Quito & Galapagos Explorer - 5 days

Quito & Galapagos Explorer - 5 days

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$1415

Quito & Galapagos Explorer - 5 days

5 Days Starting and ending in Quito, Ecuador

Visiting: Quito, Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

5-

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Interests:

Wildlife Tours

From: $1415

NB: Prices correct on 18-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with the "Quito & Galapagos Explorer" tour. Begin your adventure in Quito, where you can leisurely explore the vibrant capital city. Then, fly to the enchanting Galapagos Islands, spending three nights on Santa Cruz Island. Discover the island's unique wildlife, including giant tortoises and Darwin's finches, as you explore the Santa Cruz Highlands. Enjoy a full-day motor yacht excursion with a local fisherman, offering breathtaking views and encounters with incredible marine life. Snorkel among sea turtles and playful sea lions at La Loberia Island, and hike to the scenic Tunel del Amor. With expert bilingual guides and comfortable accommodations, this small group tour promises an unforgettable experience in one of the world's most remarkable natural settings.

Highlights

  • Quito - Enjoy free time to stroll around Ecuador's lofty capital city and explore at your own pace.

  • Galapagos Islands - Spend three nights on Santa Cruz Island and enjoy a full day motor yacht excursion with a local fisherman, taking in incredible marine life and scenery.

  • Santa Cruz Highlands - Explore the beautiful Highlands to see endemic giant tortoises, Darwin's finches, and dramatic lava formations.

  • Bay of Puerto Ayora - Snorkel amongst sea turtles and inquisitive sea lions at La Loberia Island and hike to the Tunel del Amor for incredible views.

  • Visit the huge sea lion colony on La Loberia Island and enjoy snorkeling amongst sea turtles and colorful fish.

  • Hike to the Tunel del Amor (Lover's Tunnel) for a chance to see white tip reef sharks prowling in the shallow waters.

  • Embark on a full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman and an expert naturalist guide to explore the waters surrounding one of the Galapagos' more remote islands.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Quito

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: hotel

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador's capital city. On arrival, there is an included transfer to the hotel. You can spend the evening exploring at leisure, before our Galapagos adventure begins tomorrow.





Tour Style: This tour is made up of a selection of excursions and activities, with transportation and a choice of standard or superior accommodation. You will have different bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for each excursion. Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travellers from outside of the group and the group size may exceed 16. Please note: Internal flights are not included in the cost of the tour but we can book these for you on request.

Day 2: Galapagos Islands

Location: Santa Cruz

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Quito - Baltra (Galapagos) - Santa Cruz. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, gateway to the Galapagos. Note that your flight to Baltra is not included. We can assist with booking your flights to and from the Galapagos. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information





From Baltra, we take the ferry to Santa Cruz. We then spend the rest of today exploring the Highlands on a guided tour. You will visit shelters for the endemic giant tortoises, see lava tunnels and other geological formations. We also have a great chance to spot some of Darwin's famous finches. After a day of wonderful wildlife, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Day 3: Galapagos Islands

Location: Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we enjoy a half-day exploration of Puerto Ayora's bay. We pay a visit to the huge sea lion colony on La Loberia Island and enjoy snorkelling amongst sea turtles and colourful fish, as well as the curious sea lions.





Next we embark on a hike to the Tunel del Amor (Lover's Tunnel). From this viewpoint we may be able to see white tip reef sharks prowling in the shallow waters. We then head to Punta Estrada, a good spot for catching sight of the Galapagos Island's famous marine iguanas.





Please note: If you prefer, a full day tour is available today, for an additional fee. You will visit Cerro Meza and enjoy kayaking at Garrapatero instead.

Day 4: Galapagos Islands

Location: Galapagos Islands

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we embark on a full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman, his friendly crew, and an expert naturalist guide to explore the waters surrounding one of the Galapagos' more remote islands. There will be plenty of swimming and snorkelling opportunities along the way. After our full day taking in the wonderful wildlife and beautiful scenery of the region, we return to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Day 5: Quito

Location: Quito

Meals Included: Breakfast

Santa Cruz - Baltra - Quito. After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer back to the airport on Baltra and return to Quito, or Guayaquil, where our tour ends. Note that the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil is not included. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information. We can assist with booking this flight.

What's Included

  • 4 breakfasts & 2 lunches

    The tour includes 4 breakfasts and 2 lunches during your stay.

  • 4 nights 3-4 star hotels (4 star upgrade available)

    Accommodation for 4 nights in 3-4 star hotels is included, with an option to upgrade to 4-star hotels.

  • Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 5

    Transfers from the airport to the hotel on day 1 and from the hotel to the airport on day 5 are included.

  • Services of expert bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for sightseeing

    Expert bi-lingual local guides will be available for sightseeing.

  • Transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles

    Transportation during the tour will be in modern, air-conditioned vehicles.

  • Return ferry tickets Baltra - Santa Cruz

    Return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz are included.

  • Guided sightseeing of the Galapagos Islands as per itinerary

    Guided sightseeing tours of the Galapagos Islands are included as per the itinerary.

  • Note: This tour is operated by a trusted local partner

    The tour is operated by a trusted local partner, and you may join travelers from other operators.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

    International flights and visa costs are not included in the tour package.

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

    Tipping is not included and is considered a personal gesture.

  • Galapagos flights Quito - Baltra and Baltra - Quito/Guayaquil

    Flights between Quito and Baltra, and Baltra and Quito/Guayaquil are not included, but assistance with booking is available.

  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee

    The Galapagos National Park entrance fee of US $100 per adult and $50 per child under 12 is not included.

  • Tourist transit card (Ingala)

    The tourist transit card (Ingala) fee of US $20 per person is not included.

  • Optional excursions

    Optional excursions are not included in the tour package.

Mode of Transport

Travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles with airport transfers included on arrival and departure days. Enjoy return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz, and explore the Galapagos Islands with guided sightseeing tours.

Accommodation

Enjoy a comfortable stay in 3-4 star hotels, with an option to upgrade to 4-star accommodations. Experience the charm of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, where you'll spend three nights in a welcoming hotel setting.

Age Policy

minimum age 5 years 

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the Galapagos Islands tour?

    During the Galapagos Islands tour, you can expect to see endemic giant tortoises, Darwin's finches, sea turtles, sea lions, white tip reef sharks, and the famous marine iguanas.

  • Are there any snorkeling opportunities during the tour?

    Yes, there are several snorkeling opportunities during the tour, including snorkeling amongst sea turtles and sea lions at La Loberia Island and during the full-day boat excursion with a former fisherman.

  • Will I have a guide during the excursions?

    Yes, you will have expert bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for sightseeing and excursions throughout the tour.

  • Is the group size limited during the excursions?

    Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travelers from outside of the group, and the group size may exceed 16 passengers.

  • What is the accommodation like during the tour?

    The tour includes 4 nights in 3-4 star hotels, with an option to upgrade to 4-star accommodations.

  • Is transportation included during the tour?

    Yes, transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles is included, as well as return ferry tickets between Baltra and Santa Cruz.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.