Overview
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. If you are not able to attend the welcome meeting, our representative will leave all important information at your hotel’s reception indicating what time to be ready the next day.
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available.
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative: The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.
- Quito City Tour & Equator Line: Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
- Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day: Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the early evening.
Fly to the Galápagos Islands. Visit the Interpretation Centre in the afternoon to learn about the natural history of the area. Explore the trails around the centre and opt to snorkel at nearby Las Tijeretas.
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Interpretation Center Visit: Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.
- Las Tijeretas Walk: Walk to 'Las Tijeretas' located just past the Interpretation Centre. Feel free to go on your own – this walk does not need a guide and is well marked. Walk quietly up the hill and you mind find some nesting frigatebirds. Cool off at the beach or go snorkelling off the rocks to spot schools of colourful fish.
Snorkel at Kicker Rock, an impressive volcanic rock formation, rich in wildlife diversity both under the surface and above.
- Snorkelling (Kicker Rock): Embark on a snorkelling adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most stunning landmarks in the Galápagos Islands that’s home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life that inhabits the nutrient-rich water. Explore the rock which rises 150m (492 ft) above the ocean's surface, and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. See an array of sharks and fish that are drawn to the rock and provide for an exhilarating unique snorkelling experience.
- Puerto Chino Beach Visit: Head to this white-sands of Puerto Chino beach and go for a swim or lounge in the sun.
- La Lobería Beach Visit: Visit La Lobería beach and be greeted by a colony of sea lions. Keep your eyes open for marine iguanas on the black rocks and sea turtles in the shallow bay.
- Playa Mann Visit: Head to this white-sand beach just a short walk from town. Go for a swim or watch snoozing sea lions.
Travel by speedboat to Floreana Island. Walk along the black sand beach until La Lobería with its resident sea lion colony, and enjoy meals at the G Adventures-supported community restaurants that help to support community tourism on the island.
Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- La Lobería - Floreana: Follow the black sand beach to La Lobería a sea lion nursery. The white-sand beach, protected bay, and turquoise waters are perfect for a swim or snorkel.
- Floreana Community Restaurants: To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.
Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana in the early morning. Enjoy guided walks to observe birds and other wildlife and learn about the area's natural history. Then, transfer by speedboat to Isabela Island. In the afternoon, take a wildlife boat excursion to 'Islote Tintoreras' to view breeding white-tip reef sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, rays, and penguins.
- Floreana Highlands Excursion: Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- Islote Tintoreras Snorkelling: Go snorkelling at the islet Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it's the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Enjoy a small calm turquoise bay to look for the whitetip reef shark, which are fairly common in the archipelago. (The sharks are called Tintorera in Spanish, which is where the site gets its name.) Keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and rays as well as the sharks.
Enjoy free time to explore Isabela Island. Opt to hike Sierra Negra, go snorkelling at Los Tuneles, or take it easy. In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
Please note that space may be limited for optional activities during high season, these activities are operated by third-party operators and will be subject to availability.
- Free Time: Enjoy a free morning on the island to explore on your own. Optional activities like snorkelling and hiking can be arranged in destination.
- Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit: Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.
- Sierra Negra Volcano Crater Viewpoint Excursion: Lace up your hiking boots to explore the landscape around the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos. (60-80 USD per person)
- Wall of Tears Bike Visit: Cycle to the 'Wall of Tears' and tour this sombre historical site that pays homage to the prisoners of an on-island penal colony, who were forced to build a wall out of huge blocks of lava. Many prisoners died during the wall's construction between 1946 and 1959.
- Surfing Lesson Isabela Island: Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
- Los Tuneles Snorkelling: Grab your swimsuit, a snorkel, and head out to explore the waters to see what’s living under the sea. Head to Los Tuneles about a 40 minute boat ride away from Puerto Villamil. The lava formations and mangroves make this an ideal place for snorkeling. Keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and large schools of colourful fish. (140-150 USD per person)
In the morning, transfer by speedboat to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy time for optional activities in Puerto Ayora before an evening out in town.
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- Free Time: Enjoy free time to explore the island on your own and at your own pace.
- Tortuga Bay Kayaking: Grab a life jacket and go for a kayak adventure in the mangroves of Tortuga Bay. Keep an eye out for a wide variety of marine life, including colorful reef fish, rays, and sea turtles, as you paddle the blue waters. Relax after on a beautiful fine white sand beach, and soak up some sun – you may spot some iguanas also trying to catch some rays on the shore.
- Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit: Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened. This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
- Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion: Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible wildlife.
- Swimming at Las Grietas: Cross a cactus forest looking for Darwin finches and lava lizards on the way to Las Grietas, a local swimming hole. The cool, bright turquoise water separates two volcanic cliffs. Fed by the ocean from one end and a river from the other this unique brackish pool is perfect for swimming.
Say goodbye to the Islands and take a flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival, transfer to Papallacta.
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Relax in the hot springs of Papallacta while taking in the volcanic views and opt to go for a hike nearby for prime birdwatching.
- Papallacta Hot Springs Visit: Soak in the natural hot springs the area is known for and let the mineral waters, which vary in temperature, soothe your body. Make your way through the circuit with views of the Antisana volcano in the distance.
- Free Time: The day is yours to relax and explore Ecuador's mountainous spa town.
Depart at any time. Papallacta is located roughly 35 minutes from the Mariscal Sucre International airport in Quito. The lodge can assist in booking a taxi for you.
Trip Inclusions
- Encounter marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies.
- Snorkel among volcanic formations.
- Walk on the black-sand beaches of Floreana Island.
- Dine at G Adventures-supported community restaurants.
- Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
- Dip into the Papallacta hot springs.
- Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Restaurants, Floreana Island
- Your Wellness Moment: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit, Papallacta
- Snorkelling excursion to Kicker Rock
- Visit a sea lion colony and go snorkelling at La Lobería (Floreana Island)
- Highlands excursion (Floreana Island)
- Tintoreras excursion (Isabela Island)
- Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre visit
- Isabela Municipal Tax
- Opportunities for snorkelling, swimming, and incredible wildlife encounters
- Papallacta hot spring visit
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private speedboat, private vehicle, plane
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer)/Naturalist Guide while in the Galápagos Islands (certified by the Galápagos National Park Authority)
- Hotels (9 Nights)
- 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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