Holidays: Quito, Ecuador + Birding Tours, Mindo Cloud Forest + Galapagos + Amazon
With 2.6 million inhabitants, Quito is the capital of Ecuador and its second largest city after the port of Guayaquil. It is nestled between volcanic peaks high in the Andes at an altitude of 9,350 ft (2,850 m), making it one of the highest cities in the world - so on it's important to take things slowly at first, as you acclimatise to the altitude.
Holidays to Quito in Ecuador are often combined with a Galapagos cruise, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Ecuador birding tours to Mindo Cloud Forest or the rainforests of the Amazon.
Quito is famous for its stunning historic centre, which is the best preserved in all of the Americas. On Independence Square (Plaza Grande) you can enjoy the superb Archbishop’s Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Municipal Building and more. On El Panecillo, a hill to the west of the city, there is a gigantic 41m statue of the Virgin Mary, which overlooks the city. The aeriel tramway (‘teleferico’), built in 2005, runs from the city centre up the slopes of the local volcano, Pichincha. It will take you to 4,100m where the views are breathtaking, so take your camera but be aware of the possible effects of high altitude. On holidays to Quito & Ecuador also don't miss the enormous Basilica of the National Vow (Basilica del Voto Nacional), once the largest in the Americas.
A major attraction 22 miles to the north of Quito is the Middle of the World (La Mitad del Mundo) monument and village. Modern GPS has revealed that the equator is actually 240m further on, but the symbolism is still terrific and you can take your picture straddling the yellow line that represents the equator. The small museum of indigenous history is fascinating and the village plaza hosts a wide range of musical and cultural events at weekends.
Otavalo in the northeast has a famous indigenous Indian Market that sells a wonderful variety of brightly hand woven textiles, ponchos and hats, as well as leather goods from Cotacachi.
Ecuador birding tours take place in the verdant Mindo Cloud Forest which is two hours to the north of Quito. Swathed in mist, they offer exceptional birding – especially humming birds. You can also walk to waterfalls and see a multitude of different flora, butterflies, reptiles and small fauna. Galapagos and Amazon tours also usually start from Quito.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
We have been arranging holidays to Quito, Ecuador birding tours, Mindo Cloud Forest, Galapagos & Amazon tours for over 20 years.
More information on holidays to Quito, Ecuador birding tours, Mindo Cloud Forest, Galapagos & Amazon tours:
Holidays to Quito in Ecuador will introduce you to a beautifully preserved Spanish colonial city, with over 100 enormous buildings housing wonderful collections of art and sculpture. There are also over 20 churches and convents, each with their own architectural twist on the colonial style.
La Mariscal is the bustling and vibrant heart of the capital city, where you will find great cuisine, art, bars, internet cafes, discos and a lively night life. Fantastic museums and galleries abound in the city covering contemporary and pre-colonial art, the history of Quito and Ecuador, famous local artists and heroes of independence, as well as the local development of medicine.
The city also boasts a number of beautiful parks, including the Parque Metropolitano, at over two square miles the largest urban park in South America. You can walk or cycle, and take in the many fascinating artworks as you go. Outside Quito there are several reserves and conservation projects, including the zoo, which has the largest collection of animals in the country and protects many species threatened by the illegal fur trade. The zoo has successfully bred the endangered Andean condor.
Ecuador birding tours usually include Mindo Cloud Forest, whilst Maquipucuna Cloud Forest plays a vital role in the protection of the rare spectacled bear and an eco-lodge provides vantage points from which bears can be seen at certain times of the year. This is also designated an Important Bird Area, with 400 different species.
In the northeast beyond Otavalo, the crater lake at Cuicocha (Lake of Guinea Pigs) is stunning and the countryside lends itself to walking and cycling, with small artisan communities welcoming visitors. You can stay in colonial haciendas that are rich in history, and in the next valley at Zuleta you can saddle up and ride like a cowboy. On holidays to Quito & Ecuador, don’t miss the delicious homemade cheese. You can also enjoy the hot springs and fabulous mountain scenery of Papallacta, in the southeast.
Quito is usually the starting point for flights to the Galapagos Islands, as well as for light aircraft flights into the Amazon.
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FEATURED HOLIDAY
Ecuador Tour: Quito + Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
7 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,272
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
EYA7Q
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• Tour Ecuador, Quito
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• TelefériQo (cable car)
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• Galapagos Islands Tour, Ecuador
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• Puerto Ayora Bay
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• Guayaquil
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• Santa Cruz Island
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• Quito City Tour
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• Galapagos Islands by Yacht
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• Centre of World Monument
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• Giant Tortoise Reserve
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This shared Galapagos Islands tour in Ecuador combines the capital of Quito, with a Giant Tortoise Reserve on Santa Cruz island & the small town of Puerto Aroya. The Galapagos islands are home to many endemic species found nowhere else of earth. A full day yacht excursion to one of the islands is included. All specified transfers & sightseeing included, but not flights. Departs monthly. Min 2/max 16.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Ecuador: Quito + Amazon + Avenue of Volcanoes
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,524
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
EPB12Q
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• Guayaquil
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• Cuenca
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• Avenue of Volcanoes (Guide)
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• Ingapirca Ruins
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• Tours: Ecuador, Quito
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• Chimborazo Volcano
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• Route of the Cascases
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• Centre of World Monument
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• Amazon Basin
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• Private Tours - Ecuador
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Our private tours of Ecuador explore the wildlife, cultures & landscapes of this country of volcanoes, starting in the old Inca capital of Quito high in the Andes. Afterwards fly into the vast Amazon Basin to explore its rainforest wildlife & waterways, then travel through the Avenue of Volcanoes to colonial Cuenca, including the Ingapirca Ruins. Amazon light aircraft flights, English speaking guide, all transfers & sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Ecuador + Peru Tour: Galapagos (Santa Cruz) + Machu Picchu
13 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,281
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
EYB13G
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• Giant Tortoise Reserve
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• Quito, Ecuador
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• Sacred Valley of the Incas
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• Peru and Galapagos Tour
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• Guayaquil
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• Cusco & Temple of the Sun
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• Machu Picchu
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• Centre of World Monument
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• Santa Cruz Island
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• Lima
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Enquire about this shared Peru and Galapagos tour, that combines the historic high-altitude city of Quito in Ecuador with the unique wildlife of stunning Santa Cruz Island. Then fly to Peru and explore Lima, the citadel at Machu Picchu, Cusco & the Sacred Valley of the Incas. All specified transfers & sightseeing included, but not flights. Departs monthly. Min 2/max 16.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Ecuador: Quito + Galapagos Cruise + Santa Cruz (on land)
11 NIGHTS FROM:
$6,292
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
ERH12L
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• Finch Bay
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• Charles Darwin Centre
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• Giant Tortoises
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• Quito
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• Galapagos Islands Cruise
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• Ecuador Holiday, Galapagos
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• Birds & Marine Life
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• Centre of World Monument
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• Santa Cruz Island
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• Diving Options
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This wonderful Ecuador holiday combines exploring the old Inca city of Quito, situated close to the equator, with a cruise in the spectacular Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with their unique birds & marine life. After your amazing expedition cruise relax for a few days on Santa Cruz island, with hotel options from mid-range to 5* Finch Bay. Diving options on request. Regional flights to Galapagos included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Ecuador Wildlife: Cloud Forest + Amazon + Galapagos
15 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,563
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
ERC15Q
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• Quito
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• Amazon Rainforest
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• Charles Darwin Centre
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• Giant Tortoises
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• Yasuni National Park
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• Ecuador Wildlife Holiday
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• Santa Cruz Island
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• Galapagos Cruise
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• Clay Licks
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• Cloud Forest
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This wonderful Ecuador wildlife holiday combines the old Inca city of Quito, high in the Andes, with the wildlife & birds of both the high altitude Cloud Forest & the low-lying Amazon Basin. Then embark on a spectacular Galapagon Cruise to view the unique marine life and birds that inhabit these islands. Galapagos flights, all transfers & marine fees included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Peru + Ecuador: Macchu Pichu + Galapagos Cruise
15 NIGHTS FROM:
$8,038
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
PRL15L
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• Cusco
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• Unique Wildlife
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• Peru and Ecuador Holiday
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• Inca Markets
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• Galapagos Cruise
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• Machu Picchu
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• Ollantaytambo
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• Lima
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• Quito
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• Sacred Valley
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Combine the cultural & wildlife highlights of two beautiful countries on this wonderful Peru and Ecuador holiday. Visit the bustling capital of Lima, the old Inca city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley & the lost city at Machu Picchu. Then fly to Quito, high in the Andes, before embarking on a spectacular Galapagos Cruise to view unique wildlife. Galapagos flights, all transfers & English speaking guides included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Peru Highlights + Amazon + Galapagos Cruise
19 NIGHTS FROM:
$9,702
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
PRN19L
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• Larco Museum
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• Machu Picchu
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• Amazon
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• Sacred Valley of Incas
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• Quito, Ecuador
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• Galapagos Cruise
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• Cusco
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• Centre of World Monument
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• Lima
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• Peru and Galapagos Tour
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This Peru and Galapagos tour visits Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley, the old Inca capital of Cusco, the wildlife of the Amazon rainforest & Quito in Ecuador. Then embark on a fascinating cruise through the Galapagos Islands, with its unique wildlife. This holiday can be tailor made to your needs, with a variety of Galapagos boats available of different sizes, with cruises varying from 4 to 7 nights or more.
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