Barefoot Expeditions - Day Tours
Barefoot Expeditions - Day Tours
5
Multi-day ToursBoat ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
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About
Barefoot Expeditions is a travel agency and tour operator based in Quito, offering you unique trips all over Ecuador and the Galapagos islands. We specialize in adventure travel (rafting, kayaking, biking, trekking, etc.) and provide tailor-made tours for individual travelers or groups according to your unique needs. We provide personalized and reliable service in Spanish and English. Our mission is to enable you to spend the vacation in Ecuador you have always dreamt about - close to nature, full of extraordinary experiences and cultural insights. It is simply a unique experience you will never forget!
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Barefoot Expeditions - Day Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
70 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Frank S
22 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
Diego of Barefoot cruises found the perfect seven day boat cruise for me. I wanted a smaller boat that is locally owned and operated. He really came through with Johan, our guide, who grew up on Santa Cruz and has over 30yrs experience in guiding folks to great snorkeling spots that are overlooked by less experienced guides. Yate Darwin is able to go into shallow water which also lessens zodiac transit time. A magical experience!
Written November 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John G
Lancaster, PA52 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
I decided to visit the Galapagos Islands in January of 2020 at pretty much the last minute, so I contacted Diego Altamirano at Barefoot Expeditions for help in getting it organized. I met him about 5 years ago and was happy to have his guidance in doing this tour. He knows the islands well and was able to arrange great tours for me using a combination of an 8-day boat tour on the Beagle and a 4-day island hopping tour based out of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal).
I was able to see and get close to all the varieties of land and water animals that Galapagos is famous for, experienced the amazing variety of habitats and geology on 7 of the islands in the archipelago, and met a wonderful variety of people along the way. The accommodations were perfect, the weather was very nice, and Galapagos is simply amazing. There is just no other place like it that I know of.
Diego and Barefoot Expeditions have a great deal of experience organizing tours of the Galapagos Islands. Diego knew the tours, tour operators, and hosts personally, and he provided a wonderful customized experience of the islands for me. I do not know how it could have been any better; it was simply fabulous! Highly recommend Barefoot Expeditions!
I was able to see and get close to all the varieties of land and water animals that Galapagos is famous for, experienced the amazing variety of habitats and geology on 7 of the islands in the archipelago, and met a wonderful variety of people along the way. The accommodations were perfect, the weather was very nice, and Galapagos is simply amazing. There is just no other place like it that I know of.
Diego and Barefoot Expeditions have a great deal of experience organizing tours of the Galapagos Islands. Diego knew the tours, tour operators, and hosts personally, and he provided a wonderful customized experience of the islands for me. I do not know how it could have been any better; it was simply fabulous! Highly recommend Barefoot Expeditions!
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Jhon,
I was really happy to hear from you after five years and organize a great trip to the Galapagos Islands! The Beagle is a great boat, and our partners are very professional and take good care of our clients in every part of the tour.
I have very nice memories from when we paddled those amazing rapids in the Amazon Jungle! I hope to see you again for new adventures! Thank you very much for your support!
Best regards from Quito!
Diego Altamirano
Written September 21, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy B
2 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
I recently traveled to Galapagos with the help of Diego at Barefoot Expeditions. I was overwhelmed with what to see and how to go about picking the island, hotels and tours. Diego created an itinerary for me that would allow us to island hop and see what the Galapagos is all about. Truly amazing!!! Diego was responsive to my questions while I was there and connected me with fabulous locals. I highly recommend!
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Wendy,
Thank you so much for your kind review of Barefoot Expeditions! We are thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time exploring the Galapagos with the itinerary Diego crafted for you. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the island hopping experience and found the local connections to be fabulous. We always strive to provide personalized and responsive service, and we’re glad that Diego could assist you throughout your trip. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to help you plan another unforgettable adventure in the future!
Warm regards,
The Barefoot Expeditions Team
Written May 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Coco T
54 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Fantastic tour guide! I did. the Quilotoa+Cotopaxi 4 day as a solo backpacker. Diego is really fun to travel with, and all the logistics were handled very smoothly and professionally. He even went out of his way to help me when I had to change my dropoff destination. 10/10 recommend if you are looking for a trekking guide in Ecuador.
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim K
Manchester, CT7 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Just got back from a great trip to Ecuador. Diego from Barefoot Expeditions organized a nearly three-week trip for me. I spent 2 days in Quito exploring old town one guided by Diego and one on my own. On the guided day we visited a historic church name Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus and climbed to the top of Basilica del Voto Nacional among the many sights we saw then we went to the middle of the earth to stand on the equator which was a highlight for me. Another day we went to the Mindo cloud forest where we saw some very colorful butterflies and humming birds. Next, we spent four days hiking the Quilotoa loop. The highlight of the trek was hiking through the beautiful Canon del Toachi river valley from Chugchilan to Isinlivi where we hiked passed some small farms a small village and met some local people along the way. Next, we hiked Mount Cotopaxi up to the glacier line at approximately 16,300 ft. The top is currently closed due to too much volcanic activity. Along the way we saw a herd of wild horses and a fox. Following a day off in Quito, Diego put together an eight day island hoping trip to the Galapagos islands. I visited all three main islands San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isla Isabella. I went on several snorkeling trips where I saw so much wildlife including all sorts of rays, sea turtles, sea lions, blue and red footed bobbies, marine iguanas, white tipped sharks, hammerhead sharks, frigate birds, dolphins, an octopus, and lots of tropical fish. I did a few land tours too and saw the famous Galapagos tortoises. All in all a super trip. I would like to thank Barefoot Expeditions and especially Diego for putting this together for me.
Written April 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Tim, thank you very much for your detailed review. It was a pleasure traveling with you.
Kind regards from Quito
Written August 28, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vanessa S
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
We were originally hoping to climb Illiniza Norte with mountain guide Xavier Carerra, organized through Diego Altamirano at Barefoot Expeditions. However, a respiratory illness struck one from our party forcing us to change plans. Diego and Xavier were understanding and flexible and it was effortless to change plans to a more suitable day trip. We ended up traveling to Mindo Cloud Forest and Xavier was a wonderful guide despite the unexpected change of plan to a place he was less familiar with. He showed us Medio del Mundo and a volcanic crater with a village at the bottom on the way to the forest (two pleasant surprises we weren't expecting). He joined us on a waterfall hike and his expertise allowed us to see an additional waterfall we wouldn't have been able to find. We never felt rushed the entire day with Xavier and despite it being late in the afternoon, he enthusiastically organized a rapids tubing activity that ended up being perhaps the highlight of our entire trip! Not only that, but he filmed our thrilling ride from a bridge along the way and promptly sent the video to us later on.
To summarize, although we originally had completely different plans for the day, Xavier turned our alternate adventure into one that we would have been sorry to miss. We hope that one day we will be able to return and climb the mountain that evaded us- and if we do, we hope it will be with Xavier Carrerra and Barefoot Expeditions! High quality team!
To summarize, although we originally had completely different plans for the day, Xavier turned our alternate adventure into one that we would have been sorry to miss. We hope that one day we will be able to return and climb the mountain that evaded us- and if we do, we hope it will be with Xavier Carrerra and Barefoot Expeditions! High quality team!
Written April 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Vanessa,
Thank you for your heartfelt review of Barefoot Expeditions. We're delighted to hear about your positive experience despite the unforeseen change in plans due to a respiratory illness in your party.
Diego and Xavier take great pride in their flexibility and understanding, ensuring that every trip is memorable, even when plans need to change. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your visit to Mindo Cloud Forest, and we're glad that Xavier's guiding expertise added special moments to your trip, such as visiting Medio del Mundo, the volcanic crater, and discovering hidden waterfalls.
Your enthusiasm for the rapids tubing activity and the special touch of Xavier filming your ride brings a smile to our faces. We are thrilled that this unexpected adventure turned into a highlight of your trip.
We appreciate your kind words about our team and look forward to the opportunity to help you climb Illiniza Norte in the future. Until then, safe travels and happy adventures!
Warm regards,
The Barefoot Expeditions Team
Written May 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
twin_pilgrim
Los Angeles, CA17 contributions
May 2022
I went with Diego for the 4 day Quilotoa Loop and the Cotopaxi volcano. He did an outstanding job with all the logistics and finding great local guides for part of the time. He was also great to travel with for the 4 days.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneSophie
Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany1 contribution
May 2012 • Solo
I booked several trips with Barefoot Expeditions when I was in Ecuador last time. A friend recommended me to contact the agency and I didn´t regret it: everything was even better than I expected! Reliable service, all the payments went smooth and all my questions were answered quickly. Kerstin and Diego organized different tours for me that I totally enjoyed: Otavalo with its market, trek around the Cuicocha lagoon, Banos, 4 days in the Cuyabeno reserve, but also the discovery of Quito and a rafting day... They are both really nice and helpful persons, they have regularly kept contact with me throughout my trip and gave me great advice for accomodation. I can just say: don’t hesitate to contact Barefoot Expeditions for your trip in Ecuador!
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merci, Anne Sophie :-) After having been twice to Ecuador, you already noticed that Ecuador is sooo diverse...hope you come back soon to discover more of Galapagos, the coast, the South of Ecuador and so on. You are very welcome!
Best regards,
Kerstin
Written July 25, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Isabel
Perth, Australia35 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
Our five day adventure included caving, hot springs, white water rafting, cannoning (abseiling down waterfalls), zip lining (giant flying fox), hiking and a cycle in Ecuador. Everything was well organised and our guide Diego has an excellent command of English and Spanish. He combined with other specialist guides for each of the activities and they were all great. Diego ensured that we felt comfortable and helped in any way he could including finding a doctor and translating when one of our party had ear problems.
In my mid 50s I was anxious about my ability to cope with some of the activities but at each stage Diego, each guide and my travelling companions encouraged me and helped me when needed. I enjoyed each of the activities but it is particularly a great buzz to have gone cannoning, so much so I'd give it another go!!!
The only activity I didn't do is the downhill mountain cycle, it was really for experienced riders only as the road was very gravelly and my few rides on beautiful cycle paths in the city didn't equip me for such a ride.
It was a great, once in a life time adventure, thank you Diego and Barefoot.
In my mid 50s I was anxious about my ability to cope with some of the activities but at each stage Diego, each guide and my travelling companions encouraged me and helped me when needed. I enjoyed each of the activities but it is particularly a great buzz to have gone cannoning, so much so I'd give it another go!!!
The only activity I didn't do is the downhill mountain cycle, it was really for experienced riders only as the road was very gravelly and my few rides on beautiful cycle paths in the city didn't equip me for such a ride.
It was a great, once in a life time adventure, thank you Diego and Barefoot.
Written December 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Isa, thanks for your lovely comment! We are super happy to hear that you enjoyed the Adventure Loop and getting out of your comfort zone being well taken care of by Diego. Thank you for choosing us and for your confidence in our services :-)
Best regards from Quito,
Kerstin
Written May 2, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Darlene H
Halifax, Canada16 contributions
Sep 2012 • Solo
Barefoot expeditions provide a premium package for the budget traveler. The days are packed full and the islands visited are amazing. We saw everything I think there is to see and our guide was very accommodating even reduced the distance of the hike to the caldera in Santa Cruz at the groups request and added the visit to Charles Darwin center so those with early flights the next day didn't miss out. I highly recommend barefoot expeditions for the Galapagos islands.
The meals provided are good as were the accommodations, for the budget minded person. If you want to ensure that you have hot water however you might want to upgrade to higher level hotels as hot water was hit and miss. Overall, for the price they provide an excellent package.
The meals provided are good as were the accommodations, for the budget minded person. If you want to ensure that you have hot water however you might want to upgrade to higher level hotels as hot water was hit and miss. Overall, for the price they provide an excellent package.
Written October 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your great feedback on our island hopping on a budget tour! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much :-) We hope to welcome you again on one of our other trips!
Best regards, Kerstin
Written October 3, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience