Explore Galápagos

 with

Sailani Tours N Travels Ltd.

Date of Departure : 01.07.2027

12 Nights / 13 Days

Countries Covered

Ecuador – Galápagos Islands

Places Covered

Quito – Quilotoa – Baños – San Cristóbal – Santa Cruz – Isabela

Day-Wise Itinerary

Day 01 / 01.07.2027: Arrival in Quito (D)

Airport to Hotel Transfer: Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel to check in and rest after your flight.

Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Quito.

Day 02 / 02.07.2027: Quito City Tour & Middle of the World (B/L/D)

Quito City Tour: Explore the historic centre of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas. Your tour includes entrances to La Compañía de Jesús, widely admired for its gilded baroque interior, and the Church and Convent of San Francisco, the oldest religious complex in the city. Quito’s cobbled plazas, whitewashed facades and ornate churches blend Spanish colonial and indigenous Andean artistry, set against a backdrop of surrounding volcanic peaks. Tourists should not miss this tour because it offers a rich introduction to Ecuadorian history, faith and craftsmanship before the island adventure begins. Standing inside a church covered almost entirely in gold leaf is a genuinely awe-inspiring experience, and the lively old town is wonderful for photography and soaking up local life.

Middle of the World: Visit the Mitad del Mundo compound, a monument and park that marks the equator line, the point where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet and from which Ecuador takes its name. Nearby, the Intiñan Museum uses fun, interactive demonstrations to explain the unusual physical effects of the equator, such as balancing an egg on a nail head and watching water drain in different directions, alongside exhibits on the culture of Ecuador’s indigenous peoples. Entrances are included. Tourists should visit because it is one of the few places in the world where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. It is an entertaining, hands-on stop that appeals to all ages and gives you a memorable equator-line photograph to take home.

Overnight at Quito.

Day 03 / 03.07.2027: Quilotoa Lagoon & Transfer to Baños (B/L/D)

Quilotoa Lagoon: Drive through the Andean highlands to Quilotoa, a volcanic crater lake set inside a caldera at an altitude of more than 3,500 metres. The lake’s striking turquoise-green water, coloured by dissolved minerals, sits far below the crater rim and is surrounded by steep, rugged slopes. Enjoy the views from the rim and the surrounding indigenous farming villages along the way. Tourists should visit because Quilotoa is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful natural sights in the Ecuadorian Andes, and the panorama over the glittering crater lake is unforgettable. The scenic drive passes patchwork fields and traditional highland communities, giving you a genuine glimpse of rural Andean life, while the crisp mountain air and vast views make it a superb photo stop.

Transfer to Baños: After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Baños, the adventure town tucked into the Andes at the foot of Tungurahua volcano. Baños is famous across Ecuador for its lush green valley setting, its natural hot springs, its waterfalls and its relaxed, lively atmosphere. Tourists should enjoy this stop because the town is a welcome change of pace from the high Andes, with warm subtropical air and a cosy, welcoming feel. It is also the gateway to the Route of the Waterfalls, which you will explore the next day, and makes a charming base for an evening stroll through its streets.

Overnight at Baños.

Day 04 / 04.07.2027: Waterfalls Route, Tree House & Return to Quito (B/L/D)

Waterfalls Route: Travel along the scenic Route of the Waterfalls, a winding road that follows the Pastaza River canyon past a series of cascades and dramatic gorge views, and visit Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), one of Ecuador’s most powerful waterfalls. Here, a huge volume of water thunders down into a narrow rocky basin, and viewing paths and bridges take you remarkably close to the spray. Entrances to the waterfall and the cable car are included. Tourists should visit because the sheer force and noise of the falls, set among misty green cliffs, is one of the most thrilling natural spectacles in the Andes. The cable car ride over the canyon adds sweeping views and a bit of adventure, making this a highlight of the mainland portion of the journey.

Tree House: Visit the tree house viewpoint above Baños, a famous lookout where visitors can sit on the swings that hang over the edge of the hillside and swing out above the valley. Entrance is included. The view stretches across the town and the green Andean slopes towards Tungurahua volcano, and on a clear day it is truly spectacular. Tourists should visit because it is one of the most photographed spots in Ecuador, offering a playful and exhilarating way to take in the scenery. It is a fun stop for travellers of all ages, with fantastic photo opportunities and a rush of adrenaline as you swing out over the valley.

Transfer to Quito: In the afternoon, drive back to Quito. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Quito.

Day 05 / 05.07.2027: Flight to San Cristóbal, Junco Lagoon & Playa Mann (B/L/D)

Airport Transfer & Flight: Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight from Quito to San Cristóbal, Galápagos.

Junco Lagoon: Visit the Laguna El Junco, a freshwater crater lake in the highlands of San Cristóbal and the island’s main source of fresh water. It is one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the entire archipelago, and its calm, deep-blue waters are ringed by lush green highland vegetation, with a walking path along the rim. It is a favourite spot for frigatebirds that come to bathe and clean their feathers in the fresh water, and you may also see other highland birds. Tourists should visit because it offers a different side of the Galápagos from the beaches, with cool misty air, beautiful views across the island and a rare chance to watch frigatebirds up close. The scenic drive up from the coast adds to the experience.

Playa Mann: Relax at Playa Mann, a white-sand beach near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where sea lions are often seen. The beach sits within easy reach of the town, with calm, clear water and rocky outcrops where sea lions lounge and play. Tourists should visit because it is one of the easiest and most enjoyable places to experience Galápagos wildlife at close range, as the sea lions are curious and unafraid of people (always keep a respectful distance and never touch them). The golden light in the late afternoon is wonderful for photography, and it is a relaxing way to finish your first day on the islands, with sand underfoot and the sound of the waves.

Overnight at San Cristóbal.

Day 06 / 06.07.2027: Tour 360 (B/BL/D)

Transfer to Meeting Point: Transfer to the meeting point for your Tour 360.

Tour 360: Spend the day exploring San Cristóbal by boat on the Tour 360, a full-day excursion that circles the island to reach some of its best-known coastal sites. Highlights of this kind of tour typically include dramatic rock formations such as Kicker Rock (León Dormido), sheltered bays and beaches, and snorkelling stops, along with chances to spot sea lions, seabirds such as frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies, and marine life such as turtles and rays. Tourists should join this tour because it is the best way to see the coastline of the island, much of which cannot be reached by land. Gliding past towering cliffs, watching wildlife on the rocks and slipping into the clear water to snorkel makes for a thrilling, full-day Galápagos adventure.

Overnight at San Cristóbal.

Day 07 / 07.07.2027: Speedboat to Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station & Highlands (B/L/D)

Speedboat to Santa Cruz: Transfer to the dock and take the early speedboat from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz.

Charles Darwin Research Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, the main scientific centre of the Galápagos, where conservation and breeding programmes protect the Galápagos giant tortoises and other native species. Visitors can walk through the tortoise breeding centre and see young tortoises raised for release back into the wild, as well as giant tortoises of different island subspecies. Tourists should visit because the station explains how scientists are working to protect the unique ecosystem that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Seeing the tortoises, some of which can live for more than a century, is a memorable and educational experience, and your visit helps support the conservation work that keeps the islands wild.

Highlands Tour: In the afternoon, visit the Santa Cruz Highlands, where giant tortoises roam freely in the wild amid lush vegetation. The cooler, greener highlands are a striking contrast to the dry coast, with misty forest, grassy pastures, and ponds where the huge tortoises graze and wallow in the mud. Tourists should visit because encountering a giant tortoise in its natural habitat is one of the great highlights of the Galápagos, and there are few places in the world where you can see these ancient animals so close. The sheer size of the tortoises is astonishing, and the relaxed pace of the visit gives you plenty of time for photographs and quiet observation.

Overnight at Santa Cruz.

Day 08 / 08.07.2027: Boat Trip to an Uninhabited Island (B/BL/D)

Transfer to Meeting Point: Transfer to the meeting point for your boat excursion.

Uninhabited Island Excursion: Take a boat trip to an uninhabited island of the archipelago, a protected landscape where there are no towns or hotels and nature dominates. Such islands typically offer pristine beaches, volcanic scenery, nesting seabirds, sea lions and iguanas on land, and opportunities for snorkelling in clear water with fish, turtles and rays. Tourists should take this excursion because it offers the most untouched side of the Galápagos, far from the busier harbour towns, and a chance to see wildlife in a setting that has changed little for thousands of years. The boat ride itself is enjoyable, and the combination of landscapes, wildlife and snorkelling makes it one of the most memorable days of the trip.

Overnight at Santa Cruz.

Day 09 / 09.07.2027: Speedboat to Isabela & Flamingo Lagoon (B/L/D)

Speedboat to Isabela: Transfer to the dock and take the speedboat from Santa Cruz to Isabela, the largest island of the Galápagos.

Flamingo Lagoon: Visit the lagoon near Puerto Villamil, home to flocks of pink flamingos. The brackish lagoons of Isabela are a peaceful wetland habitat where flamingos wade through the shallows, feeding on tiny shrimp and algae that give their feathers their famous pink colour. The area is also home to other waterbirds and is easily reached from the town along boardwalks and trails. Tourists should visit because watching flamingos in the wild, against a backdrop of volcanic scenery, is a graceful and beautiful sight and a rare treat for bird-lovers and photographers alike. It is a quiet, relaxing stop that offers a gentle introduction to Isabela, the largest island of the Galápagos.

Overnight at Isabela.

Day 10 / 10.07.2027: Tintoreras & Wall of Tears (B/L/D)

Tintoreras: Visit the Tintoreras islets, a small group of lava formations close to Puerto Villamil where you may see sea lions, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins and white-tip reef sharks resting in a shallow channel. A short boat ride from the harbour takes you to the islets, where a walking trail winds across the black lava past iguanas sunning themselves on the rocks. Tourists should visit because this is one of the best places in the Galápagos to see so many different species in a single outing, including the Galápagos penguin, the only penguin found north of the equator. Watching the sharks resting in the calm channel from a safe viewpoint is an unforgettable experience and a favourite of many travellers.

Wall of Tears: Visit the Muro de las Lágrimas, a large lava-rock wall built by prisoners of a former penal colony, now a historic landmark. The prisoners were made to move and stack heavy volcanic blocks in the heat, and the wall, which stands several metres high and stretches for around a hundred metres, was built largely as hard labour. Tourists should visit because it tells a sobering and little-known part of Galápagos history that contrasts with the islands’ reputation as a natural paradise. The trail to the wall passes through quiet coastal scenery, and standing before the wall gives a powerful sense of the human story behind the islands.

Overnight at Isabela.

Day 11 / 11.07.2027: Lava Tunnels (B/BL/D)

Lava Tunnels: Explore the lava tunnels, formed by flowing volcanic rock, with striking arches and underwater formations. These tunnels were created when molten lava cooled and hardened, leaving a maze of arches, bridges and channels that now lie partly submerged in the sea. The clear, calm water here is excellent for snorkelling, with sea turtles, tropical fish and rays often seen gliding through the channels, and blue-footed boobies often spotted on the rocks above. Tourists should visit because the lava tunnels offer a landscape that looks like nothing else on the planet, combining geology and wildlife in a single excursion. It is a spectacular, adventurous day and one of the standout experiences of Isabela.

Overnight at Isabela.

Day 12 / 12.07.2027: Isabela – Santa Cruz – Baltra & Flight to Quito (B/D)

Early Ferry to Santa Cruz: Take the ferry from Isabela to Santa Cruz and transfer directly to Baltra Airport.

Flight Baltra to Quito: Take the flight from Baltra to Quito. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at Quito.

Day 13 / 13.07.2027: Departure from Quito (B)

Airport Transfer: Transfer to Quito airport for your international connection to Amsterdam.

…Tour End…