Charting the Galápagos Islands
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Group Leader: Jarek Crossley
Requested Return Date: 6/27/2026
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
Your perspective on the world evolves when you walk in Darwin's footsteps on this fascinating archipelago.
On Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal islands, observe the giant tortoises, finches and mockingbirds that helped solidify Darwin's theory of evolution. On mainland Ecuador, the discoveries are more culturally oriented at Quito's Independence Plaza, the Intiñan Museum and Otavalo.
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator
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Day 3: Quito • Baltra Island • Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Baltra Island
Visit the Twin Craters
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild tortoises
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
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Day 4: Santa Cruz Island • Isabela Island
Travel by boat to Isabela Island
Visit a pink flamingo habitat
Visit a tortoise breeding center
Take a boat excursion to the Tintoreras Lava Islet
Go snorkeling
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Day 5: Isabela Island • Santa Cruz Island
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island
Hike to Tortuga Bay
Enjoy some relaxation time on Playa Mansa
Visit the Playa de los Alemanes Beach
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Day 6: Santa Cruz Island • San Cristóbal Island
Travel by boat to San Cristóbal Island
Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Hike Tijeretas Hill
Go snorkeling at La Loberia Beach
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Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Fly to Quito
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo
Take a day trip to Otavalo
Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan
Explore the local market
Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi
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Day 9: Quito • Riobamba
Travel to Riobamba
Visit the Devil's Cauldron waterfall
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Day 10: Riobamba • Guamote
Participate in a cultural exchange with a local community
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Day 11: Riobamba • Quito • Depart for home
Enjoy a hike through the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve
Travel to Quito
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Day 12: Arrive home
-
Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator
-
Day 3: Quito • Baltra Island • Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Baltra Island
Visit the Twin Craters
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild tortoises
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
-
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island • Isabela Island
Travel by boat to Isabela Island
Visit a pink flamingo habitat
Visit a tortoise breeding center
Take a boat excursion to the Tintoreras Lava Islet
Go snorkeling
-
Day 5: Isabela Island • Santa Cruz Island
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island
Hike to Tortuga Bay
Enjoy some relaxation time on Playa Mansa
Visit the Playa de los Alemanes Beach
-
Day 6: Santa Cruz Island • San Cristóbal Island
Travel by boat to San Cristóbal Island
Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Hike Tijeretas Hill
Go snorkeling at La Loberia Beach
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Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Fly to Quito
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo
Take a day trip to Otavalo
Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan
Explore the local market
Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi
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Day 9: Quito • Riobamba
Travel to Riobamba
Visit the Devil's Cauldron waterfall
-
Day 10: Riobamba • Guamote
Participate in a cultural exchange with a local community
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Day 11: Riobamba • Quito • Depart for home
Enjoy a hike through the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve
Travel to Quito
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Day 12: Arrive home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?
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See your tour come to life
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Internal flights; Boat
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily; 3 meals on days 3-6
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director; comprehensive sightseeing of natural attractions
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Entrances
Compañía de Jesús church; Intiñan Museum; Charles Darwin Research Station; artisan’s workshop
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Questions about this tour? Connect with us one-on-one via live chat,
or give us a call at 800-665-5364.
