Columbus Travel started it's operation 1997 and has grown to become one of the major on-line travel agencies in Ecuador. We mostly sell trips to the Galapagos islands and the Amazon jungle, but we can offer any travel service you need.

We are affiliated with CETUR (Ecuadorian tourist board) and CAPTUR (the tourist board of the Pichincha province) and highly recommended by The South American Explorers club and Exito travel in The States.

Carbon Offset
We work closely with CanopyCo to carbon offset everything we do. CanopyCo is an Ecuadorian based organization managed by local and European professionals dedicated to reforesting Ecuador’s native forests for the benefit of the climate, the local community and, of course, Ecuador’s phenomenal flora and fauna.

We work with CanopyCo, an Ecuadorian based organization dedicated to reforesting Ecuador’s native forests

Along with CanopyCo, we have carefully calculated all the emissions Columbus Travel generates. Our entire operation has been included from the bus rides our staff take to the office to the electricity used in the computers. What’s more we even carbon offset all the emissions from the services we provide to our clients from airport transfers and from ALL the mainland tours (city tours, trips to Otavalo, Cuenca etc). CanopyCo has worked out how many trees we need to plant to absorb the carbon dioxide emissions using UK and USA government standards. Rest assured that from the moment you arrive at the airport to the moment you leave, everything you do with us on will leave a carbon footprint of ZERO.

The one thing that we are not able to carbon offset yet is your flights. We invite you to join us in our bid to protect the environment. From as little as $10 you can also carbon offset your flights, ensuring that your trip of a lifetime has a minimal environmental impact. Simply use the CanopyCo link to find out more and help save the planet. The world will thank you !!!!!

We are located close to the Mariscal area in Quito at Andres Xaura N24-200 between Lizardo Garcia and Foch. Here is a short presentation of some of the staff:

Luisa Cordova Luisa has a degree in tourism and administration from UTE university in Quito. She is the general director of Haugan cruises as well as Columbus Travel. Luisa speaks English and Spanish. Elena Guachamin Elena works with sales. She has a degree in business from the San Fransisco university in Quito and has been working 3 years with Metropolitan touring in Ecuador. She also knows all of Ecuador and has traveled several times to the Galapagos. Ivonne Zumárraga Ivonne holds a degree in tourism administration from the University of Tourist Specialties (UCT) in Quito. She is 23 years old; and has been working in tourism almost 3 years. Her professional training has given her the opportunity to visit the most outstanding places in Ecuador including Galapagos. She has been assigned for Galapagos and Ecuador sales at Columbus Travel. Rodrigo Hidrovo Rodrigo is responsible for booking and finances. Rodrigo is a graduate in business and administration Universidad Salesiano in Quito. Lucia Calderon Our accountant! Ask her about any payment issue. Ximena Martinez Ximena works in the Accounting Department of Columbus Travel, she is in charge of the payment of reservations and billings. She has been in other similar positions in other companies in the past. She just finished her studies at the University. Soledad Salazar Soledad graduated at the University Tecnologica Equinoccial (UTE) in Tourist Administration. She works in the operation department and does everything related to land and cruise operation in Columbus Travel. Diego Andrade Diego holds a degree in Marketing and Economics from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. He is 25 five years old and has worked in the tourism industry for over a year. He joined Columbus Travel in February 2008 as a travel designer. He will create a program fitting your interests and desires based on his vast knowledge of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. He speaks English and Spanish, and understands German. Angelita The person who mantains everything clean

Kjetil Haugan Kjetil Haugan is the owner of Columbus Travel. He is a Norwegian citizen who has lived in Ecuador since 1994. Kjetil has a Graduate degree in Organization Development from England and a undergraduate degree in Management from Norway. Kjetil worked as the director of the Olympic Villages during the Lillehammer (Norway) 1994 and the Atlanta (USA) 1996 Olympic Games. He speaks Spanish, English and the Scandinavian languages. Fernanda Borja Major studies in Advertisment and Marketing, in Quito-Ecuador, and a Post Graduate in Hospitality and Tourism in Switzerland. She speaks Spanish, English, French and German. She worked for Metropolitan touring for 2 years and a half as Sales Executive. She knows Ecuador and Galapagos very well and would be a good advisor for your trip. Margarita Lugo Margarita is one of the sales representatives, she is specialized in tourism, she loves Ecuador and she is pleased to assist with travel information about Ecuador & the enchanted Islands to travelers around the world. Margarita’s slogan “Where Else but Ecuador beautiful one day, perfect the next”! Javier Proaño Xavier will meet you at the airport when you arrive in Quito. Xavier is married to Luisa and is also a dentist. Shirley Alvarez She helps with everything related to receptive tourism, she gives all the necessary information to our clients in English or Spanish. She studied tourist administration and had attended many different courses related to her job. She also does some guiding on Saturdays. Christian Rafael He is 25 years old, he is studying Accounting and Audit at the University. He works in the Accounting department of Columbus Travel,  and in charge of paying and collecting our suppliers. Verónica Vélez She is our manager assistant and coordinator, she is responsible of answering the phones. Washington del Pino Washington graduated from high school in the US and majored in business management and internatinal relations at San Francisco University in Quito. He has lived in the Galapagos Islands for short periods and traveled around Ecuador four regions. He has been involved in the tourism industry for 8 years doing marketing and sales for cruise lines and yacht companies. Luis Yepes Luis is our "mensajero" , the person that buys tickets and make sure that we receive all the documents for the passangers. Luis is married and lives outside of Quito.