Cartagena, Quito & the Galapagos Upgrade
From cityscapes to beautiful beaches
Get ready for a South American exploration vacation! This 7-night vacation package takes you through Cartagena, Quito, and the Galapagos! Spend time discovering historical cityscapes and marveling at gorgeous beach views. This upgraded vacation package includes additional sightseeing tours to enhance your South American vacation!
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Cartagena (CTG), out of Baltra (GPS)
- All airport transfers
- 2 nights in Cartagena at the Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia, or similar
- Cartagena Walking Tour
- One-way economy class flight from Cartagena (CTG) to Quito (UIO)
- 2 nights in Quito at the Hotel Embassy, or similar
- Quito City Tour
- One-way economy class flight from Quito (UIO) to Baltra (GPS)
- 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Hotel Déjà vu, or similar
- Visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz
- Breakfast daily
Plus!
- Full day boat excursion with lunch
- You will visit one of the following islands: North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew, Santa Fe or Dragon Hill. The exact island will be confirmed after booking as the time of travel will determine which island will be the best experience for your trip!
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station with a private guide
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee - $100.00 (USD) per person (as of 8/24/24, this fee will increase to $200 per person)
- Galapagos Transit Control Card - $20.00 (USD) per person
**Please note additional fees to be paid in destination:
Great Ways to Explore
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Discover the cobblestone streets and shops of Cartagena's Old Town!
Experience the city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador!
-
Look for rare and unique wildlife in the Galapagos!
-
See the Twin Craters in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island!
-
Discover three important pieces of South American culture!
This 7-night vacation package will introduce you to three fantastic places! Discover history, culture, and beautiful scenery as you experience Cartagena, Quito, and the Galapagos.
Begin in Cartagena where you'll spend a few nights exploring the city and becoming acquainted with the Colombian culture. You'll take a walking tour of the city, spend free time exploring, and hopefully get to taste some delicious Colombian coffee!
Your next stop is Quito! Here, you'll experience a city tour taking you through beautiful churches and highlighting important historical sites. You'll also have free time to explore as you wish!
Your final stop is Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos! En route to your hotel, you'll take a boat ride to see the highlands of the island. During your time here, you'll experience additional tours, including a full-day boat ride and a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station! You'll also have free time here to soak up the sun, gaze at the beautiful beaches, or indulge in water sports before it's time to depart!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Cartagena (CTG), out of Baltra (GPS)
- All airport transfers
- 2 nights in Cartagena at the Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia, or similar
- Cartagena Walking Tour
- One-way economy class flight from Cartagena (CTG) to Quito (UIO)
- 2 nights in Quito at the Hotel Embassy, or similar
- Quito City Tour
- One-way economy class flight from Quito (UIO) to Baltra (GPS)
- 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Hotel Déjà vu, or similar
- Visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz
- Breakfast daily
Plus!
- Full day boat excursion with lunch
- You will visit one of the following islands: North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew, Santa Fe or Dragon Hill. The exact island will be confirmed after booking as the time of travel will determine which island will be the best experience for your trip!
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station with a private guide
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee - $100.00 (USD) per person (as of 8/24/24, this fee will increase to $200 per person)
- Galapagos Transit Control Card - $20.00 (USD) per person
**Please note additional fees to be paid in destination:
-
Discover the cobblestone streets and shops of Cartagena's Old Town!
Experience the city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador!
-
Look for rare and unique wildlife in the Galapagos!
-
See the Twin Craters in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island!
-
Discover three important pieces of South American culture!
This 7-night vacation package will introduce you to three fantastic places! Discover history, culture, and beautiful scenery as you experience Cartagena, Quito, and the Galapagos.
Begin in Cartagena where you'll spend a few nights exploring the city and becoming acquainted with the Colombian culture. You'll take a walking tour of the city, spend free time exploring, and hopefully get to taste some delicious Colombian coffee!
Your next stop is Quito! Here, you'll experience a city tour taking you through beautiful churches and highlighting important historical sites. You'll also have free time to explore as you wish!
Your final stop is Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos! En route to your hotel, you'll take a boat ride to see the highlands of the island. During your time here, you'll experience additional tours, including a full-day boat ride and a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station! You'll also have free time here to soak up the sun, gaze at the beautiful beaches, or indulge in water sports before it's time to depart!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Departure Airport:
Departure Month:
Prices From:
Day 1. Welcome to Cartagena!
Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Check in, freshen up, and let your vacation begin!
Transfer from Cartagena Airport to hotel
Check-in - Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia
Day 2. Cartagena
Discover Cartagena today through a walking tour of the Old City!
Spend the evening at leisure.
Cartagena City Tour (half-day)
Your tour of this UNESCO World Heritage City will begin with the Castille San Felipe de Barajas, or the Fortress of San Felipe. Located at the top of the Hill of San Lazaro, this well-preserved fortress dominates the city and is seen from both land and sea.
From there, you’ll make a photo stop at the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas, a masterpiece of engineering built by the Spaniards to defend the city from attacks by pirates. Continue walking around the walled colonial city, where its narrow streets and houses with spectacular balconies will take you back in time. Visit the Convent of San Pedro Claver, a jewel of Spanish colonial architecture.
Your last stop on the tour will be the famous Emerald Museum in Bocagrande, before you are returned to your hotel.
Day 3. Cartagena - Quito
Today, you'll be transferred to the Cartagena Airport for your flight to Quito! Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your new hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at-leisure.
Transfer from Cartagena hotel to Cartagena Airport
Flight from Cartagena to Quito
Transfer from Quito Airport to Quito hotel
Check-in - Hotel Embassy
Keeping guests happy and comfortable for 30 years, Hotel Embassy is an excellent choice if you want to stay close to the city. Located only a short walk from Foch Square, popping out for a quick lunch or a walk through the park has never been easier. Less than half a mile from the Artisanal Market and El Patio de Comedias Theater, leisure time is easy to enjoy regardless of transportation.
The hotel offers amenities such as an on-site restaurant, bar/coffee shop, and room service. Grab a shuttle into the city or stop by the tour desk to pick up tickets to see a show. Whatever way you enjoy your stay, the friendly staff are ready to help make it perfect.
Day 4. Quito
Discover Quito today through a 3-hour city tour! Spend time learning about the old part of the city. Visit the cathedral, church of La Compañia, and church of San Francisco. Spend the evening exploring Quito as you please!
Quito City Tour
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Quito's religious and cultural sights! Breathe in the colonial history of Ecuador as you walk the streets of Quito, where the local culture welcomes you with beauty and intrigue. On your walk, let your guide explain the city's culturally diverse history.
Take a closer look at the heart of Quito: Independence Square with the Government and Bishops Palace, the Museum of the Cathedral and the Cathedral. On the way to San Francisco Square, visit the church of La Compañia, which has an ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior. Afterwards, get to know the church of San Francisco.
*On Sundays, the visits of the churches might be restricted due to religious services.
Day 5. Quito - Santa Cruz Island
A transfer from your hotel brings you to the Quito Airport for a domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands! Upon arrival in Baltra, you'll be met by a guide who will escort you on a bus ride to the Itabaca Canal, where you'll board your boat to Santa Cruz Island!
This boat ride takes you through the Highlands of Santa Cruz, with a short stop at the Twin Craters. After your tour, you'll check in to your hotel.Â
Transfer from Quito hotel to Quito Airport
Flight from Quito to Baltra
Transfer from Baltra Airport to ferry terminal
Check-in - Hotel Deja Vú
Hotel Deja Vú is an adults only hotel in Puerto Ayora. The hotel boasts a bar and restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, and free WiFi. Free American breakfast is included with your stay. All rooms are air conditioned and include free toiletries. If you're interested in a beach day, Playa de la Estación is within walking distance, and Playa de los Alemanes is a 10 minute drive away. Spend a day exploring Galápagos National Park, only 2,650 feet from the hotel, or take a stroll to the downtown area. Whatever adventure you choose, you'll be satisfied with your decision to stay at Hotel Deja Vú.
Santa Cruz Highlands Tour (en-route to Puerto Ayora hotel)
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands and see the Twin Craters, also known as Los Gemelos. Located side by side and connecting Puerto Ayora to Baltra, the magnificent Twin Craters were formed as a result of the collapse of the crust into the crater. There are many craters of this type in this area, signaling the possibility that these craters are all elements of the same fissure.
The vegetation of this area is dominated by Scalesia trees, giving the whole landscape a lush green feel. See a lava tunnel and take a short walk where you can observe the famous giant tortoise in its natural environment.
Day 6. Santa Cruz Island
Today you'll experience one of the many islands in the Galapagos on a full-day boat cruise! This tour includes lunch and will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide.Â
Full-day boat excursion, with lunch
On this full-day boat excursion, visit one of the Galapagos islands and witness the astonishing wildlife all around you. Enjoy lunch on board.
You will visit one of the following islands:
- North Seymour: Located North of Baltra, North Seymour is one of the best places to see blue-footed boobies and Frigatebirds. Blue-footed boobies are found on the flat area near the coast and nest from May to November. Continuing the trail to the interior, stumbles upon the biggest congregation of Frigatebirds in the island. While on North Seymour, there is a high chance of seeing a Frigatebird robbing a booby, a gull or even another Frigate bird for food.
- South Plaza: This island is famous for its extraordinary flora like the towering cacti "trees" that form the principal diet for both the land iguanas and the cactus finch. Other birds that may flutter by include lava gulls, yellow warblers and red-billed tropicbirds with their elaborate tails. You also might see a large colony of sea lions lounging in the sun!
- Bartholomew: A tiny island of just 0.5 square miles, Bartholomew offers one of the most spectacular views of the Archipelago. Located near the west coast of James, on the other side of Sullivan Bay, the island is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the representative characteristic of Bartholomew. The climb to the high peak is both challenging and worth-doing. On your way up, you will encounter different formations of volcanic origin like spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. Once on the summit, admire the spectacular view of the surroundings.
- Santa Fe: The island of Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands of the archipelago. Its age and isolation have allowed several endemic animals to evolve, including species of land iguana, rice rat and gecko. On the northern coast, visit BahÃa Barrington, a small tranquil bay where you can observe green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and Frigatebirds. Sea lions are the most obvious sight on Santa Fe with two large colonies on the beaches and pups playing with snorkelers in the bay.
- Dragon Hill: This rocky, low-lying hill on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island is home to an impressive population of Galapagos land iguanas, or miniature dragons. Explore the desert-like landscape, pass through forests of cacti and fragrant Palo Santo trees and see flamingos at the lagoon!
*The excursion is shared with international travelers and accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
Day 7. Santa Cruz Island
Spend time at the Charles Darwin Research Station today! Located in Puerto Ayora, you'll enjoy a two hour visit. Spend the rest of your day as you please, soaking up all that you can in your final full day in the beautiful Galapagos!
Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
When Charles Darwin came to the Galapagos Islands in 1835 he found some truly incredible species of animals and in turn, became inspired to develop his theory of evolution. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and find the famous giant tortoises, the baby-tortoise house, iguanas and more!
See how the conservation of the islands is conducted and understand the huge efforts of scientists, park rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Above all, the reduction of brought-in animals is very important to the natural balance of the archipelago. The Research station supports scientists all over the world with their work at Galapagos.
Day 8. Depart Ecuador
This morning you'll be transferred to the Baltra Airport for your flight home!