QUITO AND THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Get a taste of Ecuador’s vibrant culture and explore all the Galápagos has to offer on our small-group 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 Galápagos 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 with the chance to venture out to two exotic islands 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!
For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our Before You Depart section.
Did you know that you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options for groups of 10 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 2 nights in Quito
- 4 nights in the Galápagos
- 1 night in Quito
- Overnight International Flight
Tour
Highlights
- 2 full-day cruise excursions with lunch in the Galápagos
- Full-day excursion on Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos)
- 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 (Galápagos), one of National Geographic’s “Unique Lodges of the World”
Max. Group Size: 15 Passengers
Your Tour
Includes
- Round trip airfare from Miami (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Intra-South America flights, ground transportation and transfers
- Accommodations at First Class hotels
- Galápagos Park fee
- 13 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing Ecuador tours and shore excursions
- Professional English-speaking tour directors
Tour Itinerary
Map
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Day 1: Depart from the U.S.
Day 2: Arrive in Quito
Day 3: Quito
Day 4: Quito/Galápagos Islands: Santa Cruz Island
Day 5: Galápagos Islands
Day 6: Galápagos Islands: Highlands of Santa Cruz
Day 7: Galápagos Islands
Day 8: Galápagos Islands/Quito
Day 9: Depart Quito
Day 10: Arrive USA
Guided Tour Pricing
Prices and dates below include round-trip airfare from Miami (MIA). Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination.
| 2022 Tours | Tour Only | With Flights | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Friday
November 25 Sunday
December 4 |
From
$4,949
$4,549
|
From
$5,549
$5,149
|
Select |
* Departures designated as "Guaranteed" may be canceled or rescheduled only under Extraordinary Circumstances, for example in situations deemed to be unsafe or nonviable due to local conditions. See Terms & Conditions for full details.
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
FINCH BAY HOTEL (GALÁPAGOS)
Rates are per person based on Finch Bay’s Garden View Room with double occupancy. Upgrade to an Ocean View Room! Select a date above to see the rates for a specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or 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 $300 per person. Full payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Featured Accommodations
Hilton Colon Hotel
Finch Bay Hotel
Wyndham Hotel
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Please note destination entry requirements are changing rapidly. smarTours will communicate entry requirements in your Tour Documents 10-14 days prior to departure. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (Ecudaor)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (Ecuador)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your departure flight to Peru and return flight from Ecuador are on the following 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) |
| 2022: Sep. 23 | American Airlines | 6:30 PM | 11:30 AM |
| 2022: Nov. 25 | American Airlines | 6:15 PM | 12:05 PM |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
The above airlines do 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.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour Only: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at the hotel in Quito on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Land-only services end upon arrival at the Quito Airport in the evening of Day 9 of the itinerary listed on the tour page.
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 destinations. 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 emailed to you 7-10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour.
CLIMATE
Since Ecuador is 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 Galápagos 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.