Ecuador and Galápagos Islands
Cities Covered:
Quito, Galapagos, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago Island, South Plaza, North Seymour Island, Bartolome Island
Tour Highlights
QUITO
- Drive through Tandayapa Valley to the Andean Choco Cloud Forest and Nature reserve
- Bird watching at The Alambi Reserve
- Visit Hummingbird Garden
- City Tour – Independence Plaza, 16thCentury San Francisco Monastry, La Compañía Church
- Walk to Calle La Ronda Street
- Excursion to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
GALAPAGOS ISLAND CRUISE
- Cruise to Santa Cruise Island – visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Santiago Island – Excursion of Sullivan Bay
- Cruise to Bartolomé Island – Hike to Bartolome’s 114-meter summit
- Enjoy water activities at Bartolome Island
- Cruise to North Seymour Island
- Cruise to the sandy island of Mosquera Islet
- Excursion to South Plaza Island
- Cruise to Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island
- Cruise to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno – Guided Tour of the San Cristobal Interpretation Center
Itinerary
Day 1 – Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Ecuador! South America’s Most Biodiverse Country. Take free time today to relax and prepare for your upcoming Galápagos adventure or walk through the historic city to sample ceviche or helado (Latin-American ice cream). Overnight in Quito.
Day 2 – Quito
Today morning travel through the Tandayapa Valley to the Andean Chocó cloud forest and nature reserve. The Alambi Reserve, renowned for bird watching, is home to more than 250 species of birds, including 30 different hummingbirds. While here, visit the hummingbird garden to observe these characteristic birds in their natural habitat. Later take a guided sightseeing tour of Quito that showcases the colonial city’s historic sites, including the impressive Legislative Palace with its enormous, sculpted mural of Ecuadorean history. You’ll also see Independence Plaza and visit the 16th-century San Francisco Monastery, and La Compañía Church—the exquisite Jesuit cathedral with its spectacular Spanish baroque architecture—more than 160 years in the making. Take a Guided Walk down Calle La Ronda—one of Quito’s oldest streets—with a wealth of artist’s workshops and galleries where you’ll meet local artists and learn about their original works. Your day in Quito ends with a Guided Excursion to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo—a monument to the Equator—the “middle of the world”. Stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time at the exact location of the Earth’s Equator. Observe the equatorial effects of the dual-spiraling directions of water and balancing eggs on end.
Day 3 – Baltra–Galápagos Islands (Embarkation)–Santa Cruz Island
This morning, take a flight to the Galápagos Island of Baltra where you’ll embark on your five-day cruise aboard the Treasure of Galápagos. Join your naturalist on a Guided Excursion to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station— established to help conserve the Galápagos’ natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. While here, learn about the tortoise-rearing program and see many of the various islands’ tortoises.
NOTE:
The ship’s itinerary may vary according to Galápagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited.
Day 4 – Santiago Island
This morning, you will find yourself anchored in the western-central part of the archipelago where volcanoes are still active, attributing to the dramatic scenery. Take a Naturalist Led Excursion of Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island where you will walk on newly formed (less than 100 years ago) lava flows reminiscent of the lunar landscape. You can catch sight of lava lizards, marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and even the Galápagos penguin. This afternoon, cruise to Bartolomé Island. Here take a Guided Hike to Bartolome’s 114-meter summit for spectacular panoramic views of the region with two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones, including the iconic Pinnacle Rock. Later, take a snorkel and swim off the beach here—home to playful sea lions, Pacific green turtles, white tip reef sharks, and Galápagos penguins.
Day 5 – North Seymour Island
Today take a Naturalist-Led Excursion to see colonies of remarkable bird species, including blue-footed boobies, great frigate birds, and magnificent frigate birds — with its inflated red chest and nearly 7-foot wingspread. Watch for gulls and herons of all assortments. Take a Guided Snorkeling Excursion in the aqua blue waters just off North Seymour Island’s shore—teeming with sea lions and amphibious marine iguanas — found only in the Galápagos. This afternoon, cruise for the sandy island of Mosquera Islet-A Sea Lion Haven of White Coral Sand. Take a Guided Walk on the white coral beaches to the islands’ largest congregation of Galápagos sea lions. You’ll see a wide variety of shore birds reflecting the island’s amazing biodiversity—from the deep-gray lava gull to the yellow-crowned night heron.
Day 6 - South Plaza Island
This morning, take a Naturalist-Led Excursion to South Plaza Island to observe wildlife, including sea lions, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and hybrid iguanas (only found on this island and a result of a cross between land and marine iguanas). You will see blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon’s shearwaters, and many other species. This afternoon, cruise to Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island. Take a Guided Walk at the site where Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos. See the volcanic remains of magnificent Kicker Rock—also called León Dormido (Sleeping Lion). Walk beside one of the island’s blue lagoons to see a number of migratory birds, including pelicans and great blue herons.
Day 7 - Galápagos Islands (Disembarkation)–San Cristobal–Quito
This morning, cruise to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for a Naturalist Guided Tour of the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. You’ll learn about the Galápagos’ fascinating volcanic origins, remote location, climate, and the arrival of diverse species that inspire both imagination and science. This afternoon, you’ll say farewell to the magical islands of Galápagos and fly to Quito. This evening, spend free time relaxing at the hotel in Quito.
Day 8 - Quito
It’s time to say goodbye as your trip comes to an end.
Axar Tours Global Holidays LLC.