9 days
Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island, Otavalo

Journey to the equator and explore the wonders of Ecuador—including visiting the Galápagos Islands, some 620 miles off the country’s Pacific coastline. Retrace the footsteps of Charles Darwin by hiking, touring and even snorkeling. Some of the wildlife you may see include penguins, sea lions, turtles, blue-footed boobies, and other exotic birds. On the mainland, the girls will explore Quito, enjoy a Salsa dance lesson, and straddle the Equatorial Line with one foot on the northern hemispheres and one foot on the southern hemisphere.

The physical rating of this program is: Active: 3 (out of 3)

  • Day 1: Fly to Ecuador

    Arrive in Quito

  • Day 2: Quito

    Take a tour of Quito

    With your Tour Director you will see:

    • Independence Plaza
    • Government Palace

    Visit Santo Domingo Church

    Take an excursion to the equatorial line

    Visit the Intinan Museum

    Participate in salsa dance lessons

  • Day 3: Baltra • Isabela Island

    Fly to Baltra

    Continue on to Isabela Island

  • Day 4: Isabela Island

    Enjoy a full day of activities on Isabela Island:

    • Explore a volcano walk and visit a pink flamingo habitat
    • Enjoy a snorkeling excursion
    • See local wildlife including: penguins, flamingos, sea lions, iguanas and exotic birds
  • Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

    Take a boat excursion to Santa Cruz Island

    Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

    Travel to the Santa Cruz Highlands to see giant tortoises

  • Day 6: San Cristobal Island

    Take a boat excursion to San Cristobal Island

    Enjoy activities on San Cristobal Island:

    • Hike up Tijeretas Hill
    • Visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center
    • Take a snorkeling excursion
    • Enjoy a coastal walk along La Loberia
  • Day 7: San Cristobal • Quito

    Spend the morning on San Cristobal Island:

    • Choose between a walk to Punta Carol, a beach where you'll see exotic wildlife and fauna or
    • Head in to town and explore the local crafts and shops

    Fly to Quito

  • Day 8: Quito

    Visit Otavalo handicraft market

    Visit Cotacachi leather market

  • Day 9: Quito

    Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?
  • Day 1: Fly to Ecuador

    Arrive in Quito

  • Day 2: Quito

    Take a tour of Quito

    With your Tour Director you will see:

    • Independence Plaza
    • Government Palace

    Visit Santo Domingo Church

    Take an excursion to the equatorial line

    Visit the Intinan Museum

    Participate in salsa dance lessons

  • Day 3: Baltra • Isabela Island

    Fly to Baltra

    Continue on to Isabela Island

  • Day 4: Isabela Island

    Enjoy a full day of activities on Isabela Island:

    • Explore a volcano walk and visit a pink flamingo habitat
    • Enjoy a snorkeling excursion
    • See local wildlife including: penguins, flamingos, sea lions, iguanas and exotic birds
  • Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

    Take a boat excursion to Santa Cruz Island

    Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

    Travel to the Santa Cruz Highlands to see giant tortoises

  • Day 6: San Cristobal Island

    Take a boat excursion to San Cristobal Island

    Enjoy activities on San Cristobal Island:

    • Hike up Tijeretas Hill
    • Visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center
    • Take a snorkeling excursion
    • Enjoy a coastal walk along La Loberia
  • Day 7: San Cristobal • Quito

    Spend the morning on San Cristobal Island:

    • Choose between a walk to Punta Carol, a beach where you'll see exotic wildlife and fauna or
    • Head in to town and explore the local crafts and shops

    Fly to Quito

  • Day 8: Quito

    Visit Otavalo handicraft market

    Visit Cotacachi leather market

  • Day 9: Quito

    Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?

Interested in leading this tour?

Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip airfare on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Internal flights; Boat

  • Hotels

    7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms

  • Regional-style meals

    Breakfast and dinner daily; 3 meals on Days 3-5

  • Full-time Tour Director

    Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.

  • Guided Sightseeing

    2 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed guides

  • Entrances

    Santo Domingo Church; Intinan Museum; Charles Darwin Research Station

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • Worldwide Presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • Peace of Mind Program

    Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.

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