Charting the Galapagos Islands
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)
Read our FAQs for this program
Explore the many ways girls can take the lead on this tour
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito
Visit the Church of la Compañía de Jesús
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Take a salsa dance lesson
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Day 3: Quito • Baltra Island • Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Baltra Island
Visit the Twin Craters and the Lava Tunnels
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild tortoises
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
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Day 4: Santa Cruz Island • Isabela Island
Travel by boat to Isabela Island
Visit a pink flamingo habitat
Visit a tortoise breeding center
Take a boat excursion to the Tintoreras Lava Islet
Go snorkeling
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Day 5: Isabela Island • Santa Cruz Island
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island
Go swimming at Las Grietas canyon
Visit the Playa de los Alemanes Beach
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Day 6: Santa Cruz Island • San Cristóbal Island
Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Hike Tijeretas Hill
Go snorkeling at La Loberia Beach
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Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Enjoy free time in the morning on San Cristóbal Island
Fly to Quito
Enjoy free time in the morning on San Cristóbal Island
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Take a day trip to Otavalo
Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan
Explore the local market
Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi
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Day 9: Arrive home
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito
Visit the Church of la Compañía de Jesús
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Take a salsa dance lesson
-
Day 3: Quito • Baltra Island • Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Baltra Island
Visit the Twin Craters and the Lava Tunnels
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild tortoises
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
-
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island • Isabela Island
Travel by boat to Isabela Island
Visit a pink flamingo habitat
Visit a tortoise breeding center
Take a boat excursion to the Tintoreras Lava Islet
Go snorkeling
-
Day 5: Isabela Island • Santa Cruz Island
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island
Go swimming at Las Grietas canyon
Visit the Playa de los Alemanes Beach
-
Day 6: Santa Cruz Island • San Cristóbal Island
Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Hike Tijeretas Hill
Go snorkeling at La Loberia Beach
-
Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Enjoy free time in the morning on San Cristóbal Island
Fly to Quito
Enjoy free time in the morning on San Cristóbal Island
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Take a day trip to Otavalo
Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan
Explore the local market
Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi
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Day 9: Arrive home
Interested in leading this tour?
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip airfare on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Internal flights; Boat
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily; 3 meals on Days 3-5
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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.
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Guided Sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed guides
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Entrances
Santo Domingo Church; Intinan Museum; Charles Darwin Research Station
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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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.
