Ecuador Trips & Tours

Question 1

Will I visit Ecuador's capital, Quito, on your trips?

Answer

All of our Ecuador tours with the exception of Galapagos Island Hopping begin in Quito. Whilst Wilds of Ecuador includes a guided walking tour in the city, on our Galapagos adventure tours you leave early on day 2, so we recommend booking pre or post tour accommodation if you would like to further explore the city.

Question 2

Why are the Galapagos Islands so special?

Answer

Isolated nearly 1,400km off the Pacific coast, the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands has evolved in isolation from the rest of the world for millions of years. Hence the weird and wonderful species found here, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas and the only penguin species to be found north of the equator. Other species include sea lions, the iconic blue-footed booby and the Galapagos hawk.

Charles Darwin developed his ground-breaking theory of evolution in the Galapagos Islands by studying finches. And this wildlife is heavily protected - 97% of the Galapagos Islands, plus a large portion of the surrounding ocean forms part of the Galapagos National Park. The 25,000 human inhabitants live on the other 3% and eco-tourism is the foundation of the economy.

Question 3

When is the best time of year to visit Ecuador?

Answer

Ecuador is a year-round destination but also a country of extremes, so dramatic weather can be encountered all year round. If you are visiting west of the Andes, in places such as Quito, then the dry season lasts from June - September. The dry season in the east lasts from October - May. And the Amazon is best-visited from December -0 March and June - August. There's more detailed information in our guide on when to visit, to help you plan your Ecuador tour.

Question 4

Will I be escorted by a guide on my Ecuador tour?

Answer

Our Ecuador tours are not fully escorted, but you will enjoy plenty of included sightseeing with expert local guides.

On all included excursions during our Galapagos Islands tours, you will enjoy the services of an expert naturalist guide who will be able to tell you all about the ecology and geography of the archipelago.

Question 5

What sort of accommodation do you use on your Ecuador tours?

Answer

In Quito and the rest of mainland Ecuador, we stay in good quality 3-star accommodation, though on our Wilds of Ecuador package you can upgrade to higher quality accommodation.

On our island-hopping tours in the Galapagos Islands, you will spend your first night at a 3-star hotel in Quito before flying to the archipelago. You will then explore the Galapagos islands aboard our first-class catamaran. You can find details about the M/C Anahi on our tour pages, or by clicking here.

On our Galapagos Island Hopping group tour, you will stay in a mixture of 3-star hotels, guesthouses and homestays.

Question 6

What is the currency in Ecuador and the Galapagos?

Answer

The currency of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is the US Dollar (USD). Check OANDA for current exchange rates.

Question 7

Are Ecuador and the Galapagos a safe destination for travellers from the LGBTQ+ community?

Answer

According to the 2022 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands score a B rating for LGBTQ+ traveller safety, ranking 32nd out of 203 countries.

Same sex marriage is legal, and there are broad constitutional and worker protections in place for people of all sexual orientations. Hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community are criminalized and 26 - 50% of consulted citizens consider Ecuador a good place to live for gay and lesbian people. There are no legal punishments for same sex relations and most trips for LGBTQ+ travellers to Ecuador are trouble-free.

The LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index is designed to provide a good overall picture of attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in each country and may not reflect the experience of foreign travellers to the country.

Question 8

Can I drink the tap water?

Answer

The tap water in mainland Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands is not safe to drink and you risk making yourself unwell by consuming it. Stick to bottled water on our Ecuador tours - this is readily available in hotels and on cruise boats in the Galapagos. Be extremely careful not to litter, especially in the Galapagos Islands. Not only does this disturb the pristine Galapagos ecosystem, but there can be heavy fines for anyone caught littering.

Question 9

Are there rules to be aware of in the Galapagos Islands?

Answer

The Galapagos Islands are one of the world's only truly intact ecosystems, and as a result, they are heavily protected. Travellers caught damaging the environment will be heavily fined.

It is extremely important that when visiting the Galapagos Islands, you follow these rules: - Do not leave any litter on the islands. - Do not take anything, even a shell or a pebble. - Do not get too close to wildlife - stay on marked trails and do not try to feed or touch any animals. As animals here have no or few predators, they can be curious and may come to you - still make sure not to touch any creature. - Smoking is also not permitted within the Galapagos National Park. So if you are a smoker, you may want to bring alternative with you, such as nicotine patches.

Following these simple rules helps to protect the environment abnd the unique species that call the Galapagos home.

Question 10

What is the current travel advice for Ecuador and the Galapagos?

Answer

As a UK-based company, we follow the latest up to date advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO).

You can see the latest travel advice for your Ecuador / Galapagos trip here.