Ecuador and Galapagos

[Franklinexperience]

Just any advice really?
I am currently planning to go easter 2026 school hols but happy to take advice.
this is a proper bucket list trip so I want to make it right. Am considering 7 night boat trip round Galápagos Islands plus cloud forest stay plus Amazon trip plus time in Quito.

Just bear in mind that there is a lot of violence in Ecuador

Otavalo, you HAVE to go to Otavalo for two reasons, the fabulous markets and, depending on how tall you are, being tall.

Seriously I'm 5 ft 0 and I was tall.

We did Quito and then Galapagos on a boat. Quito was pleasant. Go up the cathedral tower if you don’t mind heights. Pick pockets are rife and watch out for the bird dropping trick. They chuck something on you and pick your pocket while wiping you off. Did a trip to Cotapaxi from Quito - really breathless walk up but got to cafe. Bike run to get back down. Didn’t do cloud forest so no advice there. Did boat with company called G adventure. I’m a bit vague on how we connected everything up. I we had a budget hotel for 4 days then a night in the big hotel they use (holiday inn?). I think we left our bulk luggage there and collected on return. Absolutely fantastic, food on boat. 14 guests and almost as many staff. Bunk beds but hot showers in en-suite. Snorkling a couple of times a day and guided walks on each island. If you can’t snorkel you will miss a lot so learn before you go. The water is icy! It comes straight up from the Antarctic. The boat provided shorty wetsuits I had a rash vest and leggings with me so put this on under and was still cold. Hubby took his own wind surfing suit which was full length I would do that if we went again. ( we were going on to Australia hence rash clothes and wet suit.). We got hot drinks when we got out of the water. If you don’t mind the extra cost get an upper cabin. I think the lower ones were noisier near engine and anchor chain noise. Boat moves at night to get between islands maybe take ear plugs if you can wear them. We went via USA and Panama but wouldn’t do that now. Read you can go via Madrid instead. Airport is a long interesting drive from Quito. We pre booked a private transfer. He didn’t speak any English so communicated via Google translate.

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve taken a further look at the political and security situation and FCO advice and I think we will tackle another proposition on the bucket list next year.

This.

We did a Galapagos cruise 2 years ago. Cruise company flew us into Quito pre cruise and then out of Guayaquil on the way home. Both places were pretty scary. Armed security guards outside at both hotels, and we weren’t allowed to walk 2 minutes down the road from the airport to the hotel. Wouldn’t ever visit Ecuador ever again, even though the cruise was amazing.

If you really want to go do some research. The cruise ships fly passengers from Ecuador into San Cristobal airport (Galapagos Islands airport). Look at their arrivals to see where you can fly there without going via Ecuador.

@Franklinexperience
We did Peru, E & GI in 2023. Political situation must have changed since then.
How about Peru & GI ?

All our internal flights were with Latam, there might be a flight that avoids mainland E.
Also, I believe Latam now fly to Europe.

We did an organised tour to Ecuador and Galapagos a couple of years ago. Spent time in the mountains and the Amazon before going to the Galapagos. It was the trip of a lifetime. Never felt at risk but our guide was very nervous when we were in Quito and kept the group close to him and we were advised not to go out at night.

You can do a 7-night cruise and the cloud forest in the Amazon and finish in Quito. For the trip we used a Quito planner who handled the cruise hold and the domestic flights and the transfers so nothing slipped. For us that was Happy Gringo and it kept the Easter timing easy

Oh no. This is on our pre retirement list, and we always self organise. What is wrong with Quito?

Op, we went to the Galapagos in 2023. DS who is 18 now loved it so much he wants us to go back.

We felt 100% safe, we used a local tour company (smallish one) who gave us great service. We also went to the Amazon and stayed in a place called “La Casa del Suizo”, cannot tell you how much we loved it!

We went last year with a little one and it was AMAZING. Contact Rachel at Think Galapagos she is incredible. Really professional, goes above and beyond and is highly experienced having lived there herself. Feel free to PM me.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-68778773

"Until recently considered one of the safest countries in the region, Ecuador, which is also the gateway to the Galapagos Islands and home to the rainforest, attracted many tourists.

But now it has the highest recorded murder rate in Latin America.

In 2023, police recorded about 8,000 violent deaths. That is eight times more than in 2018 and puts Ecuador ahead of countries like Mexico and Colombia."

I was also coming on to recommend Rachel. Her husband is from the Galapagos and she will be absolutely on top of the situation in Ecuador. We did Quito and the cloud forest in Ecuador then 7 days round the Galapagos which was the best holiday ever. I want to go back!