Heart of Travel is thrilled to offer small group tours to Ecuador in 2024. Over the years we have fallen in love with Ecuador and look forward to sharing our passion for this fascinating country with you. Experience the boundless adventure of Quito, featuring artful crafts and cuisine, and embark on an extraordinary journey to the Galapagos Islands, where nature's marvels unfold before your eyes, abundant wildlife thrives, and a captivating tapestry of history awaits.

To view the detailed itinerary for this trip please click here.

For additional information about this trip please visit our website here. Continue scrolling to review the most common FAQ along with details regarding registration, payments, and cancellations. 

What does double occupancy mean?

Double occupancy spots are for people traveling with a companion or roommate OR for someone traveling solo who is open to being paired with another solo traveler of the same gender to share a room. When you sign up for a double occupancy spot, please indicate if you are traveling with someone and if so, who, and how many beds are needed in the room (1 or 2). In the event, there is an uneven # of double occupancy sign-ups, a trip participant may end up rooming with a Tour Leader for parts of the trip or will be given the option to upgrade to a single supplement if desired.

What does single occupancy mean?

Single occupancy spots are for travelers who want their own room and bathroom. This applies to solo travelers who are not traveling with a roommate and do not wish to be paired with another traveler. To secure a single occupancy spot, please select the "single supplement add-on" at the time of registration. If you have any special requests for your room please let us know. 

What are "additional nights"?

Often times travelers desire to add on an extra night of accommodation at the beginning or end of the trip. You can book additional nights through us by adding them to your cart at the time of registration. Likewise, they can be added later if you are unsure of your plans at the time of enrollment. Note the price is per room.

Will Heart of Travel help me book my international airfare?

Heart of Travel does not book international airfare for trip participants nor are we responsible for changes or delays in your reservation or flight. However, we will be more than happy to research and provide information on suggested flights. Simply provide us with the airport code for any airports that work for you to fly in/out of and we will be glad to take a look! 

I have special dietary restrictions and/or medical needs or concerns. Can you accommodate me?

Yes! Heart of Travel has years of experience accommodating a range of dietary restrictions and preferences, even in some remote locations. Just let us know what you need and we've got your back. As for medical needs or concerns, Heart of Travel does its absolute best to accommodate all trip participants' preferences, needs, and abilities to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy and has a good time. If you have a medical condition or concern that needs to be discussed in greater detail please let us know as soon as possible so we can set up a time to chat and make sure we fully understand your needs and can prepare accordingly. 

In the event, a Heart of Travel trip has not  been canceled by Heart of Travel, rather you have chosen not to join the trip for whatever reason, including COVID-19, the following policy will apply:

• Cancellation 151 days or more before the trip start date: Fully refundable 
• Cancellation 91 - 150 days before the trip start date: Loss of deposit, the rest of the trip payment is fully refundable. 
• Cancellation 60 – 90 days before the trip start date: 50% Refundable 
• Cancellation 30 -59 days before the trip’s start date: No refunds are guaranteed, however, you could apply 70% of your payment towards a future trip to the same destination or 50% towards a Heart of Travel trip to an alternate destination. 
• Cancellation 29 or fewer days before the trip's start date: No refunds are guaranteed. 

*If you can’t make it on a trip but someone else can go in your place we are happy to transfer over your registration and dues paid to this person’s account. However, in some instances, there may be a domestic flight or another type of reservation with a third-party supplier that can only be transferred to a new person with a transfer fee. In this case, the new participant would be responsible for covering this fee. 

TRIP POSTPONED OR CANCELED by Heart of Travel

In the event, a Heart of Travel trip is not possible due to COVID-19 (be it due to border closures or because we’ve determined the trip is not in the best interest of travelers and/or employees) we will notify participants immediately of the cancellation or postponement of the trip.

• If the trip is canceled with 75 days of notice or more, travelers will have the option to receive a full refund, join the trip on the postponed dates, or transfer the amount paid to an alternative trip. 
• In the event, the trip is impacted less than 74 days before the start date the trip, it will not be canceled but rather postponed. This means there is no refund, however, you can receive a full 100% credit for the amount paid, good towards any other Heart of Travel trip to any destination at any time, or wait to go on your original trip at the new dates. 

While adventure and connection through cross-cultural experience is our passion, we understand that there are inherent risks when it comes to international travel. Here at Heart of Travel, we believe in leaving places better than you found them, and part of making an impact is partnering with companies that share our values. That’s why we recommend purchasing Insured Nomads Travel Insurance before your upcoming travels. Insured Nomads Travel Insurance believes in safe, ethical travel that minimizes harm and leaves a positive impact on local communities. 

Travel insurance is a sustainable practice because when you purchase a plan, this ensures you have the financial means to care for yourself should you get sick or hurt while traveling. This lessens the burden you may impose on a local community’s medical resources and guarantees that each worker gets paid for their services. Travel insurance also allows you to rest easy, knowing you’ve got someone in your corner should you get sick or experience travel disruptions. Visit Insured Nomads Travel Insurance and shop their available policies here. Have any questions? Insured Nomads offers incredible customer service and will make sure to find the perfect plan for you.

Disclaimer: Heart of Travel is a partner of Insured Nomads Travel Insurance. We offer their travel insurance plans and earn a commission for each plan sold. This does not impact your pricing in any way. Here at Heart of Travel, we are not insurance experts. Please contact Insured Nomads Travel Insurance for any questions regarding coverage, your plan, and filing a claim. Be sure to visit Insured Nomad’s website for complete coverage information. 

Our standard payment plan involves a refundable deposit at the time of registration. The remaining balance is then divided into 2 additional installments. The trip is due in full 91 days before the departure date. If you pay with a credit/debit card you will automatically be enrolled in auto-payment and future payments will automatically be deducted from your account. 

If you are interested in an alternative payment plan involving smaller monthly payments or custom payment dates please reach out to us at hola@theheartoftravel.org. We are happy to set up personalized payment plans and can offer interest-free payment plans for up to 12 months.