The Best of Ecuador & Galapagos 12 Days / 11 Nights

We went with the Metropolitan Touring company -5 day cruise. It was wonderful and well organized. The northern islands were fantastic and inspiring. Can’t wait to go back and visit some of the other islands.

Ecuador Local Guide has answered every question, arranged every detail and handled every issue with professionalism. From rules to enter to Ecuador, Covid tests, flights, hotels and shuttles. Communication with Cristian was very fast, with responses within hours and very clear with all the information and online payment methods were secure and fast. We had reached out to 3 tour operators and Cristian was the only one who responded considering each of our preferences and criteria in mind, the other ones seemed to be pushing us towards particular properties or programs, finally my family composed by 8 adults + 2 kids decided to book our Ecuador and Galapagos program for 15 days with Ecuador Local Guide. It was one of the most memorable trips we've ever had. Cristian and his team did a phenomenal job with all the logistics were spot on and we knew exactly what to expect at every activity. The local guides recruited for us were just delightful with so many extra-miles and we understood why the name of the company is called Ecuador Local Guide. If you are looking to go to the Ecuador & Galapagos, we highly recommend Ecuador Local Guide to help you plan and you won't find better service anywhere!

This was a wonderful trip in all respects. Ecuador has so much biological, geological and geographical diversity in such a small country that every day was a delightful and unique experience. But anyone going to Ecuador can read about and try to find these destinations, what I really want to comment on is Ecuador Local Guide. Cristian, his whole family and network of associates and friends all over the country, including the Galapagos, made the trip a success. Starting with a 12 day tour (we added on a few days, so it became 15) that enabled us to experience many highlights of the country, they customized the tour to our interests, and found hidden gems in the way of reasonably priced and yet excellent accommodations and restaurants. They also suggested and planned really fun and informative activities that we never would have known about, or had access to on our own. Every aspect of the trip was well planned and executed. This eliminated all of the potential stress and mishaps of traveling in a foreign country during COVID with minimal Spanish language skills, so we were able to just relax and enjoy the experience. Ecuador Local Guide was professional, flexible and responsive throughout the planning and during the actual trip when adjustments were required. Some of the highlights for us were: - Having lunch at Colibri Garden. (They have a great “chef” in the way of Mrs. Umaquinga; best tomato soup ever.) We rode horses to there from a rose nursery where we had a very interesting tour and learned about the rose growing and exporting business in Ecuador. - Birding everywhere, but especially in Mindo. Our guide Javier is an excellent and enthusiastic birder, and helped us identify a lot of beautiful birds. In Mindo we stayed at the Yellow House, which, in addition to trails, provided a delicious breakfast on the deck with hummingbird feeders nearby. - Getting up at the crack of dawn in Banos to find the Andean cock-of-the-rock. (We didn’t, but saw a lot of other birds and had a great hike.) - Soaking in the hot springs at Termas de Papallacta, in the rain. - Experiencing a national holiday “La Independencia de Guayaquil” in Banos. - Impromptu visit to Patate, and lunch at a lovely garden restaurant which Cristian arranged for us at the last minute. - Visit to Mitad del Mundo to learn amazing things about the equator. - In the Galapagos on Isabela island, having a surprise special dinner with a table set up for us on the beach, which Cristian arranged in secret. The food was as good as the views. - Visiting the upper Amazon and learning about the ecosystem there. If you are considering a trip to Ecuador, you cannot go wrong with this tour company!