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8-Day Quito & Galapagos Discovery

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Overview

Discover the most iconic sites of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Quito before traveling to the fabulous Galapagos Islands on this week-long adventure.

In the Galapagos, you will experience the local lifestyle of Santa Cruz Island. You will have the opportunity to discover Bartolome Islands, with its Pinnacle Rock and wonderful bay for swimming and snorkelling, as well as the flat island of North Seymour.

North Seymour is known for its amazing biodiversity and you will be able to see exciting wildlife like blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and swallow-tailed gulls as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. You will also observe the giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station and have an opportunity to snorkel in Tortuga Bay.

Get ready to see all of Ecuador's amazing highlights during this 8-day Quito & Galapagos trip!
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Beach & Sea

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival to Quito

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Arrival to Quito

As soon as you arrive in Quito, an airport representative will be waiting for you at your airplane gate; they will assist during the migration and customs procedures. After customs, a tour representative will be waiting for you with a special welcome gift and to accompany you during the transfer from the airport to your hotel. Quito’s airport is located 45 minutes away from the main city. Upon arrival, you'll check-in and then have the rest of the day free to relax.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Patio Andaluz4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre to Patio Andaluz

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

Day 2

Quito City Tour & Middle of the World

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Quito City Tour & Middle of the World

Today you will visit the Middle of the World Monument, situated at 0°0’0” latitude. Take a picture with your feet on both hemispheres! Then, you will visit the Intiñan Museum to experience some gravity and balance demonstrations in the equatorial zone. Lunch will be served at El Crater Restaurant or similar. Then, discover Quito’s beautiful Historic Center, named World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Walk along the Old Town among iconic buildings and traditions that will blow your mind.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Patio Andaluz4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Quito Old Town and Mitad del Mundo Tour

    Quito Mitad del Mundo

    Intinan Solar Museum

    Quito Old Town

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    El Crater Hotel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

    Pichincha

Day 3

Arrival to the Galapagos Islands

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Arrival to the Galapagos Islands

After a transfer to Quito Airport, you will take a domestic flight to Baltra airport. Once there, a representative will be waiting to greet you and transfer to the Itabaca Channel in order to cross it by ferry and reach Santa Cruz Island. Then, you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. You'll take a short tour around the private Ranch, where you will be bushwalking and looking for giant Galapagos tortoises. Afterward, you'll visit the lava tunnels and have lunch at the ranch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ikala Galapagos Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rancho El Manzanillo

    Lava Tunnel

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Rancho El Manzanillo

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Patio Andaluz to Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre

    Plane from Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre to Baltra IslandRequest to Book: AU$ 1,029 per person

    Private Driver from Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island

    Ferry from Seymour Airport to Santa Cruz Island Ferry Terminal

    Private Driver from Rancho El Manzanillo to Ikala Galapagos Hotel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

    Galápagos Islands

    Puerto Ayora

Day 4

Bartolome Island Navigable Day Tour

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Bartolome Island Navigable Day Tour

After breakfast this morning, you'll continue your Galapagos trip with a yacht day to Bartolome Island. This is a fantastic place to admire the Galapagos’ volcanic landscape. This will include a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms and handrails – the view from the top is worth the effort! During this visit, you will do some hiking and snorkeling, and you'll also have some time to relax by the beach.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ikala Galapagos Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bartolome Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Ecuador

Day 5

North Seymour Navigable Tour

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North Seymour Navigable Tour

North Seymour Island was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing (dry landing), usually without leaves, waiting for the rains to burst into bloom. This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ikala Galapagos Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    North Seymour Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Galápagos Islands

Day 6

Tortuga Bay & Charles Darwin Station

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Tortuga Bay & Charles Darwin Station

Tortuga Bay is located to the southwest of Puerto Ayora and it is named after the sea turtles for being their favorite place to lay their eggs in the stunning white sand beach, considered by many the most beautiful in the Galapagos archipelago. It is a great place to kayak, snorkel, and surf! After lunch in a local restaurant, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to expand your knowledge of this iconic Galapagos animal. It is located side by side on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ikala Galapagos Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tortuga Bay

    Charles Darwin Research Station

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Ecuador

Day 7

Fly Back to Quito

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Fly Back to Quito

You will have the morning at leisure, then, later on, you will be transferred to Baltra airport for your domestic flight to Quito. Upon your arrival in the capital city, you will be transferred to your hotel near the airport for check-in. Once settled, you'll have the rest of the evening free to relax at your hotel before your departing flight in the morning.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Wyndham Airport Quito4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ikala Galapagos Hotel to Baltra Island

    Plane from Baltra Island to QuitoRequest to Book

    Private Driver from Quito Airport Center to Wyndham

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Quito

Day 8

Goodbye Quito!

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Goodbye Quito!

This is the final day of this Quito & Galapagos trip. After breakfast, you can take the hotel's shuttle to Quito Airport where you'll catch your departing flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Wyndham to Quito Airport Center

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

Included in Price

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 10 activities
  • 7 breakfasts and 5 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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