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- Destination: Ecuador
- Duration: 10 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Island-Hopping
About This Trip
Ecuador Galapagos Tour is a remarkable 10-day journey combining the colonial heritage of Quito with the extraordinary wildlife of the Galápagos Islands — one of the world's greatest bucket-list destinations. Begin in Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage city, before flying out to Santa Cruz and Isabela Island to encounter giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies in their untouched natural habitat.
From snorkeling at Las Grietas and Tortuga Bay to hiking the active Sierra Negra Volcano and visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, this expertly guided Ecuador Galapagos Tour delivers the perfect balance of wildlife discovery, volcanic landscapes, and island adventure — all within the protected waters of the Galápagos National Park.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2
Quito
Giant Tortoise Reserve, Twin Craters, Charles Darwin Research Station, Las Grietas, Tortuga Bay
3 - 5
Santa Cruz Island
Volcano of Sierra Negra, El Muro de las Lagrimas, Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
6 - 7
Isabela Island
Volcano of Sierra Negra, El Muro de las Lagrimas, Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
8
Santa Cruz Island
North Seymour
9 - 10
Quito
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Quito – Gateway to Your Ecuador Galapagos Tour
Welcome to Quito, the starting point of your Ecuador Galapagos Tour. Upon arrival, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.
After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at your own pace to relax, settle in, and prepare for the incredible 10-day adventure ahead.
- Quito
- Day 2: Quito Old Town Tour & Intiñan Equator Experience
Quito sits just 24 km from the Equator, making it the world’s closest capital city to the equatorial line. Its historic center was the first city declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978 and remains one of the largest and best-preserved colonial districts in all of the Americas, featuring around 130 landmark buildings rich in art, history, and architecture.
This morning, enjoy a guided walk through Quito’s Old Town. Visit the magnificent Church of La Compañía, then head to El Panecillo Hill for sweeping 360-degree views over the city and surrounding Andean landscapes.
After lunch, visit the Intiñan Museum near the official Middle of the World monument — believed to sit closer to the true Equator. Take part in hands-on experiments: balance an egg on a nail, observe the Coriolis effect through draining water, and walk the equatorial line with eyes closed. It’s a fascinating science experience unique to this Ecuador Galapagos Tour.
Highlights: Quito Old Town, Church of La Compañía, El Panecillo Hill, Intiñan Museum, Equator experience
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- Quito
- Day 3: Quito to Santa Cruz Island – Galápagos Arrival
Fly to Baltra Island and continue by ferry to Santa Cruz Island — the tourism hub of the Galápagos and the heart of your Ecuador Galapagos Tour. En route, pass the dramatic Twin Craters before arriving at the remarkable Lava Tunnels, underground formations carved by flowing volcanic lava.
After lunch at a countryside ranch, visit El Chato Reserve, where Santa Cruz’s famous giant tortoises roam freely. Your guide will share insights into their life cycle and the ongoing conservation efforts protecting them. Conclude the day at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where exhibits on tortoise species, native shells, and ecological threats bring the islands’ story to life.
Highlights: Lava Tunnels, Twin Craters, El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve, Charles Darwin Research Station
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 4: Santa Cruz Island – Snorkeling Adventure & Leisure
Start with a boat excursion to Santa Cruz’s prime coastal sites — a highlight of any Ecuador Galapagos Tour. Visit La Lobería, home to a lively sea lion colony and vibrant tropical fish. Continue to the Channel of Love for striking rock formations and crystal-clear turquoise waters, then to Dogs Beach (Playa de los Perros), famous for its bright red Galápagos crabs.
Stop at Sharks Channel, where reef sharks are often spotted resting, before reaching Las Grietas — one of Santa Cruz Island’s most stunning natural swimming spots.
After lunch, enjoy a 45-minute walk to Tortuga Bay, one of the longest white-sand beaches in the Galápagos. Spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or simply relaxing on the shore.
Highlights: La Lobería sea lions, Channel of Love, Sharks Channel, Las Grietas, Tortuga Bay
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 5: Santa Cruz Island – Coffee Plantation & Garrapatero Beach
Spend your morning at a local organic coffee farm — Lava Java or Schullo — walking through lush surroundings filled with coffee plants. Learn every step of the process from harvesting and drying to roasting, and end the visit with a freshly brewed cup overlooking the ocean.
In the afternoon, transfer to Garrapatero Beach on Santa Cruz’s eastern coast. With nearly 3 kilometres of golden sand, this stunning beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or simply unwinding in the sun. It’s also rich in wildlife — share the shore with playful sea lions, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, and blue-footed boobies, making it one of the most memorable afternoons on this Ecuador Galapagos Tour.
Highlights: Organic coffee farm visit, Garrapatero Beach, sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 6: Santa Cruz to Isabela Island – Tortoise Conservation & Tintoreras
After breakfast, board a public speedboat to Isabela Island — the largest island in the Galápagos National Park and one of the most biodiverse stops on this Ecuador Galapagos Tour. Check in and rest briefly before the afternoon activities begin.
Walk the wetland trail — where flamingos are often spotted — to reach the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center. Set among native gardens, the center protects five species of giant tortoises, including young hatchlings.
In the afternoon, visit Tintoreras Islet for a guided hike and snorkeling session offering close encounters with Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, and white-tipped reef sharks resting in the shallows.
Highlights: Isabela Island arrival, flamingo wetland trail, Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, Tintoreras Islet snorkeling
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- Isabela Island (Galapagos)
- Day 7: Sierra Negra Volcano Trek & Return to Santa Cruz
Hiking Sierra Negra is one of the most extraordinary experiences of the Ecuador Galapagos Tour. As one of the few active shield volcanoes in the Galápagos open to visitors, it offers a dramatic trek across landscapes that shift from lush vegetation to stark volcanic terrain.
Rise early, gear up, and set off on a guided hike to the rim. Along the way, your naturalist guide will explain the volcano’s geological history and point out the unique plants and wildlife that thrive in this harsh environment — all while panoramic views unfold around you.
After returning to the hotel for lunch, transfer to the pier and board a speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island.
Highlights: Sierra Negra active volcano hike, volcanic landscapes, panoramic Galápagos views, return to Santa Cruz
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 8: Santa Cruz – Full-Day Excursion to North Seymour Island
The Galápagos archipelago comprises 18 major islands, several smaller islands, and over 100 rocks and islets — many of them uninhabited and teeming with wildlife. Today’s Ecuador Galapagos Tour adventure takes you to North Seymour, a small island near Baltra covering just 1.9 square kilometres.
Formed by the uplift of underwater lava and blanketed in low scrubby vegetation, North Seymour is one of the best wildlife-watching spots in the entire archipelago. Witness blue-footed boobies performing their iconic courtship dances, magnificent frigatebirds soaring overhead, and marine iguanas basking on dark volcanic rocks.
The day also features classic Galápagos activities — hiking, snorkeling, and swimming — in some of the most pristine waters you’ll find anywhere on Earth.
Highlights: North Seymour Island, blue-footed booby courtship dance, frigatebirds, marine iguanas, snorkeling
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- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 9: Santa Cruz – Return to Quito
Enjoy your final morning on Santa Cruz Island at leisure — take a last walk through Puerto Ayora, pick up handmade souvenirs, or simply sit by the harbour and watch the sea lions do what they do best.
A private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to Quito, where you’ll spend your last night reflecting on an extraordinary Ecuador Galapagos Tour.
Highlights: Free time in Puerto Ayora, private transfer to airport, return to Quito
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- Quito
- Day 10: Quito – Departure
At the appropriate time, a private transfer will escort you to Quito’s international airport. Bid farewell to Ecuador — the colonial grandeur, volcanic islands, and unforgettable wildlife of this Ecuador Galapagos Tour will stay with you long after you return home.
Highlights: Private airport transfer, international departure
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