Arrival in Quito

Today you will arrive in Quito, where you will be picked up from the airport to the hotel. After your check in, you will receive a briefing of the program with recommendations, advises and more information of the itinerary. Any doubt that you have of the schedule can be asked during this meeting.

Galapagos Adventure (L)
Today you will be picked up early in the morning to be taken to the airport for your Galapagos adventure!
Like many visitors, you will most likely start your journey in the Galápagos at Santa Cruz Island. After landing at Baltra Island airport, you will have to take the bus and afterwards pass the Itabaca Channel by ferry and reach, through the highlands, Puerto Ayora, the capital of the island. Santa Cruz is the second-largest island of the archipelago, but it is the real economical heart of the tourism industry here. Puerto Ayora is where you will find many restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and nice little hangouts. Please, do not forget to bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, water, and a towel.
Visit a family ranch, where you will have time to walk between the trees and search for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay close to the small lagoons.
Afterwards, you will also visit the lava tubes. These impressive underground tunnels were formed when the outside skin of a molten-lava flow solidified. When the lava flow ceased, the molten lava inside the flow kept going like a river, emptying out of the solidified skin and thus leaving tunnels.
Spend some time seeing the giant tortoises of Galapagos, which are among the most famous of the unique fauna of the Islands.

Meals: Lunch

Discover Santa Cruz Island (B/L)
A morning drive takes you to the eastern part of the island. At 490m above sea level, Cerro Mesa Reserve offers spectacular views of the largest crater on Santa Cruz Island, exotic plants, and seven unique subspecies of finch and the elusive vermilion flycatcher. Afterwards, explore Garrapatero Beach, with stunning contrasts of mangroves, black lava, white sand, and turquoise water including a flamingo lagoon.
Visit El Trapiche Ecológico, a working farm in the highlands that produces sugar cane liqueur and Galapagos coffee. Learn about the different methods used to refine sugar cane, including the use of a mule-driven press. There is also a demonstration of how artisan coffee is produced, from picking the berries to roasting the bean.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay by bike (B/L)

Today, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) which is located in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and is the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). These facilities include offices and labs for marine and terrestrial investigation, a conference hall and natural history collections. Areas open to the public include an exhibition hall, native gardens and public library. In addition to being a tourist destination, the Research Station is essential to provide scientific knowledge and technical advice to the Government of Ecuador to ensure the conservation of Galapagos.
Afterwards, ride your bike and explore Tortuga Bay, which is an isolated white-sanded beach located on the Southern coast of Santa Cruz. The beach exists of two separate beaches, the first one is for surfing which has very strong currents, and the second beach is for swimming and some snorkelling. Reef and pelagic fishes can be observed, and with some luck sea turtles and sally light foot crabs. You can also rent a kayak on the spot to explore the waters of Tortuga Bay. On the beach, the main attraction is to relax in the sun or under the trees.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Day in Galapagos (B)

Today after breakfast you will have the opportunity to discover Santa Cruz on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Quick stop at Los Gemelos and Return to Mainland (B)

Today you will be transferred to the Baltra Airport to take a flight to Quito. Before arriving at the airport, you will make a stop at Los Gemelos (the Twins) are two overgrown, lava tunnels that formed massive sinkholes when they collapsed. The largest of the twins is 2,300 feet deep and almost 1,300 feet wide!

Once you arrive to Quito Airport, where you will be picked up from the airport to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Airport drop-off (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Quito Airport for your flight back home. Hope you have enjoyed your time in our beautiful country. Have a great flight!

Meals: Breakfast