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10 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America

Quito and Galapagos Program

In this tour you have the opportunity tour visit the north side of Ecuador Mainland, like Otavalo, Mindo Village and Quito city. Then you continue the tour in Galápagos Islands, where you will visit Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands. In Santa Cruz Island you are going to visit the highlands and The Charl... Read More

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Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

starting point

Quito

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Visit markets

Meet local people

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Nature & Wildlife

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Quito UNESCO's Heritage city

2

Equator line

3

Otavalo Indigenous market

4

Giant Tortoises

Itinerary

TOURIST CLASS expand_more

Day 1

place TRANSFER IN

Our tour starts at the time of arrival in Ecuador. A specialized driver will pick you up at Mariscal Sucre Airport on the outskirts of Quito city. Then you will arrive at your hotel.

Day 2

place CITY TOUR QUITO & INTIÑAN – MINDO

After a delicious breakfast, we will take a city tour through the beautiful and magical Quito Colonial, the capital of Ecuador, which has an outstanding architecture. In addition, the biggest and best-preserved historically center in South America. We will visit the Basilica, one of the best representations of the neo-Gothic, the church of San Francisco, the Company of Jesus, the Cathedral, and The Big Way. After these visits, we will have time for lunch and continue to the arrive at Middle of the World monument to visit the interactive museum Intiñan. Overnight: Mindo

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

place MINDO – OTAVALO

Today you'll explore the lush green cloud forest of Mindo village. Its location at the western slopes of the Andean highlands gives this region mild temperatures and lots of rainfall. Thanks to the favorable conditions, the Mindo forest has incredibly high biodiversity. You'll get the chance to see some of the countless birds, butterflies, and insect species that call the region home. Visit the butterfly garden, hike to beautiful waterfalls, or fly between the treetops on a zipline. After, learn to make chocolate and taste your creations. In the afternoon, continue the tour to Otavalo. Overnight: Otavalo

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

place OTAVALO – QUITO

Today, you will visit the market of Otavalo. Otavalo features one of the most important traditional markets in South America. Here, the indigenous people of the surrounding areas gather to trade anything from animals over handicrafts to fresh vegetables and fruits. Take a stroll through the streets and maybe try to eat local street food such as salted mango or fritada con mote, and fried pork with cooked corn. Afterward, you will head to the small waterfall Peguche, formed by the river of the same name. This waterfall is considered an indigenous ceremonial site. After visiting the waterfall, you could also stop by the local artisans who live and work in this zone. For your overnight stay, you return to Quito.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place TRANSFER TO AIRPORT – GALAPAGOS

According to the scheduled flight to the Galapagos Islands, our driver will be waiting for you at the hotel to take you to the airport 3 hours before the scheduled take-off. Before entering the airline counter, you will have to go to the Galapagos Government to pay the Ingala Migratory Tax (TCT) of 20 USD per person and go through baggage control. Remember not to bring fruits, seeds, weapons, or illegal substances to Ecuadorian laws. Once in the Galapagos Islands, you will be asked to pay the Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (PNG) of 100 USD per passenger. Keep these two documents (TCT-PNG) that you will be asked for when leaving the islands. After arriving at Baltra Airport, your guide will be waiting for you. Then you will continue the tour on Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy at a local farm in the highlands, where you have the opportunity to view giant turtles in the wild. Then continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, effects of tourism on nature, etc. Here you can visit the turtle rearing station, where the animals are cared for before being released into their natural habitat. Also, you can observe iguanas in this place. Overnight stay in Puerto Ayora.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6

place SPEEDBOAT TO PUERTO VILLAMIL – TINTORERAS

Start your morning with a public speed boat trip to Isabela Island, a 2-hour trip. After arriving, make your way to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife. After, you will join with a group tour to the Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling. See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows. Afterward, snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. The evening is free. Overnight stay on Puerto Villamil.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

place VISIT TO SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO

You'll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to its summit, from where you'll get to see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. Walk around spectacular lava landscapes, taking in the northern volcanoes in Isabela and Fernandina Islands. During your climb, make sure to learn about the unique vegetation that inhabits the area. You will have some free time after you get back to Isabela Island. Overnight: Puerto Villamil

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Day 8

place LOS TUNELES CABO ROSA – SPEEDBOAT TO PUERTO AYORA

Get ready for more wildlife encounters with a thrilling excursion to Los Tuneles, a perfect snorkeling spot. A series of lava flows have produced unique geological formations, like arcs and tunnels underneath and above the water, which is an excellent place to swim around the zone. You can find tropical fish, rays, turtles, sea horses, and white-tipped reef sharks! Keep your eyes open for penguins sitting on the rocks and prepare yourself for the possibility of swimming with majestic sea turtles. In the afternoon, you will catch a speedboat from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island. Overnight: Puerto Ayora.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Day 9

place TRANFER OUT GPS – FLIGHT TO QUITO

We end our program in Galapagos Islands. You will have the transfer to the airport and take the flight to Ecuador Mainland. A specialized driver will pick you up at Mariscal Sucre Airport on the outskirts of Quito city. Then you will arrive at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

place TRANSFER OUT – QUITO – INTERNATIONAL CONECTION

We end our program with the transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (9)
  • Lunch (1)
  • Snacks (2)

Transport expand_less

  • Ground transportation
  • Payment of tickets for crossing the Itabaca Canal (entry and exit)
  • Marine transportation between Santa Cruz and Isabela islands (public service)

Activities expand_less

  • Entrance fees and taxes to tourist sites as per itinerary
  • Navigable excursions and land visits according to the itinerary
  • Certified and bilingual Heritage Guide (Spanish - English)

Extras expand_less

  • Snorkeling equipment (mask, tube; fins)

Not Included expand_less

  • Domestic/international airline tickets
  • Entrance to the Galápagos National Park (100 USD)
  • Transit Card (20 USD)
  • Wetsuit
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips, Personal expenses
  • Items not specified in the program

About Karem

TEAM LEAD

+1 Local experts

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Expertise: 

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Rafting

Kayak & Canoe

Nature & Wildlife

Hi, I am Karem, your local expert for your next adventure in South America! I´ve worked and lived in various locations in Ecuador including Galapagos and the Amazon Jungle. Lately, I enjoy connecting with Nature by peaceful trekking in the mountains

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