The Galapagos Islands | Ecuador | South America
FROM: USD $5,215 pp

Travel to the islands that gave birth to Darwin’s theory of evolution with this classic tour of Quito and the Galápagos. Snorkel in marine-rich waters, hike through fragrant forests, trek across barren fields of hard lava and keep those binoculars to hand for the staggering array of wildlife waiting to greet you.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
COVID SAFE GUIDE

Trip Highlights

Quito and the Centre of the World – touring of the UNESCO-listed colonial city and a visit to the Equatorial Monument
Punta Vicente Roca – dramatic geology and flightless cormorant nesting spots
Isabela Island – Tagus Cove and Urbina Bay for hiking, swimming and snorkelling opportunities
Floreana Island – Post Office Bay for a unique way of mailing postcards, Baroness Cove for superb views and Cormorant Point for flamingo-spotting
The Galápagos – a cruise along the western islands
Punta Espinoza – walking across the barren wilderness of dark lava
Santa Cruz Island – the famous Charles Darwin Research Station

Included

3 nights STANDARD accommodation in Quito. Upgrading to SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
Services of local English-speaking specialist guide in Quito
Entrance fees to sites visited in Quito
All relevant transfers and transportation
4 nights aboard the M/V Santa Cruz II on a full board basis - Horizon twin standard cabin (upgrades available on request) - 5 day/ 4 night cruise of the West or North Islands
All airport transfers
Services of professional English-speaking naturalist guides in the Galápagos
Half day tour of Quito on a private basis
All touring and excursions in Galapagos on a shared basis

Not Included

International & Domestic flights and visas
Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: USD$120pp Galapagos park fee & transit card, paid in USD
Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$100pp) and Migration Control Card (US$20pp)
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Itinerary

Day 1

Quito

Bienviendos a Ecuador! Upon arrival you will be met at the international airport and take a scheduled transfer to your hotel in Quito where the rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Quito

Day 2

Quito and the Centre of the World

This morning visit downtown Quito and its architectural treasures on a private half day city tour. Quito’s UNESCO-listed colonial quarter is one of the largest and best-preserved in South America. Your stroll takes you through Independence Plaza, past the Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, and on to the temple of La Compañia de Jesús with its dazzling gilded interior and the impressive façade of the Monastery of San Francisco. Touring continues with the Equatorial Monument that marks the exact point of the Middle of the World. With a latitude of 0°, you can stand with a foot in each hemisphere and collect a certificate for having crossed the Equator. Next visit the Ethnographic Museum to learn about the different Native American groups living in Ecuador.
Overnight: Quito  |  Breakfast

Day 3

Galapagos Islands

Quito – Galápagos. Early this morning a scheduled transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to the Galápagos. Arriving on Baltra Island transfer to the dock to board the M/V Santa Cruz II for an introductory briefing and lunch. Set sail for the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, disembark for an exciting walk through the amazing landscape surrounding Dragon Hill. Passing lagoons which are frequented various birds, ducks and flamingos, continue inland for stunning views of the bay and across to western islands of the Galapagos, en route you may encounter land iguanas with their vibrant yellow faces.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Punta Vicente Roca and Espinoza

Enjoy a coastal exploration of Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Rosa) on board a panga, a small watercraft, while the naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. The island is also the nesting place for flightless cormorants and groups of sea lions, Galápagos fur seals and penguins also gather on the shores. Depending on the weather conditions it may be possible to do a bit of snorkelling along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano, near the northern tip of the island.

After lunch back on board continue to Punta Espinoza, the youngest island of the archipelago. A mile-long walk across dark lava will introduce you to the remarkable barrenness of the island and the surprising amount of native wildlife including sally light-foot crabs and hawks.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Santa Cruz Island

This morning visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration in the Galápagos. Meet the giant tortoise residents and visit the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest, home to many land birds. Lunch is enjoyed in the cooler highlands of the island.

The afternoon brings with it several different options for land and water based activities. Trek along trails amid miconia forest, mountain bike down to Garrapatero Beach, sea kayak or visit an organic coffee plantation. There’s also the option to spend the day SCUBA diving, at an additional cost.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Floreana Island

Be part of a unique Galápagos tradition with a morning visit to Post Office Bay. For over two centuries a rum barrel has been used by sailors to send mail – sailors would leave their envelopes in the barrel for ships returning to their home ports to hand-deliver on arrival. This tradition continues to this day so bring your postcards with you!

Explore the north shore of Floreana Island along narrow channels with a short walk to Baroness’s Lookout for amazing views of the island and a history lesson on the island’s first settlers. Enjoy a spot of swimming or snorkelling off a sandy beach before lunch. Continue snorkelling around the volcanic Champion Islet or stay dry aboard a glass-bottom boat. Later we land on the olivine-crystal beach at Cormorant Point. An easy walk brings you to a brackish water lagoon where greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts and herons gather. Further on you come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles emerge at night to nest between December and May. Enjoy a farewell cocktail and dinner back on board.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Back to the Continent

This morning disembark back at Baltra Island for your flight back to Quito. On arrival you will take a scheduled transfer to your hotel where the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at leisure or head out to La Mariscal for last-minute souvenir shopping.
Overnight: Quito  |  Breakfast

Day 8

Quito

Sadly today tour arrangements conclude after breakfast and hotel check out with a scheduled transfer to the airport for your onward international journey.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The 'Single Room' price is applicable when a single room is required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.

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Dates
Twin / Share
Single Room
USD $5215
USD $6225
USD $5745
USD $6805

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Quito
Ends
Quito
Departs
Any day of the year
Hotel Rating
Standard hotels (superior and deluxe available on request). Plus 4 nights aboard M/V Santa Cruz II
Tour Guide
Yes - for all included sightseeing
Meals
Breakfast: 7, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
Visiting
Quito, Galapagos Islands
Countries
Marine iguana on a rock on the Galapagos Islands
Marine iguana on a rock on the Galapagos Islands
Ecuador's capital city, Quito, surrounded by mountains
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