QUITO AND THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Get a taste of Ecuador’s vibrant culture and explore all the Galapagos has to offer on our tour including airfare from the U.S. Begin this trip with two nights in Quito, the colonial capital of Ecuador. Here you’ll take a tour of the city, which includes a stop at the Church of San Francisco, a chance to catch stunning views of the Valley of Tumbaco, and a visit to the Equator. Following this, you’ll start your Galapagos adventure at the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the islands’ conservation. Over the next few days, take excursions in and around Santa Cruz, venture out to another exotic island of your choice, and relax each evening with a stay at Finch Bay Hotel, one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World. You’ll surely be amazed by the region’s renowned biodiversity!
COVID-19 UPDATE
U.S. travelers are welcome to visit Ecudaor with certain entry requirements, including:
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- All travelers returning to the U.S., including those who have been vaccinated, must provide a negative, viral COVID-19 test issued no more than 3 days prior to departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from your healthcare provider. Full details and requirements can be accessed here. NOTE: smarTours will arrange testing for the group in Ecudaor. Guests are responsible for the cost of the test which must be paid in cash at the testing site.
Also, for the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours requires all travelers to provide a negative, viral COVID-19 antigen or PCR test issued no more than 3 days prior to departure, documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from your healthcare provider, or proof of full vaccination before leaving the United States.
Information is subject to change, please see the most up-to-date entry requirements for Ecuador here.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 2 nights in Quito
- 4 nights in the Galapagos
- 1 night in Quito
- Overnight International Flight
Tour
Highlights
- 2 full-day cruise excursions with lunch in the Galapagos
- Full-day excursion on Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Visit to the El Trapiche community with liquor tasting
- Monastery of San Francisco (Quito)
- Cocoa museum (Quito)
- La Mitad del Mundo – The Equator (Quito)
- Visit to Otavalo
- Stay at Finch Bay Hotel (Galapagos), one of National Geographic’s “Unique Lodges of the World”
Your Tour
Includes
- Round trip airfare from Miami
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Intra-South America flights, ground transportation and transfers
- Accommodations at First Class hotels
- Galapagos Park fee
- 14 meals: 8 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D)
- Comprehensive sightseeing Ecuador tours and shore excursions
- Professional English-speaking tour directors
Tour Itinerary
Quito
Today, we’ll explore the capital city of Ecuador on the foothills of the Pichincha Volcano. With its unique blend of Spanish, Flemish, Moorish, and pre-Colombian architecture, Quito’s churches, monasteries, narrow streets, rock and adobe buildings, and Spanish patios have helped the city earn its name as UNESCO “Patrimony of Mankind”.
On our guided tour we’ll see Independence Square with the Government Palace and Cathedral (exterior), and see the facade of La Compania, the city’s most ornate church. Visit the old town and see the Square and Monastery…
Quito/Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz Island
After an early breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. We’ll arrive in Baltra and at the Itabaca Canal, board the ferry bound for the other side of Santa Cruz Island. During our transfer through the highlands of Santa Cruz, we’ll see the enormous change in vegetation from dry areas full of cacti to rainforest and fern zones. The green landscape of Santa Cruz is a welcome contrast to the more arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands.
This afternoon, we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Center to see how…
Galapagos Islands
Today, we’ll enjoy a full-day boat excursion to one of the following islands: North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew, Santa Fe, or the Dragon Hill. Each of these islands has its own unique beauty to offer. North Seymour is a flat Island and home to magnificent frigate birds like the Blue-Footed-Boobies. South Plazas Island is home to a large colony of sea lions and offers excellent examples of the typical flora like towering cacti “trees” which form the principal diet for land iguanas and cactus finch. Bartholomew Island is a tiny island which boasts one of the most spectacular…
Galapagos Islands: Highlands of Santa Cruz
Today, explore the highlands of the Santa Cruz. Along the way, stop in Twin Craters, located one in front of the other on both sides of the road connecting Puerto Ayora to Baltra. These craters were formed as a result of the collapse of the crust and there are many craters of this type in the area which. The vegetation in this area is dominated by Scalesia Trees, making the site a beautiful green landscape. Visit a lava tunnel, and observe the famous giant tortoise in its natural environment. After lunch, we’ll continue to El Trapiche to learn more about life as a resident of the…
Galapagos Islands
Today, we’ll enjoy a full-day boat excursion to one of the following islands: North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew, Santa Fe, or the Dragon Hill. Each of these islands has its own unique beauty to offer. North Seymour is a flat Island and home to magnificent frigate birds like the Blue-Footed-Boobies. South Plazas Island is home to a large colony of sea lions and offers excellent examples of the typical flora like towering cacti “trees” which form the principal diet for land iguanas and cactus finch. Bartholomew Island is a tiny island which boasts one of the most spectacular…
Depart Quito
After breakfast, we’ll travel to the Imbabura Province. The road descends into the spectacular Guayllabamba gorge and village and with a bit of luck, we’ll enjoy views of the snow-capped Cayambe. The Equatorial Line goes directly through the glacier of this volcano. Along our journey through this wonderful landscape we’ll also see the Lago San Pablo with the Imbabura volcano in the background.
Once in Otavalo, we’ll visit the Plaza de los Ponchos. The indigenous residents of the area have achieved economic prosperity thanks to their skill in weaving a…
Guided Tour Pricing
Pricing includes land and airfare Request Info
| Depart | Return | Depart - Return | Best Value Pricing - Reserve by Apr 30, 2021 | Reserve after Apr 30, 2021 |
Select Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 | w/ eCheck Discount | Sale | After Sale | ||
| September 24 | October 3 | Sep 24 - Oct 3 |
$4,999 | $5,099 | $5,399 |
Book Now: |
| November 26 | December 5 | Nov 26 - Dec 5 |
$4,999 | $5,099 | $5,399 |
Book Now: |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single room supplement is $1,129
Ocean View Room Upgrade at Finch Bay Hotel (Galapagos):
$369 per person (double occupancy) / $359 per person (single occupancy)
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 800-337-7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $99 per person for all 2021 departures, and $300 per person for all 2022 departures. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your departure flight to Peru and return flight from Ecuador are via Avianca Airlines. You should check-in for your flight at least 3½ hours before the scheduled departure. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change. The current departure and return schedules are as follows:
| Departure Date | Airline | Depart Miami (MIA) | Return Miami (MIA) |
| 2021: Jul. 16, Sep. 24, Oct. 8 | LATAM Airlines | 11:55PM | 7:00AM |
| 2021: Nov. 26 | LATAM Airlines | 11:55PM | 6:00AM |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
Avianca Airlines does not accept advance seat assignment. Actual seat assignment will be provided at the airport. Please note that smarTours is not involved with your seat assignments.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. American passport holders do not require a visa. Non U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel desitnations. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets along with final instructions and travel tips will be sent to you 10 – 7 days before the scheduled departure of your tour. Please make sure to advise us in writing in case of a change of your address.
CLIMATE
Since Peru and Ecuador are located near the equator, the weather is temperate with average daytime high temperatures ranging from 60’s to the 80’s. However, in areas of higher elevations (Quito) as well as in the Galapagos Islands, morning, late afternoon and evening temperatures will be considerably cooler (30’s to 50’s).
NON-INCLUDED MEALS
You may dine at either of the hotels used on this tour or other nearby restaurants recommended by your guide. Average cost for dinner (excluding drinks) in the hotel’s coffee shop is about $20-25 per meal per person. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. dollars. Your hotels will be able to exchange your cash to local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations. The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar!
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (maximum of 44 lbs.) and one carry-on piece. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.
Multimedia
See our Facebook Live video about the Galapagos!