INSIDER’S ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS: Essential planning, booking tips from Goway

Ecuador’s rich natural heritage, diverse culture, and wide range of adventure activities – with natural wonders including the Amazon rainforest, the Galapagos Islands, and the Avenue of the Volcanoes – is no secret. But with so many options, what is right for clients? A handful of Goway’s destination expert are eager to share their insider’s tips to help insure they get the most out of their South American adventure in one the world’s most remarkable destinations.

“With 55 years of experience in the industry and a team of experienced, knowledgeable Destination Specialists and industry-leading partners in destination, Goway is uniquely equipped to ensure a memorable, enjoyable, and stress-free trip to Ecuador,” says Robert Miller, Product Manager – The Americas at Goway.

Here is some essential information and planning tips compiled by Goway experts Miller, Samy Koussa, Andrea Paredes, Jaime Vargas, and Kajal Gadhia:

THE NITTY GRITTY

Proximity: Did you know that Ecuador is closer to this Canada than Africa, Asia, southern South America, and parts of Europe?

When to go: There truly is no ‘bad or best’ time to visit, though there are some annual weather trends to consider, especially in the Galapagos. While there aren’t extreme variances in weather, the temperatures from November to late May are typically the warmest and most enjoyable, and this time of the year also coincides with the calmest seas. With that in mind, if clients are planning to visit the islands on a cruise, travelling between these months will typically help to ensure the warmest weather and calmest sea conditions. However, there are fewer travellers at other times of the year and often there are great deals to be had during the cooler season, from June to November.

Best way to get there: Most everyone will arrive by air into either Quito or Guayaquil, though the former is recommended. The city is the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is

considered to be the best-preserved colonial city centre in Latin America. Beyond that unique designation, the city is absolutely beautiful and there is so much to see and do. The main advantage to arriving in coastal Guayaquil is that it is at sea level (compared to Quito’s 2,850 metres) and that if your guests are only visiting the Galapagos, it makes sense to route them via Guayaquil so that they don’t experience any issues related to altitude acclimatization (it takes 12 to 24 hours for most travellers to adjust to the altitude in Quito).

Optimal length of stay: Being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and a country that is host to a wide range of histories and cultures, it is strongly recommend that guests spend at least five days exploring the mainland of Ecuador before carrying on to the Galapagos. Most tours of the Galapagos will last between four and eight days, and so with this in mind, we recommend at least nine days, and ideally closer to two weeks if your guests are looking for a complete and immersive experience.

Is Ecuador a standalone or combo destination?: Many Canadian travellers opt for multi-country combinations, typically including Peru, which pairs excellently with Ecuador. Others will instead focus their trip solely on Ecuador’s “four worlds,” while some other (very fortunate travellers) will set out on wide explorations South America, including Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and more.

INSIDER TIPS

Jaime Vargas

Is it all about the Galapagos? The Galápagos Islands are the top draw for Canadians visiting Ecuador, attracting those interested in the unique wildlife and eco-tourism experiences. But many Canadians appreciate that Ecuador offers more than just the Galápagos, with attractions like UNESCO-listed cities like Quito and Cuenca; adventure activities like hiking in the Andes; wildlife tours in the Amazon; and luxury eco-lodges, catering to both nature enthusiasts and those seeking unique cultural immersion.

Who is Condor Travel?: Travelling with a reputable and experienced DMC like Condor Travel is critical wherever you go, and this is perhaps amplified in a country as diverse and dynamic as Ecuador. Due to its many landscapes, regions, activities, and history, having an incredible partner like Condor Travel ensures smooth logistics and expert guidance for a well-organized and immersive experience, as well as, of course, safety.

Koussa

Under the radar: The Avenue of Volcanoes is often underrated by travellers, but it’s a haven for nature lovers and hikers. You can ascend iconic volcanoes like Cotopaxi, visit the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon, or take a stop at Baños to enjoy its famous thermal baths and waterfalls. All of these offer an authentic, nature-filled experience. Another hidden gem is Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and charming cobblestone streets.

Special experience: One experience that stands out for me is the chocolate. If you’re a chocolate lover, Ecuador is a paradise. I’ve always been a milk chocolate fan, but after tasting Ecuadorian dark chocolate, I changed my mind completely. Even though I usually don’t enjoy dark chocolate over 70%, I was blown away by the 100% chocolate here – it completely changed my perspective. For the ultimate chocolate experience, visit one of Quito’s chocolateries for a tasting. My personal recommendation is the Minka Chocolate Experience, where you can enjoy a hot chocolate while gazing at the beautiful Plaza de San Francisco. And their chocolate & coffee cappuccino bar is absolutely unforgettable. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or not, this is a must-try experience.

Parades

Choosing the right Galapagos ship: The Galapagos Islands have a wide range of different ships, which cater to specific groups of travellers. In general, if you have families looking to travel together, a great vessel is the Galapagos Legend. This ship hosts up to 100 guests per departure, and one of the big advantages is that their Junior Suite Plus cabins can comfortably accommodate four guests in a single room, making it the perfect fit for families. The ship also has great social areas, expert local guides, and offers a range of excursions including glass bottom boat tours that are a big hit with younger guests.

There are also a wide range of smaller, more exclusive yachts and catamarans. Some of the most popular include the Galapagos Seaman Journey, the Galapagos Sea Star Yacht, and the Corals I/II; with all of these, your guests can expect top-notch service in an upmarket environment. For those looking to balance experience with budget, the Corals I/II are a great fit (if not a land-based exploration).

And if your guests are looking for five-star luxury on the seas, having a look at yachts like the Endemic, Elite and Ocean Spray is a good idea – these are some of the nicest vessels currently exploring the archipelago.

One key thing to keep in mind is that each vessel explores different routes in the Galapagos, so a very important consideration that will help to determine what the ‘best’ cruise is, is to first understand the key animals and environment one wishes to discover.

Amazon or Galapagos?: Why not both? The Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos are an amazing combination. Three nights in a jungle lodge and four nights onboard a Galapagos cruise will allow your guests to record unforgettable memories. My recommendation is to spend the time to choose the right Galapagos ship, with particular attention to social areas. Fantastic open decks allow your guests to admire the island’s flora and fauna, unique in the world, in comfort and luxury.

Miller

Amazing experiences: Meeting an Amazon tribe, seeing a rare blue-footed booby, or butterfly in the cloud forest, cooking class, buying a great handbag at an Indian market, etc. There are too many special moments in a place like Ecuador… Without even mentioning the Galapagos Islands – undoubtedly one of the most impressive places on the planet – Ecuador is simply spectacular. Imagine waking up in the historic core of the best-preserved city centre in Latin America, then later in the day finding yourself at the cloudy base of Cotopaxi mountain. The next morning, you could be on your way to virgin cloud forests to spot a dizzying range of hummingbirds, butterflies and orchids. It truly is one of the most underrated countries in the world, and it’s so easy to see why guests rave about their trips once they get home.

Gadhia

How to choose the right tour from Goway: The best way to ensure that we’re putting together the ideal trip to is to call us! While our website provides an excellent selection of travel ideas, we truly specialize in customization. With that in mind, if your guests have unique and particular needs, the best thing you can do to ensure Goway is preparing the perfect trip is to pass along as much information as possible to your Destination Specialist. From there, we can get to work on tailoring a trip that meets the exact needs of your guests.

Agent training and resources: At Goway, we’re regularly developing internal and external training resources to ensure that our Destination Specialists are equipped with the latest and greatest information and product. As well, our Goway Pro agent academy allows for partner agents to gain insights in a hands-free, at-your-leisure pace.

Why book with Goway?: A trusted company that offers tailor-made trips, cruises, safaris and luxury vacations to more than 110 countries worldwide, Goway has been in business for 55 years. Call us to work with an in-house Destination Specialist who is knowledgeable about the area your guests are visiting to make sure that every aspect of their trip is taken into account. We’re all about creating seamless itineraries that we pair with round-the-clock assistance and support, and we specialize in customizing itineraries to the exact needs of your travellers.

For more information on Goway’s Ecuador and its loyalty program for travel advisors, visit https://www.gowaypro.com/ and https://www.gowaypro.com/gowaypro/ .