Menu
  • Quito

    Quito

    Ecuador's mountain capital
    The first thing you notice about Quito is that it takes your breath away...
  • Isla Santa Cruz

    Isla Santa Cruz

    Almost all visitors to the Galapagos Islands will touch down in Isla Santa Cruz at some point...
  • Isla Bartolomé

    Isla Bartolomé

    Tiny Bartolomé is most famous for its landscapes and scenery...
  • Isla Santiago

    Isla Santiago

    Once a hideout for smugglers and pirates, Isla Santiago is now best-known for Sullivan Bay, where century-old lava has solidified into bubbles and caves, and Puerto Egas, a wet landing where you can see seals, sea lions and sea birds...
  • Quito

    Quito

    Ecuador's mountain capital
    The first thing you notice about Quito is that it takes your breath away...

Start in Ecuador’s mountainous capital of Quito, checking out the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, complete with colonial architecture, beautiful churches and busy squares. From here, you’ll fly to the Galapagos Islands and Isla Santa Cruz to stay in a carbon-neutral eco-lodge atop a dormant volcano. From here, you’ll spend several days exploring Santa Cruz’s giant tortoises, sea lions and volcanos, as well as taking day cruises around nearby islands. You’ll snorkel with penguins and tropical fish, explore lava fields and learn more about the archipelago’s wildlife, before returning to your lodge each night. Transfer back to Quito for your departure.

Key information

Destinations Quito, The Galapagos Islands
Activity Luxury, Nature & Wildlife
Physical Level Easy
Season Season January - December

This itinerary would cost from $4,680 per person with our Quito specialist.

Book this trip with Lost World Adventures
Start here

Suggested itinerary

Explore colonial Quito

Explore colonial Quito

Day 1 in Quito

The first thing you notice about Quito is that it takes your breath away.

Not in a clichéd 'look at the amazing scenery' way; it's more of a literal 'I've just stepped off the plane at three thousand metres above sea level and I feel like I've got a 30-cigarettes-a-day habit.

Squeezed between Volcán Pichincha and a cloud-shrouded mountain range which looms broodingly over the city, Quito is moulded into an elongated strip that is thin enough to cross by foot but so long it vanishes into the horizon. Almost 1.5 million people live in this strand of urban spaghetti but despite its endless suburbs, the city's gems are conveniently concentrated in the few blocks that make up the Unesco World Heritage site of Quito old town.

As the sun sets behind Pichincha, you can see the spires of the old town and beyond it a small hill, El Panecillo ('bread loaf,' so named for its odd shape) on which stands the towering Virgin of Quito looking down over the city. In the foreground runs a long strip of park linking the old town with the anarchic bustle of the new town and in the other direction, a few kilometres north of the city, is the equator and the 'Centre of the World' science museum, a favourite of hemisphere-hopping tourists.

A stroll through the old town is a lesson into the long history of war, conquest and cultural assimilation that occurred in this city ever since the Spanish arrived in South America in the mid 16th century. The original Inca city had been destroyed by civil war immediately before the conquistadors' arrival and the Spanish wasted no time in capitalising on a divided opposition. After the annihilation of the Inca empire, the city was rebuilt according to Spanish designs but by the hands of enslaved indigenous labourers, a process which produced a unique cultural fusion, the 'Quito school of art' which is still visible in the architecture and galleries of the old town.

Meanwhile, with the winds of the Inquisition in their sails, the Spanish set about converting the native population to Christianity; churches were established on the remains of sacred sites, imposing statues were built, and the gore-filled tales of the Bible were depicted in grotesque exaggeration on carvings and paintings. In the Basilica del Voto Nacional, an emaciated Jesus, face locked in agony and with blood dripping down his arms and feet, stands crucified above crowds of genuflecting indígenas. In the Monastery of Santa Catalina, paintings warn sinners of their ultimate punishment in graphic and brutal detail.

Yet despite their best efforts, the Spanish strategy of terrifying the natives into conversion only partially worked. Cultural cross-pollination touched the religious world too, blending ancient tradition with this new faith, with often spectacular results.

Outside the cocoon of the old town, the rest of Quito carries on with its daily life. Only the occasional passing of an indígena, burdened by loads that are often larger than they are, reminds you that this busy, noisy bustle is merely the latest phase in Quito's long history.

Follow in Darwin’s footsteps on Isla Santa Cruz

Follow in Darwin’s footsteps on Isla Santa Cruz

Day 2 in Isla Santa Cruz

Almost all visitors to the Galapagos Islands will touch down in Isla Santa Cruz at some point. From beach walks at Tortuga Bay to giant tortoises at El Chato Reserve, there is plenty to see — but make sure to visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn more about the wildlife you’ll encounter on your trip.

Yacht excursion to Isla Bartolomé

Yacht excursion to Isla Bartolomé

Day 3 in Isla Bartolomé

Tiny Bartolomé is most famous for its landscapes and scenery. A set of steep steps leads to a 360-degree viewpoint over the island, looking back on black volcanic formations, marine life and striking reds and greens.

Yacht excursion to Isla Santiago

Yacht excursion to Isla Santiago

Day 4 in Isla Santiago

Once a hideout for smugglers and pirates, Isla Santiago is now best-known for Sullivan Bay, where century-old lava has solidified into bubbles and caves, and Puerto Egas, a wet landing where you can see seals, sea lions and sea birds.

Return to Quito

Return to Quito

Day 5 in Quito

Return flight from Baltra Island airport to Quito for your onward connection.

Where to stay

Classic

Habitat Hotel

An iconic Galapagos hotel situated in Puerto Ayora on the waterfront of Academy Bay, Isla Santa Cruz. Hotel facilities include private deck and restaurant area with incredible panoramic views of the Galapagos Islands.

Classic

Coral 1 & 2

The perfect cruise vessels for charter groups where comfort is guaranteed. Equipped with two terraces, a dining area, lounge, library, jacuzzi and restaurant serving Ecuadorian and international cuisine.

Capacity: 36 passengers.

Deluxe

Sea Star Journey

Boutique yacht offering a wide range of itineraries for those wanting visit the Galapagos Islands in comfort. Featuring 8 air-conditioned suites and spacious social areas with all the luxuries and facilities of a superior first class motor yacht.

Capacity: 16 passengers.

Deluxe

M/V Santa Cruz II

Conceived for operations in remote areas, this state-of-the-art expedition vessel carries just 90 passengers and a crew of 52, including 6 naturalist guides and a medical officer. Facilities include dining/bar/lounge area, boutique/gift shop, Internet access, reading room/natural history library, glass-bottom Boston Whaler, snorkelling equipment and wet suits.

Capacity: 90 passengers.

Deluxe

Pikaia Lodge

A secluded, sustainability-focused hotel nestled on top of an extinct volcano crater, offering luxurious accommodation with an on-site restaurant, infinity pool, spa and lounge bar.

Book this itinerary

This route booked with one of our specialist tour operators would cost from $4,680pp. Pricing varies by accommodation class, and can be tailored to suit your budget.

Pricing is typically inclusive of hotels, transfers, meals, and all guided excursions and activities.

Other itineraries you might like

Quito, The Amazon Basin, The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos and Amazon basin combined

Explore the highlights of Ecuador

Approx. 10 days
Isla Isabela, Isla Genovesa, Isla Española

Classic Galapagos cruise

See the best of the Galapagos Islands

Approx. 4 days
Isla Isabela, Isla Rabida, Isla San Cristóbal (and 3 more)

Galapagos expedition cruise

Luxury-class cruise of the islands

Approx. 8 days

Why Horizon Guides?

Impartial guidebooks

Impartial travel guides

Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world's best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.