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 in Quito
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Day 2: Quito
Take a tour of Quito
With your tour director you will see:- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit Santo Domingo Monastery
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intinan Museum
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Day 3: Baltra • Isabela Island
Fly to Baltra
Continue on to Isabela Island
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Day 4: Isabela Island
Participate in a volcano walk
Take an excursion to a pink flamingo habitat
Enjoy a snorkeling activity where you’ll see penguins, flamingos, sea lions, and iguanas
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Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
Continue on to Santa Cruz Island
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit the Santa Cruz Highlands
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Day 6: San Cristobal Island
Enjoy a boat excursion to San Cristóbal Island
Hike up Tijeretas Hill
Visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center
Take a coastal walk along La Loberia beach
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Day 7: San Cristobal Island • Quito
Enjoy activities on San Cristobal Island
Fly to Quito
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Day 8: Otavalo
Visit Otavalo handicraft market
Enjoy a local community visit for a weaving workshop
Depart for home
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Day 9: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Riobamba
Travel to the Riobamba region
Visit the Banos hot springs
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Day 10: Riobamba • Guamote
Participate in cultural immersion activities
- Meet children at their school
- Observe farming, handicrafts, cooking
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Day 11: Riobamba • Guamote • Quito
Participate in a second day of cultural immersion activities
Return to Quito
Depart for home
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Day 12: Arrive home
-
Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport in Quito
-
Day 2: Quito
Take a tour of Quito
With your tour director you will see:- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit Santo Domingo Monastery
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intinan Museum
-
Day 3: Baltra • Isabela Island
Fly to Baltra
Continue on to Isabela Island
-
Day 4: Isabela Island
Participate in a volcano walk
Take an excursion to a pink flamingo habitat
Enjoy a snorkeling activity where you’ll see penguins, flamingos, sea lions, and iguanas
-
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
Continue on to Santa Cruz Island
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit the Santa Cruz Highlands
-
Day 6: San Cristobal Island
Enjoy a boat excursion to San Cristóbal Island
Hike up Tijeretas Hill
Visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center
Take a coastal walk along La Loberia beach
-
Day 7: San Cristobal Island • Quito
Enjoy activities on San Cristobal Island
Fly to Quito
-
Day 8: Otavalo
Visit Otavalo handicraft market
Enjoy a local community visit for a weaving workshop
Depart for home
-
Day 9: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
-
Day 9: Riobamba
Travel to the Riobamba region
Visit the Banos hot springs
-
Day 10: Riobamba • Guamote
Participate in cultural immersion activities
- Meet children at their school
- Observe farming, handicrafts, cooking
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Day 11: Riobamba • Guamote • Quito
Participate in a second day of cultural immersion activities
Return to Quito
Depart for home
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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.
