Escape into the sublime natural realm of the Galapagos and enjoy near-exclusive access to its majestic world. Hopping red-footed boobies, endemic waved albatross, giant tortoises, curious sea lions, colorful marine worlds... your 13-day Galapagos and Ecuador tour for private small groups unveils the poetic wonder of the islands and the exemplars of evolution. Before following Darwin's footsteps, you indulge in the resplendent bliss of the Andes and Ecuador's ancient cities.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Standing in an Ancient Incan City
Quito's history is buried underneath late-16th century stone; the memoirs of Incas and conquered indigenous groups now lost under colonial city squares and broad conquistador palaces. But explore the first ever World Heritage site, and you quickly find a semblance of the distant past that mingles with the elegant display of colonial Latin America. Women in traditional tribal dress carry fruits to markets, ancient musical instruments are blown on city squares, and your local guide narrates stories of Quito that start long before the Spanish arrived. You'll be picked up at Quito International Airport and transferred to your hotel in the old city. After time to freshen up, your guide takes you for a welcome dinner and a first taste of Ecuadorian tradition. For the first six days, your trip is private and the guide is flexible in timing everything to your needs. Consider reading more about your travel agents for Galapagos Islands who strive to make your trip specialized and exceptional to the highest degree.
What's Included:
Day 2
Discovering an Evocative World Heritage City
Day 3
Through the Volcanoes and Markets of the Highlands
Day 4
The Dramatic Devil's Nose Train Through the Andes
Day 5
Leisurely Exploration of Another World Heritage City
Day 6
A Relaxed Day Before Flying to the Coast
Day 7
Cruising Off On a Nine-Passenger Boat
Day 8
Beautiful Volcanic Remains on Santiago Island
Day 9
The Mass Seabird Breeding Ground of Genovesa
Day 10
Marine Delights on Eastern San Cristobal
Day 11
Rare Waved Albatross and Great Diversity on Espanola
Day 12
Kayaking with Sea Lions and Encounters with Giant Tortoises
Day 13
Departure
Trip Highlights
- Cruise through the Galapagos for eight days on a luxury nine-passenger boat
- Explore the archipelago's most evocative islands, including Genovesa in the far north and San Cristobal to the east
- Seductively encounter the mystical wildlife of the islands, including red-footed boobies, manta rays, magnificent frigates, and huge land iguanas
- Marvel at endemic wonders that only exist on one Galapagos island, such as the waved albatross, giant tortoise, and Santa Fe iguana
- Being in a small group means that you're one of only nine people exploring these surreal wildlife sites
- Snorkel into the Galapagos' strange underwater world and get close to some of the ocean's pelagic giants
- Discover the Andean beauty of Ecuador with six days on the mainland, your private journey heading through the Andes to connect two World Heritage cities: Quito and Cuenca
- Zigzag your way up the Devil's Nose on one of the world's most dramatic train journeys
Detailed Description
On a Galapagos and Ecuador tour for private small groups, you undertake an exclusive journey through the annals of natural history, marveling at the colorful snippets of evolution that distinguish the archipelago's endemic creatures. A bird's red feet, an inflated scarlet throat-sack, waved albatross, marine iguanas sneezing out salt...you're submerged in their world, exploring how nature's eccentrics have adapted to islands of volcanic fire. Man has never conquered these islands, and the numbers confirm that you're just a visitor. Your luxury boat has a capacity of only nine, and your group will have exclusive access on all the Galapagos tours to wildlife sites. Compare nine with two million birds on Genovesa, 25,000 endemic albatross on Espanola, thousands of giant tortoises on Santa Cruz, and the hundreds of endemic iguanas that flicker across the islands. There's nobody else in the frame. It's just you and these scenes that seemingly come from a farfetched nature documentary.
But before the Galapagos, there are the mountains, the resplendent Andes that hide treasures of nature and culture. Start with two days in Quito, the first ever World Heritage site and an iconic slice of colonial Latin America. On a private tour, you travel south, zigzagging through the mountains towards a second UNESCO city: Cuenca. Ascend on the Devil's Nose train, discover colorful village markets, learn about an ancient indigenous heritage and explore Incan ruins. Throughout these six days on the mainland there's always a view, always an effervescent vista over snow-capped peaks and lush languid valleys.
Fly to the Galapagos from Guayaquil, and the luxury nine-passenger boat is home for the next six nights. Lounge on the sundeck as dolphins follow the boat, watch the stars from the jacuzzi, and enjoy meals and snacks from the gourmet chef. Every day, you visit two iconic sites with many of these mixing land and marine exploration. Snorkel famous sites frequented by hammerheads, wander across red volcanic islands, and kayak in calm bays filled with fishing sea lions. The cruise connects many of the archipelago's most important islands, including North Seymour, Genovesa, San Cristobal, Espanola, and Santa Fe. It's an itinerary that ensures encounters with almost all of the islands' evocative species; in particular, it's rare to find a cruise that can offer Galapagos penguins, red-footed boobies, and waved albatross. It's a cruise itinerary for wildlife lovers who aim to intimately admire the finest of Galapagos' natural wonders.
Starting Price
$15,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 254 reviews.
Overall, the trip was outstanding. It was on our bucket list for a long time and it lived up to all expectations. Zicasso's tour company and travel agent were very knowledgeable and helped plan all the details. As with all travel, there were a few small things that came up, but they resolved the issues quickly and effectively. I would highly recommend this travel agency.
Reviewed By Jesse D.
Zicasso's travel expert did an excellent job coordinating all the details of our side trip to the Amazon and on to the Galápagos. This was our third trip arranged by Zicasso. Having the ability to talk with someone in the travel location about our interests and getting recommendations is a great experience.
Reviewed By Edward C.
Our trip from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. The Amazon jungle was a blast. I paid for an extra full-day excursion to fish for piranhas, which was definitely a great decision and one of the highlights of our trip (we had the piranhas for lunch, and they were delicious).
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu were fabulous. And then, the Galápagos were extraordinary, from the unexpected serenity of the place to the crew of the boat, and, of course, the proximity to wildlife, including snorkeling with sea lions. It was especially meaningful to be in these places with our entire family (10 of us). Everyone understood how special it was and we will all cherish the experience all of our lives.
The Zicasso travel company was fantastic from start to finish. Our travel specialist went far beyond the call of duty to help us, especially when one family members could not make the trip. He helped us with replacing that person with another. He was remarkably prompt, clear, and informative in all communications, both in planning the trip and during it. He has a very kind heart and is a great human being. I cannot say enough positive things about him.
Reviewed By bradley P.
The trip was amazing and exceeded our expectations! We loved everything about it. Working with Zicasso's travel specialists was so great. The team was so fast responding on everything and so helpful during the planning stage, preparation stage, and even while we were in Ecuador. We could not have asked for a better partner!
Reviewed By Wendy+Andrew S.
Zicasso's trip planner is excellent! She planned a personalized itinerary for me and my family, with activities for all different ages in our travel group. We truly enjoyed our experience in Quito and the Galápagos Islands.
Our tour guide did a wonderful job taking us around Quito and ensuring we got to fully experience the city (including historical landmarks and local spots). In addition, one of our family members had altitude sickness and he put a lot of effort into helping her get assistance and even medical care in the airport.
Five stars for our agent and our guide.
Reviewed By Usha R.
Our trip was beyond awesome. We made memories for a lifetime in Peru and the Galápagos Islands. Standing on the equator in Quito and the different experiments on the equator were a hit with kids and adults alike. There was excellent planning and execution by our Zicasso travel specialists. All the guides and excursions were great and we made good friends with them. They went above and beyond to recover our (lost/forgotten) items in a hotel and plane. Two thumbs up.
Reviewed By Uday P.