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Galápagos Island Adventure

Group Information

Departing From:
Oklahoma City
Departing:
June 19, 2026
Returning:
June 29, 2026
:
This will be my 7th student tour! I’ve been on several European tours, one to Peru, Costa Rica and one in the US to Boston, NYC and Washington DC. I’m a former Spanish teacher and I’m teaming up with a science teacher colleague for this exciting adventure to the Galápagos Islands!
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Tour Itinerary (Detailed)

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Day 1 Hola Quito
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 2 Quito landmarks
Quito guided sightseeing tour
Independence Plaza, Palacio de Carondelet, San Francisco Church visit, Mitad del Mundo visit
Details: Quito guided sightseeing tour
Explore Ecuador's beautiful capital on this guided tour of Quito's downtown. Visit sites dating back to Spanish colonization, and continue to Panecillo where you will find an impressive panoramic view of the city and the surrounding valleys. Jump from the southern to northern hemisphere in an instant at Mitad del Mundo - the Equator Monument that marks the equinoctial line.
Details: Independence Plaza
Explore the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia, the Old Town's main square. In the 16th century the Spanish were afraid that the Incas might poison their water supply, so they set up their own protected well here. This plaza subsequently became the social center of town. Here we will visit Guayasamin's mural of Orellana discovering the Amazon on the wall of Palacia de Gobierno; the City Hall; the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.
Details: Palacio de Carondelet
The Palacio de Carondelet, or Presidential Palace, serves as the workplace of Ecuadorian presidents, and was opened to the public in 2007. Since then, the palace has suffered from looting, but no one has ever been charged for the thefts.
Details: San Francisco Church visit
Visit Iglesia San Francisco, the first church built in Quito, begun in 1535 on the site of an Inca Temple. Inside we will view the baroque altar which has three important sculptures: the Baptism of Jesus; a representation of Jesus de Gran Poder; and one of the most important sculptures in Ecuador, the original La Virgen de Quito.
Details: Mitad del Mundo visit
Stand at the place where the northern and southern hemispheres meet, see the Equatorial Monument marking the spot.
Day 3 Quito--Galápagos
Fly to San Cristóbal Island
Interpretation Center visit
Tijeretas Bay excursion
Coastal hike to Tijeretas Bay, see Frigatebirds, rays, sea lions
Playa Mann beach time
Details: Interpretation Center visit
Overview of the human and natural history of the Galápagos
Day 4 La Galapaguera & La Loberia excursion
La Galapaguera visit
Observe giant tortoises endemic to San Cristóbal Island
Hike to El Junco Lake
La Loberia Beach excursion
Snorkeling at La Loberia Beach, see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies & lava lizards
Details: La Galapaguera visit
This tortoise breeding and conservation center is dedicated to increasing the population of the island’s vulnerable tortoises. Follow a meandering trail through a large park full of roaming giant tortoises, then visit the pens where smaller tortoises are grouped together by age before being released into the wild.
Details: Hike to El Junco Lake
El Junco Lake is located at the center of San Cristóbal Island and is one of the few fresh water lakes in the Galápagos. Walk among the lush green ferns and watch as White-cheeked Pintails and colorful Gallinules swoop and swim around you.
Day 5 San Cristóbal Island--Isabela Island
Transfer to Isabela Island via boat
Lunch
Primicias Ranch visit
See giant tortoises
View lava tunnels
Details: Primicias Ranch visit
The Galápagos giant tortoise is the largest living tortoises in the world, can weigh up to 660 pounds and can live as long as 150 years in the wild. The wild population of these amazing creatures has dropped sharply since the seventeenth century due both to excessive hunting and the introduction of predators and humans. For a rare chance to see these amazing endangered tortoises roam free in their natural habitat, head to Primicias Ranch.
Details: See giant tortoises
We will also have the opportunity to observe the famous Giant Galapagos Tortoises for which the islands are named.
Day 6 Sierra Negra Volcano excursion
Sierra Negra Volcano guided hike
Lunch
Puerto Villamil beach time
Details: Sierra Negra Volcano guided hike
Enjoy an excursion to Sierra Negra Volcano; one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, with the last eruption in 2005. Located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil it boasts the second largest volcanic caldera in the world, 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep.
Day 7 Las Tintoreras excursion
Travel to Tintoreras via boat
Las Tintoreras visit
See marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins & Sally Lightfoot crabs
Snorkeling adventure: See green sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, rays & multicolored fish
See green sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, rays & multicolored fish
Lunch
Wetlands visit
Playa del Amor, estuary tunnels, Wall of Tears visit
Giant Tortoise Breeding Center guided visit
Flamingo Lake walk
Details: Snorkeling adventure: See green sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, rays & multicolored fish
Graceful gliding rays, frolicking seals, colorful iguanas, and vibrant tropical fish – see all of these and more as you snorkel around Las Tintoreras.
Details: Wall of Tears visit
A historic site commemorating Isabela Island's history as a penal colony.
Details: Flamingo Lake walk
To the west of Puerto Villamil there are various salt and brackish lagoons which house an impressive variety of coastal and sea birds. Here, visitors can also find the largest concentration of flamingos in Galápagos.
Day 8 Isabela Island--Santa Cruz Island
Transfer to Santa Cruz Island via boat
Darwin Research Station guided visit
Day 9 Santa Cruz Island--Quito
Transfer to Baltra Island via Itabaca Canal
Twin Craters visit
Fly to Quito
Details: Twin Craters visit
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. After a moderate hike, you'll be rewarded with a view that is breathtaking.
Day 10 End tour
La Mariscal artisanal craft market visit
Fly home
Details: La Mariscal artisanal craft market visit
A visit to La Mariscal market is a must for anyone looking for a souvenir from your trip or a present to bring home. Packed with crafts and specialties from all around the country, enjoy the dazzling displays of blankets, paintings, jewelry, bags, flutes, chocolate and more.
Day 11 Return home
Total Fee:* $5,218.00
Tour Quote Breakdown
The following fees apply to your full-paying participants:
Tour Fee* $5,418.00
** 26EarlyBird $ -200.00
 
Total Fee* $5,218.00
OR 15 monthly payments of $344.53
After initial payment of $50.00

* Last day for this Tour Fee is Jan 30, 2025.
** Only valid with voucher code Travel4X
Additional Adult Fees
The following additional fees apply only to full-paying participants 23 and older and are not included in the total price listed above.
Adult Supplement $125.00
Twin Room Upgrade $405.00
 
Additional Adult Fee $530.00

Tour Fee Includes:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • 9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
  • Breakfast & dinner daily
  • Lunch daily (except arrival day)
  • Full-time services of a professional tour director
  • Guided sightseeing and city walks as per itinerary
  • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
  • Changes in the regulations of the Galapagos National Park may result in changes to the itinerary
  • Tour Diary™
  • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
  • Note: On arrival day, only dinner is provided
  • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.