Please note that the Quito international airport (UIO, Mariscal Sucre) will be closed on the following dates in 2025 for preventative maintenance on the runway: April 5 & 12; May 10, 17 & 31; June 7, 14, 21, 28; September 6, 13 & 20, between the hours of 2am and 2pm. For passengers flying in or out of Quito on these dates, please double-check flight schedules with your airline in case of changes. Internal flights within Ecuador and Galapagos will be adjusted accordingly and any changes to schedules will be communicated at the welcome briefing.
Upgraded Land Galapagos
10 days, Quito to Papallacta
Itinerary
Day 1Quito
Arrive at any time.
If you are not able to attend the welcome meeting, our representative will leave all important information at your hotel’s reception indicating what time to be ready the next day.
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative
The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Quito City Tour & Equator Line
Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day
Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the early evening. **Park entrance fee is not included and is split among the number of travellers in the group**
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
NH Collection Royal Quito (or similar)
Day 2Quito/San Cristóbal Island
Fly to the Galápagos Islands. Visit the Interpretation Centre in the afternoon to learn about the natural history of the area. Explore the trails around the centre and opt to snorkel at nearby Las Tijeretas.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Interpretation Center Visit
Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Las Tijeretas Walk
Walk to 'Las Tijeretas' located just past the Interpretation Centre. Feel free to go on your own – this walk does not need a guide and is well marked. Walk quietly up the hill and you mind find some nesting frigatebirds. Cool off at the beach or go snorkelling off the rocks to spot schools of colourful fish.
Accommodation
Blue Marlin Hotel (or similar)
Blue Marlin Hotel is an excellent choice for travellers visiting San Cristobal, offering a friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Rooms at Blue Marlin Hotel offer a minibar, a refrigerator, and air conditioning providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi.
A pool will also help to make your stay even more special.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3San Cristóbal Island
Snorkel at Kicker Rock, an impressive volcanic rock formation, rich in wildlife diversity both under the surface and above.
Snorkelling (Kicker Rock)
Embark on a snorkelling adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most stunning landmarks in the Galápagos Islands that’s home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life that inhabits the nutrient-rich water. Explore the rock which rises 150m (492 ft) above the ocean's surface, and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. See an array of sharks and fish that are drawn to the rock and provide for an exhilarating unique snorkelling experience.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Puerto Chino Beach Visit
Head to this white-sands of Puerto Chino beach and go for a swim or lounge in the sun.
La Lobería Beach Visit
8USD per personVisit La Lobería beach and be greeted by a colony of sea lions. Keep your eyes open for marine iguanas on the black rocks and sea turtles in the shallow bay.
Playa Mann Visit
Head to this white-sand beach just a short walk from town. Go for a swim or watch snoozing sea lions.
Accommodation
Blue Marlin Hotel (or similar)
Blue Marlin Hotel is an excellent choice for travellers visiting San Cristobal, offering a friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Rooms at Blue Marlin Hotel offer a minibar, a refrigerator, and air conditioning providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi.
A pool will also help to make your stay even more special.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4San Cristóbal Island/Floreana Island
Travel by speedboat to Floreana Island. Walk along the black sand beach until La Lobería with its resident sea lion colony, and enjoy meals at the G Adventures-supported community restaurants that help to support community tourism on the island.
Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.
Speedboat
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
La Lobería - Floreana
Follow the black sand beach to La Lobería a sea lion nursery. The white-sand beach, protected bay, and turquoise waters are perfect for a swim or snorkel.
Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Restaurants
To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.
Accommodation
Floreana Lava Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Floreana Island/Isabela Island
Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana in the early morning. Enjoy guided walks to observe birds and other wildlife and learn about the area's natural history. Then, transfer by speedboat to Isabela Island. In the afternoon, take a wildlife boat excursion to 'Islote Tintoreras' to view breeding white-tip reef sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, rays, and penguins.
Floreana Highlands Excursion
Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.
Las Tintoreras Excursion
Tour the "Tintoreras" to watch manta rays and whitetip reef sharks swim in the channels between the rocks. Get up close to pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies, and keep an eye out for rare Galápagos penguins, the only species found in Galápagos and north of the Equator.
Speedboat
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Accommodation
Hotel Cally (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Isabela Island
Enjoy free time to explore Isabela Island. Opt to hike Sierra Negra, go snorkelling at Los Tuneles, or take it easy. In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
Please note that space may be limited for optional activities during high season, these activities are operated by third-party operators and will be subject to availability.
Free Time
Enjoy a free morning on the island to explore on your own. Optional activities like snorkelling and hiking can be arranged in destination.
Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit
Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Los Tuneles Snorkelling
140-150USD per personGrab your swimsuit, a snorkel, and head out to explore the waters to see what’s living under the sea. Head to Los Tuneles about a 40 minute boat ride away from Puerto Villamil. The lava formations and mangroves make this an ideal place for snorkeling. Keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and large schools of colourful fish.
Sierra Negra Volcano Crater Viewpoint Excursion
60-80USD per personLace up your hiking boots to explore the landscape around the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos.
Wall of Tears Bike Visit
20USD per personCycle to the 'Wall of Tears' and tour this sombre historical site that pays homage to the prisoners of an on-island penal colony, who were forced to build a wall out of huge blocks of lava. Many prisoners died during the wall's construction between 1946 and 1959.
Surfing Lesson Isabela Island
120USD per personGrab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
Accommodation
Hotel Cally (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Isabela Island/Santa Cruz Island
In the morning, transfer by speedboat to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy time for optional activities in Puerto Ayora before an evening out in town.
Speedboat
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Free Time
Enjoy free time to explore the island on your own and at your own pace.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Tortuga Bay Kayaking
15USD per personGrab a life jacket and go for a kayak adventure in the mangroves of Tortuga Bay. Keep an eye out for a wide variety of marine life, including colorful reef fish, rays, and sea turtles, as you paddle the blue waters. Relax after on a beautiful fine white sand beach, and soak up some sun – you may spot some iguanas also trying to catch some rays on the shore.
Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.
This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion
50USD per personVisit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible wildlife.
Swimming at Las Grietas
Cross a cactus forest looking for Darwin finches and lava lizards on the way to Las Grietas, a local swimming hole. The cool, bright turquoise water separates two volcanic cliffs. Fed by the ocean from one end and a river from the other this unique brackish pool is perfect for swimming.
Accommodation
Villa Laguna (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Santa Cruz Island/Papallacta
Say goodbye to the Islands and take a flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival, transfer to Papallacta.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Termas Papallacta (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Papallacta
Relax in the hot springs of Papallacta while taking in the volcanic views. Opt to go for a hike nearby for prime birdwatching.
Your Wellness Moment: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit
Soak in the natural hot springs the area is known for and let the mineral waters, which vary in temperature, soothe your body. Make your way through the circuit with views of the Antisana volcano in the distance. After an hour in the mineral springs, the group will have lunch together at the nearby restaurant featuring regional cuisine specialities.
Accommodation
Hotel Termas Papallacta (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Papallacta
Depart at any time.
Papallacta is located roughly 35 minutes from the Mariscal Sucre International airport in Quito. The lodge can assist in booking a taxi for you.