Overview
Embark on an unforgettable women’s group adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. This 8-day journey takes you from the vibrant city of Quito to the majestic Cotopaxi Volcano, followed by a unique experience at the Equator. Explore the lush highlands and witness Ecuador’s rich culture through cooking classes and chocolate tastings before embarking on a luxury Galapagos cruise. Discover pristine beaches, volcanic landscapes, and an abundance of wildlife, including giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions, while connecting with like-minded women travelers. This is an empowering and enriching experience through Ecuador’s most iconic destinations!
Pricing and Payments:
All prices are displayed in AUD
Dates: 11th May – 20th May 2025
Single Room: $13,990.00 AUD Per Person
Twin share: $9,990.00 AUD Per Person
(twin share is available for friends or family members sharing or upon request as a willing to share option with another guest- subject to availability and T&Cs)
Add Return Flights from AUS or NZ From: To be quoted
Deposit of $2,990 AUD, Due at time of Booking.
4 x progress payment due thereafter
Full comprehensive travel insurance is required to attend.
Book Online Now! We accept Credit card or Bank transfer
Highlights
- Travel with a group of like-minded women
- Hike the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano and explore Limpiopungo Lagoon
- Stand at the Equator and experience the Middle of the World Monument
- Enjoy an authentic Ecuadorian cooking class and chocolate tasting experience
- Explore Quito’s historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Cruise through the Galapagos Islands aboard the Seaman Journey
- Snorkel alongside sea turtles, tropical fish, and playful sea lions in the Galapagos
- Visit Bartolome Island and take in breathtaking views of volcanic landscapes and Pinnacle Rock
- Witness the unique wildlife of Mosquera Islet, including sea lions and rare seabirds
- Experience the world-famous blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
- Explore the volcanic cliffs of Genovesa Island and spot nesting Storm Petrels
- Birdwatch for red-footed boobies and masked boobies at Darwin Bay
- See the remarkable hybrid iguanas on Plazas Island
- Discover the fascinating Galapagos tortoises at the David Rodriguez Tortoise Breeding Centre
- Kayak or snorkel in the clear waters of Santa Fe Island, known for its diverse marine life
- Take a scenic boat ride along the pristine waters of the Galapagos Archipelago, surrounded by unique wildlife
Whats Included:
Inclusions
- Assistance, quotes, and booking of international flights from anywhere worldwide
- Visa assistance provided if required
- Airport meet-and-greet with private transfer to accommodation
- All transfers,internal flights, tour transport, cruise as per itinerary
- Experienced English-speaking local tour guides and drivers throughout with All shore excursions with an English-speaking naturalist guide during the cruise
- Fully escorted and managed by LWT hostess
- Daily breakfasts included
- 6 lunches, and 5 dinners provided
- 4 nights of luxury accommodation throughout Ecuador and 4 nights aboard a Luxury yacht
- All listed experiences and activities included
- One soft drink with every meal in Andes land package
Exclusion
- Travel and medical insurance (required)
- Alcohol (unless listed)
- Additional snacks and meals
- Tips
- Souvenirs
- International flight cost
- Galapagos National Park Fee (USD 200 per person)
- Migration Control Card (USD 20 per person)
Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador.
Upon arrival, a representative will meet you at the airport, assist you with your luggage, and transfer to your hotel in Quito (find a welcome sign with your name).
Meals: –
Accommodation: Go Quito Hotel
In the morning, you’ll set off for Cotopaxi National Park, where the towering Cotopaxi Volcano dominates the landscape, visible from many points around the park. As you explore the park, you’ll have fantastic photo opportunities, surrounded by the unique highland paramo ecosystem and its diverse wildlife and flora.
Your adventure begins on the slopes of the Rumiñahui Volcano, offering breathtaking views of Cotopaxi soaring over 2,000 meters above the plains. As you hike, keep an eye out for hares, foxes, falcons, deer, and, if you’re lucky, the majestic condor gliding overhead. You’ll make your way down to Limpiopungo Glacier Lake, a haven for aquatic birds, where you might spot gulls, ducks, teals, lapwings, and even the rare high-altitude flamingo.
To complete the day, you’ll stay overnight at a stunning Hacienda perched at 3,600 meters (11,811 ft) above sea level, offering a serene and immersive experience in this beautiful region.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: El Porvenir or similar
At 8:00 am, depart from your hotel with a certified tour guide to explore Quito and the Equatorial Line. Ecuador is a land rich in history, indigenous cultures, winding rivers, lush tropical forests, and snow-capped volcanoes, offering some of the world’s most exciting wildlife. Begin with a 45-minute drive northwest to the Equatorial Line, where you’ll walk the rim of the extinct Pululahua volcanic crater. Then, visit the “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo,” a collection of buildings highlighting the site’s significance. You’ll also explore the Ethnographic or Initñam Museum, located on the Equator, where you’ll get the rare opportunity to stand with one foot in each hemisphere!
Afterward, return to Quito’s Old Town for lunch and begin a walking tour of its historic heart. Explore Independence Square (Plaza Grande), a symbol of Ecuador’s executive power, and visit the monument dedicated to the heroes of August 10, 1809, Ecuador’s First Cry of Independence. Then, continue to the stunning La Compañia church, a colonial jewel built from 1605 to 1650, with a gilded interior that shines like a masterpiece of colonial baroque art in the Americas.
Next, indulge in a visit to Yumbos, a boutique chocolate shop in the heart of Quito’s colonial district, where you’ll enjoy a chocolate tasting experience. Conclude your day at San Francisco Square, the city’s largest colonial structure, dating back to 1534. Despite damage from earthquakes over the years, the church still retains some of its original architecture, including beautiful Moorish-influenced tile work and carvings.
Return to your hotel for an overnight stay after a full day of cultural exploration.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Go Quito or similar
AM: Flight to Galapagos
Today, you will take a flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, you will be required to pay a $20 fee for the migration control card, as mandated by the Galapagos Government.
Once you arrive in Santa Cruz, you’ll pass through an airport inspection to ensure no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. This is also where you’ll pay the entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park: $200 for foreign passengers and $100 for children under 12 (as of September 2024).
Your guide will greet you at the airport, assist with your luggage, and guide you to a bus for transfer to a motorized boat called a “Panga,” which will take you to the Catamaran Seaman Journey, your home for the next few days.
PM: Bartolome Island
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Bartolome Island, located across from Sullivan Bay. Standing 114 meters high, the island offers one of the most spectacular views in the Galapagos, with its volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock, eroded by the sea. Although the island has sparse vegetation, it is home to two stunning beaches, where marine turtles nest. At the base of Pinnacle Rock, you may also spot a small colony of Galapagos penguins.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Seaman Journey Yacht
AM: Mosquera Islet
In the morning, you will visit Mosquera Islet, located between North Seymour and Baltra. This small islet, formed by geological uplift, has no visible crater and features a flat terrain. Mosquera’s charm lies in its striking contrast of colors, with its pristine white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, and stark black lava rocks. It’s an ideal spot for landscape photography, especially during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
PM: North Seymour
In the afternoon, explore North Seymour, a raised island known for its rocky terrain and diverse birdlife. This island is home to large populations of magnificent frigatebirds, which nest here, and is one of the best places to witness the famous blue-footed boobies performing their unique courtship dance. Along the island’s cliffs, you’ll also spot swallow-tailed gulls perched, while sea lions bask on the beach or body-surf in the waves.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Seaman Journey Yacht
AM: Genovesa Island, El Barranco – The Cliff
In the morning, you will visit El Barranco, located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. This 1.5 km trail, set on volcanic rock, takes around 2 hours to complete. Known for its fragile lava formations, the cliffside is an ideal nesting site for Storm Petrels, and you may spot their predator, the short-eared owl. The island also hosts nesting red-footed boobies and masked boobies, along with fur sea lions and various seabirds, which can be viewed during a “panga ride” along the cliffs.
PM: Darwin Bay
In the afternoon, you will explore Darwin Bay, formed when a volcanic crater collapsed beneath the sea. After a wet landing on a white coral sandy beach, you will discover a birdwatcher’s paradise, with species such as red-footed boobies, masked boobies, lava gulls, and yellow-crowned herons. As you continue along the trail, you’ll ascend to the cliff’s edge, where spectacular views await, along with nesting birds like sharp-beaked finches and Galapagos doves.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Seaman Journey Yacht
**AM: Plazas, Santa Cruz**
In the morning, you will visit Plazas, located to the east of Santa Cruz Island, which forms part of the Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, this island is home to a fascinating array of wildlife. The unique Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives on other islands, and the island also boasts several hybrid iguanas, a cross between marine and land iguanas. Along the rugged cliffs, you can spot nesting swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, and magnificent frigate birds.
**PM: Santa Fe**
In the afternoon, you will explore Santa Fe Island, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, formed by geological uplift. The island hosts an array of endemic species, including the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, and the rare Santa Fe land iguana. After disembarking in crystal-clear waters, you’ll encounter sea lion colonies and explore trails lined with salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti. Snorkeling opportunities abound, offering the chance to swim with playful sea lions and a variety of tropical fish.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Seaman Journey Yacht
AM: David Rodriguez Land Tortoise Breeding Centre
In 2002, the Galapagos National Park Service initiated a program to breed and care for tortoises in captivity, leading to the establishment of the Tortoise Breeding Centre, which was later renamed the “David Rodriguez Tortoise Breeding Centre” in 2016. This renaming honored a park ranger who dedicated 39 years of service to the institution.
The centre, located in the southeast of San Cristobal Island, near Cerro Colorado, focuses on improving the population of giant tortoises (Chelonoides chathamensis) in a natural-like environment. Your visit will give you insight into the incredible conservation efforts for these iconic Galapagos creatures.
Afterward, you’ll be transferred to San Cristobal airport for your flight back to the mainland. Apon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Quito.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Go Quito Hotel
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure. Depending on the time of your international flight, you may have some free time to relax before heading to the airport. Safe travels, and we hope you leave with unforgettable memories from your adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Meals: B
Inclusions
- Assistance, quotes, and booking of international flights from anywhere worldwide
- Visa assistance provided if required
- Airport meet-and-greet with private transfer to accommodation
- All transfers,internal flights, tour transport, cruise as per itinerary
- Experienced English-speaking local tour guides and drivers throughout with All shore excursions with an English-speaking naturalist guide during the cruise
- Fully escorted and managed by LWT hostess
- Daily breakfasts included
- 6 lunches, and 5 dinners provided
- 4 nights of luxury accommodation throughout Ecuador and 4 nights aboard a Luxury yacht
- All listed experiences and activities included
- One soft drink with every meal in Andes land package
-
Exclusion
- Travel and medical insurance (required)
- Alcohol (unless listed)
- Additional snacks and meals
- Tips
- Souvenirs
- International flight cost
- Galapagos National Park Fee (USD 200 per person)
- Migration Control Card (USD 20 per person)
- Go Quito Hotel (or similar) – 3 nights in Quito
- El Porvenir Hacienda (or similar) – 1 night near Cotopaxi National Park
- Seaman Journey – 4 nights on the Galapagos Islands Cruise
Please take the time to read and understand the booking terms and conditions prior to booking a trip with us.
Deposits and Payment Schedule
To join any of our captivating Luxury Women’s Tours (LWT) itineraries, a per-person deposit, tailored to your selected trip, is required to confirm and secure your reservation.
The final balance payment must be settled 90 days before your journey begins. If you book within this 90-day window, the full amount becomes due at the time of booking.
All cancellations must be done in writing. If a cancellation is received more than 121 days prior to the tour departure date a penalty of 10% of the total price will be retained as a cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is received between 120 days and 61 days prior to the tour departure date, 20% of the total price will be forfeited.
In the case of a cancellation received less than 60 days prior to the boat departure the full amount will be retained.
*Penalty charges may vary and are subject to change.
All flights are subject to airline terms and conditions.
Pricing
Published trip prices include all applicable taxes and are based on shared occupancy. Solo travelers are thoughtfully matched with roommates to avoid additional single supplement fees. Single supplements are available with a surcharge, subject to availability.
Please note that LWT is not responsible for fees related to currency exchange or charges imposed by your credit card company or bank for foreign currency transactions.
All Flight Booking Conditions
Be aware that terms, conditions, and cancellation fees imposed by flight carriers are applicable in accordance with the airline’s policies.
Cancellation by the Client
In case a Client needs to cancel their reservation, we request written notification sent to jamie@luxurywomenstours.com.au.
Upon receiving written confirmation of cancellation from LWT, your reserved spot on the trip will be released, and rebooking availability is not guaranteed.
Refund terms for client-initiated cancellations are as follows:
- All cancellations must be done in writing. If a cancellation is received more than 121 days prior to the tour departure date a penalty of 10% of the total price will be retained as a cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is received between 120 days and 61 days prior to the tour departure date, 20% of the total price will be forfeited.
In the case of a cancellation received less than 60 days prior to the boat departure the full amount will be retained.
*Penalty charges may vary and are subject to change.
Cancellation of a Tour by Luxury Women’s Tours
Our trips are confirmed to depart with a minimum group size booked. LWT reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason, though cancellations less than 60 days before departure are rare, except for Force Majeure or unforeseen circumstances beyond LWT’s control.
If LWT cancels a tour before the agreed departure date for reasons other than Force Majeure or the fault of the Client, you have the following options:
- Choose a substitute tour of equivalent or higher price, paying the difference.
- Opt for a substitute tour of lower price, receiving the difference in price as a refund.
- Receive a full refund of all monies paid under the contract.
LWT is not responsible for incidental expenses or consequential losses incurred by the Client, such as visa fees, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or rail tickets, non-refundable parking, loss of earnings, or loss of enjoyment.
For questions, contact us at Jamie@luxurywomenstours.com.au or call 0401293235.
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