Sustainable trip Ecuador and Galapagos

An unprecedented favourite: the combi trip Ecuador and Galapagos but now made optimal to be able to travel responsibly. A wonderful trip through Ecuador with lots of nature and culture and end with the breathtaking Galapagos archipelago. That's the whipped cream on the cake! And of course it's one of go local travel's possibilities. Of course, you can still choose your own luxury and therefore your budget.

What makes this trip sustainable?
This trip was developed in collaboration with Mr. Dennis Vulink. The challenge was to keep the comfort and price the same with the regular trips but to minimize the impact. This trip has 30% lower carbon dioxide emissions than our regular trips. What makes this trip extra sustainable:
Stay: these score very high on sustainability by default but have been further tightened up as well as a homestay at a community
Transport: You travel by comfortable tourist bus including an English-language guide for the excursions. The flight to the jungle has run out and is a comfortable night bus. Transfers are still just by car and driver and also the hard-to-reach places
Activities: these also score well but with extra attention and training they are made even more sustainable. On this trip, whole sporting activities can be added or more peaceful. The emissions of the entire trip (flight and the travel days themselves) are fully compensated through our ecological project. To travel sustainably in Ecuador you need 3 weeks or more. Of these, we use 2 for Ecuador and 1 week for the Galapagos.

You can find a brief description of the trip below. Of course we can customize everything to your liking and the possibilities are still unlimited.
Day 1 to 3 QuitoOur driver welcomes you to the airport and takes you to your hotel in the historic centre of Quito. A city with many faces and wonderfully situated between high mountains overlooking snowy peaks. We also have an option to stay in an Ecolodge outside the center. The next day you can explore the beautiful historical centre and one of the many museums. In the morning, a guide will take you and you'll get an explanation of the history and culture of Quito and Ecuador. The third day is free to spend for example you can visit and help one of our projects but also visit the modern district mariscal. This evening the bus leaves at 23:00 to Lago Agrio (about 8 hours away).

Day 4 to 7 Jungle at CuyabenoThis morning you will arrive in Cuyabeno around 07:00 and you will be dropped off at a restaurant where you can have breakfast and the guide will pick you up to continue to the Eco lodge. Then the jungle adventure starts immediately with a 2-hour motorcycle canoe ride. Over the next few days, you will discover the jungle in different ways. Among other things. via a Jungle Expedition; a 4-hour trek through the primary forest, where your guide will explain to you how the complex tropical ecosystem works. Take the canoe to a lagoon for a swim, the sunset and with a little luck spot the pink river dolphins or an anaconda. Or visit the Siona Community to learn more about customs, traditions and way of life and visit the Shaman. After 4 great days in the jungle you will take the bus back to Quito and here you will arrive again around 22:00 for the night.

Day 7 to 9 Andes Mountains with Cotopaxi, Quilatoa and Banos
The Volcano Cotopaxi is waiting for you, this morning you will be picked up early from the hotel and you will leave by bus to the National Park Cotopaxi. Before entering the park there is a breakfast in a traditional hacienda. Then you'll visit Limpiopungo Lake where you'll take a walk with the guide. Then you really go up the altitude (4600M) for a fantastic view. The last 200 meters to the refugio you have to climb yourself… After this adventure, you'll stay for the night in one of Ecuador's most idyllic spots and have views of the volcano with a crunchy log fire. The option is to take a horse-drawn tour of the national park in the morning, an unforgettable adventure for those with less experience. The next day you will travel on to Lake Quilatoa. Also here is a short walk with guide and continue the road to Banos where you will stay the next 2 nights in an Eco hotel. On day 8 we have bikes ready to cycle the route of the waterfalls. Other option is for example to take a rafting tour or just walk and enjoy the nature around Banos.

Day 10 to 12 Andes Mountains with Guamote and homestay

These days are filled with more cultural experiences of the Andes. From Banos, travel by bus to Chimborazo National Park in the morning. Along the way you have a breakfast and in the park you walk to the refugio at 5000m! From here you will visit a community near the park and you will be taken to your homestay. a special stay with a very welcoming family who shows you everything that life in the Andes means.  option is to stay here for two nights and, for example, take a tour to the Chimborazo from here, or join the legendary ice cream creator! The next morning, say goodbye and continue to Riobamba where you will visit a local market. First you will have a traditional breakfast at the Puruhá community and you will get an explanation of the cleansing ritual of the Cacha community. Depending on the day, visit the Riobamba or Guamote market. This day ends with a walk to Lake Ozogocho and beautiful paramo landscape. Stay after this tour is in Aulasi.

Day 13 to 16 Cuenca and GuayaquilThis morning starts with the famous but touristic train Nariz del Diablo. This high-quality technical feat from the 20th century still works but only still in use for these tourist train. After the tour, travel by bus to Cuenca. Along the way, make a stop at the only preserved Inca Temple, Ingapirca. After arriving in Cuenca there is a city tour and you will then have a wonderful 2 days to enjoy this beautiful city. Options include a walk through the Ingaprica park or, for example, a visit to the craft towns of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Another option is a day tour to the Kinti Wasi community an unforgettable day with all the explanations of their culture and special meal. On day 16, you'll leave in the morning for Guayaquil, making a short visit to Ingapirca and then travelling on to Guayaquil. Along the way, you'll pass the banana and cocoa plantations where you'll visit to get to know these typical Ecuadorian products up close.

Day 17 to 22 GalapagosGalapagos is going to be a reality! Sustainability and travel is already a challenge and in the Galapagos all the way. The need for a more sustainable life will become the most clear here. With this durable variant of the Galapagos we have chosen Islandhopping because this variant with the right partners is just more durable than a Cruise. In addition to sustainable stays, we also extended the stay with a day off. This allows you to enjoy the nature of Galapagos for an extra long time without having a negative impact on your emissions.  On this day off you have the opportunity to visit sites that are freely accessible without a guide. For example Charles Darwin Institute (Turtles) or Loberia (iguanas and snorkeling with turtles and sea lions). From your hotel in Guayaquil it is about 20 minutes to the airport where you leave in the morning to the Galapagos. Here your tour starts as chosen (Island Hopping, a Cruise or a combi tour see our Galapagos site) You will be picked up from the airport and the next few days will be fully catered for. On a cruise, meals are also included. Over the next few days you will be spoiled by an unprecedented natural beauty and animals that define life. You will have plenty of variety in landscapes as well as a variety of snorkelling and a nice beach.

Sample trip 7 day Island hopping San Christobal and Santa Cruz target price 1150 euros

Day 1 Higland tour San ChristobalThe journey begins with a two-hour flight from Guayaquil to San Christobal. Here you will be met by our driver and taken to your hotel (possibly with swimming pool). After this, your first tour begins: the highland tour, which is part of the national park and you get to see the variety of San Christobal. You will visit the special freshwater lake Al Junco at 700m, Galapaguera, a new research centre in which you will see many birds, plants and turtles in a 'natural' environment. You will also visit El Progreso, a collection of small farms. The day ends with a walk on the beach of Puerto Chino. You'll be here in a small family eco hotel and a well-catered breakfast. Option: for other half day tours are Cerro Tijeratas or Loberia

Day 2 Kicker rockThis day you will take a day tour to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido). By boat, you'll sail to Kicker Rock, a large rock that rises 150 meters above sea level. It is the favorite place for many bird species such as the Mask Gents and Frigate birds that you will see on the way there. You will also see whitetip sharks that are common here. There is a good chance that you will also encounter a group of hammerhead sharks, especially so snorkel for a while. option is to take a tour to Lobos this day, the emphasis is less on snorkeling. Here you will definitely see the blue footed boobie, fergat bird marine iguanas and sea lions.

Day 3 San Chirstobal and water taxi to Santa CruzToday you leave by boat to the island of Santa Cruz. In the morning you still have plenty of opportunities to visit beautiful places, which are described in the Local Planet that you receive from us, such as Cerro Tijaritas y Punto Carola. This is a nice walk with a number of places to snorkel along the way and lots of viewpoints. Punto Carola is also called the State of Love….. Meet the seals and many birds. You will stay this evening in a lovely hotel (including extensive breakfast). In the evening you can enjoy the many restaurants on the pier.

Day 4 SeymourThis day you will visit the island of Seymour, set in a beautiful landscape where you will meet golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and Galapagos penguins. This island originated from undersea lava with black basalt lava. When mooring you will see all the sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, tropicbirds, brown noddy terns and pelicans. You cross a sandy plain and go through a Palo Santo forest. The frigate bird and Jan-van-gent will not miss you here either. The day ends with a nice snorkeltour.

Day 5 day off Santa Cruz
This day you have your own program. For example, in the morning take a break and then visit Charles Darwin station. Here you will see all about the program of the Galapagos shield apadds and many will see. From here you can also very easily go to the beach where you can see many beautiful crabs traveling full of color and zeeleguenan. Other option is a highland tour for turtles in the wild or a Bay tour with additional opportunity for snorkeling. .

Day 6 PlazasOnce again there is a day tour on the program namely to Plazas. Upon arrival you will be called by large male sea lions and their young. Before it's safe to go ashore, the guides chase them away by clapping. Step gently over the rocks covered with white guano and crab. This island has few trees but a rocky garden-like mat of the endemic salty, whose juicy leaves turn red from May to December. In addition, you will see various finches (also Darwin's) red tropicbirds, dovetail gulls, brown pelicans and a variety of cacti. At sea, shearwaters, brown noddy terns and schools of mullet and doctor fish can be spotted. Further out to sea, dolphins, mantas and even orcas can be seen. Snorkeling is done today from Bachas.

Day 7 flight
Unfortunately, your visit to the Galapagos has come to an end. This morning you will be picked up by our driver at the hotel to the airport in Baltra. From Baltra you fly back to Guayaquil and then to the Netherlands.

We are happy to work out these examples for you in a tailor-made trip. We also have a varied range of cruise boats or a combination trip with Island hopping and a cruise boat

In addition to this versatile route, there is an opportunity to extend or customize it with personal wishes. You can think here of further discovery of the Andes to walk over impressive mountain ranges or visit the Galapagos.
At Go Local! the possibilities are almost unlimited, which is why we only give a short summary here. If you are looking for specific places, activities or experiences please let us know. For more inspiration, see also our combi travel with Ecuador. Go Local Travel makes every effort to travel as sustainably as possible.

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