Embark on a 9-day adventure from Quito to the Galapagos Islands with a city stay and cruise aboard La Pinta. Begin in Quito with visits to historic sites including Independence Square, La Compañía Church, San Francisco Monastery, and El Panecillo. Continue to museums, colonial architecture, and cultural landmarks before flying to Baltra.
Board La Pinta for an island expedition across the Galapagos. Visit Seymour Norte, Isabela, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, Rabida, and Floreana. Activities include hiking volcanic landscapes, snorkeling with marine life, kayaking, and panga rides. Wildlife sightings may include blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, and giant tortoises. Return to Quito to conclude your journey.
Highlights
Explore UNESCO Quito historic center and surrounding cultural landmarks
Hike Seymour Norte observing frigatebirds and blue footed boobies
Visit Floreana Post Office Bay and historic island viewpoints
Snorkel Isabela and Fernandina with marine iguanas and penguins
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Upon arrival in Ecuador, check into your hotel in Quito. Meals are included on this day, but restaurants are available in the city or at the hotel. Settle in before the next day’s activities.
Explore Quito on a full-day visit to a UNESCO World Heritage city. Walk through historic neighborhoods, visit a museum with pre-Incan artifacts, and view the city from El Panecillo, home to the Virgin of Quito statue. Continue to Independence Square, where daily life takes place around the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and nearby landmarks. Enter La Compañía Church, known for its gold-leaf interior, and visit San Francisco Church and Monastery, which houses a collection of Colonial religious art.
After the morning activities, have lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel in the afternoon to rest and prepare for the cruise. In the evening, join a group dinner at a local restaurant and rest before an early flight to the Galapagos.
Fly from Quito to Isla Baltra and board the ship La Pinta. Your first excursion is to Isla Seymour Norte to see blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. A hike and panga ride reveal striking geological formations and abundant birdlife.
By panga, explore Punta Vicente Roca on Isla Isabela, known for its dramatic coastlines and rich marine life. Look for flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies. Snorkel among fish and green sea turtles. Later, hike on pristine Isla Fernandina to observe marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and other wildlife.
Stroll in Urbina Bay to search for large, colorful land iguanas and possibly giant tortoises. Cross the Bolívar Channel while scanning for whales and dolphins. At Tagus Cove, snorkel, kayak, or take a panga ride before hiking to an overlook above Darwin Crater.
Day 6: Isla Rabida and Isla Santa Cruz – Cerro Drago
Rabida’s red-sand beach attracts sea lions, marine iguanas, and pelicans. Snorkel from the beach or observe marine life from a glass-bottom boat. In the afternoon, land at Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on Santa Cruz to look for flamingos and land iguanas basking in the sun.
Day 7: Isla Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Station and Highlands
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about giant tortoise conservation and see hatchlings raised for repatriation. Enjoy lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. In the afternoon, travel into the highlands of Santa Cruz to search for wild giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Day 8: Isla Floreana – Post Office Bay and Baroness Viewpoint
Snorkel, hike, kayak, or explore by glass-bottom boat around Isla Floreana. At Post Office Bay, drop a letter in the historic barrel and see if there is one you can hand-deliver back home. A hike to Baroness Viewpoint offers panoramic views and the chance to spot flamingos or green sea turtles.
Day 9: Isla Baltra | Disembark and Departure
1 Breakfast
Return to Isla Baltra and disembark. Fly to Quito for connecting flights home or continue your adventure with an optional Machu Picchu land extension.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$11,6002-3 travelers
Captain
Sitting area; queen, fixed queen, or twin beds; desk and chair; private bath with shower; safe deposit box.
Admiral
Sitting area with foldout couch; queen or twin beds; desk and chair; private bath with shower; safe deposit box.
Notes
Due to the nature of your explorations, itineraries are guidelines and may change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur.
Child Discount
Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 20% of the cruise plus port taxes and fees and 50% of any land services, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard or Discover
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
