Welcome to Quito! A private car will pick you up from the Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Accommodation at selected hotel.
Meals: None.
After breakfast, kick off your full day in Ecuador’s capital city with a tour through its historic center. Take your photo in front of El Panecillo, a hilltop statue of the Virgin of Quito that offers panoramic views of the city. In the old town you’ll come across the Basilica of the National Row, a towering Roman Catholic Church that is the largest neo-Gothic Basilica in the Americas.
Colorful guards stand in front of the government place in Independence Square, which you’ll visit before walking to the nearby La Compañia de Jesus Church. Its intricately carved stone facade is worth slowing down for and admiring, but save time to see the gold-leafed interiors! This tour will finish in the charming cobbled square of San Francisco Plaza.
Accommodation at selected hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Your Galapagos adventure begins this morning with a private transfer to the Quito airport to catch your direct flight to San Cristobal Island. A private transfer will take you to your hotel and lunch will be had at a local restaurant.
A pleasant 30-minute walk in the afternoon will lead you to Tijeretas Hill, which offers magnificent views of Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock. Also known as Frigatebird Hill, two species of these winged creatures inhabit this area, while an array of sea life (such as tropical fish, turtles, and sharks) live at the foot of the hill in Tijeretas Bay. Along the walk home, you can stop at Carola Beach to observe a large colony of sea lions.
Accommodation at selected hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
In the morning, board a shared boat with a guide to either Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos (must select one). Kicker Rock is one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos and you have a high probability of encountering sea turtles, sharks, and rays. Back on land, Kicker Rock itself is home to blue-footed boobies and other sea birds.
Isla Lobos is home to a large colony of sea lions which you can snorkel alongside, just as sea turtles and other colorful wildlife do. You will be amazed by the volcanic landscape of this island during an hour-long nature hike.
In the case of either destination, lunch will be enjoyed on board the boat, followed by a visit to a nearby beach with a return to the port in the early afternoon.
Accommodation at selected hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Today you will have the chance to learn more about the amazing Giant Galapagos Tortoise at the local breeding center, La Galapaguera. Observe these mammoth creatures as they roam in their semi-natural habitat. Nearby is La Loberia, a scenic bay with turquoise waters. Home to a sea lion colony, this is an idyllic place to swim or snorkel as lucky travelers have even spotted marine iguanas!
In the afternoon, after lunch, you will kayak around the bay of Puerto Baquerizo and head towards Kicker Rock. This will be another unforgettable moment of your Galapagos Islands trip as you’ll kayak near sea lions, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea turtles.
Accommodation at selected hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
A private car will transfer you to the airport to catch a flight to Quito followed by your international flight home.
Meals: Breakfast.
Quito: Sitting high on the Andean foothills, Ecuador’s capital city is renowned for its well-preserved historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that demonstrates a blend of various architectural influences.
Galapagos Islands: An archipelago of volcanic islands situated some 600 miles from mainland Ecuador, the Galapagos is a destination for nature lovers and explorers at heart.
San Cristobal Island: One of the oldest islands geologically in the Galapagos archipelago, San Cristobal offers visitors natural gems such as Tijeretas Hill and access to Kicker Rock.
Upon this Galapagos Islands trip, you’ll get a taste of mainland Ecuador along with an experiential adventure upon one of the most popular islands of the archipelago. Explore the historic capital city of Quito, including architectural highlights and charming squares where locals gather. A short flight will then bring you to the incredibly unique Galapagos Islands where history is present in its most natural form. Endemic species of turtles and birds as well as migrant sea life will be by your side for most of this trip on San Cristobal Island, resulting in a truly memorable Galapagos Islands experience.
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