Day 1 - Quito / Transfer into Quito

A bilingual guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. He will be able to assist you in anything you may need.

Overnight in Quito.

Day 2 - City Tour + Middle of the World (B)

The tour begins with a great view of Orellana's way and Guapulo Sanctuary (XVII Century) Later see the stone carved façade of Ecuador's House of Congress. Afterwards, walk in the old city visiting the Independence Square, surrounded by historically important buildings. Visit the Cathedral (XVI Century), Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century). The Church of San Francisco and Monastery were built a few months after the Spaniards arrival (XVI Century).

We will drive 15 Km. north of Quito, towards the Middle of the World where the equatorial line divides the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. We will visit the main Monument built in honor to the French Scientific Expedition that arrived to Ecuador in the XVIII century to define the correct location of the equator. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument, which shows a display of the main cultures of Ecuador. Or, visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum, located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses.

Overnight in Quito.

Day 3 - Otavalo Indian Market (B, L)

Drive to the North towards the Province of the Lakes, Imbabura. Enjoy an exciting trip by visiting Guayllabamba valley, cross the Equator Line at Cayambe and taste its famous salt biscuits with leaf cheese. At the foot of Imbabura Mount enjoy the picturesque view of Ecuador's biggest lake, San Pablo. Also, visit the famous Otavalo Indian Market. In the afternoon, visit Cotacachi Village, well known for its leather and Cuicocha Crater Lake.

Day 4 - Island Hopping Galapagos (B, L, D)

After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Galapagos.

Santa Cruz Island – Primicias Farm - Tortuga Bay
Arrival in Baltra. A guide will be awaiting us for a transfer to Primicias Ranch in the island’s highlands where we will be able to see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. We will get to know “Geochelone nigrita” who is usually eating or taking a bath. Another attraction is a walk through the dark lava tunnels, which helps create a better understanding of the origin of this island. Afterwards, we arrive in Puerto Ayora, have lunch, and in the afternoon visit Tortuga Bay whose entrance is only 15 minutes away from the town. From there we take a 40 minutes trek to the beach. Once we have arrived, there’ll be two beaches, one rough beach where we can watch marine iguanas entering and leaving the sea (this beach is not appropriate for swimming) and one calmer beach where we will be able to relax and swim.

Return to Puerto Ayora, enjoy dinner and accommodations in the selected hotel.

Day 5 - Bartolome Island – Navigable Tour (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we transfer to Baltra in order to start our first navigable tour of Bartolome Island. This small island, located opposite Santiago Island, covers a total area of 1.2 km² and a maximum altitude of 14 meters. One of the main attractions of this island is the “Pinaculo” famous rock. Lunch on board.

Before returning, we’ll do some snorkeling at one of the coral beaches of the island, where we can see Galapagos penguins, submarine turtles, sea lions and multi-colored fish. In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel.

Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 6 - North Seymour Island – Navigable Trip (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will enjoy a navigable tour to North Seymour Island. It’s a small island located at the north of Baltra, covers a total area of 1.9 km², and has a maximum altitude of 30 meters. The main fauna species of this island are land iguanas, frigate bird, blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Lunch on board.

In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 7 - Charles Darwin Station– Airport Transfer (B)

After breakfast, we will visit Charles Darwin Station, where we can see the breeding center of the turtles of the other islands. We will also meet the famous Lonesome George which is the only one of his kind and comes from Pinta Island. Afterwards, transfer to the airport in order to take your return flight to Quito/Guayaquil.

Transfer in. Overnight in Quito/Guayaquil.

Day 8 - Transfer Out (B)

A guide will pick you up from the hotel and transport you to the airport in order to take your international flight.

*Important Notes...

Day 4 - San Cristobal Island –Interpretation Center – Scissors and Carola (L, D)

Arrival to San Cristobal Island, where a guide will await us and transport us to the hotel. We will leave our luggage and have lunch. During lunch the guide will explain us the itinerary. In the afternoon, we will visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where we will learn more about the origin of the archipelago, its fauna and flora, as well as the history and its first inhabitants. After that, we will hike for about 2 hours until Tijeretas Hill where we will enjoy the endemic vegetation and a beautiful view of the island and its surroundings. The main attraction here is the frigate birds. At the end of the day, we will visit Punta Carola beach and do some snorkeling.

Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 5 - Kicker Rock and Lobos Island - The Galapaguera – Junco Lagoon (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will leave early in the morning to take the boat and visit the Kicker Rock, which is known as one of the best places to do snorkeling and diving in Galapagos, because you can see sharks, rays and different types of fish. We will end this trip, visiting Lobos Island, where we can swim with sea lions. Box Lunch onboard and in the afternoon we will visit the highlands of the island. We will visit the Galapaguera, a Tortoise breeding place of the “Geochelone chatamensis” (the islands own species). We will learn about the history of this kind of turtle. Afterwards, we will continue to the Junco Lagoon, which is located in the middle of a volcanic caldera. Afterwards, we’ll take a short walk around the lagoon enjoying the vegetation of Miconia and then we’ll return to the hotel.

Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 6 - Santa Cruz Island – Primicias Farm – Tortuga Bay (B, L, D)

Transfer to the port for speed boat ride to our next destination which is Santa Cruz Island. The boat trip takes about 2.5 hours. At the arrival to Santa Cruz, a guide will transfer us to the hotel where we can leave our luggage. We will seize the morning to visit the Primicias Ranch in the island’s highlands where we will be able to see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. We will get to know “Geochelone nigrita” who is usually eating or taking a bath. Another attraction is a walk through the dark lava tunnels. Return to Puerto Ayora, have lunch and then go to Tortuga Bay whose entrance is only 15 minutes away from the town. From there we embark on a 40 minute trek to the beach. There are two beaches; one beach where we can watch marine iguanas entering and leaving the sea (this beach is not appropriate for swimming) and one calmer beach where we will be able to relax and swim.

Return to Puerto Ayora for dinner and accommodations in the selected hotel.

Day 7 - Bartolome Island – Navigable Trip (B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to Baltra to begin our first navigable tour of Bartolome Island. This small island, located opposite Santiago Island, covers a total area of 1.2 km² and a maximum altitude of 14 meters. One of the main attractions of this island is the famous “Pinnacle” rock. Lunch onboard. Before returning, we’ll do some snorkeling at one of the coral beaches of the island, where we can see Galapagos penguins, submarine turtles, sea lions and multi-colored fish.

In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 8 - North Seymour Island – Navigable Trip (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will enjoy a navigable tour to North Seymour Island. It’s a small island located at the north of Baltra, covers a total area of 1.9 km² and has a maximum altitude of 30 meters. The main fauna species of this island are land iguanas, frigate bird, blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Lunch onboard.

In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 9 - Charles Darwin Station – Isabela Island – Wall of Tears & Turtle Center (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will visit Charles Darwin Station, where we can see the breeding center of the turtles of the other islands. We will also meet the famous "Lonesome George" which is the only one of his kind and comes from Pinta Island. Lunch and transfer to the port for a speed boat ride to our next attraction...Isabela Island. Isabela Island is the largest island of this archipelago and also the youngest. After arrival, we will visit the Wall of Tears in order to learn about the history of this island which had been a prison in the past. After that, we will visit the breeding center of Isabela turtles. Here you'll find the last specie of the giant turtle, the “Geochelone Guntheri”.

Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 10 - Sierra Negra Volcano – Concha Perla – Isle of Tintoreras (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we'll travel by car to the mountainside of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is considered one of the oldest of Isabela. We will walk for approximately 40 minutes and then continue our way by horseback to the crater of the volcano. With a little luck, we will see the sparrow hawk of the Galapagos and get to know the geology of the Sierra Negra Volcano. After a short snack break, we return to the port and prepare for our next trip of the day...Concha Perla.

In Concha Perla we can enjoy some leisurely snorkeling and observe many different species of fishes, corals, and sea turtles. Then we’ll continue by boat along the coast watching species like blue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans and frigate birds. Upon reaching the Isle of Tintoreras, we’ll get to know the blue shark, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodations at the selected hotel.

Day 11 - Airport Transfer – Flight back (B)

Transfer to the port to take an approximate two and a half hour boat trip early in the morning. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, a tour guide will take you to the airport. Arrival to the airport, check-in assistance and flight back.