11 Day Expedition Galapagos & Ecuador
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Location
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Additional Info
What's included
- Accommodations
- English-Speaking Guide
- Entrance Fees
- Local Guides
- Sightseeing
- Transfers
- Transportation
- Airfare- International
- Domestic Airfare
- Optional Activities
- Snacks
- Tips
- Trip Insurance
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
Arrival
Private Full Day Quito Tour
Explore the Ancient Incan city that so well balances modern sophistication with traditional culture. Walk through picturesque plazas that remain decorated by 16th and 17th century churches, proudly preserved by the city. Modern buildings and culinary offerings are not far from these architectural gems of yore, nor are views of the Andean mountain peaks that sit in the background.
Arrival in Santa Cruz, Galapagos
In the morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in Baltra, 600 miles from the mainland, you will be met by your guide and taken to the highlands to be welcomed by Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. You will also visit lava tunnels found in this region created by volcanic activity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before heading to your hotel to settle in.
All meals included
Tortuga Bay & Charles Darwin Research Center
In the morning enjoy a brisk 40 minute walk to Playa Brava, a long, beautiful white sand beach with incredible surf. Near the far end is a gorgeous bay with marine iguanas and amazing snorkeling and swimming. After spending some quality time in the water this morning, you’ll return to town by speed boat for lunch, and then head to the Charles Darwin Research Center. This research center is dedicated to the study and preservation of the life of the Galapagos’ most famous gentle giants – the giant tortoises.
All meals included
Full-Day Artisanal Fishing and Snorkeling Boat Trip to Santa Fe
Today you will take a “fishing” trip with local fisherman where you may fish by boat around Santa Fe island. Santa Fe is also an ideal location to visit the beach and snorkel.
Today’s excursion is a group tour on a shared boat with a local fisherman; note yacht excursions may vary depending on weather.
All meals included
Private Las Grietas & Garrapatero Tour
From the Puerto Ayora dock we will take a 3 minute aqua-taxi ride to the public dock on the other side. From here, we will take a short trail that will lead us to the Alemanes beach in about five minutes. After some time here, we will take a trail on volcanic stones (close-toed shoes are recommended) to Las Grietas. Las Grietas is a volcanic formation which was created by the displacement of lava during volcanic eruptions and is a great place to swim and snorkel.
In the afternoon, we will visit Garrapatero beach which is located to the East of the Santa Cruz Island. We will pass through 3 different climate zones to reach the trail head to the beach. During the 15 minute walk to the beach, you can see lava lizards, Darwin’s finches, Opuntia cactus, palo santo trees, etc. Upon reaching the beach you can visit a salt lagoon which is generally inhabited by flamingos. Swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking (additional charge) on the beach are recommended activities.
All meals included
Galapagos to Guayaquil
Enjoy one final morning waking up in the spectacular Galapagos Islands, before your private transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your comfortable hotel to rest.
Cajas National Park to Guayaquil
Travel through the scenic Cajas National Park en route to Cuenca. You'll traverse several park trails, learning about the geology, flora, and fauna of the region, stopping as you like to hike, take pictures, and enjoy the sites.
Lunch included
Cuenca City Tour
The site where Cuenca stands today once served as a center for the ancient Canari people, the Incas, and finally the Spaniards. You'll learn about this complex history during your Cuenca city tour. You'll also see several of the city’s beautiful colonial buildings, including the main cathedral, and visit a Panama hat factory where nimble-fingered experts weave the famous hats, which are actually an Ecuadorian craft.
Lunch included
Cuenca to Quito
In the morning you'll fly to Quito. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the historical city center to relax and explore your surroundings.
Departure
Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
End of services.
More about Ecuador
More about this tour
This is a trip of a lifetime for anyone who appreciates the natural world. Home to over 9,000 species of animals, you will have plenty of opportunities to come face to face with many of them, including the giant tortoises. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as you explore the Galapagos archipelago and see the Ecuadorian cities of Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil.
The best time to travel is mid June to September and December to early January for the dry season. During the holidays we recommend that you book early.
Prices are per person, double occupancy and based on 2-4 people. If there are 6 people the price is $5790. Please call for single supplement.
Regional airfare is usually about $750 for all the flights mentioned in the program. This amount is subject to change without notice and until booked. Call us for international airfare quotes. This tour can be booked for travel any time in 2020.
User Reviews & Comments
Leila Q.
My husband and I recently returned from a wonderfully memorable trip to Ecuador guided by Caravan-Serai Tours. In Quito, Galapagos, Cajas National Forest, and Cuenca we had a wide variety of experiences that included meeting friendly locals, hiking at 9,000 foot elevation, swimming in a blue grotto, hanging out with sea lions, tortoises, birds, and marine iguanas, and shopping for colorful scarves, bags, and jewelry. In the Galapagos, during a snorkeling excursion, sea lions swam nearby and a blue footed booby dove in the water then surfaced and hung out near us for a while. The highlight of our trip was a scuba diving excursion. The boat crew and dive masters took excellent care of us, taking us on a checkout dive, handling all our gear for us, feeding us, and making sure we found the amazing creatures of the Galapagos such as turtles, rays, garden eels, and yes, even hammerhead sharks! We highly recommend this trip organized by Caravan-Serai Tours.
January 13, 2020
Christine B.
When asked what my favorite thing was about my trip to Ecuador, my answer came quickly – “ It was the people”. CS provided a trip that was rich with great naturalist guides that could answer questions from the economy to what a tortoise eats! Having guides made all the difference We had rigorous hikes and snorkeling combined with enlightening city excursions. Everywhere we went we found friendly people from the city markets to ex-pats from the US and Canada/visitors worldwide. The 4 star hotels were perfect accommodations for comfort and some fabulous food (I wish I had indulged in more ceviche while there!) The Piedra De Aqua in Banos near Cuenca was a side trip a couple of us took to partake in the mineral water treatments… wish we had allocated more time. It is completely worthwhile and rejuvenating. In all, carried back the sights, sounds and colors – enough to get through another winter! Thank You CS!!
January 13, 2020