Santa Cruz + Isabela (Island hopping)

Day 1: U.S International Departure

Arrive at the Miami Airport to take your flight to Ecuador.

Please take into consideration that you must be at the airport at least 04 hours before the departure of your flight.

*We will confirm the final schedule 60 days prior to the trip.

Welcome to Ecuador!

Get ready for a unique experience! Located in the Andes of Ecuador. Quito is a city built on the foundations of an ancient city and is famous for its colonial style. 

On your arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation at Quito

Included: Arrival transfer with English speaking guide, transportation, accommodation

We start in the north of the city with a sightseeing tour along with the most important commercial areas, where most of the hotels in Quito are located. Then we will go to the Historic Center to visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop and explanation, then we will go to the Independence Square, where through a pedestrian tour we will see the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Church of La Compañía, known for its impressive ornaments and gold altars, we will continue to the Church of San Francisco built in the seventeenth century. (Entrance fees to churches are not included). We then head to the Mirador del Panecillo, a place known for its beauty, where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito.

We will make a stop in the pink zone of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and then continue north, we will arrive at the Middle of the World, where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built in the 18th century when the French scientific expedition defined the exact position of the Equator line that divides the world. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex where you can enjoy the cultural experience of the attractions of this privileged place.

NOTE: Sunday is operated in reverse; first you visit Mitad del Mundo and then you take the city tour.

Accommodation at Quito

Included: English speaking guide, excursion, transportation, accommodation

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Baltra Island.

Arrival at Baltra Island

Today we arrive on Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galapagos. This tiny island was a military base during the Second World War and hosts the island’s principal airport. The airport was built using the most advanced environmental techniques to reduce emissions and energy use, some of which you’ll notice as you walk through the facility. This was the first ecological airport in the world.

Excursion Highlands Pto Ayora

The guide will pick you up at the airport or hotel in order to start the visit to the highlands. You will visit shelters for the giant tortoises, lava tunnels, and the twins which are geological formations formed by collapse over time.

One of our visits is El Chato which provides the opportunity to marvel at the celebrated Giant Galapagos Tortoise roaming in its natural habitat. You will have the option to visit geological formations like a natural lava tunnel or twin pit craters "The Gemelos" or both, depending on your energy level! The "Gemelos" or Twin Pit Craters, located in the Scalezia zone of the island, are a great place for bird watching. Look out for Darwin Finches, Galapagos Doves, and Cattle Egrets.

Accommodation at Puerto Ayora

Included: Transportation, Assistance in Galapagos with a local guide, transportation, excursion, accommodation

Set out to sea on the Niña Bella with an ex-fisherman, his welcoming crew, and a knowledgeable naturalist guide for a full-day excursion to experience the waters near one of the Galapagos' more remote islands. Recent history has transformed the Galapagos Islands, reshaping the local economy from one of subsistence fishing and small-scale agriculture to one where tourism employs some 40% of locals. We have worked with local fishermen to transform their careers from harvesting sea life to introducing the Galapagos' rich marine ecosystem to visitors while also helping to preserve them. Their livings are now made from sustainable tourism rather than fishing.

We will navigate to Pinzon Island, to visit Las Palmas beach, and will also have the opportunity to snorkel in Bahia Pinguino.

This full-day excursion includes snorkeling and swimming opportunities.

** Excursions are subject to availability and may change without prior notification

Overnigh at select Hotel Santa Cruz Island

Included: Breakfast, transportation, excursion, local English speaking guide, lunch on board, accommodation

Today we take an early morning public speedboat to Isabela Island where we will check into our hotel. Our adventure begins with a tour of the Tintoreras (share basis), a group of small islands close to the town of Puerto Villamil. The islands are named after the white-tipped ‘Tintoreras’ reef sharks that swim in these calm waters. On the Tintoreras, we will see almost all of the archipelago’s iconic wildlife: white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, rays, penguins, and of course pelicans and blue-footed boobies. This is a Galapagos in miniature! After walking on the island, we will have a chance to snorkel in the bay. Don’t be surprised if some of the penguins or sea lions jump in to play alongside you in the water!

Free afternoon to enjoy the white beach of the island.

Accommodation at Puerto Villamil - Isabela Island

Included: Breakfast, transportation, Local English speaking guide, share excursion, accommodation

Hiking day! Volcanic eruptions created all the Galapagos Islands, and you will have a chance to see this geologic process first-hand as we explore Isabela, one of the archipelago’s youngest and most volcanically active islands. We have the whole day to explore the Isabela highlands, and we start by hiking up to the crater of the massive Sierra Negra volcano, and then onward to the rim of the Volcan Chico. This fascinating walk usually begins with some morning fog and drizzle, which sometimes persists in the shadow of the volcano, adding to its mysterious character. Despite the drizzle, we may see Galapagos Hawks, finches, flycatchers, and Short Eared Owls en route. When we reach the rim of the Sierra Negra crater, the second largest in the world after the Ngorongoro in Tanzania, we will see the reward for our efforts. The crater is so large, and the views so expansive, photos can’t do it justice, but bring your binoculars and camera anyway! Later, as we head towards Volcan Chico, we may get the feeling we are walking on Mars due to the alien landscape. And while the land appears to be utterly desolate, a closer look will reveal small lizards scurrying about among the rocks. From the crater’s rim, we will enjoy more amazing views along with lava tubes and fumaroles.

After Volcan Chico and its extreme landscape, we will be able to relax in the shade of a lovely “jaboncillo” tree, and enjoy our box lunch while taking in the spectacular and expansive views over the central and northern parts of the Island. In the distance, we will be able to see Fernandina, Pinzon, and Santa Cruz Islands. We then head back down to complete our day of hiking (16 kilometers / 9,94 miles in total) and relax on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.

Accommodation at Puerto Villamil - Isabela Island

Included: breakfast, excursion, Local English speaking guide, transportation, lunch, accommodation

Today we take an early morning public speed boat back to Santa Cruz and then transfer to Baltra airport in order to take our flight to the mainland.

Included: breakfast, Assistance, transportation

*We will confirm the final schedule 60 days prior to the trip.

Day 08: Goodbye to Ecuador!