From the Amazon to the Galápagos: Self-Launched Ecuador Adventure
16 days · Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon, Baños, Galápagos)
G Adventures charges £4,890
No-markup version: ~£1,475 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of G Adventures' 16-day "From the Amazon to the Galápagos" National Geographic Journeys trip — the same Andean markets, Amazon jungle lodge, hot springs, Cotopaxi views and Galápagos wildlife, booked independently at roughly a third of the group-tour price. You do it on public buses and shared tourist shuttles instead of a private vehicle, stay in guesthouses and budget hotels rather than the upgraded haciendas, and book activities direct with local operators or via GetYourGuide. Estimated cost excludes international flights and the Galápagos park entry ($200) and transit control card ($20), which the original tour also excludes.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Quito
Quito
Land at Mariscal Sucre Airport. Skip the included private transfer and take an authorised airport taxi or the Aeroservicios bus to the Mariscal area (~£6-8 taxi, £2 bus). Check into a guesthouse in La Mariscal or Centro Histórico. Take it easy — Quito sits at 2,850m, so drink water, eat light and acclimatise. Evening stroll around Plaza Foch for a cheap set lunch-style dinner (~£6).
🚌Airport taxi ~£6-8 or airport bus ~£2
🛏Budget guesthouse, La Mariscal (double/twin ~£25-35)
- →Orientation walk in La Mariscal
- →Acclimatisation rest day
Quito to Otavalo via the highlands
Otavalo
Take a public bus or shared tourist shuttle from Quito's Terminal Carcelén to Otavalo (~2.5hrs, £2-4 by local bus, £6-8 by tourist shuttle). Drop your bag and head to Plaza de Ponchos, South America's largest indigenous handicraft market — textiles, ponchos, tagua jewellery, haggling expected. In the afternoon walk to the Condor Park or the Peguche waterfall (~£4 entry). Stay in a family guesthouse in Otavalo town rather than a historic hacienda.
🚌Local bus Quito-Otavalo ~£3
🛏Family guesthouse in Otavalo (~£15-20)
- →Otavalo handicraft market
- →Peguche waterfall walk
- →Plaza de Ponchos shopping
Weaving lesson with a local family, then Papallacta hot springs
Papallacta
Book a half-day weaving visit directly with an Otavalo weaving family — Don Miguel Andrango's studio in Agato is well known and accepts walk-in visitors/small groups for a backstrap loom demonstration (~£8-12 tip/entry). Then bus back toward Quito and on to Papallacta (~3hrs total, £5-7). Soak in the Termas de Papallacta thermal pools — the public pools are far cheaper than the resort spa (~£7-9 vs £30+ for resort day pass); private spa cabins exist if you want to splurge. Sleep in Papallacta village.
🚌Local buses via Quito ~£7
🛏Simple guesthouse in Papallacta village (~£18-25)
- →Traditional weaving studio visit
- →Papallacta hot springs (public pools)
Cloud forest and into the Amazon at Tena
Tena / Arajuno River
Early bus from Papallacta toward Tena (~4-5hrs, £6-8) with a stop at a cloud-forest reserve for hummingbird feeders (El Quetzal area or the cheaper Jumandy/Puerto Napo roadside reserves, £3-5). Continue to Misahuallí to see the resident capuchin monkeys on the riverside, then to Tena. Book a 2-night jungle lodge package direct by email/WhatsApp (most Arajuno river lodges sell 2-night all-in packages with canoe transfer, guide and meals for £60-100pp) — evening night walk with a naturalist guide included.
🚌Local bus + motorised canoe to lodge
🛏Amazon jungle lodge, Arajuno River (included in 2-night package)
- →Cloud forest hummingbird reserve
- →Misahuallí monkey beach
- →Guided night walk in the jungle
Parrot clay lick and Amazon community day
Tena / Arajuno River
Dawn canoe to a saladero (parrot clay lick) with your lodge naturalist — most Arajuno lodges include this. Breakfast back at the lodge, then visit AmaZOOnico animal rescue centre (~£5 entry) and take a community visit with a Kichwa family (arranged through the lodge or the local tourism association, ~£10-15 including lunch). Afternoon free for tubing or a swim in the river.
🚌Motorised canoe and on-foot
🛏Amazon jungle lodge (second night, package)
- →Parrot clay lick at dawn
- →AmaZOOnico rescue centre
- →Kichwa family community visit and lunch
Amazon to Baños
Baños
Canoe and bus out to Tena, then a direct bus to Baños (~4hrs, £5-6). En route stop at Jardín Botánico Las Orquídeas near Puyo for a self-guided/guided orchid walk (£4-6). Arrive Baños, check into a hostel in the centre, and wander the streets for dinner — try a $3 almuerzo or the famous melcocha taffy stands.
🚌Bus Tena-Baños ~£6
🛏Hostel in Baños centre (~£10-15 dorm, £20-25 private)
- →Las Orquídeas botanical garden
- →Baños town wander
Baños adventure day
Baños
Pick your own adventure: rent a mountain bike for the Ruta de las Cascadas (~£8/day), hike to the Pailón del Diablo waterfall (£2), white-water rafting on the Pastaza (~£30-35), canyoning (~£25), or the Casa del Árbol swing at the end of the world. Finish in the Termas de la Virgen hot springs (£3-4). Everything is bookable the same day on Avenida Montalvo.
🚌Bike rental / local taxis £3-5
🛏Hostel in Baños centre
- →Ruta de las Cascadas cycling
- →Pailón del Diablo waterfall
- →Thermal springs
- →Optional white-water rafting or canyoning
Avenue of the Volcanoes and Cotopaxi National Park
Quito
Take a shared tour or public transport to Cotopaxi National Park. Cheapest option: public bus to Machachi/Latacunga junction then a shared 4x4 up to the parking area (~£15-20 total), or book a GetYourGuide day tour from Quito including transport and guide (~£45-60). Hike to the José Ribas refuge at 4,800m if you feel acclimatised, look out for condors, foxes and deer, then continue to Quito by bus (~£4).
🚌Shared tour vehicle or public bus + 4x4 ~£25
🛏Budget guesthouse, Quito (~£22-30)
- →Cotopaxi National Park hike to refuge
- →Limpiopungo lagoon
- →Wildlife spotting on the Avenue of the Volcanoes
Free day in Quito
Quito
Spend the day at your own pace. Options: the TelefériQo cable car up Cruz Loma (£6), the Museo Nacional or Casa de la Cultura, the Basílica del Voto Nacional tower climb (£2), or a day trip to Mindo cloud forest by bus (£5 each way) for hummingbirds and waterfalls. Rest and repack for the Galápagos.
🚌Local buses/taxis £4
🛏Budget guesthouse, Quito
- →TelefériQo cable car
- →Basílica del Voto Nacional
- →Optional Mindo cloud forest day trip
Quito historic centre and the equator line
Quito
Self-guided or cheap walking tour of the Centro Histórico: Plaza Grande, the gold-leaf interior of La Compañía de Jesús (£3), San Francisco Plaza. Book a cacao and chocolate tasting at a local chocolatier direct or via GetYourGuide (£15-20). In the afternoon take the Metrobus Q to the Intiñan Museum at the equator (£4 entry, ~£6 with taxi) for the egg-balancing and water-drain experiments. Free evening — rooftop and street food.
🚌Public bus/taxi £5
🛏Budget guesthouse, Quito
- →Quito old town walking route
- →Chocolate and cacao tasting
- →Intiñan Equator Museum
Fly to the Galápagos — Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Morning flight Quito to Baltra (book LATAM/Avianca in advance, ~£180-260 return; pay the $20 transit control card at Quito airport and the $200 park entry in cash at Baltra). Take the free airline shuttle, the ferry across the Itabaca Channel ($5) and a bus/collectivo to Puerto Ayora ($5). Afternoon: walk to Tortuga Bay beach (~40min from town, free) for marine iguanas and white sand, and/or visit an organic farm in the highlands for lunch and to plant a Scalesia tree (arrange through your guesthouse, ~£15).
🚌Flight, ferry and bus ~£200 incl. return flight portion
🛏Budget guesthouse in Puerto Ayora (~£25-35)
- →Itabaca Channel ferry crossing
- →Tortuga Bay walk
- →Highlands organic farm and reforestation
Boat day to an uninhabited island
Santa Cruz / Bartolomé, Seymour or South Plaza
Book a day boat trip direct in Puerto Ayora harbour the day before or via GetYourGuide (£90-130 depending on island). Sail out to Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza or Santa Fé — hike the wild trails among blue-footed boobies, land iguanas and sea lions, then snorkel with sea turtles, rays, tropical fish and reef sharks. Lunch on board is normally included. Evening back in Puerto Ayora at your own pace.
🚌Day boat from Puerto Ayora (included in excursion)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Puerto Ayora
- →Uninhabited island hike
- →Snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks
- →Wildlife spotting on board
Charles Darwin Research Station and Las Tijeretas
Santa Cruz / San Cristóbal
Morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena giant tortoise breeding centre (free entry, donation appreciated) — see Lonesome George's legacy and learn about habitat protection. Afternoon hike to Las Tijeretas lookout via the Gianny Arismendi Interpretation Centre (free). Optional: ferry to Isabela or San Cristóbal if you want more islands (£30-35 each way) — alternatively relax at Playa de los Alemanes.
🚌Walking; optional inter-island ferry £35
🛏Budget guesthouse in Puerto Ayora
- →Charles Darwin Research Station and tortoise centre
- →Las Tijeretas snorkel and lookout
- →Interpretation Centre
Free Galápagos day
Santa Cruz
Optional extras at your own cost: a second day boat to Isabela or a land tour to the Sierra Negra volcano, kayaking in Tortuga Bay, a surf lesson, or a half-day dive. Cheaper option: cycle to El Garrapatero beach (£8 bike hire) or take a local fishing boat to Las Grietas (£5-10). Budget generously here — Galápagos add-ons are the region's priciest item.
🚌Local water taxi and bikes £10
🛏Budget guesthouse in Puerto Ayora
- →Optional second island excursion
- →Las Grietas snorkel
- →El Garrapatero beach by bike
Fly back to Quito
Quito
Water taxi and bus back to Baltra, flight to Quito. Check into a guesthouse near the airport or Mariscal. Spend the afternoon souvenir shopping — Otavalo-style textiles, cacao, coffee — and enjoy a final Ecuadorian dinner (ceviche, llapingachos, or a good steak) for around £10-15.
🚌Flight (return portion) + bus/water taxi £10
🛏Budget guesthouse, Quito (~£25)
- →Souvenir shopping
- →Final dinner in Quito
Depart Quito
Quito
Depending on your flight time, you can add a morning coffee in the old town or a last-minute market visit. Most international departures are in the evening; take the airport bus or taxi and be at the airport 3 hours before a long-haul flight.
🚌Airport taxi or bus £2-8
🛏None (departure day)
- →Free morning in Quito before departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,475 | £4,890 |
| Duration | 16 days | 16 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,415 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,475
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does From the Amazon to the Galápagos: Self-Launched Ecuador Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,475 per person for 16 days in Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon, Baños, Galápagos). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £4,890 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,475 — a saving of roughly £3,415 (70%) per person.
How long is the Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon, Baños, Galápagos) trip?+
This itinerary runs 16 days, covering 16 day-by-day stops through Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon, Baños, Galápagos).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, hiking trip through Ecuador (Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon, Baños, Galápagos), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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