What's the best time of year for tours starting in Quito to visit the Galapagos?

Tours from Quito are most popular from June through August when temperatures are mild and rainfall is minimal in both locations. The period from December through May brings warmer weather and occasional showers to the Galapagos but offers better underwater visibility for activities at locations like Tortuga Bay and Las Grietas. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We went in July and had perfect weather for hiking Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island and snorkeling with sea turtles at Puerto Egas."

How many islands can I expect to visit on a typical tour starting in Quito?

Most itineraries cover 3-4 principal islands using Santa Cruz as the central point with excursions to Isabela Island San Cristobal and uninhabited locations such as Santa Fe or Bartolomé. Tour boats for island hopping leave from Puerto Ayora's harbor on Santa Cruz. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Starting from our arrival from Quito we managed to explore Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal islands which gave us a great overview of the diverse Galapagos ecosystems."

What type of accommodation can I expect throughout the tour?

The journey begins in Quito at tourist-class properties like Embassy Hotel followed by nature-oriented lodging in the Galapagos such as Hotel Ninfa or Galapagos Dreams in Puerto Ayora. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The hotels were well-located - from our base in Quito to the waterfront property in Puerto Ayora which made daily excursions convenient."

What's included in the flight arrangements from Quito to Galapagos?

Tour packages typically cover internal flights between Quito and the Galapagos Islands with morning departures between 6:40-9:40am including a fuel stop in Guayaquil. Travelers need to budget for the $100 USD National Park entrance fee and $20 USD Transit Control Card payable in cash upon arrival at Baltra or San Cristobal airports. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The flight arrangements were smooth - our guide met us at the Quito airport and helped facilitate all the necessary paperwork and payments."

How do I get from Quito to the Galapagos Islands?

The journey starts with a 3-hour flight from Quito to Baltra Island with a short layover in Guayaquil. A naturalist guide meets visitors at Baltra airport followed by a ferry transfer to Santa Cruz Island where Hotel Galapagos Dreams in Puerto Ayora serves as a base. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The transitions were seamless - from hotel pickup in Quito to the flight connections and meetup with our Galapagos guide at Baltra."

What's the recommended physical fitness level for these tours?

These tours need moderate physical ability for activities such as the Sierra Negra Volcano hike on Isabela Island (5-6 hours) the walk to Tortuga Bay (45 minutes) and snorkeling sessions at locations like Las Grietas. Properties such as Hotel Ninfa in Santa Cruz offer comfortable rest between activities. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "While some hikes were challenging like Sierra Negra our guide paced the group well and there were plenty of breaks to rest and photograph wildlife."

Galapagos Islands Tours from Quito

Ready for a natural experience like no other? Quito to Galápagos combines altitudes, exploring colonial city's churches, flying to islands, cruising among wildlife, snorkeling with sea lions, and discovering Darwin's inspiration. There’s nowhere else in the world quite like this. Imagine seeing giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, experiencing evolution firsthand, all with wildlife encounters that'll ruin you for regular zoos forever.

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10 best Galapagos Islands tours from Quito

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Nature & Wildlife
8-Day Highlights of Quito and the Galapagos Islands + Air Ticket (Private Tour Group)
5.0 (3 reviews)
"Galapagos was incredible, so much to see and do. Loved all the wild life. Puerta Ayora and Puerta Villamil were wonderful to explore."
Lucia, traveled in November
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora,Isabela Island,Puerto Villamil,Las Tintoreras Islet,Santa Fé Island+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Cami Adventures
From
US$2,839per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Galapagos Outdoors: 3 Unforgettable Islands in 9 Days
4.4 (9 reviews)
"The hotels selected were high end hotels (4*) with buffet breakfast, rooms and ambiance were perfect."
CharlieAnker, traveled in January
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island,Las Tintoreras Islet,Puerto Villamil,Santa Cruz Island,Bartolomé Island,Baltra Island+5 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
GUIDEcuador Travel
From
US$3,300per person
+$690 local payments
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
5.0 (1 review)
"The tour was awesome. Very well organized."
Cecilia, traveled in May
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora,Santa Fé Island,Isla Plaza Sur,Española Island,Punta Suarez,San Cristóbal Island,Leon Dormido,Lobos Island+7 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
From
US$4,935per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
5.0 (1 review)
"Wonderful Holidays UK tour of Ecuador including the Galapagos. Looked perfect. Everything was high quality: the guides, the equipment, the transportation, the rooms."
Stephen, traveled in July
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Quito, Tena, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island, Guayaquil
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
PacificGalapagos IslandsAmazonian Basin+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wonderful Holidays UK
9% Off
From $4,364
US$3,971per person
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Nature & Wildlife
Quito & Galapagos Adventure Tour (7 Days)
5.0 (1 review)
"The personal services to make sure we are safe while on tour, the flexibility and the attentiveness to little details."
Lissie, traveled in October
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island,Santa Fé Island+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Cami Adventures
9% Off
From
US$1,897per person
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Nature & Wildlife
7 Days - Galapagos Essential
4.5 (9 reviews)
"Wonderful time seeing giant turtles in Isla de Santa Cruz. Spectacular hike and views at Playa de Tortuga!"
David, traveled in January
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island,Lobos Island+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Adventure Journeys
9% Off
From
US$1,399per person
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Island Hopping
Galapagos Island Hopping
3.0 (2 reviews)
"Fantastic experience. Local tour guide Karen was knowledgeable and helpful."
Meir, traveled in September
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island,San Cristóbal Island+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
9% Off
From
US$2,495per person
+$530 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Quito, Galápagos, Galapagos Islands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
EUROLATINO Tour Operators
9% Off
From
US$4,136per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Island Hopping
Galápagos Island Hopping
4.9 (42 reviews)
"Great tour, well organised, lots of wildlife!"
Anneka, traveled in June
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Quito, Puerto Ayora, Floreana Island, Isabela Island,Las Tintoreras Islet,Santa Cruz Island+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $3,599
US$2,879per person
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Nature & Wildlife
7 Day Galapagos Express Adventure: Santa Cruz Island Escape
5.0 (4 reviews)
"The boat ride to the uninhabitable island was A++. Great crew, food, above & beyond treatment for the vacationers."
Joyce, traveled in February
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
20% Off
From
US$1,405per person
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Island Hopping
10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
4.7 (25 reviews)
"Every day was something new, and I met new people, which was great for me. I highly recommend exploring the Galapagos with TourRadar."
Krzysztof, traveled in February
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora,South Plaza Island,Bartolomé Island,Seymour Norte,Isabela Island,Las Tintoreras Islet,Puerto Villamil,Baltra Island+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
20% Off
From
US$2,600per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Galapagos Ultimate Adventure & Wildlife 6 Days
4.6 (14 reviews)
"The Galapagos is wonderful and I want everyone to experience it! Use Tour Radar and GuidEcuador, you will not be disappointed!"
Michelle, traveled in June
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
GUIDEcuador Travel
20% Off
From
US$1,450per person
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Island Hopping
10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping | Daily Small-Group Tours
4.7 (3 reviews)
"The canoe rides and sightseeing were unforgettable. The food and restaurant service was great."
Andrew, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Puerto Ayora,Pinzón Island,Baltra Island+2 more
Age Range
Ages 14+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
20% Off
From
US$2,430per person
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Price based on Cheapest Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Galápagos Multisport
4.9 (47 reviews)
"I don't mind paying extra for a wonderful lifetime memorable trip. Highly recommend to everyone."
Alonzo, traveled in March
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora, Floreana Island,Isabela Island,Las Tintoreras Islet,Baltra Island+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $4,119
US$3,089per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Galápagos - South & East Islands aboard the Yolita
5.0 (3 reviews)
"Great way to see the world."
Angeliki, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Seymour Norte,San Cristóbal Island,Lobos Island,Gardner Island,Punta Suarez,Española Island,Santa Fé Island,South Plaza Island,Puerto Ayora+8 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
PacificGalapagos Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $4,599
US$3,449per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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