Essential Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi, Galápagos
Duration : 12 days
Route : Quito (3 nights, UNESCO) → Otavalo Saturday market (1) → Cotopaxi haciendas (2) → Galápagos flight cruise 4 nights + 1 night Santa Cruz → return Quito (1)
Custom travel to Ecuador
Ecuador packs into 283,561 km² (half of France) a diversity few countries can match: four distinct regions — Pacific coast, Andes, Amazon and Galápagos Islands — all within 250 km of width, 12-14 h flight with stopover from Paris. You can combine volcanic desert, Amazon forest and 6,000-m Andean volcanoes in a single day. The flagship sites stand worlds apart: the Galápagos Islands (UNESCO 1978), volcanic archipelago 1,000 km off the coast where Charles Darwin elaborated his theory of evolution during his five-week 1835 voyage on HMS Beagle, host 200-year-old giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, equatorial penguins and blue-footed boobies. Quito (UNESCO 1978), at 2,850 m, is the world's second-highest capital and ranks among the very first UNESCO sites worldwide, with a remarkably preserved 16th-18th-century colonial center. Otavalo holds South America's largest indigenous market, Cotopaxi rises to 5,897 m, and Yasuní National Park counts 4,000 plant species per hectare — one of the world's highest biodiversities — home to pink dolphins and Huaorani and Kichwa communities. Allow 12-16 days to link Galápagos, Andes and Amazon. Ecuador alone holds 6% of world biodiversity on 0.2% of Earth's surface.
Highlights
- UNESCO Galápagos (Darwin endemic wildlife)
- UNESCO Quito (1st world UNESCO site 1978)
- Otavalo market (largest indigenous market)
- Cotopaxi Volcano (5,897 m, one of the highest active)
- Yasuní Amazon (4,000 plants/ha, top biodiversity)
- 200-year-old giant tortoises (Galápagos)
Sample itineraries
Premium Galápagos 7-day cruise
Duration : 10 days
Route : Quito (1 night) → Cotopaxi haciendas (1 night) → Galápagos flight 7-NIGHT CRUISE Silver Galapagos (all islands, embarked naturalists) → return Quito (1)
Complete Ecuador: Andes + Galápagos + Amazon
Duration : 16 days
Route : Quito (3) → Otavalo (1) → Cotopaxi (2) → UNESCO Cuenca (2) → Galápagos cruise flight 5 nights → Quito flight → Coca Yasuní Amazon flight (3 nights Sacha Lodge) → return
When to go
Ecuador has stable equatorial climate year-round thanks to 0° latitude (12 sunshine hours/day, 365 days/year, stable temperatures 18-25 °C depending on altitude). But 2 seasons by region. GALÁPAGOS: 2 opposite seasons — JUNE-NOVEMBER ('cool dry season', cold waters 18-22 °C by Humboldt current — IDEAL for marine wildlife — penguins, sharks, manta rays, choppy sea); DECEMBER-MAY ('warm season', warm waters 22-26 °C — IDEAL for comfortable snorkeling-diving, calm sea, short afternoon rains). ANDES (Quito, Cotopaxi, Otavalo): JUNE-SEPTEMBER (dry season, clear sky, ideal for Cotopaxi ascent and volcano photos). AMAZON (Yasuní): DECEMBER-MARCH (dry season, practicable trails) or JUNE-AUGUST (other dry season). Avoid April-May (heavy rains in Amazon) and June-August for Pacific coast (gray cool season).
- Andes dry season (ideal) (June – September) — Cotopaxi, Otavalo, Galápagos penguins sharks
- Galápagos warm season (ideal snorkeling) (December – May) — Galápagos warm diving, practicable Yasuní Amazon
- Galápagos tourist peak (July – August) — Galápagos marine wildlife peak
- Intermediate green season (October – November) — Crowdless Galápagos, reduced prices
Practical information
Safe in tourist areas (Galápagos, Quito historic center, Otavalo, Amazon lodges). VIGILANCE modern Quito La Mariscal at night (pickpockets, occasional aggressions), downtown Guayaquil, COLOMBIAN BORDER (drug trafficking instability in north). No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months). $100/person GALÁPAGOS TAX on arrival at airport (USD cash only). RECOMMENDED yellow fever vaccine for Amazon. ESSENTIAL antimalarial for Amazon. Quito 2,850-m ALTITUDE can cause altitude sickness — drink lots of water, avoid alcohol first day, optional Diamox medication. Avoid tap water (except luxury hotels with filtering). Cards accepted everywhere. Spanish omnipresent (limited English outside tourist hotels and Galápagos). Tipping: 10% in restaurants (often included '10% servicio'), $5-$10/day for guides and drivers, $50-$100 for naturalist at end of Galápagos cruise.
Frequently asked questions
When?
Galápagos June-November (cold waters marine wildlife) or December-May (comfortable warm waters). Andes: June-September. Amazon: December-March.
How long?
12 days for essential Ecuador (Andes + Galápagos 4 nights). 14 days with 7-night Galápagos cruise. 16 days for complete Andes + Galápagos + Amazon.
Budget?
€4,800-€6,500 per person for 12 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €9,500-€13,000. Flights: €1,100-€1,500.
Visa?
No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months). $100/person Galápagos tax on arrival at airport.
Galápagos: cruise or fixed-base hotel?
CRUISE for COMPLETE experience (all islands, embarked naturalists, wildlife everywhere). Fixed-base hotel Pikaia Lodge for MORE ACCESSIBLE BUDGET and flexibility (day excursions Santa Cruz and neighboring islands).
Family?
EXCELLENT family destination (Galápagos animals fearless, accessible children 8+, varied cuisine, safety). 4-night cruise ideal for first Galápagos family.
How to get around?
LATAM/Avianca domestic flights essential (Galápagos, Amazon). 4×4 with Spanish-English-speaking driver at Quito and Andes.
Altitude sickness at Quito?
Quito at 2,850 m can cause altitude sickness (headaches, nausea). Drink 3 L water/day, avoid alcohol first day, optional Diamox 250 mg. 24-48-h adaptation.
Combine?
Yes: Ecuador + Peru (Cusco, Machu Picchu via 1-h Lima flight from Quito), Ecuador + Colombia (Bogotá), Ecuador + Bolivia (Uyuni Salt Flat).
Tips?
10% in restaurants (often included). $5-$10/day for guides and drivers. $50-$100/person for naturalist at end of Galápagos cruise (essential to their income).