Ecuador and Galápagos Expedition

Upon arrival at Quito Airport, you will be met by your local guide, who will also serve as your translator and assist with your private transfer to your hotel, where you will stay for the next three nights.

Nestled within a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital and one of South America’s most visually stunning cities. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito later became an important part of the Inca Empire before being re-founded by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. Its colonial centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, remains one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America, filled with museums, churches, and art galleries.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, relaxing at your hotel or exploring nearby cafés and plazas at your own pace.

Accommodation

Standard: ILLA Experience Hotel & Spa

(Your accommodation will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.)

Meals: Breakfast included

Today, enjoy a full-day guided exploration of Quito’s historic centre and the Equatorial Line, combining culture, architecture, and geography in one immersive experience.

After breakfast, meet your local guide and begin your journey through Quito Colonial, the city’s UNESCO-listed old town. Start along the “churches trail” with a visit to the Cathedral, where your guide explains its history and design — from the Mudejar influences in its earliest stage to the three longitudinal wings and the small transversal wing behind the choir.

Continue with a short walk to La Compañía de Jesús, a masterpiece of American Baroque architecture. Its ornate interior glows with gold-leaf altars, carved faces, and birds — a true artistic treasure. The church also holds the remains of Saint Marianita of Jesus, revered as the protector of Quito.

Next, visit San Francisco, famous for the legend of Cantuña. At the San Francisco church, there is a local handcraft store called Tianguez, where you can find a variety of items from the Ecuadorian culture. Here, you can buy postcards, books, Ecuadorian music, and natural products, and even get a coffee with Humitas (which is a sweet corn tamale) offered at the local Café Cantuña located at the Plaza San Francisco.

Around midday, travel to Mitad del Mundo, the monument marking the equator line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres. You may visit either the Ethnographic Museum or the Intiñan Museum, both offering fascinating insights into Ecuador’s cultural and scientific heritage. En route, stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch (own expense).

After the tour, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Accommodation

Standard: ILLA Experience Hotel & Spa

(Your accommodation will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.)

Meals: Breakfast included

After an early breakfast, depart Quito and travel south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a breathtaking corridor of snow-capped peaks and fertile valleys. Your destination is Cotopaxi National Park, located about 60 km from Quito and home to one of Ecuador’s most iconic landmarks — the Cotopaxi Volcano, the world’s highest active volcano.

Upon arrival around midday, take in the dramatic scenery and observe the park’s endemic flora and fauna, including wild horses, deer, llamas, and the bright orange Chuquiragua, known as the mountaineer’s flower.

Visit Limpiopungo Lake, nestled near the Rumiñahui Volcano, where you can enjoy gentle walks and bird-watching along the lakeshore. For those seeking a little more movement, short accessible trails offer panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

After your exploration, return to Quito for overnight.

Accommodation

Standard: ILLA Experience Hotel & Spa

(Your accommodation will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included

This morning, transfer by private vehicle to the airport for your included flight to the Galápagos Islands.

Located 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Archipelago consists of 19 islands and more than 40 islets formed by volcanic activity over six million years ago. Discovered in 1535 by Tomás de Berlanga, each island is a unique ecosystem, home to extraordinary endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. In 1978, UNESCO declared the islands a World Heritage Site, and the surrounding waters form the legally protected Galápagos Marine Reserve, one of the world’s premier wildlife destinations.

Upon arrival in San Cristóbal, you will pass through the mandatory inspection point to ensure no foreign plants or animals enter the archipelago. Here, visitors pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee:

• Foreign adults: USD 100
• Foreign children under 12: USD 50

Your guide will meet you after the checkpoint, assist with luggage, and accompany you to the pier. From here, board a motorised panga (tender boat) to reach your vessel.

You will spend the next nights aboard the M/C Galápagos Seaman Journey, a first-class boutique catamaran offering comfort, stability, and personalised service. The yacht’s itineraries include land excursions across several islands, where you may encounter iconic wildlife such as giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, penguins, frigatebirds, and more.

This afternoon, visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, surrounded by lush gardens and ocean views. The centre offers an excellent introduction to the islands’ geological origins, human history, conservation efforts, and natural heritage — an inspiring start to your Galápagos journey.

Overnight on board.

Accommodation

First Class Catamaran: M/C Galápagos Seaman Journey

(Your final vessel or land-based stay will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

This morning, visit the Galapaguera on San Cristóbal Island — one of the best places to observe Galápagos giant tortoises in a semi-wild environment. San Cristóbal is home to several endemic species, including the San Cristóbal Mockingbird (Nesomimus melanotis), lava lizard (Microlophus bivittatus), and the Chatham Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus leei). The surrounding beach is also an important nesting site for marine turtles, and between January and May you may see the tracks of females who have climbed the dunes to lay their eggs. It’s a rare and unforgettable glimpse into the natural rhythms of the islands.

This afternoon, continue to Cerro Brujo, a spectacular white-coral beach framed by turquoise water and dramatic lava formations. This is the very first coastline Charles Darwin set foot on in 1835. Here, you can swim, relax on the sand, or snorkel in the calm bay, often accompanied by playful sea lions.

The area is rich in birdlife, including blue-footed and Nazca boobies, herons, frigatebirds, and a variety of shorebirds. With luck, you may spot the Pájaro Brujo, an endemic species unique to San Cristóbal. The protected bay is also known for young sea turtles that glide through the shallows, while the saltwater pools behind the dunes — once used by fishermen as natural salt mines — add to the area’s cultural history.

The surrounding vegetation includes candelabrum cactus, carob trees, and other hardy coastal species, creating a striking contrast against the white sand and crystal-clear water. Located on the island’s north coast, Cerro Brujo is peaceful, pristine, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago.

Accommodation

First Class Catamaran: M/C Galápagos Seaman Journey

(Your final vessel or land-based stay will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

This morning, arrive at Gardner Bay, located on the northeastern coast of Española (Hood) Island. This stunning stretch of white sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago — perfect for relaxing, swimming, or kayaking in calm, turquoise waters. The beach is home to a large colony of Galápagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki), often seen resting along the shoreline or playing in the surf. In the crystal-clear shallows, it is also possible to observe reef sharks gliding peacefully through the water.

Gardner Bay is an excellent location for birdwatching, with three species of Darwin’s finches commonly seen here:

• A subspecies of the large-billed cactus finch (Geospiza fuliginosa)
• The small-beaked ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa)
• The singing finch (Certhidea olivacea), an endemic subspecies

Both resident and migratory birds frequent this area, making it a rewarding stop for wildlife enthusiasts.

This afternoon, continue to Suarez Point, one of the most dramatic and wildlife-rich sites in the Galápagos. This rocky headland is a prime nesting area for blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and — from April to December — the magnificent waved albatross, which uses the cliffs as a natural launching pad for flight. The trail offers exceptional photography opportunities, especially at the iconic blowhole, where seawater shoots 50–75 m into the air through a natural fissure in the lava rock.

Along the route, you may also encounter Española’s unique species, including the endemic Española mockingbird and the vibrant marine iguanas that thrive on this island’s warm volcanic terrain.

Accommodation

First Class Catamaran: M/C Galápagos Seaman Journey

(Your final vessel or land-based stay will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

This morning, visit Cormorant Point, home to one of the most impressive flamingo lagoons in the Galápagos. Situated between two tuff-lava cones, the landscape has a striking, almost otherworldly atmosphere. In addition to the vibrant flamingos, this area is rich in shorebirds, including common stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and a variety of migratory species.

Cormorant Point is also known for its two contrasting beaches:

• Green Beach, coloured by a high concentration of olivine crystals
• Flour Sand Beach, a soft white shoreline made entirely of coral

 The combination of volcanic terrain, unique sand composition, and abundant birdlife makes this site one of the most visually captivating stops in the archipelago.

After your guided walk, continue to Champion Islet, one of the best snorkelling locations in the Galápagos. The surrounding coral reef attracts an abundance of marine life, including sea turtles, sea lions, and a colourful array of reef fish. Conditions here are ideal for both snorkelling and observing underwater wildlife from the surface.

This afternoon, visit the historic Post Office Bay, a site dating back to the 18th century when whalers placed a wooden barrel here to serve as an informal postal system. The tradition continues today — visitors can leave postcards and take others to deliver by hand, keeping the centuries-old custom alive.

Post Office Bay was also one of the landing sites for the earliest settlers in the Galápagos. After exploring the area, enjoy some relaxed time on the beach, taking in the peaceful surroundings and the unique charm of this storied location.

Accommodation

First Class Catamaran: M/C Galápagos Seaman Journey

(Your final vessel or land-based stay will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

This morning, enjoy a final excursion in the Galápagos with a visit to the Turtle Trails, a gentle interpretive path designed to highlight the ongoing conservation efforts that protect the islands’ fragile ecosystems. While most travellers come to the Galápagos to witness its extraordinary wildlife, this experience offers a deeper understanding of the scientific work, environmental management, and preservation strategies that safeguard the archipelago for future generations. It’s a reflective and meaningful way to conclude your time in this remarkable natural sanctuary.

After your visit, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport for your included flight back to the mainland city of Guayaquil.

Upon arrival, take the hotel’s courtesy shuttle to your accommodation for the night. Settle into your room and enjoy a relaxed evening in preparation for your onward journey tomorrow.

Accommodation

Standard: Wyndham Guayaquil Puerto Santa Ana

(Your accommodation will be selected based on your mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodivergent, and access requirements.)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included

Today your journey comes to an end. After breakfast, take the hotel’s courtesy shuttle to Guayaquil International Airport for your onward flight. Assistance can be arranged at the airport if required.

Thank you for travelling through Ecuador and the Galápagos — a region of extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and culture.

Meals: Breakfast included

Package Price

From AUD $10,449 per person (based on 2 adults sharing)

*International, regional, and domestic flights are not included. Flights can be arranged on request.

*Included: Flights between Quito → Galápagos Islands → Guayaquil.

Tour Inclusions:

• Flights between Quito → Galápagos Islands → Guayaquil
• 8 Nights' accommodation in carefully selected hotels (matched to your requirements), including 4 nights aboard a carefully selected vessel (matched to your requirements).
• 8 Breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners
• Unlimited purified water, coffee, and tea on board the chosen vessel (this may vary depending on the vessel)
• Full-day guided tour of Quito’s historic centre and the Equatorial Line, including English-speaking naturalist guide and entrance fees
• Full-day visit to Cotopaxi National Park, including English-speaking naturalist guide, entrance fees, and lunch
• Galápagos Government Migration Control Card
• Entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park
• Return private airport transfers in Quito
• Shared airport transfers in the Galápagos Islands
• Courtesy airport shuttle in Guayaquil

Galápagos Cruise Inclusions (this may change depending on the choice of vessel):

• All meals on board
• Unlimited purified water, coffee, and tea
• Certified Naturalist Bilingual Guide (Level III)
• All visits and excursions as per itinerary
• Snorkel gear (mask, tube, fins)
• Kayaks
• Wetsuit rental not included

Exclusions

• International, regional, and domestic flights not included
• Any meals not specified in the itinerary
• All alcoholic and non‑alcoholic beverages unless specified
• Entrance fees and excursions not listed as included
• Laundry unless specified
• Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
• Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, souvenirs, medicines, etc.)
• Visa fees
• PCR or antigen testing required by airlines, transit countries, or home country

Tipping is not included. The following guidelines are optional and provided to help you budget.

• All tips are based on per person and at the traveller’s discretion. For children, 50% of the suggested amount is customary.
• To help you budget for your trip, the following is given as a guideline only (shown in US Dollars):
• Airport assistance — USD$3 per person
• Airport driver — USD$3 per person
• Driver (half day) — USD$2.50 per person
• Driver (full day) — USD$5 per person
• Guide (half day) — USD$5 per person
• Guide (full day) — USD$10 per person
• Camp staff — USD$5 per person per day
• Cruise staff — USD$5 per person per day
• Hotel porters — USD$1 per bag
• Housekeeping — USD$1 per person per night
• A la carte dining — 10% of bill

Information from Smartraveller regarding entry requirements.

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador

Important Notes: 

• The above itinerary is subject to availability.
• Final pricing will be confirmed before booking and subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations.
• Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
• One standard piece of luggage per person is included in the vehicles (20 kg). Extra baggage may apply additional charges.