Quito & Galapagos Explorer (Superior) - 5 days
Quito & Galapagos Explorer (Superior) - 5 days
Quito & Galapagos Explorer (Superior) - 5 days
5 Days Starting and ending in Quito, Ecuador
Visiting: Quito, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
5-
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with the Quito & Galapagos Explorer tour. Begin your adventure in Quito, where you can leisurely explore the vibrant capital city. Then, fly to the Galapagos Islands and spend three nights on Santa Cruz Island. Discover the enchanting Santa Cruz Highlands, home to giant tortoises and unique lava formations. Enjoy a half-day exploration of Puerto Ayora's bay, snorkel with sea turtles and sea lions, and hike to the scenic Tunel del Amor. A full-day boat excursion with a local fisherman offers a chance to explore remote islands and their incredible marine life. With expert bilingual guides and comfortable 4-star accommodations, this small group tour promises an unforgettable experience in one of the world's most unique ecosystems.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Quito, Ecuador's capital city. On arrival, there is an included transfer to the hotel. You can spend the evening exploring at leisure, before our Galapagos adventure begins tomorrow.
Tour Style: This tour is made up of a selection of excursions and activities, with transportation and a choice of standard or superior accommodation. You will have different bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for each excursion. Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travellers from outside of the group and the group size may exceed 16. Please note: Internal flights are not included in the cost of the tour but we can book these for you on request.
Day 2: Galapagos Islands
Location: Santa Cruz, Galapagos
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Quito - Baltra (Galapagos) - Santa Cruz. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, gateway to the Galapagos. Note that your flight to Baltra is not included. We can assist with booking your flights to and from the Galapagos. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information
From Baltra, we take the ferry to Santa Cruz. We then spend the rest of today exploring the Highlands on a guided tour. You will visit shelters for the endemic giant tortoises, see lava tunnels and other geological formations. We also have a great chance to spot some of Darwin's famous finches. After a day of wonderful wildlife, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Day 3: Galapagos Islands
Location: Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we enjoy a half-day exploration of Puerto Ayora's bay. We pay a visit to the huge sea lion colony on La Loberia Island and enjoy snorkelling amongst sea turtles and colourful fish, as well as the curious sea lions.
Next we embark on a hike to the Tunel del Amor (Lover's Tunnel). From this viewpoint we may be able to see white tip reef sharks prowling in the shallow waters. We then head to Punta Estrada, a good spot for catching sight of the Galapagos Island's famous marine iguanas.
Please note: If you prefer, a full day tour is available today, for an additional fee. You will visit Cerro Meza and enjoy kayaking at Garrapatero instead.
Day 4: Galapagos Islands
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we embark on a full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman, his friendly crew, and an expert naturalist guide to explore the waters surrounding one of the Galapagos' more remote islands. There will be plenty of swimming and snorkelling opportunities along the way. After our full day taking in the wonderful wildlife and beautiful scenery of the region, we return to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Day 5: Quito
Location: Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
Santa Cruz - Baltra - Quito. After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer back to the airport on Baltra and return to Quito, or Guayaquil, where our tour ends. Note that the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil is not included. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information. We can assist with booking this flight.
What's Included
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4 breakfasts & 2 lunches
The tour includes 4 breakfasts and 2 lunches during your stay.
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4 nights 4 star hotels
Accommodation for 4 nights in 4-star hotels is included.
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 5
Transfers from the airport on arrival and to the airport on departure are included.
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Services of expert bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for sightseeing
Expert bi-lingual local guides will be available for sightseeing.
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Transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles
Transportation during the tour will be in modern, air-conditioned vehicles.
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Return ferry tickets Baltra - Santa Cruz
Ferry tickets for the return journey between Baltra and Santa Cruz are included.
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Guided sightseeing of the Galapagos Islands as per itinerary
Guided sightseeing tours of the Galapagos Islands are included as per the itinerary.
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Note: This tour is operated by a trusted local partner
The tour is operated by a trusted local partner, and you may join travelers from other operators.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa costs are not included in the tour.
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Tipping is not included and is at your discretion.
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Galapagos flights Quito - Baltra and Baltra - Quito/Guayaquil
Flights to and from the Galapagos are not included, but assistance with booking is available.
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Galapagos National Park entrance fee
The entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park is not included and costs US $100 per adult and $50 per child under 12.
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Tourist transit card (Ingala)
The tourist transit card (Ingala) is not included and costs US $20 per person.
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Optional excursions
Optional excursions are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles with airport transfers included. Enjoy return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz, and a full-day boat excursion with a local fisherman and crew.
Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay with four nights in 4-star hotels, including accommodations in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, providing a relaxing base for your Galapagos adventure.
Age Policy
minimum age 5 years
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on this tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see endemic giant tortoises, Darwin's finches, sea turtles, sea lions, white tip reef sharks, and marine iguanas.
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Are there any snorkeling opportunities during the tour?
Yes, there are several snorkeling opportunities, including at La Loberia Island where you can snorkel amongst sea turtles and sea lions, and during the full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman.
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Is there a guided tour of the Galapagos Islands included?
Yes, there is guided sightseeing of the Galapagos Islands included as per the itinerary, with expert bi-lingual local guides for sightseeing.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The tour includes 4 nights in 4-star hotels.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, transportation is provided in modern, air-conditioned vehicles, and return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz are included.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 5 are included.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 4 breakfasts and 2 lunches.
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Can I book flights to the Galapagos through the tour operator?
Yes, the tour operator can assist with booking flights to and from the Galapagos, although these flights are not included in the tour cost.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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