Private Tour Highlights
- Taking a walk through Independence Square in Quito, stopping off at the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery and El Sagrario Church along the way.
- Straddling the middle of the world during a visit to the equatorial line while in Quito.
- Marveling at the imposing spectacle that is the Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island.
- Learning all about the ongoing conservation efforts being conducted at the Charles Darwin Research and Conservation Centre.
- Witnessing extraordinary wildlife and a majestic Opuntia Cactus forest on the spellbinding Santa Fe Island.
- Meeting incredible species on each unique island, from Sea Lion colonies at North Seymour Island to Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz.
Tour Overview
The Galapagos Island Hopping for Land Lovers is the perfect Galapagos island hopping tour for those who prefer day trips on the water versus a week-long cruise. Home to the theory of evolution, the Galapagos Islands are full of peculiar wildlife and exciting experiences to explore and discover. With each island being so unique, it’s hard to experience each of their diverse environments and landscapes. What’s a better way to get a taste of these omnifarious islands than an island hopping tour with Yampu!
Upon arrival to Quito, rest for a few hours to help acclimate to the cities high altitude. Afterward, visit some of the city’s most significant buildings and landmarks such as the San Agustin Monastery, one of Quito’s most beautiful religious buildings. Head on up to El Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city before driving to the Equator Memorial at latitude 0 degrees 00′. This marks the exact geodetic position of the Equator. Visit the monument, new ethnographic museum, and surrounding complex.
Fly from Ecuador’s mainland to the Galapagos Islands, and take a very scenic inter-island flight to Isabela Island. Get to know the youngest side of the archipelago while exploring rewarding visitor sites of the National Park, wetland lagoons, and the giant tortoise breeding center. Wrap up the day at the stunning white beach of Puerto Villamil before returning to the Lodge for dinner.
Explore Isabela Island and its top feature: Sierra Negra Volcano. Walk along the rim of the world’s second-largest caldera and see recent volcanic activity. Later on, get to know both the National Park and the Marine Reserve, each with its own unique features. Start out at the Tintoreras visitor site, a small group of islets reachable only by boat, to observe reef sharks in their natural habitat, marine iguanas, and a colony of Galapagos penguins. One will also be able to explore the history of Isabela Island at the Wall of Tears visitor site.
Enjoy a short, but interesting flight back to Baltra to board Yacht Sea Lion for a short cruise to North Seymour Island. Marvel at the sight of Galapagos sea lions and fur seals, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Torchwood trees and prickly pears, pillow lava boulders, and white sand add to an unforgettable landscape. Located in the loftier region of the island, Manzanillo is within the natural path of one of Santa Cruz’s species of giant tortoises. A short walk will lead to the grazing grounds and water ponds where these giant reptiles wallow. The cooler highlands are also home to many interesting land birds, plants, and trees exclusive to these islands.
Take the yacht to Santa Fe, an impressive volcanic island 16 nautical miles away from Puerto Ayora. After a wet landing on a fantastic white sandy beach amongst basking sea lions, walk along rocky terrain to find the island’s highlights, like the endemic Santa Fe land iguana patiently waiting under the enormous giant cacti for falling fruits and pads. Other relevant species today are pelicans, boobies, and the archipelago’s top predator, the Galapagos Hawk. Return to the yacht and enjoy one of Galapagos’ best-snorkeling sites.
Along a fairly flat and straight paved path, explore and understand more about the arid zone’s deciduous forest and its inhabitants. First, arrive at Playa Brava, a stunning 1km long snow-white beach, a seasonal nesting site for the green sea turtles. A few minutes further, reach Playa Mansa, a secluded natural mangrove cove, with clear and tranquil waters, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, paddling on tandem kayaks, or simply enjoying the landscape from the shade of a mangrove. From here, board a small yacht to sail back to The Hotel’s dock at Academy Bay.
Inclusions
Exclusions
International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.
Package Price: From £$ 9737
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Home - Quito
International Flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, be met at the airport to be transferred to the selected hotel. Welcome to Quito! The elevation is approximately 2850 meters (9350 feet), so it is highly recommended to rest upon arrival for a few hours, avoiding alcohol, caffeine or heavy meals. Please consult with a physician for additional details.
International Flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, be met at the airport to be transferred to the selected hotel. Welcome to Quito! The elevation is approximately 2850 meters (9350 feet), so it is highly recommended to rest upon arrival for a few hours, avoiding alcohol, caffeine or heavy meals. Please consult with a physician for additional details.
Quito
Visit read more...
Visit the San Agustin Monastery, one of Quito's most beautiful religious buildings, the Independence Plaza, La Compania Church and San Francisco Church, the first great colonial building. Drive on to El Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city. Afterwards, travel a few kilometers north of Quito to the Equator Memorial at latitude 0 degrees 00' which marks the place where an 18th century expedition established the exact geodetic position of the Equator. Visit the monument, new ethnographic museum, and surrounding complex. This trip includes lunch at a typical Ecuadorian restaurant, or at the Crater Restaurant near the equator.
Tonight, make sure to explore the old town, which will be lit up beautifully!
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Quito - Galapagos
At read more...
At the appropriate time, be met at the hotel and transferred to the airport for the flight from Quito to Galapagos.
Fly from Ecuador's mainland to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra Island) and take a very scenic inter-island flight to Isabela Island. Check in at Scalesia Lodge where there will be lunch before heading out on the first afternoon of discovery.
Get to know the youngest side of the archipelago while exploring rewarding visitor sites of the National Park, wetland lagoons, and the giant tortoise-breeding center. Wrap up the day at the stunning white beach of Puerto Villamil before returning to the Lodge for dinner.
Stay in a fantastic luxury tent. The lodge includes daily activities and all meals. It also offers additional tours for the adventure seekers!
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Sierra Negra Volcano
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out to explore Isabela Island and its top feature: Sierra Negra Volcano. Walk along the rim of the world's second largest caldera and see recent volcanic activity and the resulting fascinating formations. A light snack will be provided along the way while lunch is served back at the lodge. Stroll the beach at Puerto Villamil or rest in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Scalesia Lodge.
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out to explore Isabela Island and its top feature: Sierra Negra Volcano. Walk along the rim of the world's second largest caldera and see recent volcanic activity and the resulting fascinating formations. A light snack will be provided along the way while lunch is served back at the lodge. Stroll the beach at Puerto Villamil or rest in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Scalesia Lodge.
Isabela Island
Today, read more...
Today, get to know both the National Park and the Marine Reserve, each with their own unique features. After breakfast, start out at the Tintoreras visitor site, a small group of islets reachable only by boat, to observe reef sharks in their natural habitat, intertidal organisms, marine iguanas, and a colony of Galapagos penguins. Lunch at the lodge. Later in the day, one will be able to explore the history of Isabela Island at the Wall of Tears visitor site. Sunsets at Puerto Villamil are spectacular. Dinner and overnight at Scalesia Lodge.
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North Seymour Island
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After breakfast, Scalesia Lodge's staff will transfer Yampu Travelers back to Puerto Villamil's airport. Enjoy a short, but interesting flight back to Baltra to board Yacht Sea Lion for a short cruise to North Seymour Island. Marvel at the sight of Galapagos sea lions and fur seals, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Torchwood trees and prickly pears, pillow lava boulders and white sand add to an unforgettable landscape. Lunch on board Yacht Sea Lion. Afternoon cruise to Itabaca Channel and drive across the island Santa Cruz to reach Puerto Ayora. Finch Bay Eco Hotel lies a short dinghy ride and a few steps among mangroves apart from the town. For dinner, choose the hotel's signature cuisine or one of the many options in town! Overnight at the Finch Bay. ...read less
El Manzanillo
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Start the day with the Finch Bay's generous breakfast, featuring local and international favorites, before leaving for El Manzanillo. Located in the loftier region of the island, Manzanillo is within the natural path of one of Santa Cruz's species of giant tortoises. A short walk will lead to the grazing grounds and water ponds where these giant reptiles wallow in mood pools. The cooler highlands are also home to many interesting land birds, plants and trees exclusive to these islands. Stop briefly at the Twin Craters, Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, stop briefly at a local sustainable ranch before returning to enjoy the hotel facilities. Overnight at Finch Bay Eco Hotel. ...read less
Santa Fe Island on board Yacht Sea Lion
After read more...
After breakfast, board Yacht Sea Lion minutes away from the hotel at Academy Bay. The yacht will cruise to Santa Fe, an impressive volcanic island 16 nautical miles away from Puerto Ayora. After a wet landing on a fantastic white sandy beach amongst basking sea lions, walk along a rocky terrain to find the island's highlights the endemic Santa Fe land iguana patiently waiting under the enormous giant cacti for falling fruits and pads. Other relevant species today are pelicans, boobies and the archipelago's top predator, the Galapagos Hawk. Return to the yacht and enjoy one of Galapagos best snorkeling sites. Lunch on board Yacht Sea Lion. Upon the cruise back to Puerto Ayora, scan the sea surface for pelagic birds and whales. Enjoy cocktails around the pool and stay for dinner or make it a night on the town. Overnight at Finch Bay Eco Hotel. ...read less
Tortuga Bay, Playa Brava, Playa Mansa- the Charles Darwin Research Station
After read more...
After breakfast, head out to Tortuga Bay, voted as Ecuador's best beach! Walk from Puerto Ayora's western border, 2km (1.3 miles) along a fairly flat and straight paved path, to explore and understand more about the arid zone's deciduous forest and its inhabitants. First, arrive to Playa Brava, a stunning 1km long snow-white beach, a seasonal nesting site for the green sea turtles. A few minutes further, reach Playa Mansa, a secluded natural mangrove cove, with clear and tranquil waters, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, paddling on tandem kayaks, or simply enjoying the landscape from the shade of a mangrove. From here, board a small yacht to sail back to The Hotel's dock at Academy Bay. Lunch at Finch Bay. For the afternoon, the grand finale includes strolling around the Charles Darwin Research Station where the highlight is the conservation program for the iconic giant tortoises. ...read less
Flight Home
Transfer out to Baltra airport for flight back to Quito. Connect with a flight home.
Transfer out to Baltra airport for flight back to Quito. Connect with a flight home.
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Coca, Ecuador
Places You'll See
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Quito
The magnificent city of Quito is bursting with cultural, historical, and artistic character. Along with its scenic parks such as Parque La Carolina, visit its enchanting museums like the Museo del Banco Central. Take a trip to the Mitad del Mundo, or the “Middle of the World”, where the first measurements to prove the earth was round, were taken.
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Galapagos
Become enchanted by the unique and seemingly intrepid wildlife native to the Galapagos Islands. Dive in with the underwater life, or stay above water enjoying the other several water sports. For a dryer experience, relax on the sandy beaches soaking up the sun. Spend time with Giant Tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Center.
Media Gallery
Hotel Options
Featured Accommodation
Scalesia Lodge
Located in the highlands of Isabela Island in the Galapagos, Scalesia Lodge is luxury lodge based on an African safari concept, where guests sleep under canvas tents allowing them to be fully immersed with the natural world. Nestled within 16 hectares of magnificent Scalesia forest, it offers incredible views of the coast of Isabela Island and out onto the Pacific Ocean.
A new lodge concept in the Galapagos; Scalesia has been designed to connect you with nature, and works well on its own or combined with a Galapagos cruise. It is a great option for those who prefer not to spend too much time at sea.
Galapagos , ECUADOR
Featured Accommodation
Finch Bay Eco Hotel
The award-winning Finch Bay Eco Hotel enjoys a peaceful and magical beachfront location in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. The 21 Garden View room and 6 Ocean View suite hotel makes the ideal base for exploring the natural diversity and attractions of the island – including Tortuga Bay beach – and for taking day-trips to nearby islands, aboard its own, specialized yachts. The hotel also implements best practices in sustainable tourism. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, beachfront access, Wi-Fi Internet, and a fabulous restaurant and bar.
Galapagos , ECUADOR
4 Star Properties
La Casona de la Ronda
Quito , ECUADOR
La Casona de la Ronda is a delightful, authentic Spanish Colonial style boutique hotel with a gentle, calming feel built in an old 1738 Mansion. The rooms are attractively decorated beyond your expectations featuring hand carved furniture by local master craftsmen, polished fine wood flooring, spacious and comfortable with a deluge shower in the bathroom. Even though it is an old “La Casona” it offers modern services us as free Wi-Fi, a full service restaurant, a buffet breakfast, a la carte lunch and dinner, and room service available.
Hotel Carlota Quito
Quito , ECUADOR
CARLOTA is a boutique hotel in a renovated historical house within the Historic district of Quito. The house was built at the turn of the century circa 1905. In 1966 Doña Carlota Echeverría de Moreno acquired this house, which would be her home and her family’s for over 40 years.
CARLOTA began in 2011, with the intent of preserving a historical landmark of great value to the city and to Doña Carlota. At the same time the hotel aims to contribute to the city with an intimate, exclusive and innovative hospitality proposal that will enrich what the historic district has to offer.
UNESCO declared Quito’s Historic District a “World Heritage Site” in 1978. The National Government and Municipio de Quito have taken actions to recover the historic district and to turn it into the most important tourist destination in Ecuador and in Latin America. The city of Quito has been distinguished as best tourist destination in Latin America for the last three consecutive years (2013-2016).
5 Star Properties
Hotel Mama Cuchara
Quito , ECUADOR
Situated in the best-preserved, least altered historic center of UNESCO’s world heritage sites in Latin America – the Historical Center of Quito – Hotel Mama Cuchara enjoys an ideal location among the hotels in Quito’s historic center, a walkable distance from the Plaza Santo Domingo, La Ronda, and many of the city’s most popular historical sites.
Faithful to the Art Hotels brand concept, Hotel Mama Cuchara indulges the keen traveler with a private collection of art complemented by rotating exhibits of various Ecuadorian artists. Proceeds from sales of art directly benefit the artists and their community.
Hotel Mama Cuchara breathes new life into the Historic Center of Quito, linking the service and design of Art Hotels Ecuador’s brand with the Historic Center’s charm.
Within all of our properties, the ethos is the same—to passionately and authentically mix old with new and create an artistic, creative approach to luxury hospitality.
Illa Experience Hotel
Quito , ECUADOR
Hotel Illa offers a unique cultural experience for guests in Quito’s warmest and most welcoming traditional neighborhood. Something beyond bricks and mortar, beds and breakfasts. For generations, San Marcos has been home to artists, writers and musicians. Its present-day charm owes much to the tight-knit community of residents. It’s the perfect setting for our experience hotel.
Luxury Properties
Casa Gangotena
Quito , ECUADOR
Situated in a newly-restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco, the three-story Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel in Quito harbors 31 rooms, a showcase of eye-catching style, a fine mix of classic architecture, contemporary interior design, antiques, fine furnishings, modern technology and quintessential comforts. Beautifully and eclectically-appointed, the hotel invites its guests to explore and relax, whether in its dining room, at the glassed-in patio, in the garden redolent with the perfume of native flowers, at the elegant indoors Sitting Room by the patio or atop its panoramic third-floor terrace.
Testimonials
Caswell & Teresa
Traveled December, 2014
I don’t know where to start but just let me say this was the BEST TRIP we have EVER taken.
I don’t know where to start but just let me say this was the BEST TRIP we have EVER taken. You thought of everything. I must admit I know you said everything would be taken care of but I thought yea, RIGHT, no way. Boy was I wrong, gosh you didn’t miss a thing. All the tour guides, the tours, the hotels were just outstanding. The tour guides took us to airports got our tickets to board flights geeze we were treated like royals. Machu Picchu was outstanding; we did the hike. I have to say I was a little apprehensive about it at first, but once we got started realized we would have no problem. We made it all the way to the top. The hotel there was just wonderful, the weather was nice also NO RAIN!! Galapagos!!! WOW it was JUST AWESOME!!! OMG the snorkeling was incredible. We got to go twice a day and honey we sure did not miss one trip. The hikes were great, we could not believe how close you can get to all the animals. I Really don’t have the vocabulary to express to you just how amazing this whole trip was. All the tours were outstanding loved having the private tours. All the guides were very knowledgeable, and I know this is true cause Caswell knows his history. I am recommending this trip to all my friends. Again thank you so much for preparing the trip of a life time.We were married 30 years January 2 and this was our gift to each other. Thank You,
Traveled To
Jon L
Traveled December, 2014
Everything was great!
Everything was great! Just exactly as you advertised, and we had an awesome time. We will definitely keep Yampu in mind for any future trips we might be making.
Traveled To
Linda
Traveled May, 2014
Yampu Tours planned an amazing trip for our inaugural South America experience
Yampu Tours planned an amazing trip for our inaugural south-america experience. We wanted to cover 6 countries in one month so it would have been a nightmare if we had to plan it ourselves from Asia. Karolina from Yampu put together a great itinerary and gave great advice. She was also extremely patient when we wanted to change things around. All the planning happened over email super efficient. We were very pleased with the accommodation choices, activities planned and the quality of the local tour guides. Thanks again!
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