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Upon arrival, an English-speaking guide will greet you outside of Customs holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting private driver and vehicle, and will also accompany you to your accommodation to assist with check-in.

 

A city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and home to many spectacular historic churches, Quito has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all of South America. The integrity of this fascinating historic city was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site. Join your private guide and walk through the city's Main Plaza to see the Government Palace, the spectacular gilded church of La Compañía, and some of the most important churches built through the 16th and 17th centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery. Visit La Ronda, the city’s famous colonial street to learn about traditional jobs in colonial Quito. Your final stop will be Panecillo, a hill that divides Quito between north and south. Here you will be able to admire the famous statue Our Lady of the Panecillo, built by Bernardo de Legarda, while taking in spectacular views of the city. After a break for lunch in the emblematic neighborhood of La Ronda, enjoy a chocolate sampling experience, starting with a guided tour that explains the history of cocoa in Ecuador. Cocoa has been revered in Latin America for over 5,000 years, and Spanish explorers treasured it so much they dubbed it the ‘Food of the Gods’. Learn about Republica del Cacao, an ambitious company that aims to produce the most authentic chocolate while developing sustainable fine cocoa production practices. This day of discovery concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.

 

Transfer to Quito Airport with your private driver and an English-speaking guide.

Board a flight in Quito with service to the Galapagos, connecting via Guayaquil. Approximate flight duration is four hours. Please note: Flight rates and availability are subject to change until booking.

All guests visiting the Galapagos Islands are required to have medical travel insurance. Proof of insurance is required upon entry to the Galapagos Islands, and your insurance policy must be valid for the duration of your stay. Medical Travel Insurance can be purchased through Kensington Tours or independently. Please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.

The mandatory Galapagos tourist transit card is included in your itinerary.

The mandatory Galapagos National Park entrance fee is included in your itinerary. Please Note: All Galapagos excursions are to be referenced as a guideline only - the route and program are subject to change according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety precautions and estimated wildlife encounters, etc. A fuel surcharge is applicable to all vessels cruising in the Galapagos and all flights to and from the Galapagos. These surcharges have been included in your trip price. Fuel Surcharges are subject to change without notice and additional fees may be applicable at time of travel.

Upon arrival to Baltra Airport – gateway to the Galapagos – you will be greeted by a local representative who will whisk you away to a special VIP lounge where you will have the opportunity to change into swimwear and to put on some sunscreen before transferring to the Itabaca Channel. At Itabaca, explore the beautiful turquoise waters with your private guide while kayaking, snorkeling or using a stand up paddleboard (SUP). Throughout the water activities you will spot famous Galapagos wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, sea lions, brown pelicans, a variety of herons and white-tipped reef sharks, gliding past beautiful red mangrove forests and lava rock cliffs on water so clear you can see the marine life in the shallows. Your ocean (sit on top) kayaks come in doubles or singles, and life jackets are provided. A support boat will also escort you throughout the water activities to ensure safety and to provide water, snacks and towels between activities. After an hour or two on the water, you will be transferred to your accommodations on Santa Cruz Island.

 

Begin the day with a visit to the Cerro Mesa viewpoint from which you can admire the whole southern shore of Santa Cruz. Afterward, continue on towards one of the iconic formations in Cerro Mesa – its collapsed crater – by hiking downhill for about 30 minutes. Explore the fascinating crater floor and relax for a while before starting the hike back (which takes between 45 minutes to an hour). During the hike, you will have excellent opportunities to see endemic bird species such as the woodpecker finch, or if you are lucky, iconic wildlife including giant tortoises. After a break for lunch, you’ll then set out on a short walk on flat and easy terrain through a deciduous forest until reaching El Garrapatero beach. Here you can head out on the water on top of a sea kayak (or snorkel) before another short walk to a brackish lagoon where you are likely to find pink flamingos. After a day of hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing, you will be returned to your accommodations.

 

From Puerto Ayora’s main pier, take a water taxi to the “Other Side Pier.” From here, you and your private guide will start an easy walk just over half a mile in length to reach Las Grietas. An impressive geological formation where you will come across two massive rock walls with an elongated, crystal clear water pond within, it is an ideal spot for snorkeling. Take a dip, relax on the rocks, enjoy a box lunch and, afterwards, set out on a walk through a deciduous forest for one and a half miles to reach one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. Continuing the walk along the white sand beach for another half mile until reaching Playa Mansa where you will set out on a special kayaking experience around Tortuga Bay. Shortly after your kayaking experience, you will be returned to your hotel.

 

Enjoy a private transfer from your hotel on Santa Cruz Island to the Baltra Airport. The travel duration is 1-2 hours depending on the location of your hotel.

Board a flight at Baltra Airport with direct service to San Cristobal. Approximate flight duration is 45 minutes. Please note: Inter-island flights are operated on light aircraft's, often Britten-Norman Islander planes which seat 6-8 passengers. Luggage restrictions apply: 1) One checked bag weighing up to 20 lbs (11 kg) per guest, 2) One piece of carry-on luggage weighting up to 5 lbs (2.3 kg) per guest.

Enjoy a private transfer alongside a professional driver and English-speaking guide between your hotel and the airport on San Cristobal Island.

Replete with all the amenities expected of a modern beachside resort, the Golden Bay Hotel stands out as the finest boutique hotel in the quiet town of San Cristobal. Ideal for family, friends or couples, the property features a lovely sun terrace, outdoor pool and garden, and is situated just steps from the water. Opt to enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool located in the interior garden. Located next to the island's sea lion colony, perhaps take some time to photograph your playful new neighbors, known to lounge on the hotel's terrace chairs. Today, take the time to slow down and take in all that surrounds.

 

Your day begins with a visit to Cerro Colorado Reserve alongside your private guide. From the entrance of the Reserve, walk slightly just over half a mile to reach Puerto Chino beach. This is a spectacular beach where you can find a number of endemic plant species, colonies of seals and many other animals, and where you will also have time to enjoy some snorkeling in the inviting water. After stopping to enjoy your box lunch in the Reserve (included), drive to the highest part of the island where you’ll visit and take a relaxed walk around El Junco lagoon. This body of water is the largest source of fresh water on the island and a critical source of life for the many inhabitants of the archipelago.

 

After an early rise, you’ll meet your private guide and depart from your hotel, heading to Baquerizo Moreno Port to set out for the impressive Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock, but before taking to the waters on a vessel shared with other travelers, you will try out some snorkeling gear in a small protected bay with calm water and playful sea lions. Leon Dormido, made of two rocks in the form of an obelisk, jutting dramatically out of the sea, is considered one of the top snorkel and dive sites in the Galapagos, and here you will use your snorkeling equipment to explore a channel between the rocks. Stingrays, white-tipped reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, turtles, tropical fish and eagle rays all live in the waters around Leon Dormido and if you are lucky you may even get to spot dolphins and whales! A snack is included on tour, however, lunch is not and should be arranged prior to departure. After snorkeling at Kicker Rock, you will return to San Cristobal and be transferred to your accommodations.  

 

Enjoy a private transfer alongside a professional driver and English-speaking guide between your hotel and the airport on San Cristobal Island.

Board a flight in the Galapagos with direct service to Guayaquil. Approximate flight duration is two  hours. Please note: Flight rates are subject to change without prior notice.