Discover the rich cultural heritage of Quito, including a trip to the magnificent Otavalo Market on this 8-day Quito and Galapagos cruise tour.
After visiting the Ecuadorian capital city, you’ll embark on a 4-night cruise around the renowned Galapagos Islands, taking in the stunning natural and geological wonders the archipelago offers. See local wildlife like the Galapagos Iguanas, which stroll through Booby nesting grounds and delve into lava tunnels and sinkholes, all under the guidance of our knowledgeable local guides and crew.
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The 8-Day Quito and Galapagos Cruise begins with exploring Quito, Ecuador’s capital, and visiting the vibrant Otavalo Market. The journey continues with a 4-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands, featuring stops at Santa Cruz, Rábida, Genovesa, and Bartolome Islands, offering opportunities to observe unique wildlife such as land iguanas, sea lions, flamingos, and various booby species.
Once you arrive in Ecuador, one of our representatives will welcome you and take you to your airport hotel in Quito.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast before embarking on a full-day tour of the renowned Otavalo Market – the epitome of authentic Andean crafts in Ecuador. During the journey, you’ll stop at picturesque villages and natural landmarks like the magnificent San Pablo Lake. After arriving at the market, you’ll take a guided tour and have ample personal time to explore and discover its treasures.
Begin your journey to explore the Galapagos Islands! Upon reaching Baltra, 600 miles off the coast, you will be greeted by a guide who will accompany you on a brief bus ride to the harbor to board your boat. After a filling lunch, embark on a journey to Dragon Hill, known for its thriving population of land iguanas.
Step onto the deep red sands of Rábida Island, a small island teeming with wildlife. Visit the sea lions and nesting Pelicans along the shoreline, and take a short hike inland to reach a saltwater lagoon, where you’re likely to spot Flamingos and Finches. In the afternoon, delve into the geological wonders of the Galapagos on the tiny but captivating Sombrero Chino island, marked by a relatively recent volcanic cone.
Explore Genovesa Island, famously known as Bird Island, for its vast collection of avian species. In the morning, climb up Prince Philip’s Steps, a steep rocky path surrounded by colonies of Boobies. Spend the afternoon at Darwin Bay surrounded by Galapagos sea lions, Red-Footed and Masked Boobies, and magnificent Great Frigates.
Spend a memorable morning at Bartolome Island. From its elevated height of almost 400 feet, you’ll be treated to breathtaking scenic views of the lunar-like craters, volcanic cones, lava fields, and pristine beaches of the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, venture to Santiago Island, an active volcanic island that is one of the best places to observe fur seals in the Galapagos.
On your final day in the Galapagos, immerse yourself in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, where the scenery transforms dramatically into a dense forest. Dive into a lava tunnel and witness massive crater-like sinkholes before flying back to Quito from the airport.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast, and prepare for your journey home. Our team will take you to the airport for your international flight. If you have extra time and an interest in exploring more of colonial Quito and its surroundings, we can arrange additional tours for you.
*Note: Activities may vary due to weather conditions and other considerations.
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Santa Cruz Island Map Galapagos
This 8-day journey typically combines the colonial charm of Quito with a cruise that explores the Central and South-Eastern islands (such as Española, Floreana, and Santa Cruz). This route is famous for having the highest concentration of “iconic” wildlife, including the Waved Albatross (seasonal), blue-footed boobies, and the most playful sea lion colonies. It’s the perfect “Best of” route for first-time visitors.
For an 8-day itinerary, a cruise is the superior choice. Because the ship travels between islands overnight, you wake up at a new, remote destination every morning. A land-based stay would limit you to islands within a 2-hour speed boat radius of the port, meaning you’d spend more time in transit and less time snorkeling with penguins and marine iguanas
We make the transition seamless. After exploring Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, we escort you back to Mariscal Sucre Airport for your flight to the islands (Baltra or San Cristóbal). Your guide assists with the mandatory INGALA transit card and the bio-security baggage inspection, ensuring you meet the strict environmental protocols for entering the National Park without any stress.
Yes! While wildlife is wild and never guaranteed, this itinerary is designed to hit the hotspots for the “Big 15.” By visiting Española, you have the exclusive chance to see the Waved Albatross (April–December), and our stops at Floreana and Santa Cruz almost guarantee sightings of Giant Tortoises, Land Iguanas, and the famous Darwin’s Finches.
This trip is “moderately active.” Most days involve two landings: a “Dry Landing” (stepping from a panga onto a jetty or rock) and a “Wet Landing” (stepping into knee-deep water on a beach). You should be comfortable walking 1–2 miles on uneven volcanic terrain and snorkeling in open water. We always provide snorkeling gear and wetsuits to ensure you’re comfortable and safe.
Incredible Trip! Thank you David for planning the perfect family vacation.We saw the entire ‘Big 15’ list with zero stress. The cruise offered better access to remote islands than any land-based stay ever could.
Moving from Quito’s history to the Galapagos’ beauty was flawless. The team handled every permit and flight so we could just enjoy the magic. Special thanks to David for accommodating all of our requests!
Another bucket list destination thanks to Journey Machu Picchu! Waking up in a new bay every morning was incredible. Gourmet food, expert guides, and the best snorkeling of my life it was simply a 10/10 trip.
The 6-day Galapagos trip is a land-based itinerary that takes travelers from Quito to Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos archipelago. Go on an excursion past the Santa Cruz highlands and finish at the Charles Darwin station.