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Quito & Galapagos Explorer

New Tour

5 days

Embark on an express tour of the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz, from the Ecuadorean capital of Quito. Spot giant tortoises roaming in the Highlands and snorkel alongside sea lions and turtles. Hike to one of the island's finest viewpoints and set out to sea on a full day boat trip with an ex-fisherman, to take in the incredible marine life and scenery. End your tour back in Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador's second city.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Accommodation Standard

Standard

Tour Overview

Duration

5 days

Starts

Quito

Ends

Quito

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Yes - for included sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 16

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Tuesdays

Hotel Rating

3-4 star hotels

Countries

Ecuador, Galapagos

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 4, Lunch: 2
Per person from
USD$1,305.00
Total From
USD$2,610.00
Deposit From
Final payment
USD$800.00
$2,210.00

Accommodation Standard

Standard

Tour Highlights

Quito - Enjoy free time to stroll around Ecuador's lofty capital city and explore at your own pace.
Galapagos Islands - Spend three nights on Santa Cruz Island and enjoy a full day motor yacht excursion with a local fisherman, taking in incredible marine life and scenery
Santa Cruz Highlands - Explore the beautiful Highlands to see endemic giant tortoises, Darwin's finches and dramatic lava formations
Bay of Puerto Ayora - Snorkel amongst sea turtles and inquisitive sea lions at La Loberia Island and hike to the Tunel del Amor for incredible views

Included

4 breakfasts & 2 lunches
4 nights 3-4 star hotels (4 star upgrade available)
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 5
Services of expert bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for sightseeing
Transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles
Return ferry tickets Baltra - Santa Cruz
Guided sightseeing of the Galapagos Islands as per itinerary (Please note that for some included sightseeing on this tour, you may join travellers from outside the group and the group size may exceed 16 passengers)
Note: This tour is operated by a trusted local partner and you will join travellers who booked through different operators, not solely On The Go Tours

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Galapagos flights Quito - Baltra and Baltra - Quito/Guayaquil (we can assist with booking this flight)
Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US $100 per adult/$50 per child under 12)
Tourist transit card (Ingala) (US $20 per person)
Optional excursions

Accommodation Standard

Standard

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Ecuador

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador's capital city. On arrival, there is an included transfer to the hotel. You can spend the evening exploring at leisure, before our Galapagos adventure begins tomorrow.

Tour Style: This tour is made up of a selection of excursions and activities, with transportation and a choice of standard or superior accommodation. You will have different bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for each excursion. Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travellers from outside of the group and the group size may exceed 16. Please note: Internal flights are not included in the cost of the tour but we can book these for you on request.

Overnight: Quito

Day 2 - Galapagos - Santa Cruz Highlands

Quito - Baltra (Galapagos) - Santa Cruz. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, gateway to the Galapagos. Note that your flight to Baltra is not included. We can assist with booking your flights to and from the Galapagos. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information

From Baltra, we take the ferry to Santa Cruz. We then spend the rest of today exploring the Highlands on a guided tour. You will visit shelters for the endemic giant tortoises, see lava tunnels and other geological formations. We also have a great chance to spot some of Darwin's famous finches. After a day of wonderful wildlife, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - Snorkelling, sea lions & marine iguanas

Today we enjoy a half-day exploration of Puerto Ayora's bay. We pay a visit to the huge sea lion colony on La Loberia Island and enjoy snorkelling amongst sea turtles and colourful fish, as well as the curious sea lions.

Next we embark on a hike to the Tunel del Amor (Lover's Tunnel). From this viewpoint we may be able to see white tip reef sharks prowling in the shallow waters. We then head to Punta Estrada, a good spot for catching sight of the Galapagos Island's famous marine iguanas.

Please note: If you prefer, a full day tour is available today, for an additional fee. You will visit Cerro Meza and enjoy kayaking at Garrapatero instead.

Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Exploring the Galapagos by boat

Today we embark on a full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman, his friendly crew, and an expert naturalist guide to explore the waters surrounding one of the Galapagos' more remote islands. There will be plenty of swimming and snorkelling opportunities along the way. After our full day taking in the wonderful wildlife and beautiful scenery of the region, we return to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Quito

Santa Cruz - Baltra - Quito. After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer back to the airport on Baltra and return to Quito, or Guayaquil, where our tour ends. Note that the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil is not included. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information. We can assist with booking this flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Standard

Standard

Extras and add-ons

If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.

Accommodation Standard

Standard

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

Surrounded by mountains, this modern airport hotel is located 1 km from Quito International Airport, 22 km from Quito Zoo, and 25 km from the Casa Museo María Augusta Urrutia. The warmly decorated, soundproof rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, iPhone/iPod docks, and safes, along with sitting areas and mountain views. Room service is available 24/7. A breakfast buffet is served in a glass-enclosed restaurant and bar with stunning mountain views. Additional amenities include a fitness centre, hot tub, sauna, and steam room, with massages available for a fee.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Dejavu
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

This laid-back hotel in Puerto Ayora, offers a comfortable stay and is ideally located within walking distance to the town's attractions, including the Charles Darwin Research Centre and the waterfront. The rooms are the perfect place to unwind after a day of sight-seeing and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and mini-fridges. You can relax in the outdoor pool and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere on the terrace. In the morning, the hotel serves a tasty breakfast in the restaurant before a day exploring the island.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel

Accommodation Standard

Standard

Prices & Dates

All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Please note: Internal flights are not included in the cost of this tour. We can book these for you on request.

2025
Twin/Double
Single
7 Jan - 11 Jan
$1,305
$1,465
4 Feb - 8 Feb
$1,305
$1,465
4 Mar - 8 Mar
$1,305
$1,465
1 Apr - 5 Apr
$1,305
$1,465
29 Apr - 3 May
$1,305
$1,465
20 May - 24 May
$1,305
$1,465
3 Jun - 7 Jun
$1,305
$1,465
24 Jun - 28 Jun
$1,305
$1,465

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