The 9 islands of the Azores: a brief guide
Nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic promise an experience of Portugal a world away from Lisbon or the Algarve. In
Read more
Mon - Fri 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sat 10:00am - 4:30pm
MONTH BY MONTH
Choose a month to travel and discover the best places to visit at that time of year...
READ OUR COMPASS BLOG
Compass is an online travel magazine, designed to inspire and inform...
THE COX & KINGS DIFFERENCES
Discover some of the unique benefits of choosing to travel with Cox & Kings...
- Ecuador & Galapagos
- Overview
- Private Travel
- Tailor-Made Holidays
- Accommodation
- Gallery
Ecuador and Galapagos holidays by Cox & Kings
Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, yet it offers an extraordinarily diverse range of experiences; from the dramatic mountain scenery of the Andes to the rich wildlife of the Amazon; from the colourful local culture and excellent indigenous handicrafts to the unique wildlife experiences of the Galapagos Islands.
Explore Ecuador & Galapagos
Click on your destination of interest
Key facts
- Capital: Quito
- Currency: US dollar
- Flying time from London: 17 hours
- Official language(s): Spanish
- Time difference: -5 GMT
- Visa requirements: Not required for UK passport holders
The Ecuador & Galapagos Experts
Our experts will be delighted to tailor a completely personalised itinerary to suit your interests, dates and budget.
Call them on
020 7808 6783
020 7808 6783
Top things to do in Ecuador & Galapagos
Browse local markets
Buy local handicrafts at Otavalo's indigenous market. Just north of Quito, this town has a fantastic daily market selling colourful handicrafts. On Saturdays the locals descend on the town to buy and sell fruit, vegetables and livestock. Throughout Ecuador there are villages with vibrant markets selling hand-woven textiles, ponchos, jewellery, panama hats, hand-woven textiles and more.
Snorkel in the Galapagos
Swim with sea lions and sea turtles, watch penguins zip past and flightless cormorants plunge in beside you. You will never feel so close to marine life as in the waters of the Galapagos Islands.
Ride on the Tren Crucero
Travel all the way from Quito in the Andean highlands to Guayaquil and the steamy coastal plains, aboard a vintage train. The Tren Crucero is a restored heritage train, pulled for part of the journey by an early 20th-century steam locomotive. It offers a luxury rail experience with overnight stays in traditional haciendas or hotels and guided excursions to places of interest en route. The scenic journey includes the infamous hairpin bends of the Devil’s Nose.
Take an Anakonda Amazon Cruise
Explore the Amazon rainforest from the comfort of the Anakonda, the only superior river cruiser to sail in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Navigating along the Napo river, make your way through the waterways of the wild Yasuni National Park and various smaller nature reserves, discovering the wildlife and local communities.
Go whale watching
Between mid-June and November, whale-watching expeditions are possible along Ecuador’s mid-Pacific coastline. This is when humpback whales come near to the shoreline to breed.
The latest from Compass - our online travel magazine
Why you should visit Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan: a vibrant stop on the Silk Route, a crossroads between east and west, and the metropole of a medieval empire. This
Read more
A guide to Bhutan’s fantastic festivals
The best time to visit Bhutan is undoubtedly during one of its colourful annual festivals (tshechus). It’s a chance to gain greater
Read more
7 reasons to visit Kenya with Cox & Kings
Jen Morris shares seven highlights of a small-group tour that took her from Mount Kenya to the Masai Mara. Sunsets & sunrises
Read more"There were too many 'wow' moments to single out any one occasion. We think the fact that Cox & Kings had organised everything and there was minimal hiccups so making the whole trip inspirational was a credit to you all. Many thanks. "
Mr David Cowdry
Tours to fit your needs
Travel in South America
Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in South America – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Flying in style in South America
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to South America, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Documents & health information for South America
Before travelling to South America, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Climate in Ecuador & Galapagos
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Ecuador & Galapagos, along with the best time to travel.
Request a brochure
Order your copy of the brochure to see the world come to life in print.
© Cox & Kings 2021