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talktosp1221:28 UTC15 Feb 2014

Hello! A friend and I are planning on a trip to Ecuador the 2nd week of April. It's for 8 days (April 12 - April 20). We would like to get as much as we can out of this trip including Galapagos. We feel like we will need to do the Galapagos for 1-3 days. And definitely Quito, and maybe if time permits (Andes Mountains, and Amazon). I am aware it's not a lot of time but that's all we have.

Would you recommend scheduling things on our own or a specific group tour?

Please help! Thanks!

fieldgate01:02 UTC16 Feb 2014

There's no Galapagos for 1-3 days. Either you do only Galapagos 6-7 days, directly after arriving to Guayaquil, or you visit other places.

lilau07:05 UTC16 Feb 2014

I agree with Fieldgate. It is possible of course, but you would spend a lot of money on flights and the entrance fee (US$ 110) to the Galapagos National Park for not even scratching the surface.
Spend all your time in the Galapagos, preferably on a cruise to maximize the experience, or stay on the mainland.

ecuadorem01:16 UTC17 Feb 2014

Hi from Quito

I think if you have only 8 days you do need to decide if you just visit Galapagos or just visit the mainland of Ecuador - I don't think it is enough time to do both. There are 4 day / 3 night cruises available, but it is expensive to get there - flights from mainland over $500 each, then the entrance fees etc. it does seem a waste if you only have the 4 days there (taking into account that 2 of those days will be travelling and you will only get 2 full days on the islands).

In 8 days you can undertake a good tour of the Andes - for example an Avenue of the Volcanoes tour which takes you down the centre of the Andes from Quito to Cuenca. Or do an Eastern Andes & Amazon loop which as well as the Andes takes you down into the Amazon.

With 8 days you should be able to get to see quite a bit travelling independently but you would need to keep a tight schedule and be realistic about what you can achieve!

If you go for an organised tour I imagine you would end up seeing a bit more/covering more ground since things would be organised for you.

Both options have pros and cons - cost, flexibility, freedom, etc. so it depends what is more important to you.

Ecuador trip - 8 days Country forums / South America / Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
talktosp1221:28 UTC15 Feb 2014	Hello! A friend and I are planning on a trip to Ecuador the 2nd week of April. It's for 8 days (April 12 - April 20). We would like to get as much as we can out of this trip including Galapagos. We feel like we will need to do the Galapagos for 1-3 days. And definitely Quito, and maybe if time permits (Andes Mountains, and Amazon). I am aware it's not a lot of time but that's all we have. Would you recommend scheduling things on our own or a specific group tour? Please help! Thanks!
fieldgate01:02 UTC16 Feb 2014	There's no Galapagos for 1-3 days. Either you do only Galapagos 6-7 days, directly after arriving to Guayaquil, or you visit other places.	1
lilau07:05 UTC16 Feb 2014	I agree with Fieldgate. It is possible of course, but you would spend a lot of money on flights and the entrance fee (US$ 110) to the Galapagos National Park for not even scratching the surface. Spend all your time in the Galapagos, preferably on a cruise to maximize the experience, or stay on the mainland.	2
ecuadorem01:16 UTC17 Feb 2014	Hi from Quito I think if you have only 8 days you do need to decide if you just visit Galapagos or just visit the mainland of Ecuador - I don't think it is enough time to do both. There are 4 day / 3 night cruises available, but it is expensive to get there - flights from mainland over $500 each, then the entrance fees etc. it does seem a waste if you only have the 4 days there (taking into account that 2 of those days will be travelling and you will only get 2 full days on the islands). In 8 days you can undertake a good tour of the Andes - for example an Avenue of the Volcanoes tour which takes you down the centre of the Andes from Quito to Cuenca. Or do an Eastern Andes & Amazon loop which as well as the Andes takes you down into the Amazon. With 8 days you should be able to get to see quite a bit travelling independently but you would need to keep a tight schedule and be realistic about what you can achieve! If you go for an organised tour I imagine you would end up seeing a bit more/covering more ground since things would be organised for you. Both options have pros and cons - cost, flexibility, freedom, etc. so it depends what is more important to you.	3

Ecuador trip - 8 days