Sea lions cuddling on a beach in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Luxury Tour of Galapagos Islands & Ecuador

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Galapagos / Ecuador

Places Visited

Quito, Galapagos Islands, Zuleta

Suggested Duration

13 Days

Experience true decadence in this luxury tour of Galapagos Islands and Ecuador, combining eight days on onboard your beautiful cruise ship with the country's finest hotel and hacienda. Explore the mystical beauty of the archipelago, getting intimate with strange endemic creatures and a dramatic marine world. Then lounge on a luxury deck and revel in the elegance of the cruise. You'll also explore ancient Quito from a historic hotel and complete the trip in the opulent home of two former Ecuadorian...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Settle into three very different but equally opulent pieces of Ecuadorian accommodation: a yacht, a converted colonial house, and an old hacienda
  • Enjoy an eight-day cruise through the Galapagos archipelago on the luxurious Yacht La Pinta
  • Discover the weird and wonderful wildlife of the Galapagos, like giant tortoises, strange birds, and comical sea lions
  • Explore a vibrant marine world through snorkeling and glass-bottom boat excursions, with everything from turtles and sharks to penguins discovered beneath the surface
  • Alternate evenings relaxing on the spacious decks and exciting excursions to unique sites of natural history
  • Sleep within the history of World Heritage Quito with two nights at the Plaza Grande, the city's finest hotel
  • Complete the tour with three nights at Hacienda Zuleta, a decadent weekend home of the former Ecuadorian president

Detailed Description

Ecuador's historical wonders blend nature with culture. From the quaint streets of World Heritage Quito to the wild cliffs of a remote Galapagos island, the country delights in showcasing its inimitability to visitors. Experiences are exclusive here, whether you're surrounded by endemic birds, horse riding through Highland reserves, or admiring green sea turtles. Elevating the uniqueness of the destinations are three very different pieces of luxury accommodation. Begin your luxury tour of Galapagos Islands and Ecuador at the Plaza Grande, a fabulous hotel with five centuries of Quito's history carved into walls. Spend eight days on La Pinta, a stunning yacht taking you on a cruise to the Western Galapagos Islands. Then soak up the opulence of Hacienda Zuleta, a home that's housed the family of a former Ecuadorian president for over a century.

Quito's charming central streets are an ideal introduction to the country. Your hotel balcony overlooks the central Plaza de la Independencia while the interior takes you back to the excess of early colonial conquerors. A walking tour provides a glimpse of the city's glory, including a church that's completely laced in gold. Three nights in Zuleta are an equally historical way to complete the trip. Set in 2,000 hectares of nature reserve and a working farm, the glorious Hacienda offers sublime relaxation and the chance to horse ride beneath the swooping wings of condors. Spend evenings chatting with the owners, drinking wine and sampling the products from the onsite cheese farm.

La Pinta is one of the Galapagos's most luxurious yachts, offering an elegant cruise through the islands. For eight days, experience luxury Galapagos tours via cruise to the archipelago's most iconic sites, bringing intimate encounters with its surreal wildlife. You'll hike across volcanic lava flows, wander past flamboyant nesting sites, kayak with sea lions, and make daily snorkel and glass-bottom boat excursions. Afternoons and evenings are downtimes on the boat, allowing you to lounge on the spacious deck and watch the islands slowly drift past by. All meals are included, served in the superb dining room while drinks are shared in the open lounge. La Pinta's size offers exclusivity, with space on board allowing you to continue a private experience. Like Quito and Zuleta, the yacht allows you to experience Ecuador's wonder in the grandest of style.

See what other travelers have to say about their experienced tour operators for Galapagos Islands and Ecuador that made their travel a premier experience.

Starting Price

$12,670 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

4.88 stars based on 210 reviews.

Galapagos / Ecuador Travel Review: Quito, Cotopaxi, Cloud...
"Our guide in Ecuador was excellent, and the crew and guide...

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"We were extremely pleased with the service provided by...

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Galapagos / Ecuador Luxury Solo Travel Review: One-Week...
"I would look no further than Zicasso in the future to book...

Reviewed By Mamta S.

Galapagos / Ecuador Luxury Vacation Review: Quito, Snorkeling,...
"Every step of the way, Zicasso’s team answered our questions...

Reviewed By Melissa S.

Peru, Galapagos / Ecuador Luxury Tour Review: Lima, Quito,...
"From the moment I set foot in Lima to the moment I departed...

Reviewed By Denise D.

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