Explore Ecuador and the Galapagos by Land and Sea

Upon arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, you will be greeted by your helpful Latin Trails guide. The guide will serve as a translator, help with luggage, and assist with the private transfer to your hotel. Transfer time 45-minutes to 1 hour.

Breakfast included at the hotel. Your full-day City and Middle of the World Tour with lunch will depart towards the city center of downtown Quito, or Centro Histórico, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. We will start with a panoramic view of Alameda Park and the Basilica, followed by a walk down the street of the Seven Crosses. The trip will continue with a walking tour, starting at Independence Square. From here, we will visit the presidential palace, the main cathedral, the gold-plated La Compañía Church, San Francisco Church and San Francisco Plaza. Around midday the tour will head north to the equator for a trip to the monument at the Middle of the World. You may choose to visit either the Ethnographic or the Inti Ñan Museums, both located near the site of the monument. Along the way we will stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. After seeing these incredible sites, return to your hotel.

Meals included: B/L

Breakfast included at the hotel, then check out. You will be picked up at 8:00 a.m. for your Otovalo and Catachachi Tour. Your tour will begin in Otavalo, the town famous for its weekly artesian market. On the way on the Panamerican Highway, we will stop at Calderon, a town where the famous masapan dolls are made, continuing on through Guayllabamba town where you can sample its typical fruit, the cherimoyer. We will also stop on the highway to admire the beautiful landscape and snow-capped mountains in the area. We continue, making a short stop at San Pablo Lake, and then Cuicocha where a hike will give you the opportunity to view a variety of Andean flora and fauna surrounding the lake and its unique landscape. The lake, with its beautiful crystal waters, has two small islands created by volcanic domes, and has a depth of approximately 200 m. With a clear sky during the trek, you will be able to see the snow-capped peaks of the Cayambe volcano, the Cotopaxi volcano, and the craters of Cotacachi and Imbabura. You will start your hike at 3,100 m and you will reach a viewpoint at 3,500 m. From this point onward, you will descend to the level of the lake. After lunch you will visit the small artisan village of Cotacachi and then head to the hacienda Zuleta.

Meals included: B/L/D

Hacienda Zuleta is a remarkable "estancia" offering amazing Ecuadorian history dating back to the XVI Century. Located in the Andean Mountains 9600 feet above sea level and two hours north of Quito, the Hacienda Zuleta is a colonial working farm and belongs to the a former Ecuadorian President. Hacienda activities include riding horses or biking to the Condor Rehab facility, hiking to the local waterfall, a tour of the cheese making factory, bird watching, a visit to the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation of weavers, the 14th century Caranqui archeological pyramids and so much more. Take advantage of these activities on your two days here.

Meals included: B/L/D

Enjoy your free day at Hacienda Zuleta.

Meals included: B/L/D

Breakfast included as departure time allows. Check out and transfer to the airport for your Galapagos flight. The flight from Quito to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours. Upon arrival at San Cristobal, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. You will receive your INGALA card, which is an identity card that you have pre-paid. Guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called ‘Pangas’ will transport you to the Sea Star and our crew will welcome you on board. After departure and lunch, we will make our first island visit. In the afternoon we will return to the mainland for a visit to the Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Center, about a 40 minute bus ride. This center was built to improve the population of the island tortoises. The center includes a large corral, a visitors center, breeding center and an interpretative trail. Along this trail it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds such as the San Cristobal Mockingbird, Yellow Warblers, and many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher.

Overnight, we will sail to Espanola Island.

Meals included: B/L/D

In the morning, we will visit Gardner Bay on Española Island. Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the clear ocean waters.

In the afternoon, we will visit Punta Suarez on Esapanola Island. This rocky land spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow hole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air depending on the intensity of the surf.

Meals included: B/L/D

In the morning will visit Punta Cormorant, Floreana. This site offers probably the best Flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It is situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.

In the afternoon, we will visit Post Office Bay and Baroness Lookout, Floreana. Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. We will continue to the north of the island and will ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo.

Meals included: B/L/D

In the morning we will visit Santa Fe. Located in the south-eastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than a volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly flat. There are some theories that this could be the oldest island in the Archipielago. Santa Fe is the home of a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands Iguanas of the islands. After disembarkation in the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well giant Prickly pear cactus. Gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fishes.

In the afternoon, we will go to Plazas, which is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. They are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana's crest, but the face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favorite food. Swallow Tailed Gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

Meals included: B/L/D

In the morning, we will visit North Seymour Island. Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions can be found body surfing. Watch your step, as the boobies don't worry much about where they nest, and you might just step on one. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps. They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves. There is a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

In the afternoon, we will go to Bachas Beach and Santa Cruz Island. These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel.

Meals included: B/L/D

In the morning we will go to Mosquera Islet, located between Baltra and North Seymour. This is a small islet formed by a geological uplift, with a reef of rocks and coral and a great white sand beach, where a big population of sea lions lie. You can also observe several species of shorebirds. This site offers great snorkeling and swimming. Along the rocks, Red Lava crabs or Sally light-foot crabs are frequently seen. End your cruise and disembark.

On return to Baltra, camp staff will transfer you to the Galapagos Safari Camp. Galapagos Safari Camp is a new way to experience the Galapagos, either in addition to a cruise or as a unique destination in itself. Our eco-luxury tented camp – one of the first in Latin America – follows the African safari tradition in which guests enjoy total comfort under canvas while experiencing nature in its purest form. Relax for the remainder of the day.

Accommodations at Galapagos Safari Camp in a luxury tent. Our nine luxury tents are located below the main lodge. Erected on wooden platforms, they are composed of three layers: one to protect against the sun, another against the rain, and an inner canvas shell. Inside they are spacious (27m2), and their custom-made furniture was designed with comfort, practicality and elegance in mind. Twin beds can be joined to become one queen bed; there are cupboards, a writing desk and a fan/heater for temperature control. A sofa bed can be added for children under 12. The in-suite bathrooms are tastefully designed with hot power showers and flush toilets. All the tents have a large balcony with a hammock and chairs from which to take in the wonderful view.

Meals included: B/L/D

Free day to enjoy at your leisure while at Camp. Relax and enjoy the amenities at the Camp or sign on for a tour.

Meals included: B/L/D

Free day to enjoy at your leisure while at Camp. Relax and enjoy the amenities at the Camp or sign on for a tour.

Meals included: B/L/D

Breakfast included at the Camp as flight time allows. Check out and head to the airport for your international flight. Free day to enjoy at your leisure while at Camp. Relax and enjoy the amenities at the Camp or sign on for a tour.

Meals included: B

Air to GPS round trip estimate $600-$650 pp.

Ingala Card $20

Galapagos National Park fee $100