Galapagos Islands Explorer (Private)
New
Private Tour: Discover the Galapagos Islands on this 7-day tour from Quito. Visit Santa Cruz Island to explore volcanic highlands, see giant tortoises and lava tubes, and snorkel in Academy Bay with sea lions and reef fish. Walk along Playa de los Perros and spot iguanas. Learn about wildlife at the Charles Darwin Research Station, then head to San Cristobal Island. Cruise to Isla Lobos to observe blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and manta rays in their natural habitat before returning to Quito.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
7 daysHotel Rating
3-5 star hotelsStarts
QuitoEnds
QuitoMinimum Age
8 years oldMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Galapagos that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
No - can be booked on requestDeparture Transfer
No - can be booked on requestTour Guide
Local Guides for scheduled sightseeingCountries
Galapagos, EcuadorMeals Included
Breakfast: 6, Lunch: 4Passengers
$5,460.00
$1,638.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max N/A
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Tour Guide
Local Guides for scheduled sightseeingGroup Size
Min 2 / Max N/ARange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Trip Type
Private ToursTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Quito!
Welcome to Quito, the largest and best-preserved colonial city in South America, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Known as the Cultural Capital of South America, it lies on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Once you have arrived in Quito, make your way to the hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, then you may have some time to explore Quito's historic old town and its surroundings.
Airport transfers are not included on this tour, but we can arrange them for you.
Tour Style: This tour is semi-private. It departs on a day of your choice and you will not travelling as part of a group, but water transportation and included excursions in the Galapagos will be on a shared basis, with other travellers.
Day 2 - Giant Tortoises & Lava Streams
Quito - Baltra Island (Galapagos Islands) - Puerto Ayora. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your included onward flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by ferry to Santa Cruz Island, crossing the Itabaca Channel.
Then travel by car to the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the giant Galapagos tortoises, a lush, volcanic landscape with dense forests, unique flora, and dramatic craters. At a private ranch, search for tortoises and explore lava tubes formed by solidified lava streams. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
Day 3 - Academy Bay Discovery
This morning, embark on a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Take a short boat ride from Santa Cruz Island to the bay, where you will have the chance to swim and snorkel alongside sea lions, exotic fish, and other marine life. These curious creatures may even swim right next to you. As you sail, you might even spot the blue-footed boobies, renowned for their striking blue feet, which make them highly sought after by birdwatchers and photographers.
Next, head to a viewpoint where, if you’re lucky, you might spot white-tipped reef sharks swimming below. Afterward, make your way to Playa de los Perros, where you will walk along the beach and potentially see marine iguanas basking in the sun. The deep red colour of the rocks and the turquoise, sparkling ocean provide stunning photo opportunities.
Please note: Make sure to bring all necessary items like a change of clothes and a towel, complimentary snorkel gear is available for those who wish to explore underwater.
Day 4 - Darwin Research Station & Transfer to San Cristobal Island
Puerto Ayora - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Today, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the active conservation and preservation initiatives on the Galapagos Islands.
In the afternoon, travel by speedboat to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 5 - Isla Lobos Boat Excursion
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the dock for a boat ride across to Isla Lobos, located off the coast of the much larger San Cristobal. Along the way, you may spot various marine animals, such as sea lions, manta rays, and possibly even sharks or dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
Upon arrival, embark on a tour of the island, exploring the white coral beaches to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions, and occasionally sharks, all thriving in the island’s waters and landscape. You will have some time to enjoy a walk along the beach, swim or spot more wildlife before we return to the hotel.
Day 6 - San Cristobal to Quito
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal) - Quito. Today, you will have the morning at leisure to explore San Cristobal. Later, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your included flight back to Quito.
Once you have arrived back in Quito, you will be met and transferred to the hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 7 - Quito
Your tour ends today after breakfast. Airport transfers are not included, so you can make your way to the airport or continue your travels independently.
Airport transfers and post tour accommodation can be arranged on request.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post Tour Accommodation - Quito
Additional Extras
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Add-on: Quito City Tour
On this 3 hour city tour explore the heart of Quito through a local lens, strolling its narrow streets and visiting key cultural and historical landmarks including the Golden Church, San Francisco Square and the Main Square. Enjoy a stop at Luis’ local workshop, “Cruz Verde”, where his family has been hand-making the traditional sweets known as colaciones for over 100 years, keeping Quito's tradition alive. Then continue to El Panecillo to see its iconic monument of the Virgin Mary, which towers over the city, and from the top of the hill enjoy stunning panoramic views across the capital.
Add-on: Cotopaxi Volcano Day Expedition
Just south of Quito rises Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano, surrounded by a national park filled with diverse plant life, abundant wildlife and traces of Inca history; we travel south along the Panamericana to the park entrance, visit the natural history museum and then continue up the volcano to around 4,500 metres. From the parking lot it's a 45-minute walk up to the refuge. We descend and drive across the páramo to Limpiopungo Lake to enjoy a gentle walk, birdlife and superb Andean views, returning to Quito in the afternoon. Meals included: Lunch. Note: Minimum 2 people required to operate this tour.
Add-on: Papallacta Hot Spring Spa
Depart Quito in the morning travelling along the road that leads to the Amazon, stopping briefly at the Papallacta Lagoon to admire its páramo landscape before continuing to the Termas de Papallacta hot springs, where we enjoy a short cloud-forest walk as our guide explains the area’s rich biodiversity, spotting orchids and colourful birds along the way. Then take time to relax in volcanic thermal pools or opt for spa treatments; after a recommended lunch stop, we make our way back to Quito, arriving in the late afternoon. Note: Minimum 2 people required to operate this tour.
Add-on: Mindo Cloud Forest
Travel for just over an hour from Quito to the Mindo Cloud Forest, a haven of incredible plant and animal life and a paradise for birdwatchers. This day trip is a full nature adventure, from exploring a pre-Inca archaeological site and walking through a wild orchid collection to visiting a stunning jungle waterfall. Highlights include a butterfly farm, where we watch giant butterflies emerge and even feed them from your hand, as well as optional activities like tubing down rapids, soaring along 13 canopy zip-lines, or visiting a small chocolate factory to see cacao transformed into delicious treats. The tour combines wildlife, culture, and adventure, returning to Quito by late afternoon. Meals included: Lunch. Note: Minimum 2 people required to operate this tour.
Add-on: Quito City Tour & Equator
Explore the heart of Quito through a local lens, strolling its narrow streets and visiting key landmarks such as the Golden Church, San Francisco Square and the Main Square. Then step into Luis’ “Cruz Verde†workshop, where his family has made traditional colaciones for over a century. Over lunch, join locals for a tasty meal, before heading to the Equator Line to stand on both hemispheres and try balancing an egg on a nail. Meals included: Lunch.
Add-on: Otavalo Market Fair
Setting off early from Quito, we travel through striking Andean scenery to the renowned Otavalo Market, South America’s most famous Indigenous fair, where we wander cobbled streets lined with Otavalo people in traditional dress and browse vibrant stalls filled with textiles, paintings, jewellery, ceramics and tapestries. Our journey continues to Cotacachi, known for its fine leather goods, before we head to the village of Pijal for a hands-on cultural experience with the Sacha WarmiKuna women’s project, learning about traditional textile skills, culinary heritage and helping to prepare ajà before enjoying a freshly cooked Andean meal and exploring their crafts. There’s also time to purchase beautiful handmade scarves before we return to Quito in the late afternoon.
Quito Airport Transfer (one way per car max 6)
Quito Airport Transfer (one way per car max 4)
Quito Airport Transfer (one way per car max 2)
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Twin/Double and Single prices are per person and based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. Prices may vary depending on hotel and room availability.
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