9-Day Galapagos Island Hopping And Quito Tour From Quito

B = Breakfast included
L = Lunch included

DAY 1:
QUITO ARRIVAL
Today you will be picked up with an English speaking driver from the airport. You will be taken to your hotel in Quito.
Accommodation at Casa Aliso or similar

DAY 2 (B, L):
QUITO CITY & EQUATOR TOUR
After breakfast, our guide pick you up to do a City tour in the historical centre of Quito (part of the UNESCO Wold Heritage list), the Pululahua Crater and to the Equator museum (Inti Nan). You will have a local lunch in the historical center of Quito.
Accommodation at Casa Aliso or similar

DAY 3 (B, L):
QUITO – BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
In the morning our driver drops you off at Quito Airport from where you fly to the Island of Baltra. At the airport in Baltra, you will meet up with your English speaking guide who takes you in direction to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island). But on the way you will stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit a farm where they have giant tortoises in their natural habitat. You will have a local lunch there (only if you arrive before 14.00). Afterwards, you will be dropped off in your hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Accommodation at Fernandina Hotel or similar

DAY 4 (B, L):
CHARLES DARWIN’S STATION – BAY TOUR
After breakfast you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. It is known for its amazing turtles, born from only 3 inches to 4 feet long. These species of turtles tend to interact with each other and also with humans, showing their head for a pet. The new hatchlings are kept until they are approximately four years old and strong enough to survive on their own. After lunch you will do the Bay Tour. With the Bay Tour you visit the highlights around Puerto Ayora by boat. The first destination will be La Loberia where you find sea lions. Next you will navigate for about 15 minutes to arrive at Punta Camaño Islet. Here you will snorkel with sea lions and a large variety of fish. Also, you will go on a channel where you can spot Tintorera sharks and blue footed boobies. Your next activity will be a visit to the Channel of Love. This is another formation by fissure that results in a beautiful sleepy water channel with excellent scenic beauty. Finally Playa de Los Perros. This is a 15-minute walk until you reach the beach where you will be able to observe lots of dog crabs colonies, lots of large marine iguanas on the island and unparalleled scenic views.
Accommodation at Fernandina Hotel or similar

DAY 5 (B, L):
PUERTO AYORA – FLAMINGO LAGOON – TINTORERAS – WETLANDS
At 7 AM you take a small public speedboat to Isabela, which lasts approximately three hours. After dropping the luggage in your hotel you will start with the activities; Tintoreras, Wetlands and Flamingo Lagoon.
Tintoreras Islet is called like this due to a large crack, in which white-tip sharks known as Tintoreras come daily to rest at the bottom. You will have a transport which will take you to the pier of Puerto Villamil, here you will board a boat for 10 minutes to cross to the islet which is located across the bay. It will be necessary for passengers to use walking shoes or sneakers (closed shoes) to cross the volcanic rocks. You can also observe penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas and you can go snorkeling with colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela. After lunch you will have a little break and then you will have a tour to The Wetlands, here you will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where you will spot small and giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The next activity is a visit to The Wall of Tears and Flamingo Lagoon.

• Please have in mind that the total length of the walk in The Wetlands area is approximately 3 to 4 hours.
  Accommodation at Hotel San Vicente or similar

DAY 6 (B, L):
SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
Early in the morning, you will go on a 30 to 40 minute boat ride from Puerto Villamil. The max group size is 10 participants per guide. You will explore the brilliant scenery in Los Tuneles which is considered the most beautiful place to snorkel in Isabela Island. Around the Los Tuneles you will find a highly contrasted color for snorkeling with clear, calm water. Additionally, the lava flows that passed through this area had formed unique geological formation and, of course, shaped like tunnels. You will get the chance to spot large quantities of seabirds such as the Albatros, Flamingos, Blue Footed Boobies and the magnificent frigatebird. Besides, you can find species feedings such as tortoises, swimming iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes. This exciting activity takes approximately about 6 hours including the boat rides and a snack before a short hike. The snorkeling area is about 800 meters and the average water temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. The departure time is between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM and depends on availability and National Park regulations. So, depending on when you will go to Los Tuneles, you can choose to explore Concha Perla by yourself before or after this, since it is very close to the dock. If you would like to do the optional snorkeling there, you can get the snorkel equipment from your hotel and get to chance to spot even more animals.
Accommodation in Hotel San Vicente or similar

DAY 7 (B):
THE TWINS – BALTRA
At 6 AM you will travel to Baltra Airport, but on the way you will stop by “ The Twins” (“The Gemelos”), which are similar to craters, but formed by a collapse of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below it. In the afternoon you take a flight back to Quito where you have the time to relax and to prepare for your last day in Ecuador.
Accommodation at Casa Aliso or similar

DAY 8 (B):
QUITO FREE DAY/ OPTIONAL DAY TOUR
Today you have a day off to explore Quito yourself, to go shopping or to take an optional day trip to Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Mindo, Baños or Otavalo.
Accommodation at Casa Aliso or similar

DAY 9 (B):
TRANSFER OUT
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport.

• All meals are included (B= breakfast, L = lunch/lunchbox).
  • Return flights from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands.
  • Accommodation in double/single private room at standard tourist class hotels.
  • Airport pickup and drop off at Baltra airport at your arrival/departure time.
  • Transportation on and between the Islands as described in the itinerary.
  • Local naturalist guide (English & Spanish speaking).
  • All activities as described in the itinerary.
  • Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins and life vest.
  • 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.

• Voucher: You will receive a secure voucher to either print out or present on your mobile phone.
  • Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation anytime prior to tour.
  • Quality Assurance: Travelade only works with selected local partners we trust to provide high quality service.