Aerial view onto city square with historic governmental buildings, bright green grass & trees & a lot of pedestrians in Quito.
Yellow church with large circular stained glass window beside grassy park with cobblestone walkways & Ecuador travelers.
looking up at the inside of an ornate basilica dome on the quito and guayaquil galapagos land tour
twin clock towers on a sunny day overlooking the city on the quito and guayaquil galapagos land tour
Trolley car in Guayaquil, Ecuador on cobblestone street by colonial pink building, seen on a Galapagos Travel Package tour.
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South America Galapagos Islands Land Tour

Quito & Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package

Getting to the Galapagos Islands requires travelers to book pre- and post-trip Guayaquil or Quito hotels. AdventureSmith Explorations has created this custom Quito & Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package to give travelers an easy, cost-effective way to book our most popular pre- & post-Galapagos travel package. Pair this with one of our Galapagos trips and your vacation will be seamless.

An Adventure Specialist will help you choose a base city that best fits your travel needs. We’ll include all the details you need pre- and post-cruise to make your Galapagos travel experience seamless, including tours, hotels and airport transfers. Options to customize your stay and hotel upgrades are also available.

QUITO
Quito, as a city, has much more to offer and is the first choice of most of our travelers. The capital city of Ecuador, Quito sits at an elevation of 9,350 feet making it the second highest capital city in the world. Its historic center is one of the best preserved in the Americas and tours make a great cultural and historical complement to Galapagos Island cruising. Please note that Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is quite distant from the Quito hotel district and colonial center. Anticipate that travel time between the airport and your hotel accommodations could be as long as two hours in traffic. Possible Quito hotels include Casa Gangotena and Hotel Patio Andaluz.

GUAYAQUIL
The largest and most populous city in Ecuador is a great option for travelers looking for the quickest, most affordable gateway to the Galapagos Islands. Highlights for visitors include urban renewal projects along the River Guayas promenade, namely the Malecon 2000 green space and riverwalk, and the historic, artistic neighborhood of Las Peñas. Proximity to the airport (10- to 15-minute drive) is a plus for our Guayaquil hotels. Those potential hotels include: Hotel del Parque, Wyndham Guayaquil and Mansion del Rio.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s land-based Galapagos tours or an overnight Galapagos cruise. Ask about upgrades to this itinerary (including culinary tours and/or five-star hotel choices) to make it an excellent match for one of our Galapagos luxury trips.



Itinerary

Round-Trip Quito Galapagos Travel Package Itinerary

The Round-Trip Quito Galapagos Travel Package provides two nights accommodation and a city tour in Quito prior to your Galapagos cruise, and another night in Quito following disembarkation, making your entire trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands seamless.

Read More
Day 1
Arrive Quito, Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your Quito hotel via private transfer. With a private transfer, be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide, holding a sign with your name on it, outside baggage claim. The guide helps with luggage, uses a private vehicle for a direct hotel transfer, shares information and answers questions along the way. A private airport transfer in Quito can take 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar; UPGRADE: Casa Gangotena, or similar

Meals

n/a

Read More
Day 2
Quito City Tour

Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private three-hour guided tour.

South America’s oldest capital city, Quito sits at 9,184 feet in elevation. It has been amazingly preserved and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour focuses on Quito’s colonial center, starting at Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. The tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this lively city, rest or prepare for your Galapagos cruise. Your Adventure Specialist can arrange a number of alternative tours, tailored to your interests.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar; UPGRADE: Casa Gangotena, or similar

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 3
Fly to Galapagos Islands

A transfer from your hotel to the airport is included. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby, help with luggage, provide a direct transfer to the airport and assist with the airport check in process. Fly from Quito to Galapagos. Upon arrival you are greeted by your Galapagos Guide for the transfer to your Galapagos cruise.

Accommodations

Galapagos Cruise Ship

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 4*
Return from Galapagos Islands to Quito, Ecuador

*Exact day will depend on the length of your Galapagos cruise. Upon completion of your Galapagos cruise, transfer from the ship to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, you are met by a local representative who will provide a private transfer to your Quito hotel.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar; UPGRADE: Casa Gangotena or similar

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 5*
Depart Quito, Ecuador

*Exact day will depend on the length of your Galapagos cruise. This morning, take your private transfer to the airport for return flights home or to your next destination in Ecuador or Peru.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included; all airport/hotel transfers (private); private half day city tour.

Exclusions

Airfare from US to Quito/Guayaquil; Galapagos flights; Galapagos National Park entrance fees (US $100 cash per adult and $50 for children under 12 years old for entries prior to August 1, 2024; US $200 cash per adult and $100 for children under 12 years old for entries beginning August 1, 2024); INGALA Transit Control Card (US $20 per person); excess baggage charges; tips to local staff; hotel upgrades; and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $200 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days – 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Round-Trip Quito Galapagos Travel Package begins and ends in Quito (UIO), Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Flights between mainland Ecuador (Quito) and the Galapagos are not included in the trip price, but are arranged for you by AdventureSmith Explorations through your ship. Your Adventure Specialist will book these flights for you on the scheduled Galapagos flight for your particular departure. Airfares vary by departure; your Adventure Specialist will detail these for you in their proposal and on your invoice. On flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands, baggage weight limits are currently 50 pounds for checked items, and 17 pounds for carry-on plus a small personal item. Subject to change. 

Room Configuration

Triple accommodations include a roll-away bed. Quad accommodations are in two twin rooms.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

We strongly recommend that you travel to Galapagos Province with travel insurance that contains medical coverage. Be certain to bring your insurance plan ID documents with you when you travel.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide, as occasionally some visits may be altered due to weather, wildlife, government regulation or at the guides’ discretion.

Quito to Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package Itinerary

The Quito to Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package provides two nights accommodation and a city tour in Quito prior to your Galapagos cruise, and one night in Guayaquil following disembarkation, making your entire trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands seamless.

Read More
Day 1
Arrive Quito, Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your Quito hotel via private transfer. With a private transfer, be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide, holding a sign with your name on it, outside baggage claim. The guide helps with luggage, uses a private vehicle for a direct hotel transfer, shares information and answers questions along the way. A private airport transfer in Quito can take 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Hotel Patio Andaluz,or similar; UPGRADE: Casa Gangotena, or similar

Meals

n/a

Read More
Day 2
Quito City Tour

Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private three-hour guided tour.

South America’s oldest capital city, Quito sits at 9,184 feet in elevation. It has been amazingly preserved and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour focuses on Quito’s colonial center, starting at Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. The tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this lively city, rest or prepare for your Galapagos cruise. Your Adventure Specialist can arrange a number of alternative tours, tailored to your interests.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Hotel Patio Andaluz,or similar; UPGRADE: Casa Gangotena, or similar

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 3
Fly to the Galapagos Islands

A transfer from your hotel to the airport is included. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby, help with luggage, provide a direct transfer to the airport and assist with the airport check in process. Fly from Quito to Galapagos. Upon arrival you are greeted by your Galapagos Guide for the transfer to your Galapagos cruise.

Accommodations

Galapagos Cruise Ship

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 4*
Return from Galapagos Islands to Guayaquil, Ecuador

*Exact day will depend on the length of your Galapagos cruise. Upon completion of your Galapagos cruise, transfer from the ship to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, you are met by a local representative who will provide a private transfer to your Guayaquil hotel.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Wyndham Guayaquil, or similar; UPGRADE: Hotel del Parque, or similar

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 5*
Depart Guayaquil, Ecuador

*Exact day will depend on the length of your Galapagos cruise. This morning, take your private transfer to the airport for return flights home or to your next destination in Ecuador or Peru.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Two nights Quito hotel accommodations; one night Guayaquil hotel accommodations, with breakfast included; all airport/hotel transfers (private); private half day city tour.

Exclusions

Airfare from US to Quito/Guayaquil; Galapagos flights; Galapagos National Park entrance fees (US $100 cash per adult and $50 for children under 12 years old for entries prior to August 1, 2024; US $200 cash per adult and $100 for children under 12 years old for entries beginning August 1, 2024); INGALA Transit Control Card (US $20 per person); excess baggage charges; tips to local staff; hotel upgrades; and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $200 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days – 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Quito to Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package begins in Quito (UIO), and ends in Guayaquil (GYE), Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Flights between mainland Ecuador (Quito and Guayaquil) and the Galapagos are not included in the trip price, but are arranged for you by AdventureSmith Explorations through your ship. Your Adventure Specialist will book these flights for you on the scheduled Galapagos flight for your particular departure. Airfares vary by departure; your Adventure Specialist will detail these for you in their proposal and on your invoice. On flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands, baggage weight limits are currently 50 pounds for checked items, and 17 pounds for carry-on plus a small personal item. Subject to change. 

Room Configuration

Triple accommodations include a roll-away bed. Quad accommodations are in two twin rooms.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

We strongly recommend that you travel to Galapagos Province with travel insurance that contains medical coverage. Be certain to bring your insurance plan ID documents with you when you travel.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide, as occasionally some visits may be altered due to weather, wildlife, government regulation or at the guides’ discretion.

Round-Trip Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package Itinerary

The Round-Trip Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package provides two nights accommodation and a city tour in Guayaquil prior to your Galapagos cruise, and another night in Guayaquil following disembarkation, making your entire trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands seamless.

Read More
Day 1
Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Guayaquil Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your Guayaquil hotel via private transfer. With a private transfer, be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide, holding a sign with your name on it, outside baggage claim. The guide helps with luggage, uses a private vehicle for a direct hotel transfer, shares information and answers questions along the way.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Wyndham Guayaquil, or similar; UPGRADE: Hotel del Parque, or similar

Meals

n/a

Read More
Day 2
Guayaquil City Tour

Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private three-hour guided tour.

Enjoy the main attractions of the Port of Guayaquil, starting with the Centennial Plaza that honors the heroes of Guayaquil’s independence, and then along 9th of October Boulevard to the heart of the city’s business district. See the famous Moorish Clock Tower and Bolívar Park. The latter is also called “the park of the iguanas,” as here they roam undisturbed and perch on the treetops. Proceed to the southern end of Guayaquil’s Malecon 2000 to see the Crystal Palace, Integration Square, the Plaza of the Flags and the Plaza Olmedo, all along the River Guayas waterfront. An easy walk leads to La Rotonda, which commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin, the liberators of South America. Then on to Barrio Las Peñas, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Guayaquil, whose wooden homes have been beautifully restored, housing many of the city’s art galleries. Continue past Guayaquil cemetery’s outstanding marble sculptures and on to the Urdesa residential area. End your tour at Malecón del Salado, the city’s latest urban regeneration project. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy Guayaquil, rest or prepare for your Galapagos cruise.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Wyndham Guayaquil, or similar; UPGRADE: Hotel del Parque, or similar

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 3
Fly to Galapagos Islands

A transfer from your hotel to the airport is included. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby, help with luggage, provide a direct transfer to the airport and assist with the airport check in process. Fly from Guayaquil to Galapagos. Upon arrival you are greeted by your Galapagos Guide for the transfer to your Galapagos cruise.

Accommodations

Galapagos Cruise Ship

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 4*
Return from Galapagos Islands to Guayaquil, Ecuador

*Exact day will depend on the length of your Galapagos cruise. Upon completion of your Galapagos cruise, transfer from the ship to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, you are met by a local representative who will provide a private transfer to your Guayaquil hotel.

Accommodations

STANDARD: Wyndham Guayaquil, or similar; UPGRADE: Hotel del Parque, or similar

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Day 5*
Depart Guayaquil, Ecuador

*Exact day will depend on the length of your Galapagos cruise. This morning, take your private transfer to the airport for return flights home or to your next destination in Ecuador or Peru.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Three nights Guayaquil hotel accommodations with breakfast included; all airport/hotel transfers (private); private half day city tour.

Exclusions

Airfare from US to Quito/Guayaquil; Galapagos flights; Galapagos National Park entrance fees (US $100 cash per adult and $50 for children under 12 years old for entries prior to August 1, 2024; US $200 cash per adult and $100 for children under 12 years old for entries beginning August 1, 2024); INGALA Transit Control Card (US $20 per person); excess baggage charges; tips to local staff; hotel upgrades; and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $200 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days – 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Round-Trip Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package begins and ends in Guayaquil (GYE), Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Flights between mainland Ecuador (Guayaquil) and the Galapagos are not included in the trip price, but are arranged for you by AdventureSmith Explorations through your ship. Your Adventure Specialist will book these flights for you on the scheduled Galapagos flight for your particular departure. Airfares vary by departure; your Adventure Specialist will detail these for you in their proposal and on your invoice. On flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands, baggage weight limits are currently 50 pounds for checked items, and 17 pounds for carry-on plus a small personal item. Subject to change. 

Room Configuration

Triple accommodations include a roll-away bed. Quad accommodations are in two twin rooms.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

We strongly recommend that you travel to Galapagos Province with travel insurance that contains medical coverage. Be certain to bring your insurance plan ID documents with you when you travel.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide, as occasionally some visits may be altered due to weather, wildlife, government regulation or at the guides’ discretion.

Rates & Dates

Trip Rates & Details

2024 Round-trip Quito Rates
5 days
From $685USD
Per Person
Read More
Read More
2024 Quito-Guayaquil Rates
5 days
From $585USD
Per Person
Read More
Read More
2024 Round-trip Guayaquil Rates
5 days
From $485USD
Per Person
Read More
Read More
Accommodations

Learn About the Hotels on Your Itinerary

Hotel
Hotel Patio Andaluz

Hotel Patio Andaluz in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador, is just a few minutes’ walk to the Plaza de la Independencia. The location plus the hotel’s storied history extends a full cultural gateway to late 16th century Quito.

Hotel
Casa Gangotena

Casa Gangotena is situated in a newly restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the Old Town of Quito, Ecuador.

Hotel
Wyndham Guayaquil

The Wyndham Guayaquil offers 175 riverside guest rooms overlooking the city. Located 3 miles from the airport and nearby to major attractions, this hotel features amenities that make every stay fulfilling, including a rooftop pool.

Hotel
Hotel del Parque

A tropical oasis located within a historical park in the city of Guayaquil, this luxury hotel offers the perfect refuge complete with a wildlife sanctuary, riverside dining and acres of bio-diverse parkland to explore. Set within a beautifully restored historical building, this boutique hotel is the perfect pre/post option for a Galapagos trip.

Expert Review

Reviews from Our Experts So You Know What to Expect

Lis Larson • April 18th, 2013
Expert Review: Quito & Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package - A Seamless Experience

All the details were taken care of, from the time I landed at the Guayaquil airport to the time I crossed back through security en route to the U.S. after my Galapagos cruise.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

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Quito & Guayaquil Galapagos Travel Package