Galapagos, Easter Island Tour

Arrival at Mariscal Sucre, Quito International Airport.

Meet and greet with your English-speaking guide.

Transfer to the city center and check-in at your hotel.

Free evening.

Overnight in Quito.

Transfer from your hotel to Quito Airport.

Flight to Baltra Island (2 hours 30 minutes).

Arrive at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island this morning and meet and greet your Certified National Park guide and fellow passengers at the arrivals hall. Then, on a shared bus, reach Itabaca Channel where you will take a five minute ferry ride to the northern reaches of Santa Cruz Island. Visit the Highlands where you'll trek with your guide to see the Twin Craters, crossing lava tunnels and visiting a private ranch to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Free evening.

Overnight at the hotel on Santa Cruz Island. 

Set sail to Isabela Island on a two-hour speedboat journey at 6:30 this morning. At 4,640 sq. km, Isabela is the archipelago's largest island, and almost four times the size of Santa Cruz, encompassing a wealth of biodiversity and natural attractions. Its wetlands are laced with lagoons, swamps, and mangroves, and are recognized for their migrant bird populations, one of which is the emblematic flamingo. Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, where endangered Galapagos Giant Tortoises are cared for and live in captivity. Moreno Point on Isabela's western shores reveal tidal lagoons and extensive lava fields and give visitors the opportunity to observe herons, frigatebirds and green turtles. Its shrub dotted landscape is unique for the candelabra cacti that reach impressive heights of up to seven meters, which towers above surrounding mangrove bushes and saltwater lagoons fringed with seagrass. Your first destination on Isabela Island this morning is Poza de Los Flamingos, where you will marvel at the distinctive color of these migratory birds that change as they transform from chicks to adults.

Visit Las Tintoreras this afternoon, a group of islets just off the shores of Puerto Villamil, named for its population of white-tipped reef sharks that are frequently spotted resting in its surrounding calm and clear waters. After a dry landing, walk along the nature trail with your guide, keeping your eyes peeled for sea lions and marine iguanas that live in this shark channel, continuing along the mangrove-lined shoreline. Then enjoy a zodiac ride to observe Galapagos penguins and blue-footed boobies before taking to the waters for some snorkeling.

Free evening.

Overnight at your hotel in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island.

A popular day trip from Puerto Villamil, the Cabo Rosa Tunnels are widely recognized for its biodiversity and tunnel-like lava formations that have taken shape over hundreds of years. Reach this uninhabited islet this morning on a one-hour boat journey, and engage in some light hiking on lava rock with your guide, observing the endemic vegetation and varieties of birds. A favorite site for snorkelers, dive into the crystal-clear waters to observe giant sea turtles, sea horses, and manta rays up close.

In the afternoon we will take the ferry back to Santa Cruz Island and head to your hotel.

Free evening.

Overnight at your hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.

BARTOLOME ISLAND, NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND, SOUTH PLAZAS ISLAND OR SANTA FE ISLAND

Depending on navigation and availability conditions, you will spend the day on one of the four islands below:

Bartolome Island
Depart from your hotel early this morning, and by bus, reach the Itabaca Channel where you will board the yacht and begin your 20-minute journey to the Daphnes, a pair of twin volcanic islands. Bird lovers will swoon at the sight of masked boobies, tropical birds and frigates, before continuing on the yacht for 90 minutes to the tiny 1.2 sq. km island of Bartolome. After a dry landing, climb to the top of a small cone with your guide, gaining 114 meters in altitude, and observe a dramatic landscape of lava fields, volcanic cones, and lunar-like craters. Following your visit, sail to Sullivan Bay, a favorite destination on this island hopping tour because of its unique geological characteristics. Situated on the southeastern end of Santiago Island, you will land on a sparkling white sand beach by wet landing, where you will spend some leisurely time swimming and snorkeling among the tropical fish, sea turtles and rays. Witness Sullivan Bay's contrasting geological features on an easy walk across its wild terrain, and contemplate the relatively young landscape of black lava flow, collapsed craters and volcanic hornitos, feeling the ropy lava beneath your feet as you explore. Return to the Itabaca Channel and transfer to your hotel by bus for your 5 PM arrival.

North Seymour Island
Depart from your hotel early this morning, and by bus, reach the Itabaca Channel where you will board the yacht. A 45-minute journey will transport you to North Seymour, a small and flat 1.9 sq. km island formed by the uplifting of underwater volcanic lava. Following a dry landing on the island's rocky coast, learn about the 72 land iguanas that were introduced to North Seymour in 1932 to colonize the island on a two-hour tour with your guide. Captain Alan Hancock and his crew transported these undernourished iguanas from Baltra Island in the hopes that they will thrive in better conditions on North Seymour. And in 1934 just two years later, the species was identified to have adapted without issues. Walk the arid boulder-strewn landscape, and follow along an easy circular path that takes you past the most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in the archipelago. If conditions are optimal, spend some time discovering the area's marine wildlife as you snorkel. Depending on availability, head to Mosquera Islet to observe its large colonies of sea lion sunbathe or splash in the water, or head to the white coral sands of Bachas Beach on the northern shores of Santa Cruz, a beach that earned its name after World War II when the American army abandoned their barges on the beach. If conditions permit, swim or snorkel among the marine wildlife here before reaching your hotel at 4:00 pm.

South Plazas Island
By bus this morning, depart from your hotel to the Itabaca Channel to board your boat and sail 20 minutes to Punta Carrión where you will have to opportunity to witness birds and sea turtles, and snorkel in a small cove. Then, sail for approximately 90 minutes towards South Plaza Island off the eastern shores of Santa Cruz. Despite its small size, South Plaza is recognized for its outstanding collection of wildlife species, and after a dry landing, you'll have the opportunity to embark on a 90-minute walk to witness one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos, land iguanas and masked boobies, as well as discover the island's rugged landscape. Return to the boat for lunch and reach Puerto Ayora for a 4 PM arrival at your hotel.

Santa Fe Island
From the dock of Puerto Ayora, the yacht will sail 90 minutes to Santa Fe Island - one of the oldest in the Galapagos archipelago at an estimated four million years. With a wet landing on the beach, embark on a 90-minute walking tour with your guide to explore the island's 24 sq. km, keeping your eyes peeled for sightings of Galápagos hawks, fork-tailed gulls and migratory birds. Situated between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, Santa Fe also boasts a diversity of endemic species, like the Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos Mockingbird, and rice rat. Its landscape is unique for its population of the large prickly pear cactus, Opuntia Echos, which feeds Santa Fe's land iguanas. If conditions permit, enjoy a relaxing swim or snorkel in the shimmering waters of Barrington Bay as hawks fly overhead, keeping your eyes peeled for rays, tropical fish and marine tortoises. Sail back to Santa Cruz for the evening and return to your hotel at 4 pm.

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island for your onward journey.

Flight to Guayaquil (1 hour 50 minutes). 

Flight to Santiago de Chile (4 hours 20 minutes).

Transfer to your hotel in Santiago.

Overnight at your hotel in Santiago.

Early morning transfer from your hotel to Santiago international airport (25 min). 

Flight to Hanga Roa, Easter Island's capital (5 hours). 

Arrival early in the afternoon at Mataveri International Airport and transfer to your hotel (10 min). 

Free afternoon to relax by the hotel's pool and explore the town of Hanga Roa (15 min walking distance). 

After dinner, transfer by car to Vai te Mihi (10 min) for your Maori Tupuna dance show (50 min). 

Transfer back to your hotel. 

Overnight at your hotel. 

Departure with your guide and driver for the East coast (6 miles - 10 km) to visit the untouched platforms of Ahu Vaihu and Ahu Akahanga. 

Proceed to Rano Raraku volcano, a quarry of 397 stone statues, the largest concentration of statues on Rapa Nui.

 Then visit Ahu Tongariki, a platform boasting 15 moai statues that have been recently restored, the largest restoration project on the island, and probably the most photographed site on Easter Island. 

Drive towards the East coast to visit the ceremonial centre of Ahu Te Pito Kura also known as the Navel of the World. 

Final stop at Anakena beach to discover Ahu Nau Nau, the best preserved moai of the island, and Ahu Ature Huke, the first moai to be restored to its platform in 1956. 

Free time on Anakena beach, perfect for sunbathing or swimming in the quiet waters of the Pacific ocean. 

Drive back to Hanga Roa (30 min). 

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel.

Transfer by car to Ahu Tahai area (5 min). 

Mount your horse for an amazing horseback ride along the coast all the way north to Ahu Akivi. 

Visit the Ahu Akivi platform with its unique 7 moai representing the first explorers of the Polynesian people who settled Rapa Nui island facing the open ocean. 

Ride back to Hanga Roa. 

Free time in the afternoon with the option to surf, snorkel or relax on the beach or at the hotel's pool.

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel. 

Free morning for shopping or relaxing at the hotel's pool. 

After lunch, transfer to Mataveri airport with your guide. 

Assistance with boarding formalities and check-in. 

Flight to Santiago (5 hours). 

Arrival in the evening at Santiago international airport and transfer to your hotel downtown (30 min).

Overnight at your hotel.