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!
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:
Arrive in Quito
Today, we arrive in Quito, the colonial capital of Ecuador, located just 15 miles from the equator and surrounded by ice-capped volcanoes. Continue to our first-class, centrally located hotel with the balance of the day at leisure.
Accommodations: Hotel Hilton Colon or similar
Day 2:
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 of San Francisco. We'll continue on foot through the culturally diverse history of Quito with a stop to visit a small cocoa museum where we'll learn how the product is grown with a delicious chocolate tasting at the end of our visit. Next, we'll take a panoramic drive with a stop at Itchimbia Hill for photographs before we visit the Equatorial Monument.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Quito/Galápagos Islands: Santa Cruz Island
After an early breakfast, we'll transfer to the airport for our flight to the Galápagos 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 conservation efforts here are conducted and to better understand the huge efforts that scientists, park rangers, park managers among others undertake to preserve this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and relax at your hotel, named one of National Geographic’s “Unique Lodges of the World.”
Accommodations: Finch Bay Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4:
Galápagos 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 views of the Archipelago from Pinnacle Rock. Climb to the peak at 114 meters to enjoy this stunning view. Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands of the Galápagos and in its tranquil bay, one can find green sea turtles and spotted eagle rays while sea lions bask in sun on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5:
Galápagos 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 Galápagos. At El Trapiche, we'll get to know how cane liquor and coffee are produced. We'll see how a rustic, mule-driven sugar cane press operates, and get to know the secrets of the different cane alcohol distilling techniques. At the end of our visit, we'l enjoy a liquor cane tasting!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6:
Galápagos 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 views of the Archipelago from Pinnacle Rock. Climb to the peak at 114 meters to enjoy this stunning view. Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands of the Galápagos and in its tranquil bay, one can find green sea turtles and spotted eagle rays while sea lions bask in sun on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7:
Galápagos Islands/Quito
Today, we'll transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, we’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, we'll enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Wyndham Tababela or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8:
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 tremendous variety of designs into belts, tapestries, ponchos, and other clothing items. Community residents have a long tradition as artisans and traders and they commonly travel to Europe and other countries in the Americas to sell their wares. Here, in this typical indigenous city, we can see families wearing their colorful clothes and speaking Quichua as their first tongue and Spanish as their second one. Here we'll enjoy the unique variety of handicrafts and textiles that are offered in this giant, colorful market. Afterwards, we'll meet an indigenous family from Otavalo who have decided to support the Kichwa culture by sharing the traditional cuisine with travelers. Learn about the local ingredients that are grown in their gardens and taste the Kichwa dishes prepared by Claudia and her mother.
Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our international flight after our tour.
We are working diligently to secure future tour dates and pricing for
this itinerary. Please fill out the "Request a Future Date" form
linked below, and we will notify you once dates are available.
