Ecuador & Galapagos Cruise
Vibrant & colonial Quito & Otavalo, then an unforgettable Galapagos Cruise, including various islands and unique ecosystems and wildlife
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | |||
| Themes | History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruises | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, locally hosted tour involves a significant amount of walking or hiking, often on uneven terrain, and reaches high altitudes requiring a high level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the trip. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops. The Galapagos cruise portion of the tour may have up to 90 passengers on board. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Discover the wonders of Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, a remarkable collection of landscapes, people, cultures, animals, plants, and more. Our Ecuador & Galapagos Islands tour covers the highlights of this incredibly diverse country. You'll visit the capital city and UNESCO World Heritage Center of Quito and the colorful and bustling Otavalo market. Round out your tour with a guided cruise through the Galapagos Islands, the magical place that inspired Charles Darwin to propose his theory of evolution. All of this, plus airfare from Miami, is yours for an incredible price.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip flights from Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL) including taxes & fees, with other gateways available on request
- Flights between Quito & the Galapagos Islands
- All ground transportation & transfers
- 3 nights in a Deluxe hotel with private bath
- 4 nights in a Horizon Deck Explorer Cabin aboard the Santa Cruz II
- 17 meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners
- Comprehensive guided sightseeing and entrance fees
- Snorkeling gear
- Galapagos National Park Fee ($100) & Transit Control Card ($20)
- Professional English-speaking tour directors & guides
Why you'll love it
- Tour Quito and explore the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and more.
- Stand with one foot in the northern and one in the southern hemisphere at the Equatorial Monument.
- Travel to the Galapagos Islands and spend four nights on the newly refurbished Santa Cruz II.
- Visit Dragon Hill and admire a fascinating diversity of wildlife, including flamingos and land iguanas.
- Explore the coast of Isabela Island with your naturalist guide and learn about the dramatic geology and nesting place of the area for many species.
- Discover the unique environment of the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina.
- Admire the giant tortoises and a variety of island-native birds among the prickly-pear cactus forest at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
- Take a panga or glass-bottom boat to Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcano and one of the area's snorkeling spots.
- Shop for unique handicrafts at the famous indigenous market at Otavalo and wander through the various stalls filled with traditional ponchos, hats, beaded jewelry, and more.
Itinerary at a Glance
Videos
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA/Arrive Quito
- Depart USA on your flight bound for Quito, Ecuador
- Arrive in Quito (9,350 feet above sea level) and transfer to your hotel
Day 3 Quito, Galapagos Cruise: Baltra & Santa Cruz Island
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island, gateway to the Galapagos
- Continue to the dock to board your cruise ship, the Santa Cruz II
- Settle into your cabin, and enjoy an introductory briefing and lunch
- In the afternoon, visit Dragon Hill on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island
M/V Santa Cruz IIBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 Galapagos Cruise: Isabela Island & Fernandina Island
- After breakfast, explore the coast of Isabela Island by panga
- Depending on weather conditions, snorkel or swim along the cliffs
- Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island
M/V Santa Cruz IIBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 Galapagos Cruise: Santa Cruz Island
- This morning disembark and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island
- In the afternoon, enjoy one of a variety of activities available on Santa Cruz Island
M/V Santa Cruz IIBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 Galapagos Cruise: Floreana Island
- This morning, enjoy a panga ride along Floreana’s north shore
- Land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic post office barrel
- Explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet
- Enjoy a walk around Punta Cormorant
M/V Santa Cruz IIBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Galapagos Cruise: Baltra Island & Quito
- Disembark and transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for your flight back to Quito
- Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
- Join your fellow travelers this evening for a farewell dinner
Hilton Colon QuitoBreakfast & dinner
Day 8 Otavalo Market & Peguche, Depart Quito
- Drive along the Pan-American Highway to Otavalo
- Explore the famous market at Otavalo
- Continue to Peguche, a nearby indigenous village
- Relax in your day use room before boarding your flight back to the USA
Wyndham Quito AirportBreakfast & lunch
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- The high altitudes reached on this trip (Quito is at 9,200 feet above sea level) and the amount of walking involved, often on uneven terrain, require that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your ability to handle these conditions.
- Please remember that the exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions, and the wildlife encountered. There is no guarantee that all the possible species mentioned will be seen.
- Itineraries and program are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.
Dry landing: guests step from a dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as a dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Ecuador?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about The Galápagos?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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