Charting the Galápagos Islands
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
Enjoy exploration time on San Cristóbal Island
Fly to Quito
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
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: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
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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
-
Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Enjoy exploration time on San Cristóbal Island
Fly to Quito
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Take a day trip to Otavalo
Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan
Explore the local market
Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi
-
Day 9: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
-
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
-
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
Reviews
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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.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
