Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

  • 9 Days
  • STEM-Based Tour
  • Classic Trip
  • Most Popular V2 Created with Sketch. $400 Off!

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Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands Get Started

Map & Route

Depart

Quito

3 3 Nights

Galapagos

4 4 Nights

Quito

1 1 Night
Return
map Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

What's Included

Our itineraries reflect 40 years of experience in crafting exceptional educational tours. That means we know exactly how to make the best of your time abroad—incredible destinations, immersive activities, centrally located hotels, and smart, well-traveled tour managers who ensure your educational goals are met. Here are some of the exceptional features of this tour.

ACIS Guarantees

We have high standards, which is why we take care to include these features in every tour.

Round-Trip Flights

Leave the airlines to us.

3- or 4-Star Hotels

After a busy day, comfort is key.

Centrally Located Hotels

Save the commuting time, beat the morning crowds and keep right on exploring after dark when your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Daily Breakfast and Dinner (unless otherwise noted)

Delicious, authentic, multi-course dinners at local restaurants with meal times tailored to maximize your experience.

24-Hour Tour Manager

Part guide, part educator, part engineer, part mind-reader, part magician—ACIS Tour Managers are your travel partner.

Global Network

24/7 on the ground support whenever and wherever you need it.

All Local Transportation

Urban transportation is on us, allowing you to explore each destination with ease.

Exceptional Experiences

Our tours are designed to help you and your students be in the moment and experience everything the world has to offer.

Otavalo Crafts Market

Otavalo Crafts Market

The charming town of Otavalo thrives on market day. Navigate colorful stalls stocked with local handicrafts, woven textiles, scarves, wall hangings, jewelry and folk instruments. You'll have the chance to practice your language skills, interacting with the vendors and learning the fine art of bartering from members of the native communities who come to buy and sell their goods, many sporting the traditional colorful dress of the region.

Learn More

The charming town of Otavalo thrives on market day. Navigate colorful stalls stocked with local handicrafts, woven textiles, scarves, wall hangings, jewelry and folk instruments. You'll have the chance to practice your language skills, interacting with the vendors and learning the fine art of bartering from members of the native communities who come to buy and sell their goods, many sporting the traditional colorful dress of the region.

Conservation Service Project

Conservation Service Project

Learn about regional conservation on Santa Cruz Island and contribute to its mission through a service project—likely focused on reforestation, but subject to change depending on need.

Learn More

Learn about regional conservation on Santa Cruz Island and contribute to its mission through a service project—likely focused on reforestation, but subject to change depending on need.

Quito Tour with Guide

Quito Tour with Guide

Intiñan Museum

Intiñan Museum

Quito-Baltra Flight

Quito-Baltra Flight

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela

Sierra Negra Volcano

Sierra Negra Volcano

Volcan Chico

Volcan Chico

Charles Darwin Research Station

Charles Darwin Research Station

Video

ACIS Americas

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Itinerary

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Quito

Depart from the USA. Arrive in Quito, Ecuador's capital city located 9,350 feet above sea level, and meet your ACIS Tour Manager. Transfer to your hotel for an arrival briefing.

Day 2: Quito

Begin your day with a guided sightseeing tour of Quito, viewing Independence Square with its monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809, and visiting one of the colonial-era churches, which boast impressive exhibitions of architectural and religious art. Then travel just north of Quito to view the world from the equator. See the Mitad del Mundo monument as you drive to the Intiñan Museum for a visit. This interactive museum—which locals claim to be on the “real” equator (as determined by GPS)—is loaded with unique activities you can only do at the equator, like balancing an egg on a nail or watching how water spirals differently down a drain in each hemisphere. Then return to Quito.

Day 3: Quito

Today, a scenic drive north takes us to the province of Imbabura, a magically beautiful land of lakes and mountains. Our journey includes a stop in the town of Otavalo, world-renown for its colorful market featuring authentic handicrafts, weavings, textiles, jewelry and fruits, vegetables and meats destined for locals' dinner tables. Practice your bargaining skills and perhaps take home a souvenir. Return to Quito in the evening.

Day 4: Galapagos

This morning fly to Baltra, an island within the Galápagos, then continue on by bus and by barge to the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Visit Rancho Primicias, a private reserve for giant tortoises, and learn about regional conservation and contribute to its mission by participating in a service project. Your service project will likely focus on reforestation efforts, but the specific activity will depend on the needs of the reserve at the time of your visit. Continue on to Puerto Ayora for the night.

Day 5: Galapagos

After breakfast, board a boat for Isabela Island and visit Flamingo Lagoon to learn more about the impact of human tourists on the islands, and what we can do to protect the natural resources. Then tour a giant tortoise breeding center and learn about the over 300 tortoises that live here. In the afternoon we'll go underwater to see the other half of what makes the Galápagos so special on our snorkeling tour at Las Tintoreras. Just beneath the surface is a whole other world filled with tropical fish, sea lions, and sea turtles. It also happens to be the only place in the northern hemisphere that you can see penguins in the wild.

Day 6: Galapagos

This morning visit the Sierra Negra Volcano for a hike around one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos with the second largest volcanic crater in the world, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. Then continue on to nearby Volcan Chico where you can feel the warmth of the ground as proof of the volcano's activity. Return to Puerto Villamil to enjoy relaxation and reflection time at the beach, or perhaps playing soccer with some locals.

Day 7: Galapagos

This morning we'll travel to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in both population and size within the Galápagos. There will be time to explore the village and relax by the waterfront. Then we'll continue to Tortuga Bay for swimming and relaxing on one of the Galápagos' most beautiful beaches—don't be surprised to see sea turtles, sea lions and flamingos enjoying the sun with you! In the afternoon, visit Charles Darwin Research Station. The Darwin Station is a center for research and environmental education where you will learn about issues concerning the islands and have the opportunity to see giant Galápagos tortoises and their smaller offspring as part of the Station's breeding program.

Day 8: Quito

It's time to say goodbye to the Galápagos and fly back to Quito. The rest of the day is yours to soak in your last bit of Ecuadorian culture.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.

Optional Extras

Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan

Most Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $450

Add to Tour

Ultimate Protection Plan

Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $315

Add to Tour

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