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9 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America

Galapagos Islands a Dream for Naturalists & Local Encou...

Our 9 days program in the Galapagos Islands combines nature, impressive landscapes, amazing species and great activities. But is not only Nature and Fauna, our program also includes great encounters with local hosts, inmigrants that arrived in the islands 50 years ago!!!. You will have the uniq... Read More

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PabloMarildaPablo

By Pablo, Marilda and Pablo

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Quito

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Meet local people

Snorkeling/Diving

Outdoors & Nature

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Quito Highligths & Colonial District

2

Galapagos Island

3

Española & Santa Cruz Island

4

Tortuga Bay & Darwin Station

Itinerary

High-end Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Arrival to Quito International Airport

Arrival at the International Airport in Quito. Meet and greet with local guide. Private Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa
Day 2

place Visit to the Colonial District in Quito

Breakfast. Guided visit to the Colonial district of Quito, to discovering a World class historic district: declared by UNESCO Cultural Heritage in 1979. At the agreed time, you will start the visit at the Independence Square “Plaza Grande” and stroll in the beautiful colonial district and get marvelled by the impressive religious and civil buildings dating from colonial times. The most remarkable examples of Barroco can be admired in churches and convents. You will visit La Compañia, San Francisco Convent its cloisters and climb to the towers. Lunch during excursion. Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa
Day 3

place Flight to the Galapagos Islands - Arrival & visit the highlights

Breakfast. Transfer to Quito Airport to board your flight (not included) to Galapagos Island. At your arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, you will have to comply arrival and security procedures: Visit to Frigate Bird Hill located in the western side of San Cristobal. We will walk along an ecological path of approx. 20 minutes until we reach the Bird Hill, we will observe endemic plants and a small colony of frigates. Beautiful landscapes can be appreciated from this viewpoint, a statue of Scientist Charles Darwin and a small bay where you can watch and swim alongside sea lions, tropical fish, and possibly sea turtles. Visit to the Interpretation Centre, to learn about the evolution and history of the islands and its species, as well as the arrival of the first settlers, their concerns, achievements, as well as the development of the last years. Lunch (Set Menu) Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: hotel Casa Opuntia
Day 4

place Visit to the Eco farm and the hidden Route.

Breakfast. This day we will have a very nice adventure in the highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit a local farm situated to the east of Puerto Baquerizo, this farm produces tropical fruits and sugar cane, and process in confitures and other products. The area is very wide, and you will have the chance to see giant land tortoises in the wild. Here you will have the chance to contribute to the conservation by adopting an endemic tree. We will hike along a hidden path that led us to a nice bay if conditions permit, we will be able to see some petrel nests and finally enjoy a delicious bath in a freshwater waterfall. Lunch (Set Menu). Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: hotel Casa Opuntia
Day 5

place Full Day Navigation to Española Island

Breakfast. At scheduled time transfer to the Pier to embark on board a boat destination to Española Island, (2h 30´ approx). Española is one of the most beautiful islands of the Archipielago. We will visit Punta Suarez and Gardner Island. At Punta Suarez, located at the northeast end of the island, you will observe Nazca Boobies as well as the famous blue-footed boobies, Darwin’s finches and Galapagos Doves. Playful Sea lea lions and marine iguanas surround you on the beach tide waters. Between May and December, we will be able to see Waved Albatross, as they only nest on this island. We will have the opportunity to enjoy the amazing landscape of cliffs and the amazing blowhole. We will continue our visit to Gardner Isle, here you can practice snorkeling among the friendly and playful sea lions and observe colorful schools of fishes. Return to Puerto Baquerizo at the end of the afternoon. Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: hotel Casa Opuntia
Day 6

place Transfer to Santa Cruz Island: Tortuga Bay, Darwin Station

Breakfast Early wake up and transfer to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for breakfast and luggage drop off. The rooms will be ready at 14:00 approx. We will walk for approximately 45 min to Tortuga Bay. This is one of the longest beaches of fine white sand in the archipelago. Along the trail, marine iguanas can be seen. There are two zones: Playa Brava, ideal to practice surf and Playa Mansa to enjoy clear waters. The beauty of the environment and the tranquillity of its waters will reward the walk. Lunch (Set Menu). In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research centre to learn about the conservation programs for the Archipelago. Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Royal Palm Galapagos
Day 7

place Navigation to Floreana Island

Breakfast At the scheduled time, Navigation to Floreana Island. Explore the island where the first european settlers arrived during the 2nd World War and learn about the stories of love and murder. Visit to Asilo de la Paz, and remains of the inmigrants. Walk through endemic vegetation, we see birds typical of the place and we observe the ruins of the pirates that are found on the slopes of the hill "Allieri" It should also be noted that these ruins are next to a giant rock from which pure water is poured that provides the vital liquid to the inhabitants of the beautiful and gentle Floreana. Visit to a Farm managed by the local community. Fresh Tropical Fruit tasting and learn about their orchards. And return by bike to Puerto Velasco village. Lunch (Set Menu). Overnight in a 3* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Black Beach House
Day 8

place Excursions around Floreana Island

Breakfast. Transfer to Cerro Allieri to start our journey to an historic and famous place, the hike covers approximately 7km through a dry forest. We will arrive to the famous Post Office Barrel, by the end of XVIII century English Whalers stablished a “Post Office” in the Island. The tradition continues so you can leave a post card and bring some to post when you are home. Here we can practice snorkeling. The journey continues to Baroness Lookout fromwhere you will have an incredible view of the bay and the northern area of Floreana, at short distance you can appreciate the ruins of what was the house of the excentric Baroness Eloise von Wagner and learn about her story. Lunch (Set Menu). Transfer back to Santa Cruz Overnight in a 4* Hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Black Beach House
Day 9

place Transfer to the Airport in Santa Cruz Island + Outgoing flight to Quito

Breakfast Morning transfer to Santa Cruz Island and then drive to Baltra airport to board your flight (not included) back to Quito. International connection to your next destination. End of our services

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • hotel Casa Opuntia
  • Royal Palm Galapagos
  • Black Beach House
  • Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)
  • Lunch (6)
  • Snacks (1)

Transport expand_less

  • Private Transfer IN/OUT in each destination
  • Boat to La Española and Floreana Islands

Extras expand_less

  • All excursions accompanied by a local English speaking guide in Quito, and with naturalist guide

Not Included expand_less

  • Internal Flights are NOT included, we can certainly help you to book these if you need us to.
  • There are optionals activities which you can add to your experience, please check with us.

About Pablo

TEAM LEAD

+2 Local experts

verified Baboo Certified

star_outline 5 (6 reviews)

Hi! I´m Pablo Freddi and I´m 33 years old. I´m lucky enough to say I have been in Signature Tours creating, developing and assisting with tour services in Argentina for 10 years to nearly 150.000 passengers.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$5,160.00 USD