Ecuador
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Ecuador ·

Old Town Walk & Equator Line & fly to the Galápagos

The brief someone sent Tomo

“8 nights in Ecuador — Land in Quito, settle into the old town and acclimatize gently to the 2,850m altitude.”

8 days1 flight3 stays€1,290Culture
Why this trip

8 nights in Ecuador, mapped out day by day through Quito Old Town and Galápagos Harbourside — a place to sleep and something worth doing on every one of the 8 days.

Good to know

Best season
12-20 May
Pace
Steady, a full day out
Where you sleep
Harbour apartment and 2 more
Getting around
Trains, transit, and walking
Length
8 days
Budget
€1,290

Loved on Google

  • Old town Quito Suites4.9(163)
  • Calle La Ronda4.5(4.6K)
  • The Secret Garden Hostel Quito4.7(6.1K)
  • Basílica del Voto Nacional4.8(17K)
  • MIRADOR BASILICA ROOFTOP5.0(238)
  • Middle of the World4.7(35K)

via Google

The trip, day by day

  1. 1
    Arrival & Altitude Ease-In, Quito Old Town

    Arrival & Altitude Ease-In

    Arrive at Quito airport and transfer to the Old Town apartment
    Slow walk along Calle La Ronda for early dinner
    Hydrate and rest to adjust to altitude
    Book
  2. 2
    Old Town Walk & Equator Line, Quito Old Town

    Old Town Walk & Equator Line

    Guided Old Town walk: Plaza Grande, La Compañía church, Basílica del Voto Nacional
    Climb the Basílica towers for city views
    Drive to Mitad del Mundo to stand on the equator line
    Intiñan museum equator experiments
    Return to Quito for the evening
    Book
  3. 3
    Fly to the Galápagos, Galápagos Harbourside

    Fly to the Galápagos

    Transfer to airport for flight to Galápagos
    Pay national park entry fee on arrival
    Settle into harbourside base
    Afternoon walk to a nearby beach with sea lions and marine iguanas
    Book
  4. 4
    Island Cruise Day 1, Galápagos Harbourside

    Island Cruise Day 1

    Board day cruise from the harbour
    Snorkel with sea lions in a sheltered bay
    Panga ride past blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds
    Guided landing to see land iguanas
    Book
  5. 5
    Snorkeling with Sea Lions, Galápagos Harbourside

    Snorkeling with Sea Lions

    Boat to a top snorkel site
    Snorkel with playful sea lions and sea turtles
    Look for reef sharks and rays in clear channels
    Beach picnic lunch
    Book
  6. 6
    Highlands Tortoise Reserve, Galápagos Harbourside

    Highlands Tortoise Reserve

    Drive to the highlands tortoise reserve
    Walk among free-roaming giant tortoises
    Explore a lava tunnel
    Visit twin sinkhole craters (Los Gemelos)
    Book
  7. 7
    Island Cruise Day 2 & Return Flight Prep, Galápagos Harbourside

    Island Cruise Day 2 & Return Flight Prep

    Early cruise to a nearby islet for one last snorkel
    Spot penguins and rays along the shore
    Return to base and pack
    Evening flight back to Quito and transfer to Old Town
    Book
  8. 8
    Quito Markets & Departure, Quito Old Town

    Quito Markets & Departure

    Teleférico cable car for panoramic Andes views (weather permitting)
    Browse artisan market for souvenirs
    Final Ecuadorian lunch
    Transfer to airport for return flight to AMS
    Book

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The trip, chapter by chapter
Arrival & Altitude Ease-In, Quito Old Town
Day 1 · Quito Old Town

Arrival & Altitude Ease-In

Land in Quito, settle into the old town and acclimatize gently to the 2,850m altitude. Arrive at Quito airport and transfer to the Old Town apartment and Slow walk along Calle La Ronda for early dinner.

Trip budget
€1,290
Flights
€323
Stay
€967
Per night
€161

Estimates — the booking site shows the real price.

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Day 2 · Quito Old Town

Old Town Walk & Equator Line

Colonial-core walking tour paired with a visit to the Mitad del Mundo equator monument. Guided Old Town walk: Plaza Grande, La Compañía church, Basílica del Voto Nacional and Climb the Basílica towers for city views.

Old Town Walk & Equator Line, Quito Old Town
Fly to the Galápagos, Galápagos Harbourside
Day 3 · Galápagos Harbourside

Fly to the Galápagos

Morning flight to the islands and first afternoon wildlife encounter. Transfer to airport for flight to Galápagos and Pay national park entry fee on arrival.

Day 4 · Galápagos Harbourside

Island Cruise Day 1

Full-day boat cruise to outer islands for wildlife viewing and snorkeling. Board day cruise from the harbour and Snorkel with sea lions in a sheltered bay.

Island Cruise Day 1, Galápagos Harbourside
Snorkeling with Sea Lions, Galápagos Harbourside
Day 5 · Galápagos Harbourside

Snorkeling with Sea Lions

Dedicated snorkel-focused day at prime marine sites. Boat to a top snorkel site and Snorkel with playful sea lions and sea turtles.

Day 6 · Galápagos Harbourside

Highlands Tortoise Reserve

Head into the humid highlands to see giant tortoises in the wild. Drive to the highlands tortoise reserve and Walk among free-roaming giant tortoises.

Highlands Tortoise Reserve, Galápagos Harbourside
Island Cruise Day 2 & Return Flight Prep, Galápagos Harbourside
Day 7 · Galápagos Harbourside

Island Cruise Day 2 & Return Flight Prep

Final morning cruise, then evening return flight to Quito. Early cruise to a nearby islet for one last snorkel and Spot penguins and rays along the shore.

Day 8 · Quito Old Town

Quito Markets & Departure

Final morning in Quito for markets and views before flying home. Teleférico cable car for panoramic Andes views (weather permitting) and Browse artisan market for souvenirs.

Quito Markets & Departure, Quito Old Town

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