Land-based Tour of the Galapagos

(7 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Quito, Galapagos lodge (Santa Cruz Island)

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to get the most out of the Galapagos Islands but prefer to sleep on land. It features accommodation at the best resort hotel in the Galapagos, naturalist-led excursions on Santa Cruz Island and naturalist-led day trips aboard a private yacht to landing sites on surrounding islands.

Begin in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a historic city set among snowcapped volcanoes in the Andes. With your private local guide, tour the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Spanish colonial-era architecture. Explore the expansive Plaza San Francisco, colorful back streets, historic markets, hidden courtyards and Baroque churches and monasteries with spectacular interiors such as La Compania de Jesus and the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco. Visit Quito’s best museums according to your interests, such as Museo de la Ciudad, Museo Nacional, Casa del Alabado and the Museo de Arte Moderna. Also visit traditional workshops and perhaps shop for a high-quality Panama hat—an Ecuador original. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a gourmet chocolate tasting, a gondola ride up Pichincha Volcano for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains or a visit Casa Museo Guayasamin, the former home and workshop of the acclaimed Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin.

Next, fly to the Galapagos Islands, a dream destination for nature lovers, and stay four nights at Pikaia Lodge on Santa Cruz Island, the finest resort hotel in the Galapagos. Enjoy naturalist-led day trips aboard Pikaia's private 100-foot yacht to landing sites on Santa Cruz and the most interesting surrounding islands, such as Bartolome, Santiago and North Seymour. See incredible volcanic landscapes, and get close to iconic Galapagos wildlife such as giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. Depending on the season, also see mating rituals, newborns feeding, territorial squabbles and more. If desired, snorkel in areas frequented by sea lions, penguins, sea turtles and schools of colorful fish. Also enjoy a naturalist-led excursion on Santa Cruz to highlights such as the giant tortoise reserve, lava tubes, scalesia forest and the Charles Darwin Research Station, where different subspecies of Galapagos tortoises are raised.

Upon request, this tour can easily be extended to include time in the Otavalo region, Amazon basin or other highly recommended destinations in Ecuador.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Quito VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Quito Full-day private tour Day 3 Quito – Galapagos lodge Private transfer to airport. VIP lounge access and flight to Galapagos Islands. Arrival transfer to lodge for 4 nights Day 4 Galapagos lodge Full-day shared yacht excursion to nearby islands Day 5 Galapagos lodge Santa Cruz Island touring with naturalist guide Day 6 Galapagos lodge Full-day shared yacht excursion to nearby islands Day 7 Galapagos lodge – Depart Quito Transfer to airport for flight to Quito. Use of a day room until evening private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance Day 8 Depart Quito Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

Quito: Casa Gangotena Galapagos lodge: Pikaia Lodge

Cost

$20,230 Per person (double occupancy)