Compare Galapagos Islands Family Adventure by Andean Discovery vs Quito, Galapagos, and Guayaquil by Gray Line Ecuador

Day 1: Arrive Quito, Ecuador

Welcome Briefing

Quito, Ecuador, is a spectacular city positioned just a few miles shy of the equator in a narrow valley surrounded by volcanoes. At 9,350 feet above sea level, it is the second highest capital city in Latin America, and maintains a pleasant spring-like climate all year round. Quito is also the cultural epicenter of Ecuador, with a plethora of museums, expansive outdoor parks, and colorful festivals and fairs. Upon evening arrival into Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you will be met by Andean Discovery staff and transferred to your hotel, perched on the crater rim of the dormant Pululahua Volcano.

Day 2: Quito - Cloud Forest zip-lining

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Canopy Zip-line in the Cloud Forest and Visit the Equator Line

Meet up with your guide this morning and travel by private vehicle to the famous cloud forests of Mindo. Watch the scenery transform as you descend the high slopes of the Andes into the lush green forests below, keeping an eye out for waterfalls and cascades along the way. Located in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, Mindo is home to over 300 different species of tropical birds–including toucans, quetzals, owls, and hummingbirds–and countless other plant and animal species. Catch a birds-eye-view of it all during a thrilling canopy zip-line tour, a series of 13 platforms and lines spanning over two miles across the upper levels of the forest. After lunch, travel to zero degrees latitude and visit the Mitad del Mundo equatorial monument. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere and test out the effect of gravity on the equator through a series of interactive experiments. For example, is it possible balance an egg on the equator? Go for a hike in the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve and learn how small farms subsist from the fertile lands of the volcano floor. Enjoy dinner with your guide and a briefing about the upcoming Galapagos excursion.

Day 3: Fly to the Galapagos | Santa Cruz | Isabela

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises in the Wild

This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time for your mid-morning flight to Baltra Island, Galapagos. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, you will meet your Naturalist Guide and travel to Santa Cruz Island. This afternoon explore the highlands of Santa Cruz. As you ascend, you will travel through several different vegetation zones and witness the landscape become increasingly lush and green by the minute. Here you’ll have the opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: giant Galapagos tortoises in their wild habitat. It’s a real treat to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia forest (an endemic giant daisy tree). Birds such as the vermilion flycatcher will delight everyone with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch. Explore an amazing network of lava tubes, underground tunnels formed by hot liquid rock. The outer part of the tunnels hardened and cooled even as the interior lava continued to flow. Eventually, the flowing interior lava emptied out, leaving hollow cave-like structures. Sample some of the local cuisine and board our speedboat for the two-hour journey to Isabela Island. Check in at your beachfront eco-lodge and finish the day with a refreshing swim in turquoise waters as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 4: Isabela Island - Volcano Hike & Surfing

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Sierra Negra Volcano Hike and Surf Lesson

This morning travel 13 miles inland to the island’s highlands, where you’ll discover Sierra Negra, one of the largest volcano craters in the world, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 1,000 feet deep. Steaming fumaroles and the charcoal-black landscape are proof of its ongoing volcanic activity. Hike around the crater rim to see lava remains from the 2005 eruption. Opt to extend your hike and visit Chico Volcano, a neighboring crater with lunar-like landscapes, including various formations of petrified lava.

This afternoon cool off with a surf lesson from a local Galapagos surfer and see the islands from a different perspective. The Galapagos archipelago is a world-class surfing destination, and with its beautiful beach break, Isabela is the perfect place to learn.

Day 5: Isabela Island - Snorkeling & Mt. Biking

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Snorkeling Excursion to Tintoreras | Biking the Coast

After breakfast, board a dingy with your guide and travel across the bay to Tintoreras Island, a resting place for white-tip reef sharks. En route you may see Galapagos Penguins, which seem comically out of place so close to the equator. Once ashore, a short hike reveals the largest colonies of marine iguanas in the Galapagos, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and Blue-footed Boobies. Return to the bay for a snorkel—look for sea lions, rays, and many different species of tropical fish.

This afternoon hop on a mountain bike to explore Los Humedales, a series of coastal pools, lagoons, and endemic mangroves that boast an abundance of birds and native plants. Keep your eyes out for herons, Black-necked Stilts, and Galapagos pintails, and be careful for Marine Iguanas crossing the road. Then make your way to the Wall of Tears, the remains of an old penal colony, and learn about the human history of the Galapagos.

Continue by bike to the home of a local Galapagos family for a special visit. Roll up your sleeves and learn how to cook a traditional meal, including fresh seafood and other native treats. Enjoy the meal with your hosts who will share personal stories about life on the island.

Day 6: Boat to Santa Cruz Island

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Boat to Puerto Ayora and explore a pristine beach

This morning depart by boat for Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, the largest port town in the Galapagos. Enjoy some free time on your own before lunch. This afternoon visit Garrapatero beach, where it is possible to explore the coast by sit-on-top kayaks and observe wildlife such as brown pelicans, flamingos, lava lizards, and lava gulls.

Day 7: Santa Cruz - Coastal Hike & Darwin Station

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Tortuga Bay and Charles Darwin Research Station

This morning we hike 45 minutes through a dry coastal forest and white sand beach to Tortuga Bay, a secluded cove surrounded by mangrove forests. Keep your eyes out for shore birds like Whimbrels, Ruddy Turnstones, Great Blue Herons and endemic Lava Gulls. This afternoon opt for a guided visit of the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will learn about current scientific research on the islands and the Station’s mission to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center. Observe how tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. Or enjoy some time on your own for shopping in Puerto Ayora and to wander around the port town.

Day 8: Fly to Quito

Meals: Breakfast

Return to Quito

This morning transfer to the airport in Baltra Island in time for your morning flight to Quito, with connection in Guayaquil. Stop along the way to view the breathtaking Twin Craters, formed by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met by your Andean Discovery guide and driver and transferred to your hotel, conveniently located in a rual village near the airport. A light lunch/snack is served on the plane.

Day 9: Depart

Meals: Breakfast

Depart

This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time for your international flight.

Day 1:

Transfer from airport to Hotel in Quito. Accommodation.

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast

1914 Original trolley city tour of Quito + Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World

We will visit the historic center, the largest and best preserved in South America, in one of our original trolleys, which are a replica of the trams that circulated in Quito in the last century.

Visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional Church, where we will make a brief stop for an explanation of its facade, to later move towards the Panecillo viewpoint, an iconic place in the city, renowned for its beauty, and where is a giant statue of the ""Winged Virgin"", where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. Later we will continue to the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the representative places of the city and full of history, from where we will walk to the Plaza Grande, historical and political center of the city, surrounded by innumerable attractions including: the Cathedral, the Palace of Government, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañía church.

We continue our tour meeting the traditional La Ronda neighborhood, in whose romantic setting we can find workshops where our visitors will learn with a group of authentic artisans, how their works are elaborated, and trades of yesteryear that keep alive the cultural traditions of this charming city. (Entrance to churches are not included).

We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and later we continue with our excursion “Northern and south Hemisphere Experience in the Middle of the World”.

We go to the ""Middle of the World City"", where you can see the monument that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere of the planet. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line that divides the world and it is a must-see place for those who visit Quito. Includes entrance to the Middle of the World complex ,where you can live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world. After visiting this privileged place and registering it in your passport, you will always see Ecuador and the Middle of the World in a different way.

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel before your transfer to the airport for your flight to Galapagos. 

Welcome at the Baltra airport and transfer by public buses to the tip of the Itabaca canal, where you will proceed by a public ferry service in the Island of Santa Cruz. Transport will be waiting in order to transfer you to Puerto Ayora, area where the hotels are located on the Island. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the lava tunnels and a Turtle reserve. Visit to the Scientific Charles Darwin Station, where you can learn more about the Galápagos Islands; the species that live in this enchanted place, its origin, the theory of Evolution, the conservation programs, and observe some Giant Turtles in captivity. (Transfer operates daily at 13h00). Accommodation.

**It will be possible to operate transfers without visits and without guide at the following times: 10h00 and 15h00** (previous request)

Day 4:

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning excursion to Tortuga Bay Beach, after 40minute walk (approx.) we will arrive to this magic place, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, with white sand and green mangroves. “Playa mansa” is where we can swim and enjoy of the beach.  Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, tour around the bay on board a yacht, starting with a visit to “La Lobería”, named because of the presence of sea lions. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel. Then we proceed with our tour to the “Canal del Amor”, a marvelous site where nature gives us an unforgettable view; at the end of this channel, just a few meters forward, a viewpoint where we can observe reef sharks; from here we continue with a short

walk to see the marine iguanas that inhabit in “Playa de los Perros”.  Punta Estrada will also be visited. Return to Puerto Ayora.

*Note: shipping used in this excursion is a boat engine with capacity for 16 people. This tour only takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast

Excursion in yacht to one of the following Islands: Bartolomé & Bahía Sullivan, Seymour & Bachas, Plazas & Punta Carrión, Santa Fe or similar ones. Lunch included and return to Puerto Ayora to accommodation.

** Tour Operations in Galápagos, may change due to climate conditions, operations, and logistics and are also subject to availability and itinerary changes, days of excursions, etc. However, GRAY LINE Guarantees the number of excursions and visits to be met, but does not guarantee the itinerary or specific place to visit.

Day 6:

Meals: Breakfast

We will pick you up at your hotel to go to the canal of Itabaca, where a ferry will take you to Baltra Island. At the port you will board a public bus that takes you to the airport. On the route from the hotel to the canal, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the craters ""Los Gemelos"", crater holes formed by the collapse of materials, surrounded by scalesia's forests. (Transfer operates daily at 07h00, 09h00 and 12h00). Includes only transport.

Transfer Airport / Hotel in Guayaquil. Accommodation.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer Hotel / Airport