Wild Romance: Ecuador & the Galapagos

  • Trip Type
  • Five-Star Luxury
  • Length
  • 15 Days / 14 Nights
  • When to Go
  • July-December

  • Romance in nature's playground: rainforests, volcanoes, and island skies

    From the depths of the Amazon Rainforest to the mist-draped cloud forests of Mashpi, the sweeping Andean highlands, and the iconic wildlife of the Galapagos, this 14-night journey is a luxurious celebration of Ecuador’s wildest places. Perfect for couples craving both romance and adventure, it pairs rare nature encounters—the iconic Galapagos islands, canopy towers, condor sightings—with serene retreats in five-star eco-lodges and haciendas. You'll trace the steps of Darwin, relax in volcanic pools, and enjoy exclusive private dinners under jungle canopies and star-strewn skies. Intimate and immersive, this is Ecuador at its wildest and most romantic.

    Trip Highlights

    • Search for jaguars and pink dolphins in the Amazon Rainforest
    • Ride a sky bike over the cloud forest at Mashpi Lodge
    • Horseback ride through condor country at Hacienda Zuleta
    • Snorkel with sea lions off Santa Fe Island
    • Explore Floreana Island’s flamingos and pirate history
    • Candlelit dinners, luxury eco-lodges & historic haciendas

    similar trips per person from:

    $8,150.00 low season (May - Oct)
    $8,850.00 high season (Nov - Apr)
    prices vary based on departure season.


    At a Glance

    Click each day for more details.

    • Day 1: Quito to Coca - Arrival

      Fly from Quito to Coca, then travel deep into the rainforest by private canoe to La Selva Lodge, a five-star sanctuary on the edge of the Yasuni Reserve. End the day with a private dinner by the lagoon, jungle sounds and candlelight setting the tone.

    • Day 2: Coca - Rainforest rhythms in the Amazon

      Venture out on a guided trek through towering jungle, searching for jaguars, toucans, and monkeys. Spend the afternoon kayaking quiet river channels, Amazon mist curling through the trees.

    • Day 3: Coca - Canopy heights & night wildlife encounters

      Climb the canopy tower at sunrise or take a shared canoe to spot pink dolphins and macaws. In the evening, set out on a private night walk, searching for tree frogs and owls under the stars.

    • Day 4: Coca - Slow Amazon morning

      Spend your final day at La Selva as you wish—birdwatching, trail hiking, or relaxing in your suite with jungle all around. Dusk brings one last golden glow over the lagoon.

    • Day 5: Coca to Chocó - Into the cloud forest

      Return to Quito and travel by private vehicle to Mashpi Lodge, a glass-walled retreat in the Chocó cloud forest. Settle in with forest views and gentle fog curling through the trees.

    • Day 6: Chocó - Sky bike, rainforest hike & candlelit dinner

      Soar across treetops on a sky bike ride, pedaling above canyons and cloud-draped trees. In the afternoon, set out on a river canyon discovery. Then, savor a private candlelit dinner, with local ceviche and a warm forest breeze.

    • Day 7: Chocó - Chase waterfalls amidst the swirling mists

      Take a guided hike to Copal Waterfall, where orchids bloom and hummingbirds dart beside the trail. Return to Mashpi to relax—perhaps with a glass of wine and a misty sunset from your suite.

    • Day 8: Chocó to the Otavalo district - Discover the highlands

      Travel to Hacienda Zuleta, a working Andean farm with colonial charm. Spend the afternoon exploring trails or visiting the on-site embroidery workshop. Mountains rise around you in every direction.

    • Day 9: Otavalo district - Horseback through history

      Ride through Zuleta’s alpine landscapes on a shared horseback tour, scanning skies for Andean condors. Return to the hacienda for a private dinner by the fire, comfort food with Andean flair.

    • Day 10: Otavalo district - Stargazing with condors

      Relax on your own schedule—visit Otavalo Market or stroll the hacienda gardens. That evening, enjoy a private dinner at the condor-viewing platform, with Andean skies twinkling above.

    • Day 11: Otavalo district to Santa Cruz - The beach is calling - off to the Galapagos

      Fly to Baltra and transfer to Pikaia Lodge, a five-star eco-retreat perched on the volcanic highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Spend the afternoon at Tortuga Bay, where white sands meet turquoise surf.

    • Day 12: Santa Cruz - Snorkeling with penguins in Santa Fe

      Join a day trip to Santa Fe Island, snorkeling with sea lions, rays, and reef fish in crystal-clear waters. Return to Pikaia for sunset cocktails and a slow evening by the infinity pool.

    • Day 13: Santa Cruz - Giant tortoise encounters

      Visit El Chato Reserve, where giant tortoises roam freely among lava tunnels and lush highlands. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Puerto Ayora or relax at the lodge.

    • Day 14: Santa Cruz - Floreana's pink flamingo lagoons

      Cruise to Floreana Island for a walk through its pink flamingo lagoons and a visit to Post Office Bay, where pirate-era letter drops still function. Return to Pikaia, memories swirling with salt air.

    • Day 14: Santa Cruz to Quito - Departure

      After breakfast, bid farewell to the Enchanted Isles. Your driver escorts you to Baltra Airport for your return flight, carrying with you the colors, creatures, and stillness of Ecuador’s most unforgettable places.


    Accommodations

    What's Included?

    Your trip includes everything you want & need, plus a few surprises along the way. Unique, unforgettable destinations; tours with local experts; authentic local cuisine; lessons, demonstrations & new cultural insights; more adventure than you can handle; blissful relaxation; romantic touches; and a feeling of total freedom. ROAM takes care of everything so that you can enjoy a hassle-free journey without worrying about a thing.

    • Airport pickup
    • All hotel accommodation
    • All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
    • Detailed maps and trip preparation guide
    • All special events and tours
    • All vehicle and regional air transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
    • All baggage transportation

    Know Before You Go

    • Itinerary prices are dependent on season of departure. Christmas, New Years and Easter (Semana Santa) are peak season, and prices during these periods are significantlky higher than other times of year. High season (cool/dry season) runs from July through December, and low season (hot/wet season) from January through June.

    • Arrival: hotel check-in times are typically at 2:00pm, but you may arrive at any time during the day. If you arrive prior to the scheduled check-in time, we will arrange for early check-in wherever possible. Ecuador grnats 90-day visa-free entry for Americans, Canadians and British citizens. Galapagos requires a $20 Transit Control Card, biosecurity check, and online declaration form submitted 48 hours before your flight, as well as proof or return/departure flight. Upon arrival, there is a $200/adult or $100/child Galapagos Park fee due in cash.

    • Departure: hotel check-out times are at 10:00am. International flights on your departure day should be arranged to depart after 1:00pm.

    • All prices in USD.

    • For vaccination recommendations, please visit the CDC website.

    • For American, Canadian, and British citizens, a valid passport with 6+ months remaining is required for entry to Belize.

    • Ecuador uses USD. Carry small bills ($1-$20), as larger bills ($50-$100) are often refused. Credit cards are accepted in cities, Galapagos cruises and most hotels and resorts, though cash is needed in rural areas. ATMs are available in most cities.

    • Please ensure you have immediate access to a minimum of USD $300 as an emergency fund to be used if circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) require changes to your planned route.

    • If departing Belize by air, most major airlines include exit taxes in the price of your airfare.

    • It is customary to tip service providers (waiters) around 10% depending on service. Tipping taxi drivers is not required.

    • Gratuities for guides and drivers are deeply appreciated, and provide an important supplement to their income. If you are pleased with the tour services you've received, a guideline for tipping in mainland Ecuador is USD $10-20 per person per day for guides of multiple-day tours, and $5-10 per person per day for drivers. For day tours, plan on USD $3-5 per person for drivers, and USD $5-10 for guides. For Galapagos cruises, plan on USD $10-20 per person per day for guides and USD $10-20 per person per day for the crew (total: $20-40 per person per day).


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    Getting There

    From North America: several airlines offer direct and connecting flights to Ecuador’s main international airports: Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito (airport code: UIO) or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil (airport code: GYE). Direct flights are available from cities like Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and New York. Including connection time, flights from the USA typically range from 4-8 hours, while flights from Canada (via U.S. or Latin American hubs) range from 8-12 hours. To reach the Galapagos, take a domestic flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Seymour Airport on Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal Airport (SCY), lasting about 2-3 hours.

    From the UK: no direct flights are available from the UK to Ecuador. Connecting flights typically route through U.S. cities (e.g., Miami, Houston), European hubs (e.g., Madrid, Amsterdam), or Latin American cities (e.g., Bogotá, Lima). Including connection time, flights from the UK to Quito or Guayaquil range from 14-20 hours. For the Galapagos, add a domestic flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY), approximately 2-3 hours.


    When you arrive in BZE, there will be an airport transfer waiting to take you to your first destination. If you have questions about flights, or require assistance booking, please contact us here. We're here to help!

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