2024 Ecuadorian Adventure: Quito, Cloud Forest & Galapagos Cruise

Dates October 1 - October 12, 2024
Destination Quito, Ecuador; Otavalo, Ecuador; Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador; Galapagos Islands;
Duration 12 days 11 nights
Price From N/A
Printable Flyer

Religious Focus:

Sightseeing:

Activity Level:

Walking Level:


✨ Register by May 24th & you will receive domestic flights during the tour for FREE! This is worth $600 a person! ✨ Don't miss out on this SPECIAL OFFER!

Join us on this amazing 12 days/11 nights tour which includes a visit to the Otavalo Indigenous market, the intriguing Amazon Cloud Forest of Ecuador, and a soft adventure on the Galapagos Islands. We have chartered a private 20-passenger cruise in the Galapagos Islands exclusively for our group! This tour is designed for families and adventurers looking for a close contact with the Ecuadorian nature while enjoying the fantastic landscapes and marvelous flora and fauna of Ecuador Continental and of the Galapagos enchanted Islands. In the world-famous Galapagos Archipelago, we will enjoy magnificent spots on Santa Cruz Island where we will visit a giant Galapagos Tortoises farm in the highlands, the beautiful Tortuga Bay beach, the well-known Charles Darwin Research Station. Our last visit, and before you take the international flight back home, we will take you to the historical area of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. 

Join our experienced tour host, Carol Alegre. She is originally from Cochabamba, Bolivia, and moved to the United States her senior year of High School. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Travel & Tourism, and a Masters in Recreation Management & Youth Leadership.

During the last 25 years, she has had the opportunity to design unique and unforgettable experiences for her clients. She has been fortunate enough to have visited approximately 100 countries around the world, gaining knowledge, respect and appreciation for all cultures. However, she has a deep love for South America because of its diverse cultures, unique landscapes, delicious food and for her first-hand experience growing up in that area.

As she takes care of every detail of your trip, all you have to do is pack your bags, and be ready to have a wonderful experience!

To Book This Tour, Contact:

Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol

TOUR ID#9224j03

CASH DISCOUNT of $100.00 for final payment by check

Day 1: Tuesday,  October 1, 2024
Day 1: Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Home Cities - Arrive in Quito, Ecuador

Departure from your home city to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, our representative will wait for us at the airport to assist us with a transfer to the hotel.

Meals : In-flight
Day 2: Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Discover the Middle of the World Monument - The Intiñan Museum - Teleferico

Today, our guide will drive us for a spectacular view over Quito’s mountainous landscape, hop aboard this sky tram, one of the world's highest aerial lifts, that takes passengers on a 2.5km ride (10 minutes) up the flanks of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma.

Then, we will travel north where we will have lunch inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Afterwards, we will visit the Middle of the World Monument and The Intiñan Museum where we can experience didactic demonstrations of phenomena that manifest on the equinoctial zone. We will learn about how the Incas determined the middle of the earth, plus doing interesting science experiments such as balancing an egg on a nail and the effects of the Coriolis force on earth.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Thursday, October 3, 2024

Full day of Otavalo, a Cultural Immersion Experience

Our guide will take us on an exciting adventure to Cuicocha lake, one of Ecuador's off-the-beaten-path sites. We will drive to this lake located in the crater of an extinct volcano. Cuicocha offers fascinating Andean landscapes that we will discover as we hike on its rim. Our guide will complement this experience with interesting information about indigenous cosmovision.

Later, our guide will take us to the Otavalo Market, which is a favorite for travelers. This is the largest market of its kind in all of South America, and well worth a visit. We will find some of the finest woven products in the region including ponchos, sweaters, wall hangings, shawls, souvenirs, and more. The Otavalo Market is an ideal place for shopping, but you will also learn about the origins of this tradition and about the culture of Otavalo indigenous groups. Our guide will drive us back to the hotel in Quito where we will be able to rest for the night and reload energies for the next day’s adventure.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Friday, October 4, 2024

Mindo Cloud Forest, Butterfly Farm & Chocolate Experience

Today, we will travel to Bellavista, a worldwide known lodge, recognized as a bird watching spot Located in the Choco Cloud forest of Ecuador, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is surrounded bya large number of trails that you will explore. During these excursions, you will observe several species of hummingbirds. You will also have the opportunity to learn how the worldwide known Ecuadorian cacao is transformed into delicious chocolate. At the end of the day, you will return to the lodge for dinner and can stay in the restaurant to see if you can observe one of the latest carnivore mammals to be discovered, the olinguito.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Saturday, October. 5, 2024

Waterfalls Excursion

After breakfast, we will explore the pristine waterfalls. An absolutely magical adventure with fantastic landscapes that will take your breath away. In the afternoon our guide will pick us up from the lodge and drive us back to Quito.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 6: Sunday, October 6, 2024

Depart Quito - Arrive in Galapagos

After breakfast, our guide will be take us to the airport for your flight to Galapagos. Once we arrive on Baltra Island we will be met by our guide and transferred to the Monserrat. We will then sail to Bachas Beach where our first exploration of the Galapagos begins. Bachas is a great introduction to the Galapagos. Here you can relax and swim on its crystalline waters. This site also gives visitors the opportunity to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions.

Snorkeling - Go snorkeling or swimming right off the white sand beach of Las Bachas. Spot all sorts of marine wildlife in its shallow waters and tidal pools. Bachas is also one of the most important beaches for the green turtle as a nesting site.

Bachas Beach Landing - Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water's edge -- these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and sea lions.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 7: Monday, October 7, 2024

Tagus Cove - Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

After a long journey from the central part of the Galapagos, we will arrive to the pristine and remote West of the archipelago. Our visits today are Tagus Cove and Urbina Bay on the west of Isabela Island, where we will have our first encounters with flightless cormorants, penguins, giant tortoises and beautiful landscapes and amazing snorkeling opportunities.

Tagus Cove: Tagus Cove is located on the Northwestern coast of Isabela. It is a historical site visited by Charles Darwin in 1835, where graffiti has been carved into the rock walls by visitors over the past centuries. This spot has been frequented by whalers and pirates since the 1800s that used the area as anchorage. The name of the site dates back to 1814 when it was visited by a British ship, The Tagus, which had anchored there in search of giant tortoises to be used as food supply on the boat. Here, we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as blue-footed booby, brown noddy, terns, flightless cormorant and Galapagos penguins depending on the season. Occasionally you might see woodpecker finches, the Galapagos hawk, the yellow warbler or a large-billed flycatcher. After a dry landing one, we can climb up the trail to visit Darwin 's Lake. The lake is located on the slopes of Darwin Volcano and is, surprisingly, a saltwater lake above sea level. Our naturalist guide will tell you what the different scientific theories for this occurrence are. Meanwhile, in our snorkeling there are chances to see sharks, turtles and sea stars. You may also see various different types of colorful fish.

Urbina Bay: Urbina Bay is a fascinating visitor site that came to be as the shallow sea bottom uplifted in 1954 showing a large coral reef sticking up above sea level. Because of this, Urbina Bay is one of the newest features in the Galapagos. This visitor site is located at west of Isabela and provides spectacular views of the Alcedo volcano. The long trail starts on the beach where a wet landing is made. In this location, you will likely see wild Galapagos Giant Tortoises and Galapagos Land Iguanas. As the trail circles back towards the shoreline you'll come across colonies of the unique Galapagos Flightless Cormorant which lost its ability to fly. This is also a great spot for snorkeling, as you can come close to a Galapagos Penguin Colony and see Galapagos Marine Iguanas feeding underwater.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Espinoza Point - Vicente Roca Point (Fernandina & Isabela Islands)

Today we visit the most western visitor site of the Galapagos, Espinoza Point in Fernandina Island. This island is also one the most pristine on the archipelago as no foreign species have been introduced. On the afternoon, we will visit Vicente Roca Point, on Isabela Island, famous for its rich underwater sea life thanks to its location on the Bolivar Channel.

Espinoza Point: Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island is one of the most pristine islands in the world, with none of man’s introduced species to date. From here we can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. Fernandina is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands and a visitor favorite. When landing, check out the tidal pools where there is abundance of sea life, including small fish and mollusks. If we are lucky, a sea turtle or ray may be trapped in the pools. A little further ahead we will pass through some marine iguana burrows and sea lion colonies. The trail continues to where several flightless cormorants have their nests. This remarkable bird is only found in western Galapagos, and experts estimate that they may only be a few hundred individuals in total.

Vicente Roca Point: Vicente Roca Point has great deep-water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth (Bolivar Channel). Vicente Roca Point is renowned for its Galápagos green turtles, which are very numerous on the bay. Although the spot is known for its high concentration of green turtles, sharks and rays can also be observed when underwater visibility is good. We take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds; Nazca and blue-footed boobies, noddies, brown pelicans, penguins, flightless cormorants. The upwelling of cold-water currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life. Our snorkeling will take us along the cliffs and offers the chance of exploring two shallow underwater caves with rich marine wildlife.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Puerto Egas - Buccanner Cove (Santiago Island)

Morning excursion to Puerto Egas to see the salt crater as well as a dark sand beach and tidal pools. Continue to Playa Espumilla, one of the most idyllic beaches in the Galápagos Islands, which boasts thick mangroves and flamingo and sea turtle nesting sites. Head to Buccaneer Cove to witness the towering cliff wall rock formations. Santiago Island has seen its share of human activity from whalers and pirates over the years, and despite the introduction of goats to the island many years ago, the wildlife of Santiago has otherwise flourished and provides outstanding viewing opportunities. The island boasts marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, among others. Enjoy great wildlife viewing both on land and in the water.

Puerto Egas Visit: Explore the spectacular shoreline of Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay. Spot a great number of shore birds and reptiles – the beach area is home to a plethora of wildlife.

Snorkeling at Puerto Egas: Grab a snorkel and jump into the water right off the beach to explore Puerto Egas' interesting underwater world. Keep your eyes peeled for rays, turtles, and reefsharks while snorkelling. After, visit the large tidal pool area – marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs are everywhere.

Playa Espumilla Excursion: Head to Playa Espumilla, one of the most idyllic beaches in the Galápagos Islands, which has thick mangroves and sea turtle nesting sites. Jump into the panga and cruise alongside high cliffs and rock formations on this visit to Buccaneer Cove, which was a favourite hideout for pirates looking to stock up their boats with food and water. Spot sea lions relaxing on the beach and sea birds nesting in the cove – there’s lots to see at this site.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Thursday, October 10, 2024

North Seymour Island - Quito

North Seymour Island Visit (Morning): Have an amazing wildlife experience visiting North Seymour Island – this island is teeming with life! Follow trails to see all the action (you may need to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana while walking). See blue-footed booby nests where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Head to a rocky shore to see flocks of pelicans having lunch in a dive bomb feeding frenzy, then turn inland to a large nesting site of magnificent frigate birds. These huge, dark acrobats have two-metre (6.5 ft) wingspans, and males, with their puffed-up scarlet throat sacks, sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks. Top off the excursion with a snorkel among sea lions and rays.

Baltra: Visit North Seymour for guided walks to observe birds and wildlife, including vast sea lion colonies. Disembark at Baltra for flight back to Ecuador mainland. Arrival on the mainland and transfer to the hotel in Quito. Free evening.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Friday, October 11, 2024

Old Town Quito City Tour - Farewell

Quito, known as the Americas’ “City of Lights”, possesses a millennium of pre-Colombian history and an impressive Hispanic Colonial legacy. The old town of Quito was declared the first UNESCO cultural world heritage site.This morning, meet our guide for a half day Quito’s city tour. Visit Independence Square (Plaza Grande), San Francisco Church and Convent as well as remarkable churches such as Basilica, La Compañía de Jesús from both the 16th and 17th centuries. Stop at the top of El Panecillo hill, where we can get a spectacular view and find the Statue of the Virgin overlooking and protecting the city. Late check out from the hotel, and private transfer to the airport for our international flight back home.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Quito to USA

Early morning departure from Quito. Afternoon arrival in our home cities.

TOUR ID#9224j03

CASH DISCOUNT of $100.00 for final payment by check

Viatour Book Now LIVE Button

Meals : In-flight

Price includes:

  • 1 tour-bus experience for the entire tour
  • Small group experience
  • Roundtrip transfers to ship and airport
  • Experienced tour manager
  • 5-Days/4-Nights on board of the Monserrat Galapagos Cruise - Charter
  • Meals on cruise (beverages not included)
  • All activities and excursions in Galapagos/Snorkeling equipment/Kayaks, Standup paddle boards
  • English Speaking guides & Galapagos naturalist guide
  • Sightseeing as outlined on the itinerary
  • Meals as noted in the itinerary - daily breakfast
  • 6-night accommodations in first class hotels
  • Travel documents & digital travel App
  • Tips for guides and drivers for land portion of the tour

Price does not include:

  • International round trip flights to Quito (Group Air with United from Salt Lake City $ 1,199 pp)*
  • *Must have at least 10 people to be able to offer Group Air
  • Domestic flights to Galapagos: $ 600.00 pp ****FREE Domestic Air if Booked by May 24th!**
  • Airport transfers for those not arriving/departing with main group
  • Galapagos Islands National Park Fee: $100.00
  • Transit Card fee: $ 20.00 pp
  • Meals not included on tour
  • Additional nights or sightseeing tours not included
  • Beverages & Tips on cruise
  • Items of a personal nature (room service, phone calls, internet, etc.)
  • Medical Coverage and Travel Insurance

Optional Pricing:

  • Land Tour + Galapagos Cruise - Upper Deck with Large window (1 DBL bed) 2 Cabins: $ 5,426.00 pp
  • Land Tour + Galapagos Cruise - Upper Deck with Large window (2 Twin beds) 4 Cabins: $ 5,426.00 pp
  • Land tour + Galapagos Cruise - Lower Deck with porthole (1 DBL Bed) 2 Cabins: $ 5,276.00 pp
  • Land tour + Galapagos Cruise - Lower Deck with porthole (1 DBL Bed) 2 Cabins: $ 5,276.00 pp

Payment information:

  • Non-Refundable deposit due at time of booking $600.00 p/p
  • Final payment due May 28, 2024

To Book This Tour, Contact:

Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol

TOUR ID#9224J03

CASH DISCOUNT of $100.00 for final payment by check