Quito & Galapagos Explorer
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
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Ecuador
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.
Day 2 Galapagos - Santa Cruz Highlands
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.
Day 3 Snorkelling, sea lions & marine iguanas
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.
Day 4 Exploring the Galapagos by boat
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.
Day 5 Quito
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.
Tour Highlights
Included
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Prices & Dates
Hotels
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.
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.
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