GALAPAGOS EXPRESS ITINERARY:
High Level Itinerary:
DAY 1: Welcome to Ecuador!
We will meet you at the Quito airport and transfer you to your hotel.
DAY 2: Colonial City Tour in Quito. Middle of the World Visit. Chocolate Showroom Visit.
In the morning a private van will pick you up for tour of Quito, which includes a tour of the colonial section of the city along with several churches built in the 15th century! After your tour of Quito you will be taken to the Middle of the World, where you be able to stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time.
DAY 3: Flight to Baltra Island. Tour of the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Charles Darwin Station Visit.
In the morning you will take a 2.5 hour flight from the Quito Airport to Baltra Island, which is home to the largest airport in the the Galapagos Archipelago. Upon reaching the island you will be driven to the larger, neighboring island called Santa Cruz where you will tour the highlands as well as Charles Darwin Station.
DAY 4: Bartolome Island or South Plazas Island or North Seymour Island.
Between day 4 and day 5, you will have the choice of which island to visit between 3 incredible options. Read below for more detail.
DAY 5: Bartolome Island or South Plazas Island or North Seymour.
Between day 4 and day 5, you will have the choice of which island to visit between 3 incredible options. Read below for more detail.
DAY 6: Flight to Quito.
Depart from the Galapagos Islands back to Quito, where you will stay at a hotel close to the airport.
DAY 7: Otavalo Indian Market & Peguche Waterfall Visit.
Visit one of the largest and most colorful markets in Latin America, famous for its hand-crafted goods and textiles. In the afternoon you will tour the Peguche Waterfall.
DAY 8: Goodbye!
Private transfer to the Quito Airport for your flight back home.
Details For Each Day
DAY 1: Welcome to Ecuador!
- Accommodations: Hotel Vieja Cuba in Quito
- Meals Included: None
MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING
When you arrive in Ecuador, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your charming hotel in modern Quito.
NOTE: If you booked your own international flights, please provide us your flight details prior to your arrival.
DAY 2: Colonial City Tour in Quito – Middle of the World Visit & Chocolate Showroom Visit
- Accommodations: Hotel Vieja Cuba in Quito
- Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
- Entrance Tickets: Included
MORNING
Today you will visit Quito, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in South America. Quito is the capital of Ecuador and was declared by UNESCO to be part of the Cultural Heritage of mankind. Your tour will explore the colonial section of the city, starting at Independence Square. Followed by tours of the presidential palace, city hall, the Sagrario church and the Cathedral.
You will then, visit the Compañía church (1605) and its breathtaking gilded altars, which are an incredible example of baroque art in America. After this, you will visit San Francisco church (1535). The tour continues with a visit to the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez and finally, a drive up to the Panecillo hill to enjoy an amazing view of Quito from above.
AFTERNOON/EVENING
After visiting the colonial center of Quito you will travel to the Middle of the World! This is a quick 45 minute drive from Quito, located 25 km north of Ecuador’s capital. Upon arrival you will visit the Intiñan museum, where the latitude is 000 and you will experience all the interesting phenomenon that occur in this unique place.
You will then visit the Middle of the World Monument, where you will have the opportunity to stand in both hemispheres at the same time and take wonderful
pictures.
The tour will continue with a drive back to Quito, with one more stop at the K’antu Chocolate showroom, where you will be shown the entire process of artisanal chocolate production, from beans to tablet.
Following this tour you will be taken to your hotel in Quito, arrival between 7-8PM.
DAY 3: Flight to Baltra Island. Tour of the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Charles Darwin Station Visit.
- Accommodations: Hotel Déjà vu on Santa Cruz Island
- Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
- Galapagos National Park Tax: Not Included, $100 USD, must be paid in person
MORNING
After an early breakfast you will be taken to the Quito Airport for your flight to Baltra Island. Upon your arrival to the airport, you will be welcomed by your guide who will take you to nearby Santa Cruz Island to visit the highlands. You will be amazed by the island’s variety of wildlife and geology.
Beginning at the coast and traveling north towards Puerto Ayora, the road climbs through the agricultural zone and into the mist-covered forests of the highlands. Santa Cruz possesses all of the various life zones present in the archipelago. From the bright red feathers of a Vermilion Flycatcher or one of Darwin’s finches almost every land bird present on the Galapagos Islands can be found here.
AFTERNOON/EVENING
The day will continue with a stop at one of the Santa Cruz ranches, where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch you will be able to explore the grounds of the range in search of giant tortoises.
Following lunch you will descend through the agricultural zone into the transition zone where the Tortoise Reserve is located, and the vegetation of the farmlands will rapidly give way to the islands’ native vegetation. You will continue to Puerto Ayora for the rest of the afternoon for some leisure time at your hotel.
DAY 4 and 5: Bartolome Island or South Plaza Island or North Seymour Island.
- Accommodations: Hotel Déjà vu on Santa Cruz Island
- Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
- Entrance Tickets: Included
Option 1: Bartolome Island
The option to Bartolome Island departs from Puerto Ayora early in the morning at 6AM. You will be transferred to the Itabaca channel, where a boat crew will be waiting. The journey to Bartolomé takes approximately 2 hours. During the trip, you may be accompanied by a school of dolphins jumping alongside the yacht.
Upon arriving to the island, you will have a dry disembarking (hopefully!). You will have a short climb on steps leading to the famous Roca del Pináculo viewpoint (Pinnacle Rock), which provides one of the most iconic views of the Galapagos. As you climb the steps, you will gradually become immersed in the fantastic volcanic landscape where dozens of red stone craters are spread over the island giving the appearance of a moonscape.
In the afternoon you will enjoy lunch aboard the boat as you cruise to a new location. During the ride you may be able to observe the small colonies of Galapagos Penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) that nest in this area.
Upon reaching our next location you will then have the opportunity to snorkel with the Penguins as well as Sea Turtles and Starfish. This island has two beaches which are connected by dunes that are populated with nesting Sea Turtles. These beaches also provide the perfect location for observing Tiger Sharks. You will return to the hotel at between 4 – 5PM.
Option 2: South Plaza Island
This option leaves your hotel at 7:30AM. You will be taken on a boat from Santa Cruz island to the channel on South Plaza Island who’s turquoise waters contrast beautifully with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond the shore lies a carpet of red scarlet sesuvium succulent plants, which are home to a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus.
Once you arrive to the island you will have a short hike to find the yellow-grey land iguanas hiding beneath the cactus. As you walk along the coastline you will observe plenty of wildlife, including: sea lion colonies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters birds. After exploring the island, you will go snorkeling in the crystal clear water.
Following this incredible experience you will have a late lunch on the island, after which you will re-board the boat to cruise back to your hotel.
Option 3: North Seymour Island
For this option, you will be picked up from the hotel at 7:30AM and taken to the channel of Itabaca, where the staff of your boat will be waiting for you. The trip will take around one hour. As you approach the island you will be able to spot the Bursera Graveolens trees, that almost never carry any leaves.
Seymour Island was created many million years ago due to the elevation of tectonic plates. This geologic wonder left the island with a flat shape with many small cliffs that serve as homes for the local seabirds. Swallow-tailed gulls and frigate birds inhabit the island, frigate males will show off their big red throat pouches to find their mate.
As you disembark the ship you will take a path that is surrounded by blue footed boobies. Depending on the season you will be able to witness their intricate mating mating ritual during which they dance and whistle in a very unique way. It is also common to see these birds flying near the coasts looking for food. Once they spot a fish swimming near the surface they will dive into the water at a high speed, a stunt that they are only able to perform due to a special waterproof protection on their wings.
Seymour Island is known for being home to the best Galapagos species. During your visit you will be able to see: sea lions, sea and land iguanas, pelicans, royal frigate birds and much more. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity for world class snorkeling.
Following an amazing day enjoying this island you will be taken back to your hotel, arriving between 4 – 5PM.
DAY 6: Flight to Quito.
- Accommodations: Hotel Ilatoa Lodge in Quito
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Entrance Tickets: NA
MORNING
On the last morning of your Galapagos adventure you will be brought to the Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. Upon arrival to Quito, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel close to the airport.
DAY 7: Otavalo Indian Market and Peguche Waterfall Visit
- Accommodations: Hotel Ilatoa Lodge in Quito
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Entrance Tickets: Included
MORNING
Today you will visit one of the largest and most colorful indigenous markets in Latin America. The Otavalo Market is famous around the world for its colorful tapestries, hand-knitted wool sweaters, native paintings, woodcarvings, silver jewelry, and much more. Test your bargaining skills with the locals! The people of the area of Otavalo are known as skilled craftspeople and great musicians.
AFTERNOON
After a visit to the market, you will go to the Peguche Waterfall, which are near Otavalo. After a short, refreshing walk you will reach the waterfall, which is holy for the people of Otavalo and used for rituals. After your tour, you will be brought back to Quito through the beautiful landscape of rural Ecuador.
DAY 8: Flight Home
- Accommodations: NA
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Entrance Tickets: N/A
MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.
