In the islands that spawned the very theory of our evolution, life is as unique as ever in the Galapagos. And since Charles Darwin’s famous visit back in 1835, the land remains just as pristine. In the Galapagos, near perfect red and white sand beaches still dot the islands, coastlines remain dominated by giant mangroves, ocean waters continue to flourish with multicolored life forms, and animals continue to behave as though man were no enemy. It is this purity, this innocence, this very magnificence that truly makes the Galapagos the enchanted islands that they are today.

On this adventure we combine a thrilling 5 day/4 night ship-based exploration of the amazing Galapagos Islands with a guided tour through the best of Quito (a UNESCO World Heritage City). In the Galapagos, you’ll take exciting shore excursions to a variety of islands with expert on-board naturalists, allowing you to get up and close with the unique birds and animals that call this island home. As you cruise from island to island, you’ll enjoy all the comforts and dining of a modern Deluxe Class expedition ship. In Quito, you’ll tour through the best of this wonderful city, the surrounding countryside, and you’ll have a chance to experience the thrill of standing on the equator.

It’s no doubt why this is one of our more popular trips.

Please note that we also offer a shore-based program with overnights in a hotel and daily yacht excursions throughout the islands (see website for details). In addition, we offer a number of longer cruises in the Galapagos (4 & 7 days), and have access to a large inventory of other cruise ships with a variety of departure dates. Please contact us at customerservice@headoutadventure.com or (888) Trip Find/(888) 874-7346 for details and pricing.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito
Day 2: Tour of Quito (B)
Day 3: Fly Quito to Galapagos. Start voyage (B, L, D)
Day 4, 5, 6: Galapagos voyage. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Morning voyage. Afternoon return to Quito. (B)
Day 8: Trip Ends. Transfer to the airport. (B)


Detailed Itinerary:

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Day 1:
QUITO, ECUADOR

Arriving in Quito, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the city. Overnight in Quito.


Day 2:
QUITO (B)

In the morning you will be met by your guide and we’ll head out on a five hour tour of the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito. Declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), Quito is undoubtedly among the most attractive Latin American cities. Although it lays on the equator, the city is located high in the Andes, resulting in weather that is warm and comfortable during the day and cool at night. The morning tour will focus on the best of Quito and its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilded altars. You will visit Independence Square, the Archbishop’s palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city.

After lunch you will visit the famous Equatorial Monument where we’ll have the chance to see a quintessential colonial model village located at the Equatorial Line, marked by geographers as latitude 000’00”. Here you can stand in two hemispheres at the same time. Following a visit to the equator, we’ll go to a delightful local museum which focuses on Ecuador’s varied ethnic groups from the Galapagos to the Amazon. Overnight in Quito.


Day 3:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (B, L, D)

Getting an early start, we’ll be transferred to the Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Arriving in the Galapagos, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the ship. In the evening, as the ship leaves the docks, you will be given an introduction to the Galapagos and the wonderful itinerary that awaits us over the several days.


Days 4, 5 & 6:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (B, L, D)

For the next few days you will explore, with expert on-board naturalists, the unique and diverse archipelago of the Galapagos, an ecosystem beyond comparison. Between three and five million years ago, underwater volcanoes surfaced from the bottom of the ocean forming thirteen major islands, six lesser islands, and about forty two islets; all six hundred miles west of Ecuador and the South American continent. Wind and water currents from both Northern and Southern hemispheres carried foreign fauna to this young archipelago and over time it became a unique sanctuary of life. These befitting conditions, as observed and made famous by Charles Darwin, allowed animals to develop characteristics uniquely adapted to this new environment.

Day 7:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – QUITO (B)

In the morning, after breakfast and an early cruise, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Arriving in Quito, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Quito. Your evening is free to explore.

Day 8:
QUITO (B)

Trip ends. Transfer to the airport for your international flight OR, even better, why not continue with one of our exciting extension adventures to the Amazon Rainforest, Northern Highlands and/or Mindo Natural Reserve.