Quito Old Town Tour with Gondola Ride and Visit to the Equator

Great guide for the full Quito experience

Great guide for Quito experience. Paola was a great guide around Quito and the Intinan Equator Museum which is exactly on the equator. We saw all the attractions and churches in Old Town and got to ride in the cable car up to a high point in the mountain. (There is a swing set there for pictures). I recommend this to anyone who expects to have a full day available in Quito. It's a really great experience!

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Quito, Amazon & Galapagos, trip visit - 20 day tour.

The below was our agenda for a fantastic trip to Quito, followed by a trip to the Amazon and then finally a 10 day island stay on the Galapagos. Outward on 1st May 2024 • Bus from Chepstow to Bristol: • National Express from Bristol to Heathrow Terminal 2 (Heathrow Bus Station): Return on 20th May 2024 • National Express from Heathrow Terminal 2 (Heathrow Bus Station) to Bristol: Flights 1st May 2024 - London to Quito • 22:05 London T2 LHR AV121 – 02:55 Bogota BOG – Travel Time: 10h 40m • 07:30 Bogota BOG AV8377 - 09:05 Quito UIO. - Travel Time: 1h 40m o 4-hour stopover in Bogota. 9th May 2024 - Quito to Santa Cruz, Baltra Airport - Galápagos Islands - Travel time:2h 10m • 09.17 Quito UIO AV1688 10.29 Baltra, Galápagos GPS. 16th May 2024 – Isabela Island - San Cristobal (Emetebe Airlines) • Flight No.: ET102 - Depart 14.00 – Arrive: 14.45. 19th May 2024 - San Cristobal, Galapagos to Guayaquil GYE. - Travel time:1h 51m • 11:35 San Cristobal, Galapagos SCY AV1631 14:26 Guayaquil GYE. Guayaquil GYE London LHR. Total travel time:15h • 18:20 Guayaquil GYE AV8394 - 20:10 Bogota BOG. - Travel time:1h 55m • 23:25 Bogota BOG AV120 - 15:35 +1 London LHR T2. - Travel time:10h 20m o 3-hour stopover in Bogota Hotel Quito • 2nd May – 4th May - Hotel San Francisco de Quito. (2 Nights B&B). • 4th May - Wyndham Quito Airport - (1 Night B&B) – Night before Amazon Trip. • 8th May - Wyndham Quito Airport - (1 Night B&B) – Between Amazon and Galapagos. Galapagos. • 9th May – 13th May - Santa Cruz - Galápagos Verde Azul - (4 Nights B&B) • 13th May – 16th May - Isabela – Drake Inn - (3 Nights B&B). • 16th May – 19th May - San Cristobal - Stefany's Lodging (pool) – (3 Nights B&B)   Daily agenda and Notes In Ecuador, restaurants commonly charge a 10% service fee. If you feel that the service was excellent, leave an additional 5-ten dollars or an extra 5 percent. Something to always keep in mind about tipping in Ecuador and Galapagos: what may seem like slow service in North America is common here. Restaurants: mid-level to upscale restaurants will tack a 10% service charge onto your bill (along with a 14% tax). No need to add anything on top, unless the service has been exceptionally stellar – and in that case a dollar or two to indicate your appreciation would be fine. Quito (6 Hour time difference) Average weather in May in Quito, Ecuador. (Evening around 12°C to daytime around 21.2°C) The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Quito in May is 10.0°C (50°F). The amount of rain in May is high with an average of 105mm (4.1in). It rains on average a total of 13 days. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around 21.2°C (70.16°F). The sun will occasionally show itself with 165 hours of sunshine during the whole month. Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church. Upon arrival in Quito. (3 Nights). Day 1 - Arrive and look out for arranged taxi to the hotel ($30 Cash). Hotel San Francisco de Quito. Check in then depart for the afternoon walk. (See Quito Walking Sheet). Stop for lunch / meal when in the Calle La Ronda after the visit to The Plaza de Santo Domingo. Suggest stopping at Pizzamama, where a large pizza (share between 2 people) plus 2 soft drinks and 2 large beers came to $20. Day 2 - Day viator tour from Quito. Hotel San Francisco de Quito • Private Full-Day Mindo Cloud Forest, Butterfly Farm, Chocolate Tour bird watching. See separate doc on tour details. $20 tip for 2 • Day 3 – Day walks around Quito, then go to airport hotel. Holiday Inn at the Airport. Check out of hotel and leave bags at hotel for the day. Then do the 1 Day self-Walking trip. (See separate sheet on Quito Walk). Collect bags and get a taxi to the airport hotel and meet up with Amazon Rep in evening for detail on Amazon Tour.   Amazon tour from Quito Amazon tour from Quito 4-day / 3-night jungle trip. $40 Tip to Guide for the whole trip. Start & Finish in Quito, Ecuador. • 5th May: Quito to Coco - LA1397 - 09:30 – 10:09 • 8th May: Coco to Quito – LA1396 - 10:40 – 11.16 Travel through the lush ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Discover the secrets of the Ecuadorian Amazon on this breathtaking tour into the heart of the jungle. Take guided walks to discover the abundant plant and animal life that call this part of the Amazon home. Awake to the exotic sound of birdcalls and discover the thrill of sleeping in this secluded spot deep in the Ecuadorian jungle. Explore the majestic rainforest however you’d like – jungle treks, dugout canoe safaris, or by relaxing in a hammock and keeping an eye on the wildlife. Expert guides will reveal extraordinary wildlife – caiman, otters, sloths, parrots, monkeys, hoatzin, monkeys, capybaras, anacondas – and provide insights into the area's importance to the local communities. Staying in the depths of the Amazon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that defines the saying of ‘off the beaten track’. Special Information - Please provide the location of your overnight hotel in Quito at least 7 days before the start of this trip. The day before your trip starts, an Intrepid local representative will meet you at your hotel. The representative will call beforehand to advise you of the exact time. Please have your passport and insurance information ready for this meeting. Day 1: Quito / Amazon Jungle - Meals Included: Lunch Dinner Sunday: - Check out of airport hotel and get free hotel shuttle to airport terminal. The flight over the Andes to the river port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana, (or Coca) will take approximately 45 minutes. Here, a local guide will meet you and transfer you to the town docks, where a covered motorized canoe will take you on a 1-hour journey down the Napo River to the Yarina Lodge. A lodge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the river port. Here you’ll board an 18 meter (57 foot) motorized canoe for a 1-hour trip upriver. Life vests are provided. A box lunch is served as you navigate one of the largest tributaries to the mighty Napo. At the lodge, you’ll receive a warm welcome from our local staff, who’ll give you a refreshing beverage and snack while you’re introduced to the facilities. You’ll be issued with a pair of rubber boots to use for the duration of your jungle stay. In the afternoon, and once you've settled at the lodge, your guide takes you on a short hike to a panoramic point for rainforest views that extend as far as the eye can see in every direction. Dinner at the lodge is normally served at 7pm. Days 2-3: Amazon Jungle Lodge - Meals Included: Breakfast (2) Lunch (2) Dinner (2) The next two days are packed with activities. These may vary depending on the time of the year and weather; however, they normally include wildlife spotting, canoe rides and jungle walks, with the opportunity to learn from a local guide about the many resources the Amazon provides – from medicine to construction and food. Depending on what days of the week you are at the lodge, you may have the opportunity to meet an indigenous family of the Quichuas del Oriente community. You can learn more about their culture and their relationship with the forest. Jungle walks can be up to 3 hours long – we recommend bringing a comfortable pair of walking shoes. MONDAY: - Breakfast. After breakfast we will take a small canoe to navigate on the Manduro river till the Sapococha Lagoon. We will walk around the lagoon enjoying a concert of sounds of birds, frogs, monkeys, etc; in addition, we will learn about different types of aquatic plants. Return to the lodge and lunch. After lunch we will visit the Socali path, characterized for a variety of different jungle lands. This path is used like an introduction trail to learn about the flora and fauna that is possible to find in different types of forest. Return to the lodge to have the dinner and resting time. TUESDAY: - After breakfast we will visit the Capibara path. An adventure trail with many swamps. In this trail you will see some palm trees that is possible to see in other places. Return to the lodge to take the lunch. Late in the afternoon without rubber boots and wearing comfortable dresses (shorts is recommended). The local guides are going to teach us how to use the blowpipe. After this activity we will take a small canoe to enjoy with the piranha fishing. Return to the lodge to take the dinner. Resting time. Day 4: Quito - Meals Included: Breakfast. Holiday Inn at the Airport. Wednesday: - After a hearty breakfast, travel back to Coca airport for your return flight to Quito. You are scheduled to arrive at Quito Airport at approximately 12pm, however flight delays are not uncommon in this part of the world. Upon arrival back in Quito Airport, locate the TTC Booth to get the Transit Control Card, which must be paid in cash at the Quito airport before you take your flight to the island. Visitors must go to a booth in the airport with their plane tickets to get the card, which costs US$20 (cash only). the Transit Control Card must be kept with you until you leave the archipelago. Get the free hotel shuttle to the airport hotel for the overnight stay prior to the flights to the Galapagos.   Galapagos Islands (7 Hour Time Difference). The Galapagos are 1 hour behind Quito Time. There are banks and ATM machines on Santa Cruz Island and San Cristobal Island. Galapagos Entrance Fees: The Governing Council of Galapagos uses the Transit Control Card (Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito or TCT) to monitor visitors’ time spent on the islands. The Transit Control Card must be paid in cash at the Quito airport before you take your flight to the island. Visitors must go to a booth in the airport with their plane tickets to get the card, which costs US$20 (cash only). the Transit Control Card must be kept with you until you leave the archipelago. We got our TCT the evening before our flight as we were staying at the airport hotel. Only had to wait 5 mins. Also complete the TCT Pre online form. Then when you get to the desk they have all the info and just hand over the card. All tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands must pay an entry tax to visit the archipelago to the Ecuadorian National Park System. This is the Galapagos National Park fee. The Galapagos National Park fee must be paid in cash at the airport in Galapagos upon arrival in Satna Cruz airport. The amount of this entrance fee depends on the age and nationality of the tourist. Most foreign tourists pay US$100. When you arrive to the Islands, the security desk also stamps the pass into the passport and one pays the fee. Inter-Island Ferry Book inter-island ferry tickets in the Galapagos. When in Santa Cruz, check out the ferry ticket booths in the town centre, and book the trip from Santa Cruz to Isabella. Payment in cash. • Morning and afternoon departures every day from each island. 7.00 am and 3.00 pm Please note that the journey takes about 2.00-2.30 hours depending on the sea conditions and that you need to be at the pier 45 minutes before departure for luggage inspection and boarding. Santa Cruz Island and the port town of Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Home to the largest town in the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora, the Island has a large variety of vegetation. Pit craters, Scalesia Forest, cacti and ferns are found in its vegetation zones. The island is comprised of a younger part formed by volcanic cones and lava and an older narrow strip of land formed by uplifted lava flows and tuffs. Puerto Ayora is in central Galápagos, Ecuador. Located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. The town is named in honor of Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the economic center of Galapagos with many restaurants, souvenir shops, discotheques, bars, internet coffee shops and other stores. The bay is a good location to spot brown pelicans, golden rays, marine iguanas, herons, lava gulls, frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, and large numbers of blue-footed boobies. Day 1 Travel to the Galapagos and Santa Cruz Island and hotel. Flights Quito to Galapagos Santa Cruz and then get a taxi from the airport ferry to Puerto Ayora. Hotel Verde Azul. (B&B). Quito to Galápagos Islands – Santa Cruz, Baltra Airport. • 10:22 Quito UIO AV1688 - 11:32 Baltra, Galápagos GPS. - Travel time:2h 10m Travelers that arrive at Santa Cruz and Baltra Airport and require travel to Puerto Ayora need a bus transfer from Seymour Airport to the Baltra Ferry Terminal taking about 10 minutes. A short 5-minute water taxi takes guests to the Santa Cruz Ferry Terminal on Santa Cruz Island. From here, buses and taxis transfer travellers across the island of Santa Cruz to Puerto Ayora. The entire transfer from Seymour Airport to Puerto Ayora takes about 90 minutes. From the Ferry point, get a taxi to the town and the hotel. WE shared a taxi with another couple and it only cost us $15 per couple!!!! After check-in, see if the hotel offers a laundry service and at what value. Or take laundry to Lavandería Monyfri which is a 3 min walk just down the road from the hotel. For a large bag of laundry, it is around $10. Just walk up to the window and give them your name and they take over everything from there. We used this and the 1 bag only cost us $6. The cloths were all clean and fresh. Suggested dinner place: Dimati Pizza & Grill restaurant. 3 min walk down the road by the turning to the laundry service place. Great place to eat. We ate there all 4 nights and the food was great and very good value   Day 2 - Morning around the town and then trip in the afternoon. Hotel Verde Azul. (B&B). After breakfast, collect laundry, if required from laundry service. Then head off to have a walk around the town and explore the surrounding area for a beach etc for the 1-day transit etc. Also, for places to eat etc. Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island. Departs at 14.00 and returns around 17.00. See separate tour sheet details.   Day 3 - A self-organised Day trip from the hotel. Hotel Verde Azul. (B&B). Got a taxi to visit to the Rancho Primicias - Giant Tortoise Reserve. and then the Lava Tubes + Los Gemelos. $50 for the day. Beautiful ranch with many gigantic turtles, recommend to simply arrive here independently, the entrance is only $10 and includes a guided tour, but the tours from Puerto Ayora charge you $60+ and you can easily arrive with a bus or taxi. The ranch also offers a Lava Tunnel walk through that was spectacular in my opinion. It's a great couple of hours. After lunch get a taxi to Los Gemelos and then via a short walking path to the viewpoint. There’s a small parking lot at the top and taxis seem to sit there waiting for people. Then get a taxi back to the hotel. Day 4 - A self-walking Day from the hotel. Hotel Verde Azul. (B&B). - It’s an hour walk to Tortuga Bay Beach. Shoreline of dunes, salt flats & mangroves, home to species including iguanas & flamingos. And then go for a swim etc. Tortuga Bay Footway - 7.4-km out-and-back trail near Puerto Ayora, Galápagos. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 33 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and paddle sports, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The path goes from the city of Puerto Ayora and is a paved road to the beach of Bahía Tortuga, despite this, suitable footwear is recommended because it is an important walking distance. The beach of Bahía Tortuga is one of the most popular of the Galapagos Islands and allows rest activities, snorkeling, observing species of native birds and fauna (such as sea lions, iguanas, crustaceans, etc).   Day 5 Travel to Isabela Island and Puerto Villamil on 15.00 afternoon 15.00 ferry schedule. 13th May 2024 - Galapagos Transfers - Santa Cruz - Isabela - Afternoon: 3.00pm – 17.15. Hotel on Isabela Island - Drake Inn - Puerto Villamil. (B&B) Check out of the hotel and then leave bags at the hotel, and head off towards the Darwin Centre, which is a 15 min walk from the hotel to Darwin Research Centre. Ferry departs around 15.00. Please note that the journey takes about 2.00-2.30 hours depending on the sea conditions and that you need to be at the pier 45 minutes before departure for luggage inspection and boarding. It’s around an 8 min walk from the ferry landing to the hotel, so arrive around 17.30. Check in and then sort out any actions. Leave bags and walk into the town, have dinner. Day 6 -Walking Tour to Sierra Negra Vulcano. Drake Inn - Puerto Villamil. (B&B) - Sierra Negra Vulcano Puerto Villamil - Small Group Hike - Puerto Villamil - Viator $20 tip for 2. Depart at 07.30. Discover one of the largest volcanic craters in the world on a hiking tour of the Sierra Negra volcano from Puerto Villamil. This tour has a walk of approximately 17 km round trip. After the trip, walk back to the hotel to freshen up, and then head off for dinner. Lots of places to eat along the beach. Day 7 - A self-walking trip, followed by a half day boat trip. Drake Inn - Puerto Villamil. (B&B) - In the morning take a walk to the Wall of tears and relaxing day. It’s around 1-and-a-half-hour walk. There are a couple of places to stop on the beach and have a swim etc. Impressive wall with serious historical background. On the way to the wall, you’ll probably be lucky and spot some wild giant turtles. The Wall of Tears - 13.2-km out-and-back trail near Puerto Villamil, Galápagos. After the morning walk, have lunch in the town, and then get the afternoon tour. Snorkeling and Fauna Observation at Las Tintoreras Islet - Viator Great trip and swimming with the sharks etc.   Day 8 - Travel to San Cristobal from Isabela. Stefany's Lodging (pool) (B&B). Spend the morning around the hotel and town, relaxing etc. Have lunch, then get the taxi to the airport. 16th May 2024 – Isabela Island - San Cristobal (Emetebe Airlines) Flight No.: ET102 - Depart 14.00 – Arrive: 14.45. Then get a taxi or walk up to the hotel. The taxi is only $2. Day 9 - A Self walking and tour day from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Stefany's Lodging (pool) (B&B). - In the morning get a taxi to take one to El Junco Lake and then on the way back make a stop at El Progresso town. Well worth the visit to see the old tree house and gardens. In the afternoon take a walk to La Loberia. Take a swim and see the local wild sea life etc. La Loberia - Easy, flat beach terrain. Close to Baquerizo Moreno town, La Loberia is home to a large sea lion colony as well as blue-footed and nazca boobies. Day 10 - A Self walking day tour day from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Stefany's Lodging (pool) (B&B). Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill) - Take the 3.5km loop trail past Playa Mann Beach up to Cerro Tijeretas. Visitors are rewarded with panoramic views (from the top lookout station) and the chance to observe two different species of Frigate bird nesting together – Great and Magnificent Frigates. There is also excellent snorkeling to be enjoyed in the bay with sealions. Continue down from the path for access to secluded Baquerizo Beach or Punta Carola. Day 11 Return to UK from San Cristobal. A 20min walk from the hotel to the airport to get the flight from San Cristobal around 13.00 to GYE. Then get the return flight back to the UK. Arrive the next day at Heathrow around 15.30.

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A truly fabulous day!

What a fabulous day! This was a last minute booking as another had fallen through and I can’t thank this company enough for making it happen on such short notice. Communication was excellent, and Carla the manager also made time to meet with us! Our guide Cecelia and driver David became family instantly! 😁. We saw some wonderful sites - Quito from on high, the Equator site, complete with a truly fun experience at the museum, and the Old Town with some stunning architectural delights. And always with lots of information from Cecelia. We’ve fallen hard for Quito, a beautiful town and worth spending a lot of time exploring. Also had a typical Ecuadorian lunch which was delicious. Thank you so much Cecelia and David, and Lead Adventures! You’ve given my sister and I many happy memories.

Response from the operator: Dear Claudia thanks for your rewiew. It was our pleasure to show Quito highlights to you and your sister. We hope to see you in the future!

via Viator

Best tour ever! Highly recommend! Ask for Cecilia!

Our guide, Cecilia, was helpful and knowledgeable, and enthusiastic.. She was flexible and tailored the tour to our needs and requests. She took us to a restaurant to experience typical Ecuadorian cuisine. She taught us about Ecuadorian Holiday traditions. She also went over and above by purchasing a doll for New Years and demonstrated the custom of burning the effigies. additionally, she took pictures and sent lots of pictures to us via whatsapp.

Response from the operator: Hi friend !! We are so happy you enjoyed this tour. Thanks for your comment about these visits. If you have plans to visit Peru or Colombia, let us know. Big hugs!!

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Great Guides, Great Tour. 10/10 would recommend

Excellent and friendly tour guides! Made for an excellent trip together last Christmas with such a charming couple. Would recommend to anyone looking to see the sites with very knowledgeable guides!

Response from the operator: Hi Charlie: Thanks a lot for your comment. If you or your friends are looking for nex destinations like Peru or Colombia, just let us know... Big hugs...

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