Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage colonial city sitting right on the equator with Pichincha volcano as its backdrop. Depending on when you get in, there's time to wander around the old town on your own. At 6:00 pm, meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby where they'll introduce the trip and go over what's coming up.
Optional Activities
- Explore the old town of Quito and surrounding area
Landmarks Pichincha Volcano - Day 2
Baltra to Santa Cruz
Fly to Baltra Island and take the ferry across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz. From there, head up to the highlands to a private ranch for lunch, then walk around to see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural environment and check out the lava tunnels. Your driver will take you to the hotel where you'll meet your local guide who'll explain tomorrow's activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at private ranch)
Included Activities
- Visit private ranch in highlands of Santa Cruz
- Walk to observe Galápagos giant tortoises in natural environment
- Visit lava tunnels
Landmarks Baltra Island Santa Cruz Island Itabaca Channel - Day 3
Academy Bay
After breakfast, get on a boat for a half-day trip to Academy Bay. You'll swim and snorkel with tropical fish, sea lions, and hopefully catch sight of the blue-footed boobies. Stop at a viewpoint where whitetip reef sharks sometimes show up, then walk along Playa de los Perros to see marine iguanas lounging on the rocks. The combination of cacti, volcanic formations, and turquoise water makes for great photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Half-day excursion to Academy Bay
- Boat trip to Academy Bay
- Swimming and snorkeling with exotic fish and marine animals
- Visit viewpoint to observe whitetip reef sharks
- Walk along Playa de los Perros
- Observe marine iguanas
Landmarks Academy Bay Playa de los Perros - Day 4
Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal
Start the morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station learning about the islands' unique species and what scientists are doing to protect them. By afternoon, take a speedboat over to San Crisotal Island and check into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station San Cristóbal Island - Day 5
Isla Lobos
After breakfast, head to the harbor for a short boat ride to Isla Lobos where you'll see sea life during the crossing. Once there, take a guided tour to spot frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions, and maybe sharks. Spend time swimming and relaxing on the white coral sand beaches before heading back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Isla Lobos
- Guided tour of Isla Lobos
- Observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions, and sharks
Landmarks Isla Lobos Puerto Baquerizo Moreno - Day 6
San Cristóbal to Quito
The morning is free time for you to do as you please. Later, you'll get transferred to San Crisotal airport to fly back to mainland Ecuador. You'll arrive in Quito and get picked up for a ride to your hotel, leaving the evening open to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 7
Quito
You'll head to the airport and board your international flights home with memories and photos from the Galapagos Islands to take with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
