Galapagos Islands .com Logo Galapagos Islands head
Galapagos Islands tours head
Create your own tour Explore Ecuador! Plan your trip from A to Z About the Islands Contact Us!
Galapagos Islands head Galapagos Islands cruises head
Galapagos Islands head Galapagos Islands cruises head
Blue footed boobie - Galapagos bird
Blue footed boobie - Galapagos bird
Blue footed boobie - Galapagos bird
Blue footed boobie - Galapagos bird
 

 
Galapagos Trip Planner
Contact Us
Galapagos Cruise Deals
Luxury Cruises
Cruise Ships
Mid-Range Boats
Economical Boats
Galapagos Information
About Us
Galapagos Map
Galapagos Tour Packages
 


 


 

Galapagos Islands .com > Trip Extentions > Ecuador Overland > Quito

Quito - Gateway to the Galapagos

Quito is the doorway to your Galapagos Adventure.

Most travelers arrive first in the capital of Quito. Once the capital of the northern Incan empire, Quito is home to "Old Town", one of the most extensive colonial districts in Latin America. Named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the seventies, Quito's Old Town will transport you back and forth between centuries as you meander down its cobblestone streets, passing by vendors selling everything from choclo (Andean corn) to ceramics to techno CDs. From the Panecillo, you'll have a grand view of Quito and, on a clear day, you'll also see the peaks of some of Ecuador's volcanoes, among them the famous Cotopaxi volcano.

Centrally located, Quito is also an excellent jumping-off point for a number of interesting one and two-day trips, including river-rafting, cloudforest exploration, birding, mountain biking, hotsprings, and many more.

Flights to the Galapagos generally leave from Quito, Ecuador, a city nestled high in the Andes mountains that has countless travel opportunities of its own. In most cases, you'll need to spend a night in Quito to catch your flight to the Galapagos.

Quito Hotels:

there are numerous hotels, most of them situated in Mariscal, the area between the modernous, northern parts of Quito and Old Town Quito with its beautiful colonial buildings.

Quito - Upscale Hotels:

Quito - Mid-Range Hotels:

Quito - Economy-Priced Hotels:

Hotels Near Quito:

Make Reservations at a hotel in Quito

Places to see around Quito:

Mitad del Mundo. Just north of Quito, you'll find the Mitad del Mundo, a monument marking the equator. Mitad del Mundo is a convenient half an hour from central Quito. It includes a museum with informative displays on Ecuador's four regions and ethnic groups. Don't miss the opportunity to place one foot in each hemisphere!

Pululahua is an impressive, and dormant, volcanic crater turned geobotanical reserve. Pululahua is just a few kilometers beyond El Mitad del Mundo's equatorial line monument and about an hour drive from Quito. Pululahua boasts a mild climate, spectacular scenery, and a myriad of unique flora and fauna. Amidst the many small farms that pepper the crater's floor rests are acres of pasture, complete with horses and gardens. Experience the magic of Pululahua or hire a guide to take you horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking.

See VIVA Travel Guides for detailed info:
Quito Travel Guide
Quito Hotel Guide & Reviews
Quito Restaurants Guide & Reviews
Quito Old Town (Centro Historico) Guide
Quito's Mariscal Area Guide
Quito Weather and Climate

 

 

Galapagos boat Recommended:
amazon rainforest tours Galapagos tours Amazon Rainforest Lodges
hacienda cusin ecuador hotel Galapagos boat Haciendas of Ecuador - charming historical country inns
 
 
 
Galapagos Tours:
Galapagos Trip Planner

Galapagos Tour Pakages
Galapagos Charters and Groups
Galapagos Cruise Ships

Luxurious Cruises & Tours
Mid-Range Vacations
Low Priced Vacations
Super Economical Tours
Large vs. Small Galapagos Boats
Galapagos Diving
Live Aboard Diving
Galapagos Tour Extensions: Ecuador Tours
Amazon Rainforest Tours

Ecuador Hotels, Haciendas and Lodges:
Quito Hotels & Quito Travel Guide

Galapagos Hotels
Amazon Rainforest Lodges
Cuenca Hotels

Haciendas of Ecuador
Ecuador Hotels @ VIVA Travel Guides

About the Islands:
Galapagos Islands Overview

Map of Galapagos

Galapagos Conservation Galapagos Weather
Natural History
Human History
Galapagos Geology
Charles Darwin in the Galapagos
Evolution and the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Links
Galapagos Animals Photo Gallery

Planning your Galapagos Islands Tour:
Galapagos Flights and Land Transportation
Pre-trip checklist
When to Go
FAQ
Important Trip Info
About Us
Contact Us






Privacy Policy ©1998-2007 Site and marketing by Metamorf
Member of the Ecuador Explorer.com guide to Ecuador, Quito, and the Galapagos Islands