The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the planet’s most unique wildlife and are famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Visiting the islands today offers the chance to see the same extraordinary species that Darwin observed on the Beagle in the 19th century. A holiday to the Galapagos is a once-in-lifetime experience, and combining it with the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the lush Amazon Rainforest and the colonial charm of Cuenca makes for an unforgettable journey through Ecuador.
Llama Travel’s Galapagos & Ecuador itineraries has been designed to ensure you make the most of your time in this incredible destination. Here are 7 reasons why you should visit Galapagos & Ecuador with Llama Travel.
1. Small Groups:
All our Galapagos boats have 16 passengers, so excursions are taken in small groups which helps you make the most of your time and enjoy each experience without feeling rushed. It also gives you more opportunities to interact with your guide, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of Ecuador’s wildlife, culture and history. In mainland Ecuador, our groups are usually under 10 passengers, with a maximum of 18 people.
Galapagos Islands
2. Design Your Own Holiday
Everyone has different priorities for their holiday to the Galapagos & Ecuador, and at Llama Travel, we let you mix and match extensions, excursions and accommodation to create the holiday you want. You can choose whether to take a cruise in the Galapagos, or stay in a hotel, taking day visits to the wildlife sites. In addition to the Galapagos, all our holidays include a stay in Quito, the charming colonial capital, from where you can visit the cloud forest and traditional Andean markets. You can also extend your trip to the Amazon Rainforest, or discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes and wander through the cobbled streets of Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city or perhaps add a visit Peru to explore the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
Galapagos Solaris, Galapagos Islands
3. Choose from four Galapagos yachts, or have an island-based visit to the Galapagos
A visit to the Galapagos Islands is the highlights of any trip to Ecuador. At Llama Travel, we make sure your visit to the Galapagos Islands is exactly what you want. You can choose to take a cruise or stay on dry land with an island stay. With both options, you can snorkel with sea turtles, sea lions and penguins, and walk amongst giant tortoises and iguanas for an unforgettable experience.
Taking a cruise in the Galapagos is the best ways to experience the wide range of wildlife the islands have to offer. As much of the sailing takes place overnight, you can travel further and reach remote islands that are not accessible on day boat excursions during a hotel stay. Llama Travel itineraries offer four Galapagos yachts, with cruises ranging from four days to a week, or even longer if you want to combine different cruises. All cruises include wildlife visits with English-speaking naturalist guides and meals on board.
For detailed information about our four Galapagos cruises, take a look here
Galapagos Archipel
Taking an island stay holiday is a great option for those who prefer to sleep on dry land, or want a more relaxed experience. Our hotel stays on the central island of Santa Cruz allow you to take day excursions to wildlife sites in the nearby islands, and then return to the comforts of your hotel in the evening in the charming town of Puerto Ayora.
Galapagos Suites, Galapagos Islands
You can even add a hotel stay at the end of a Galapagos cruise.
If you’re unsure which option suits you best, take a look at one of our detailed comparisons between taking a cruise or staying in a hotel here
4. Discover Quito and the Cloud Forest
All our holidays include a few days in Quito, the elegant capital of Ecuador, Quito, which sits high in the Andes at 2,800 metres, close to the famous ‘middle of the world’ equatorial line. This offers a real contrast to the Galapagos Islands, and adds greatly to a visit to this part of the world. The colonial centre of Quito is well worth discovering, with fantastic views of the surrounding volcanoes, and intricate churches dripping in gold leaf.
Quito Old Town
A stay in Quito lets you explore the cloud forest, easily accessible from the city. We offer two Cloud Forest Lodges: The Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge is a beautiful and comfortable lodge set is a spectacular private reserve with hundreds of bird species, and offers excellent value for money. The Mashpi Lodge is a luxurious lodge set in the Mashi Reserve, allowing you to explore this incredible ecosystem whilst staying in absolute comfort.
From Quito, you can also visit the market town of Otavalo, home to one of Latin America’s most famous crafts markets, set amidst beautiful countryside.
5. Add a visit to the Amazon Rainforest
A visit to the Amazon Rainforest is a perfect complement to a trip to the Galapagos Islands, with an equally amazing, but totally different, wildlife experience. We offer a stay in the fabulous Napo Wildlife Center, set in the 2.5-million-acre Yasuni Reserve, where you may spot monkeys, macaws and parrots.
Napo Wildlife Center, Amazon Rainforest
To read more about what you can expect from an Amazon adventure in Ecuador, click here
6. Discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes and Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city
In addition to the fabulous wildlife, Ecuador has stunning Andean scenery, indigenous cultures, and colonial cities. Our Cuenca & The Avenue of the Volcanoes extension allows you to experience all of this, with stunning views as you pass through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, visit a refuge on Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak, and explore Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city, known for its cobblestone streets, beautiful squares and colonial buildings.
Chimborazo Mountain, Avenue of the Volcanoes
7. Speak to an Expert
Our travel experts have experienced Galapagos & Ecuador first-hand, so when you speak to us, you’re getting advice from people who’ve actually been there. With our knowledge and experience, we’ll help you create a holiday that’s planned perfectly for you, and filled with memories to last a lifetime.
Inspired by this, and want to experience the best of Galapagos & Ecuador for yourself? Order a free brochure to find out more about our Galapagos & Ecuador itineraries, or contact us to speak to one of our Travel Consultants today.
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