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9-Day Santa Cruz Cruise II & Quito

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Overview

Spend an amazing five days in the Galapagos from Quito on this nine-day Ecuadorian adventure.

You'll begin in Ecuador's capital of Quito to experience the culture of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including the Middle of the World Museum where you can place one foot in each of the hemispheres.

After a few days on the mainland, set out for the Galapagos Islands. You will spend four nights aboard the Santa Cruz Cruise II as your gateway to touring around the islands.

Getting around by boat will offer you many possibilities to see the gems of the Galapagos, that cannot be seen when travelling via land. You can swim and snorkel with rare wildlife, ride in a glass-bottomed boat to observe the marine life, and hike around the islands to get the best views. The Galapagos Islands never disappoint and are sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Outdoors & Nature
Beach & Sea
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Quito

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Arrival in 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 immigration process. After customs, our company representative will welcome you with a special gift and accompany you during the transfer from the airport to the hotel. Quito’s airport is located 45 minutes away from the main city.

  • 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 Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

Day 2

Middle of the World

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Middle of the World

After breakfast, your local guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to visit the Middle of the World Monument, situated at 0o0’0” latitude. Take a picture with your feet on both hemispheres! Continue the tour to the Intiñan Museum where you can see various demonstrations of natural phenomena, gravity and balance manifested in the equatorial zone. This is a really fun and interactive museum. The afternoon is at leisure.

  • 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.
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    Activities

    Quito Mitad del Mundo

    Intinan Solar Museum

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito to Middle of the World

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

Day 3

Quito Historic Centre

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Quito Historic Centre

After breakfast, discover Quito’s beautiful Historic Centre, named World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Quito is a city with a rich history, hiding the most fascinating legends, forbidden love stories, political insurrection plans, and more. Take a visit to La Compañia, San Francisco and Basilica churches and experience an exclusive tasting of the best chocolate in the world!

  • 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.
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    Activities

    Quito Old Town

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito to Centro Historico Quito

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

Day 4

Arrival to the Galapagos from Quito

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Arrival to the Galapagos from Quito

You will land on Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then transfer to the port to board the Santa Cruz II cruise. We will stop to visit the Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island. This beautiful site is located on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island, where a glorious white beach awaits you along with a couple of brackish lagoons that are just a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons actually serve as the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Santa Cruz Cruise II5 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

    Las Bachas

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito to Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre

    Plane from Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre to Baltra Airport Road

    Private Driver from Baltra Airport Road to Puerto Ayora

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

    Puerto Ayora

    Galápagos Islands

Day 5

Buccaneer Cove and Puerto Egas

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Buccaneer Cove and Puerto Egas

After breakfast, you will get to explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, all while learning about the area’s history. This cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Then we will sail to Puerto Egas. After disembarking at the beach here, guests will get to enjoy swimming or snorkelling along the rocky shorelines, usually in the company of marine turtles.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Santa Cruz Cruise II5 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

    Buccaneer Cove

    Puerto Egas

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Galápagos Islands

    Ecuador

Day 6

Rabida Island and Bartolome Island

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Rabida Island and Bartolome Island

During our stop at Rabida Island on Jervis Island, some groups can go for a fascinating dinghy ride along the shores while others may choose to disembark on Rabida Island’s mesmerising, red-coloured beach. In the afternoon, activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of Bartolome Island, a famous island dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. This is another great place for you to go for a swim and snorkel from the beach. A chance to ride the glass-bottom boat is also offered.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Santa Cruz Cruise II5 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

    Rabida Island

    Bartolome Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Galápagos Islands

    Ecuador

Day 7

Prince Philip Steps and Darwin Bay

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Prince Philip Steps and Darwin Bay

The morning starts with a steep climb (only 90 feet/28 metres) up a flight of stairs to reach a flat and rocky plateau of Prince Philip Steps. Once there, you can walk along comfortably and check out large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds and storm petrels. In the afternoon, you will land at the beautiful beach in Darwin Bay to enjoy some swimming or snorkelling.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Santa Cruz Cruise II5 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

    Genovesa Island

    Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Galápagos Islands

Day 8

Gaint Tortoise Reserve and Return to Quito

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Gaint Tortoise Reserve and Return to Quito

Spend time at the Giant Tortoise Reserve to observe the amazing highlight of giant tortoises roaming around in their natural environment. These lush highlands include dense forests consisting of Galapagos daisies, orchids and bromeliads as well as several endemic land birds. It is truly an honour to be in the presence of these magnificent animals in such a beautiful place. In the afternoon, we will say goodbye to the Galapagos and get a transfer back to the Baltra Airport to fly back to Quito.

  • 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.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Rancho Primicias - Giant Tortoise Reserve to Baltra Airport Road

    Plane from Baltra Airport Rd, Baltra, Ecuador to Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puerto Ayora

    Galápagos Islands

    Quito

Day 9

Depart from Quito

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Depart from Quito

Your remarkable Ecuador trip ends on this day. We hope you enjoyed all of the adventures you went on during your time in the Galapagos from Quito. After breakfast, take the hotel shuttle to the airport for your onward flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Wyndham to Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quito

Included in Price

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 11 activities
  • 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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