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 the size of France, four regions within just 250 km of width: Pacific coast, Andes, Amazon and Galápagos Islands, a 12-14 h flight with stopover from Paris. The Galápagos Islands (UNESCO 1978), 1,000 km off the coast, are the archipelago where Darwin elaborated his theory of evolution; giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and blue-footed boobies abound. Quito (UNESCO 1978), at 2,850 m, the world's second-highest capital, preserves a remarkably intact colonial center. Otavalo's market, Cotopaxi (5,897 m) and Yasuní National Park complete the picture: 6% of world biodiversity on just 0.2% of Earth's surface. Allow 12 to 16 days to link these three worlds.
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 a stable equatorial climate year-round thanks to its 0° latitude (12 sunshine hours/day, stable temperatures 18-25°C depending on altitude), but two seasons by region. GALÁPAGOS: June-November, cool dry season, cold waters ideal for marine wildlife, penguins and manta rays; December-May, warm season, calmer waters ideal for snorkeling. ANDES (Quito, Cotopaxi, Otavalo): June-September, dry season, clear skies, ideal for the Cotopaxi ascent. AMAZON (Yasuní): December-March or June-August, dry seasons with passable trails. Avoid April-May (heavy Amazon rains) and June-August on the Pacific coast, a 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's historic center, Otavalo, Amazon lodges. Stay alert in modern Quito (La Mariscal at night), downtown Guayaquil and near the Colombian border. No visa required for French citizens, 90-day stay, passport valid 6 months. $100 Galápagos tax per person on arrival, cash only. Yellow fever vaccine recommended and antimalarials essential for the Amazon. Quito's 2,850-m altitude can cause altitude sickness, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol the first day. Avoid tap water. Cards accepted everywhere, Spanish omnipresent. Tipping: 10% at restaurants, $5-$10/day for guides and drivers, $50-$100 for the naturalist at the end of a 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).