Travel to Ecuador | Volcanoes, markets and colonial cities

> Trips to Ecuador of 17 and 20 days
> Culture and nature trip
> Departures 4 SEP > 2 OCT > 6 NOV 2020
> Price from €2,300

The trip to Ecuador

This Ecuador trip avoids excessive driving, spending time with indigenous communities and exploring diverse regions: the Andes along the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes and the wildlife-rich Machalilla Reserve on the Pacific.

The Andes mountains divide Ecuador into two halves, separating the Amazon from the plains of the coast.

The Andes divide Ecuador, separating the Amazon from the coastal plains. One trip can take you up highland volcanoes, introduce you to ethnic groups preserving ancestral traditions, and offer whale watching and rainforest exploration.

From north to south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, the route visits Quito, Otavalo, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi national parks, and Cuenca. On the Pacific coast, Machalilla National Park introduces rich wildlife.

Our Ecuador itinerary covers short distances and takes place almost entirely in natural surroundings. The activities make it easier to follow the established measures. Local hotels, rustic haciendas and guesthouses meet all required hygiene and safety standards.

Highlights of the trip

• Zuleta Indigenous Community and Markets
  Direct contact to learn about indigenous culture and its ancestral traditions.
• Machalilla National Park
  Protected wildlife area with numerous marine mammal species. Whale watching.
• Avenue of the Volcanoes
  Name of the Andean valleys that stretch between Quito and Cuenca.

Travel itinerary

Galápagos Islands National Park extension

Amazon Extension

Departures to Ecuador 2020 

1. 1. September: one departure only, on 4
   2. October: one departure only, on 2

1. 1. November scheduled departure on the day 6

Price of the Ecuador trip

Departure dates and prices

Note I : Flights with IBERIA included, departing from Barcelona and Madrid. Ask about availability and flight supplements from other cities.

Note II : Galápagos extension: an extra night in Guayaquil may be needed, depending on embarkation day. The itinerary can follow the northern or southern route. Check availability, flight supplements, alternative boats, special conditions, cancellation deadlines and single-cabin supplement.

Note III : Amazon extension: departures Monday, Tuesday and Friday. This extension can take place before the main route. Depending on domestic flight availability,
an extra night in Quito or Guayaquil will be needed. Check availability, flight supplements and single room arrangements.

Recommended packing

Alongside your personal essentials, we recommend bringing:
Comfortable walking shoes / sandals / warm, comfortable clothing / warm hat / gloves / walking poles (optional) / insulated jacket / windproof jacket / waterproof jacket / swimwear / repellent / sun cream / cap / sunglasses / water bottle / washbag (wet wipes, lip balm, etc.) / camera / basic first-aid kit: aspirin, anti-inflammatories, travel sickness tablets, cotton wool, bandages, adhesive tape, laxative, antibiotic ointment, disinfectant…

Climate in Ecuador

Despite its equatorial location, Ecuador has diverse climates and microclimates shaped by geography, terrain and sea currents: the cold Humboldt Current from the south and warm El Niño from Panama. The coast and Amazon are warmer than the Andes. Quito, for example, lies at 2850 metres with an average temperature of 13°C, frequent rain and temperatures varying throughout the day.
August is cool in Machalilla National Park. Weather information

Time difference and currency

GMT-6 time zone.

The local currency is the US dollar. Bring small notes ($1, $5, $20), as $50 and $100 notes can be difficult to change.
Currency exchange

Electrical current and telephone

120 V. Bring a type A/B plug adaptor
There is usually Wi-Fi in almost every hotel in the cities.

Travel health

No vaccinations are compulsory. Tetanus vaccination and malaria prevention are recommended for coastal areas during the rainy season.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age from countries at risk of yellow fever transmission.

Malaria risk — P. falciparum (12%), P. vivax (88%) — exists year-round below 1,500 m, with moderate to high transmission risk in Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabi, Orellana, Pichincha and Sucumbios. There is no risk in Guayaquil or Quito. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported in P. falciparum.

Although the itinerary ascends gradually to allow acclimatisation, altitude sickness, or “soroche”, can appear above 3,000 metres. Local remedies include coca tea and drinking plenty of fluids. Some medicines are also used to ease its effects.

Viajes Tuareg can provide mandatory health entry requirements and recommendations based on our own experience. For health advice and preventive treatment, consult a medical professional or official health authorities

Official information on health precautions and vaccines can be found in the website of the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs

The Generalitat de Catalunya offers the traveller the telephone number of Sanitat Respon 902 111 444, and the website Advice and vaccinations for international travellers where to find information about vaccination centres.

Secure route

Our Ecuador itinerary takes place almost entirely in natural surroundings. The activities make it easier to follow the established health measures. Local hotels, rustic haciendas and guesthouses meet all required hygiene and safety standards.