Treasures of Ecuador
9 Days 8 nights 
Saturday- Sunday

Quito – Santa Cruz – Isabela

 ü   Guaranteed departures
ü   Minimum: 02 Participants
ü   Guaranteed small groups: maximum 12 participants
ü   With local English speaking guides 

Guaranteed departures February – November 2026:

Ecuador - geographically Ecuador is a small country yet is uniquely endowed with a dramatic topography and a variety of climatic zones, vegetation, birds and wildlife. Without ever leaving the country, the traveller can move in a matter of hours from jungle-rainforest to the high slopes of the Andes, and then down to the Pacific coast, while observing a breathtaking panorama of scenery and nature. En route, through Ecuador’s wonderful world of nature, you will be able to follow the courses of rivers broad and narrow; rest along the shores of pristine lakes; explore mysterious caves and marvel at unique plant and animal species that have evolved undisturbed on isolated islands in the pacific - the Galapagos Islands. From the highlands to sea level, Ecuador's fascinating diversity is echoed by its people whose cultural origins and traditions continue to be formed by their immediate geographical environment.

 Day 01 - Saturday                                                                      Arrival in Quito /Aprox. 85km

 ü  Transfer from airport to hotel (1h)

 Arrival in Quito and transfer from the airport to your hotel.

 Quito is surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is known for its treasures of colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and carvings the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture is one of the reasons why the city was declared “Patrimony of Mankind” in 1978 by UNESCO. Altogether the city offers 86 churches and monasteries from the 16^th and 17^th century. Quito is known as the “Convent of America”. This attractive city is located only 22km away from the “Middle of the World”, the Equatorial Line.

 Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Mercure Alameda 4* (local category: 4*) or similar (standard room)

 Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Swissotel 5* (local category: 5*) or similar (standard room)

 Day 02 - Sunday                                                                                       Quito / Aprox. 45km  

 ü  Meals: Breakfast

ü  City tour Quito with chocolate tasting and visit to of the Equatorial Line Monument (6h)

 Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city of Quito (altitude of approx. 2.850m / 9.350ft.) to give you a first impression of the variety there is regarding religious and cultural sites. During your visit in the old part of the city, you can still breathe the colonial history of Ecuador. Your guide will take you for a walk through the culturally diverse history of Quito. Have a closer look at the heart of the city of Quito: The Independence Square with the Government and the Bishops Palace, as well as the Cathedral. On the way to San Francisco Square, you will visit the church of La Compañia, which has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior.

** Remark: On Sundays, the visits of the churches might be restricted due to religious services.

 As part of this walking tour, immerse yourself into the world of Ecuadorian chocolate. Learn about cacao’s history, how to grow it, and the processes to make great chocolate. End your visit by awakening your taste buds as you try different grades and Flavors of chocolate.

 The tour goes on to the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World”. Here you get a truly special experience to stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously.

The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition led by Charles Marie de la Condamine established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and the Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador.

 Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Mercure Alameda 4* (local category: 4*) or similar (standard room)

 Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Swissotel 5* (local category: 5*) or similar (standard room)

 Day 03 - Monday                                          Quito-Baltra-Santa Cruz Island / approx. 87 km

ü  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

ü  Transfer from hotel to airport

ü  Flight from Quito to Baltra (not included)

ü  Transfer from Baltra airport to Puerto Ayora with visit of the Giant Tortoise Reserve

 Early in the morning, transfer to the Quito´s airport in order to take the flight to the Galapagos Islands (not included).

Galapagos - the Enchanted Islands - doubtlessly are the highlight of every Ecuador trip and you also should not miss a visit, as it is the most unique living museum of evolutionary changes and a place where you get to know a variety of exotic endemic species! Galapagos is the perfect setting to experience the evolutionary changes, which have led to a new understanding of life on earth. Animals unafraid of man and so different from any others found elsewhere, make visitors wonder about their existence on our planet. Among the animals found are the different species of giant “Galapagos” tortoises that gave the islands their name, a variety of birds and marine animals such as iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti -to mention only some of them!

Then, take a short bus ride to the Itabaca Channel and a ferry to the Santa Cruz Island.

**Remarks: bus ride and ferry together with other international passengers.

With a surface of 986 km², Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Archipelago. Colonized since the 1920’s, Puerto Ayora, the populated part of the island, is the most important harbour of the Archipelago. With altitudes reaching 864 m this island comprises all plant zones, ranging from coast to pampas. The headquarters of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Station are also located in Santa Cruz.

Later, drive through the highlands and observe the change in vegetation: from arid landscapes filled with cacti to the lush rainforest. Take a short stop and observe the twin craters. These sinkholes were created by the collapse of a volcanic roof caused by tectonic movements and erosion. Then, take an underground journey through a lava tunnel, formed by molten lava and understand more about the Galápagos Islands and their lava layering formation process.

Afterwards, you will visit a Giant Tortoise Reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, one of the few places where you can see these giants in their natural habitat. The large, pre-historic looking animals can be seen as you walk along the trails during their migration from the coast to the highlands. The Giant Tortoise Reserve is also one of the best sites to observe the short-eared owl, another endemic specie from the Galapagos Islands.

Lunch will be served at a local ranch.

Then continue to Puerto Ayora for overnight.

Overnight at hotel on Santa Cruz Island.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Flamingo 3* (local category: 3*) (standard room) or similar

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Ikala 4* (local category: 4*) (standard room) or similar

Day 04 – Martes                                          Santa Cruz Island-Isabela Island / approx. 7 km

 ü  Meals: Breakfast

ü      Visit to Tortuga Bay

ü       Transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela by public speedboat (on shared basis)

From Puerto Ayora, walk about 3.2km (2mi.) to Tortuga Bay, one of the longest white sandy beaches in the archipelago. Along its shores, keep an eye out for marine iguanas, sharks, sea turtles, and migratory birds. On the west, a rocky edge divides the beach and creates a calm cove ideal to swim around the bay.

In the afternoon, transfer to the pier to take the public speedboat to Isabela Island. The ride takes about 2 hours. Transfer to hotel.

Isabela Island is the archipelago’s biggest island and occupies about 60% of the land area. About 1 million years ago, the merger of 6 volcanoes formed the island: Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra (Santa Tomás), Alcedo, Ecuador, Darwin, and Wolf. Today, all except the Ecuador volcano are active, making it a very active place on Earth. The most recent volcanic activity was on June 26^th 2018, when the Sierra Negra volcano erupted. Isabela’s unique landscape, lava fields, beautiful beaches, and relaxing atmosphere offer travellers a matchless experience in nature.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Cally 2-3* (local category: 3*) (standard room) or similar

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Albemarle 3* (local category: 3-4*) (standard room with ocean view) or similar

Day 05 – Wednesday                                                                             Isabela / approx. 5 km

ü  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

ü  Visit to Tintoreras (on shared basis)

ü  Visit to the Flamingo Lagoon & to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre

 After breakfast, from Puerto Villamil, take a short boat ride to a small rocky islet known as “Las Tintoreras”, one of the island’s most beautiful sites. Here, sharks can be seen resting in the lava canals. Observe marine iguanas and playful sea lions on the sandy beach. Put your mask and snorkel on to explore the underwater world filled with colourful fish, sea turtles, and much more.

Later on, visit the Flamingos’ pools, or “Pozo de los Flamingos”, and get up close and personal with these beautiful, bright pink birds that adorn the lagoon’s shores.

The trail ends at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Here, learn about these endemic creatures and their different life phases: reproduction, breeding, and development. Get up close and personal with giant tortoises and understand how the centre is helping to protect and recover the species.

Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Cally 2-3* (local category: 3*) (standard room) or similar

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Albemarle 3* (local category: 3-4*) (standard room with ocean view) or similar

Day 06 – Thursday                                                        Isabela – Santa Cruz / approx. 45 km

 ü  Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch, Dinner

ü  Visit of the sulphur mines (on shared basis)

ü  Transfer from Isabela to Santa Cruz by public speedboat (on shared basis)

 Take a 50-minute drive towards the Sierra Negra volcano. On a clear day, enjoy the breathtaking views of Sierra Negra's immense crater along the way.

  The sulphur mines are located on the slopes of the volcano's collapsed crater. Begin your descent into the interior of the caldera, covering approximately 2 kilometres each way (4 kilometres in total, taking approximately 2 hours). As you enter the crater, you will encounter a variety of environments and microclimates. The sulphur mines, with their striking bright green colour contrasting with the dark lava rocks, create a unique Jurassic landscape that will captivate both your eyes and your camera lens.

 In the afternoon, transfer to the pier to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island. The ride takes about 2,5 hours. Transfer to hotel.

 Rest of the day at leisure.

Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in Puerto Ayora.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Flamingo 3* (local category: 3*) (standard room) or similar

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Ikala 4* (local category: 4*) (standard room) or similar

Day 07 – Friday                                                                                 Santa Cruz/ approx. 5 km

ü  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

ü  Half Day Academy Bay Tour (4h, on shared basis)

ü  Visit to Charles Darwin Station

 In the morning, you will enjoy a half-day boat tour along the coast of Santa Cruz Island. You visit 5 different spots: La Loberia, which is a small island about 10 minutes into the bay where there is a large colony of sea lions. Shark Channel and Lovers Channel are both nice snorkelling sites and also beautiful places to take in the blue footed boobies who are regularly seen resting on the cliffs close by. Dog’s beach gives you opportunity to get off the boat and walk through cactus forests to a remote beach where you will almost definitely encounter a marine iguana or many, and turtles are often seen feeding just off the shore. The last site is Las Grietas, a water filled crevice in the rocks.

 Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Puerto Ayora.

 In 1964, the Charles Darwin Research Centre was inaugurated in Puerto Ayora. Over 200 scientists and volunteers are active in the conservation and research projects for the most famous resident of the Galápagos: the Giant Tortoise. Stroll around the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest or visit the baby turtles that are affectionately cared for until they can be repatriated. Learn about the tortoises’ different life stages: from incubation, hatching, and growth periods.

 Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Flamingo 3* (local category: 3*) (standard room) or similar

 Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Ikala 4* (local category: 4*) (standard room) or similar

 Day 08 – Saturday                                                                                                      Santa Cruz

 ü  Meals: Breakfast

ü  Day at leisure

 Day at leisure. You can book an optional boat trip:

 Optional: Full day boat tour, incl. Lunch (on shared basis)

During a full day boat excursion you’ll visit one of the islands Seymour North, South Plazas, Bartholomew. Each of the islands has its own significant beauties to offer and regardless which you’ll visit, you’ll definitely enjoy your stay. Lunch on board.

 North Seymour is a flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity.  Located North of Baltra, it is one of the best places to see Blue Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds. Blue Footed Boobies are found on the flat area near the coast of this island (they nest from May to November). Continuing the trail to the interior, one stumbles upon the biggest congregation of Magnificent Frigate birds in the island. While on North Seymour, there is a high chance of seeing a great show of acrobatic flight, namely a Frigate bird robbing a booby, a gull or even another Frigate bird the food.

 OR:

South Plazas Island, where a large colony of sea lions lounges daily in the equatorial sun. Soon you will notice their subtly diabolic grins and wonder what they find so humorous; you only hope the joke isn't on you! South Plazas also boasts excellent examples of typical Galapaganean flora such as the towering cacti "trees" that form the principal diet for both the land iguanas and the cactus finch. Other birds that may flutter by include lava gulls, yellow warblers and red-billed tropicbirds with their elaborate tails.

 OR:

Bartholomew, a tiny island of just 1.2 km², offers the visitor one of the most spectacular views of the Archipelago. Bartholomew is located near the west coast of James, on the other side of Sullivan Bay. It is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the representative characteristic of Bartholomew. The climb to the 114 m high peak is both challenging and worth-doing. On your way up, you will encounter different formations of volcanic origin including spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. Once on the summit, there is a spectacular view of the surroundings. Bartholomew is also a must for the visitor interested in geology. Penguins are common in the bay area.

 For the full day boat excursion on Santa Cruz please note the following:                                                                                       

ü  The boat tour depends on passenger numbers, weather conditions and National Park regulations.

ü  During the boat tour one of the named islands will be visited, in certain circumstances other visitor spots may be offered.

ü  The decision which island will be visited is made by the National Park administration and cannot be influenced by the passenger.

ü  The boat tour is on Seat-in Basis with other international passengers.

ü  We recommend booking this tour in advance to guarantee the availability. Reservations made directly at the destination are subject to availability. Payment on site is by cash or PayPal only.

 Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Flamingo 3* (local category: 3*) (standard room) or similar

 Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Ikala 4* (local category: 4*) (standard room) or similar

 Day 09 – Sunday                                                                             Santa Cruz/ approx. 45 km

 ü  Meals: Breakfast

ü       Transfer from hotel to Baltra Airport (without guide, only with Spanish speaking driver)

ü         Flight from Galapagos to Quito/Guayaquil (not included)

 Early in the morning, transfer to Baltra airport to take your flight back to the mainland.

 End of services

 Important Remark: The itinerary may change. The order of the islands visited may vary on a short-term notice.

 For activities marked “shared” please note they are on a seat-in basis with other international passengers.

 Transfers from one island to another are made by speed boat and last 2h, 30min/3h (depending on sea conditions). In the period from April to October the sea is often rough.

 If you think you suffer from seasickness, take the necessary precautions or choose a program with overnight stays only on the island of Santa Cruz.

Price Information

with accommodation in (room)                                Double                    Single

 Seat-in-coach rates from 2 pax on:

 Valid from January until November 2026:

 Standard hotels

Per person                                                                        $2899                 $3379

 Superior hotels

Per person                                                                       $3379                 $4359

A deposit of 20% is due one week after confirmation and the balance is due 90 days prior to the departure date.

 The following fees are included in the package rate and are subject to change without prior notice:

 La Compañia church                                                                                 USD      6,00 per person

Mitad del Mundo and Ethnographical Museum                                           USD      5,00 per person

 The following entrance fees are NOT included in our package quote and are subject to change without prior notice:

 Galapagos National Park entrance fee                                                       USD  200,00 per person

Galapagos Transit Control Card                                                                 USD    20,00 per person

Price Information – Flights

 Additional airfares - SAT is not responsible for any changes made by the airlines and the resulting costs (i.e. airfares, schedule changes, cancellations, taxes, fuel- and other charges). Airfares can only be guaranteed upon ticketing. Airport taxes are subject to change.

 UIO/GPS/UIO or UIO/GPS/GYE

 January – December 2025:

Per person $649 incl. Q-tax and all domestic airport taxes

 Important:

·         SAT doesn’t hold an allotment for the needed internal flights but can provide the booking and the ticketing accordingly on FIT Basis. In case the tour operator books the internal flights themselves, SAT informs the correspondent flight numbers to be booked. With this SAT can ensure that the whole group will travel together on the same flights and that the complete programme can be operated.

·         Booking different flights will result in additional costs for extra transfers and the participation on the complete programme of day 03 cannot be guaranteed. In this case a refund is not possible!

        
Telephone:  1-800-ALL AERO
(1-800- 255-2376)