Quito & Galapagos Explorer - 5 days
Quito & Galapagos Explorer - 5 days
Quito & Galapagos Explorer - 5 days
5 Days Starting and ending in Quito, Ecuador
Visiting: Quito, Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
5-
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishTrip Styles:
Interests:
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 enchanting Galapagos Islands, spending three nights on Santa Cruz Island. Discover the island's unique wildlife, including giant tortoises and Darwin's finches, as you explore the Santa Cruz Highlands. Enjoy a full-day motor yacht excursion with a local fisherman, offering breathtaking views and encounters with incredible marine life. Snorkel among sea turtles and playful sea lions at La Loberia Island, and hike to the scenic Tunel del Amor. With expert bilingual guides and comfortable accommodations, this small group tour promises an unforgettable experience in one of the world's most remarkable natural settings.
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
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
-
4 breakfasts & 2 lunches
The tour includes 4 breakfasts and 2 lunches during your stay.
-
4 nights 3-4 star hotels (4 star upgrade available)
Accommodation for 4 nights in 3-4 star hotels is included, with an option to upgrade to 4-star hotels.
-
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 5
Transfers from the airport to the hotel on day 1 and from the hotel to the airport on day 5 are included.
-
Services of expert bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for sightseeing
Expert bi-lingual local guides will be available for sightseeing.
-
Transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles
Transportation during the tour will be in modern, air-conditioned vehicles.
-
Return ferry tickets Baltra - Santa Cruz
Return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz are included.
-
Guided sightseeing of the Galapagos Islands as per itinerary
Guided sightseeing tours of the Galapagos Islands are included as per the itinerary.
-
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
-
International flights and visa
International flights and visa costs are not included in the tour package.
-
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Tipping is not included and is considered a personal gesture.
-
Galapagos flights Quito - Baltra and Baltra - Quito/Guayaquil
Flights between Quito and Baltra, and Baltra and Quito/Guayaquil are not included, but assistance with booking is available.
-
Galapagos National Park entrance fee
The Galapagos National Park entrance fee of US $100 per adult and $50 per child under 12 is not included.
-
Tourist transit card (Ingala)
The tourist transit card (Ingala) fee of US $20 per person is not included.
-
Optional excursions
Optional excursions are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles with airport transfers included on arrival and departure days. Enjoy return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz, and explore the Galapagos Islands with guided sightseeing tours.
Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay in 3-4 star hotels, with an option to upgrade to 4-star accommodations. Experience the charm of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, where you'll spend three nights in a welcoming hotel setting.
Age Policy
minimum age 5 years
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the Galapagos Islands tour?
During the Galapagos Islands tour, you can expect to see endemic giant tortoises, Darwin's finches, sea turtles, sea lions, white tip reef sharks, and the famous marine iguanas.
-
Are there any snorkeling opportunities during the tour?
Yes, there are several snorkeling opportunities during the tour, including snorkeling amongst sea turtles and sea lions at La Loberia Island and during the full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman.
-
Will I have a guide during the excursions?
Yes, you will have expert bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for sightseeing and excursions throughout the tour.
-
Is the group size limited during the excursions?
Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travelers from outside of the group, and the group size may exceed 16 passengers.
-
What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The tour includes 4 nights in 3-4 star hotels, with an option to upgrade to 4-star accommodations.
-
Is transportation included during the tour?
Yes, transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles is included, as well as return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz.
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
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+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Saturday
Jan 07, 2025 - Jan 11, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Feb 04, 2025 - Feb 08, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Mar 04, 2025 - Mar 08, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Apr 01, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Apr 29, 2025 - May 03, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
May 20, 2025 - May 24, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Jun 24, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Aug 26, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Sep 30, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Nov 04, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Dec 02, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.