproof bag or backpack (Shore excursions in the Galapagos, jungle excursions)
Luggage
For
itineraries that include Galapagos or Jungle excursions as well other
tours in mainland Ecuador, we suggest carrying either two smaller
suitcases or a smaller expandable bag inside your large suitcase.
There is no need for city clothes or heavy sweaters in either the
Galapagos or the jungle, and you can make arrangements to leave the
bulk of your luggage in your Quito or Guayaquil hotel during these
excursions.
For tours to the Galapagos, passengers are allowed 30
lbs. (1 suitcase) in addition to a small carry on or backpack.
TravelBoecker Tailor-Made
- combing your personal preference with our expertise.
We create unique & authentic experiences
designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.
