Quito & The Astonishing Galapagos

8 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
See animals found nowhere else in the world on the Galapagos, get to know one of South America's most captivating capitals and tour a famous crafts market in Otavalo! Begin in the capital of Quito, called the "Convent of America" for its plethora of churches and monasteries. See the city's highlights on a guided tour, then make your way to Otavalo, home of a...
From$2,950
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6 hours)
    • Otavalo Indian Market Tour (full-day)
    • Santa Cruz Highlands Tour with lunch (en-route to Puerto Ayora hotel)
    • Full-day boat excursion, with lunch

What's this trip about?

    See animals found nowhere else in the world on the Galapagos, get to know one of South America's most captivating capitals and tour a famous crafts market in Otavalo! Begin in the capital of Quito, called the "Convent of America" for its plethora of churches and monasteries. See the city's highlights on a guided tour, then make your way to Otavalo, home of a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times. You'll then fly to the Galapagos, the highlight of any Ecuador trip! Observe a variety of exotic species endemic to this archipelago and see where Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was born. See giant Galapagos tortoises that gave the islands their name, dragon-like iguanas, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti!   Helpful links for travel to Ecuador: Visa & Passport Info Vaccines & Medications Info

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityQuito
End CityEcuador

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • South America
  • Ecuador

Attractions

  • Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Galapagos
  • Otavalo
  • Quito
  • San Francisco
  • Santa Cruz Island

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare into Quito (UIO), out of Baltra (GPS)
    • All airport transfers
    • 4 nights in Quito at the Mercure Alameda Hotel, or similar
    • Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6-hours)
    • Otavalo Indian Market Tour (full-day)
    • One-way, economy-class flight from Quito (UIO) to Baltra (GPS)
    • Santa Cruz Highlands Tour with lunch (en-route to Puerto Ayora hotel)
    • 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Hotel Villa Laguna, or similar
    • Full-day boat excursion, with lunch*
    • Visit to Tortuga Bay
    • Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
    • Breakfast daily *Your included full-day boat excursion will be to one of the following islands: North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartholomew, Santa Fe or Dragon Hill. The exact island will be confirmed after booking as the time of travel will determine which island will be the best experience for your trip! **Please note additional fees to be paid in destination: Galapagos National Park entrance fee - $100.00 (USD) per person (as of 8/24/24, this fee will increase to $200 per person)
    • Galapagos Transit Control Card - $20.00 (USD) per person

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Quito!

Arrive in Quito and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation. Quito is set at the foot of the volcano Pichincha and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The city is known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and the magnificent blen...

Day 2 Quito

Wake up and enjoy a 6-hour tour of Quito's highlights including Panecillo Hill and the “Middle of the World” - the Equatorial Line. 

Later, head to Quito's Old Town and admire its picturesque plazas and magnificent churches. San Francisco Square is a great place to get a true sense of the city!

Day 3 Quito - Otavalo - Quito

Take an approximately 2-hour bus ride today to Otavalo, a town in the Andes that hosts a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times. 

Once in Otavalo, visit the traditional Indian market and be amazed at the colorful textiles, clothing and more on display! Then head to Cotacachi village, famous for its leatherworks.

Day 4 Quito

Today is yours to explore Quito on your own. For spectacular views over Quito's mountainous landscape, hop aboard the cable car known as TelefériQo, which takes you on a 10-minute ride to the top of Cruz Loma. 

For a dose of art and culture, see the magni...

Day 5 Quito - Baltra Island - Santa Cruz Island

Depart Quito and fly to Baltra Island! From the airport, take a bus to the Itabaca Canal where you will board a ferry to the other side of Santa Cruz island.

Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Archipelago and is the most important harbor. Col...

Day 6 Santa Cruz Island

Pack lots of sunscreen and water because today you are going on a full-day boat excursion to one of the Galapagos Islands! Depending on time of year and availability, you will visit either North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartholomew, Santa Fe or Dragon Hill. Each island is unique and offers plenty of opportunity for exploration.

Day 7 Santa Cruz Island

A scenic 45-minute walk from Puerto Ayora will lead you to Tortuga Bay, a paradisaical beach and one of the longest white sandy beaches in the archipelago. The magnificent setting is worth the walk! Spend some time snorkeling in the bay or relaxing on the beach...

Day 8 Depart Ecuador

Sadly, your Ecuador adventure ends today. In the morning, transfer to Baltra airport for your flight home. Relive all the incredible memories and start planning your next vacation!

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,950
Price per day$369
Last Updated: 4/15/2024

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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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