Quito & The Astonishing Galapagos
Discover the beauty of "The Enchanted Islands"
Scratch the Galapagos Islands off your bucket list with this 7-night adventure! Begin in Quito, see the famous market in Otavalo and end in Darwin's "Enchanted Islands" of the Galapagos with incredible flora and fauna at every corner.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Quito (UIO), out of Baltra (GPS)
- All airport transfers
- 4 nights in Quito at the Mercure Alameda Hotel, or similar
- Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6-hours)
- Otavalo Indian Market Tour (full-day)
- One-way, economy-class flight from Quito (UIO) to Baltra (GPS)
- Santa Cruz Highlands Tour with lunch (en-route to Puerto Ayora hotel)
- 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Hotel Villa Laguna, or similar
- Full-day boat excursion, with lunch*
- Visit to Tortuga Bay
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Breakfast daily
**Please note additional fees to be paid in destination:
- 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
Great Ways to Explore
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The Galapagos, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, is considered one of the world's top destinations for wildlife-viewing.
- Swim with sea lions in Tortuga Bay and marvel at dramatic landscapes at the Twin Craters, both tours included on this vacation!
-
Stroll Quito's historic center, venture to the top of Panecillo Hill and stand on the equatorial line, all on an included tour.
-
Visit one of the largest markets in Latin America in Otavalo and observe the daily life of Ecuador's indigenous people.
-
Spend a free day in Quito, either by visiting the City Museum or taking the cable car to the top of Cruz Loma hill.
See animals found nowhere else in the world on the Galapagos, get to know one of South America's most captivating capitals and tour a famous crafts market in Otavalo!
Begin in the capital of Quito, called the "Convent of America" for its plethora of churches and monasteries. See the city's highlights on a guided tour, then make your way to Otavalo, home of a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times.
You'll then fly to the Galapagos, the highlight of any Ecuador trip! Observe a variety of exotic species endemic to this archipelago and see where Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was born.
See giant Galapagos tortoises that gave the islands their name, dragon-like iguanas, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti!
Helpful links for travel to Ecuador:
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 Quito (UIO), out of Baltra (GPS)
- All airport transfers
- 4 nights in Quito at the Mercure Alameda Hotel, or similar
- Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6-hours)
- Otavalo Indian Market Tour (full-day)
- One-way, economy-class flight from Quito (UIO) to Baltra (GPS)
- Santa Cruz Highlands Tour with lunch (en-route to Puerto Ayora hotel)
- 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Hotel Villa Laguna, or similar
- Full-day boat excursion, with lunch*
- Visit to Tortuga Bay
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Breakfast daily
**Please note additional fees to be paid in destination:
- 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
-
The Galapagos, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, is considered one of the world's top destinations for wildlife-viewing.
- Swim with sea lions in Tortuga Bay and marvel at dramatic landscapes at the Twin Craters, both tours included on this vacation!
-
Stroll Quito's historic center, venture to the top of Panecillo Hill and stand on the equatorial line, all on an included tour.
-
Visit one of the largest markets in Latin America in Otavalo and observe the daily life of Ecuador's indigenous people.
-
Spend a free day in Quito, either by visiting the City Museum or taking the cable car to the top of Cruz Loma hill.
See animals found nowhere else in the world on the Galapagos, get to know one of South America's most captivating capitals and tour a famous crafts market in Otavalo!
Begin in the capital of Quito, called the "Convent of America" for its plethora of churches and monasteries. See the city's highlights on a guided tour, then make your way to Otavalo, home of a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times.
You'll then fly to the Galapagos, the highlight of any Ecuador trip! Observe a variety of exotic species endemic to this archipelago and see where Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was born.
See giant Galapagos tortoises that gave the islands their name, dragon-like iguanas, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti!
Helpful links for travel to Ecuador:
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:
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Day 1. Welcome to Quito!
Arrive in Quito and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation. Quito is set at the foot of the volcano Pichincha and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The city is known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture. Quito has a total of 86 churches and monasteries, giving it the name of the “Convent of America."
Spend your first night in Quito trying the local cuisine like hornado (roasted pork) or for the more adventurous eaters, cuy (guinea pig)!
Transfer to Quito hotel
Check-in - Hotel Mercure Alameda
Surrounded by restaurants, cafes and bars, and shops, the Mercure Alameda Hotel rests in the heart of the tourist area of Quito. The hotel offers delicious meals in either of their two restaurants, a snack bar for on-the-go food, two different coffee shops that will keep you running all day, a 24-hour business center, and a bar to unwind at as the day comes to a close.
All rooms at the Alameda feature a satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, a safety-deposit box, free bottled water, a private bathroom and a bathtub. The hotel is just a 5-minute walk away from the Casa de Cultura Ecuatoriana, and is about 20 miles from the Mariscal Sucre International Airport. With free on-site parking available and an airport shuttle for a small fee, this hotel thrives on convenience.
Day 2. Quito
Wake up and enjoy a 6-hour tour of Quito's highlights including Panecillo Hill and the “Middle of the World” - the Equatorial Line.
Later, head to Quito's Old Town and admire its picturesque plazas and magnificent churches. San Francisco Square is a great place to get a true sense of the city!
Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6 hours)
The tour of Quito will introduce you to this culturally unique city. See the Independence Square with the Government Palace and the Cathedral (outside), admire the facade of church La Compania de Jesus. Afterwards, visit the famous hill of the old town, Panecillo (little bread) where you will see the angel statue “Virgen de Quito.”
Later, visit the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World” where you get a truly rare experience to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously! The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th-century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador.
Day 3. Quito - Otavalo - Quito
Take an approximately 2-hour bus ride today to Otavalo, a town in the Andes that hosts a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times.
Once in Otavalo, visit the traditional Indian market and be amazed at the colorful textiles, clothing and more on display! Then head to Cotacachi village, famous for its leatherworks.
Otavalo Indian Market Tour (full-day)
Discover the world-famous Indian handicrafts market in Otavalo. Otavalo's indigenous residents have achieved economic prosperity as a result of their skill in weaving a tremendous variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. 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.
See families wearing their colorful clothes and speaking Quichua as their first tongue and Spanish as their second in this typical indigenous city. Enjoy the unique variety of handicrafts at the giant market and take some new souvenirs with you.
Continue to the town of Cotacachi, known as Ecuador’s center for leatherworks. Here you can stroll along the small streets and pop into the various shops to pick up a unique leather souvenir.
Day 4. Quito
Today is yours to explore Quito on your own. For spectacular views over Quito's mountainous landscape, hop aboard the cable car known as TelefériQo, which takes you on a 10-minute ride to the top of Cruz Loma.
For a dose of art and culture, see the magnificent works of pre-Hispanic and colonial religious art at Ecuador's National Museum or learn more about Quito's history at the City Museum.
In the evening, head to Plaza Santo Domingo to watch the street performers along with quitenos (as Quito's residents are known). This plaza is absolutely breathtaking at night!
Day 5. Quito - Baltra Island - Santa Cruz Island
Depart Quito and fly to Baltra Island! From the airport, take a bus to the Itabaca Canal where you will board a ferry to the other side of Santa Cruz island.
Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Archipelago and is the most important harbor. Colonized since the 1920s, Puerto Ayora is the main tourist hub and is home to the Galapagos National Park headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station.
En route to your accommodation, enjoy a tour of the Santa Cruz highlands where you will see the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos)!
Transfer to Quito airport (UIO)
Fly to Baltra!
Transfer to Puerto Ayora hotel
Check-in - Villa Laguna
This boutique hotel in Puerto Ayora has just 16 rooms, offering a quiet and comfortable stay. It boasts a poolside bar and restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All rooms are equipped with complementary toiletries, a flat screen television, and free WiFi. Just a 12 minute walk away is the beach, plus a slew of waterfront bars and restaurants. If you're feeling adventurous, the Galápagos National Park is just over 8 miles away. Whatever adventure you choose, Villa Laguna will provide a comfortable stay.
Santa Cruz Highlands Tour with lunch (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. Have lunch in the highlands.
Day 6. Santa Cruz Island
Pack lots of sunscreen and water because today you are going on a full-day boat excursion to one of the Galapagos Islands! Depending on time of year and availability, you will visit either North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartholomew, Santa Fe or Dragon Hill. Each island is unique and offers plenty of opportunity for exploration.
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 Bahía 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
A scenic 45-minute walk from Puerto Ayora will lead you to Tortuga Bay, a paradisaical beach and one of the longest white sandy beaches in the archipelago. The magnificent setting is worth the walk! Spend some time snorkeling in the bay or relaxing on the beach - either way, you're bound to run into a friendly iguana or two!
You'll then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a biological research station and breeding center housing an extensive collection of preserved specimens of Galápagos plant life and the famous giant tortoise.
Visit to Tortuga Bay
Tortuga Bay is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in South America. Be sure to keep an eye open for the marine iguanas, sea turtles, sharks, pelicans and the occasional flamingo. A western rocky edge divides the beach, resulting in a calm small cove and beach surrounded by mangroves. Here you'll have the opportunity to swim and snorkel around the bay.
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
Sadly, your Ecuador adventure ends today. In the morning, transfer to Baltra airport for your flight home. Relive all the incredible memories and start planning your next vacation!