Private city tour of Quito

There’s so much to see and do in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, it’s hard to know where to start. Rest easy during this full-day tour knowing you’ll hit the best parts to make the most of your time. Start with panoramic views of the city from Pichincha Volcano, then head to the Middle of the World to straddle the equator. Return to the city’s colonial heart, then choose your own adventure. Explore Quito's highlights without getting lost with a guide Visit the Pichincha Volcano and the Middle of the World monument Customize your itinerary according to personal preference Hassle-free round-trip transport with hotel pickup included

 AM - Bartolome

 The beautiful volcano islet of Bartolome is among the youngest of the islands, and on a geological scale was just recently born out of fire. Although at first sight lifeless, Bartolome offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas in the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic ‘Pinnacle Bay’ you have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114m/375ft). Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains. The Summit Trail is also ideal to witness how scanty pioneer vegetation such as lava cactus is struggling to take root in the bare virgin lava fields.

 PM - Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove 

Espumilla Beach is an important breeding site for turtles, as it is no longer suffering from digging wild pigs. The  turtles return year after year to bury their eggs into the cinnamon colored sand dunes. About two months later  (roughly from February to August) the eggs hatch. The beach ridge hides a mangle with two lagoons on the backside. A colony of American flamingos and aquatic birds used to be its main attraction, but after the climate phenomenon  of El Niño, strong sedimentation altered the water environment, and now no longer contains their food. Vegetation zones are very close by, providing great scenic contrasts. During the climb up a hill, you will be  rewarded with a beautiful overview of the transitions from sea to beach and from mangrove to a dry palo  santo forest.  At the nearby Buccaneers Cove, you have a great snorkeling opportunity .

 AM - Charles Darwin Research Station

 Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are done. The main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. 

PM - Highlands (Santa Cruz) 

The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located at a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area gives you beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the Giant Tortoise specie of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat. 

 AM - Gardner Bay (Española) 

The striking white beach at Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, without doubt its main attraction is the Galapagos sea lion colony. Females stay year round in this nursery, suckling their pups up to an age of 3  years, although these start to fish after 5 months of their birth.  During the breeding- and mating season, the colony becomes even bigger. 

PM - Suarez Point (Española) 

Huge Ocean waves bang onto the southern basaltic cliffs of Suarez Point, forming a spectacular blowhole, where the water sprays meters high into the air (depending on the season, the tide and how strong the sea breeze pushes the waves). Take your time for a meditative break in silence on this emblematic viewpoint, and convert this unforgettable moment in a lifetime  experience. 

 AM - Interpretation Center (Santa Cristóbal) 

The Interpretation Centre just outside the provincial capital Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is a perfect introduction as well as an interesting complement to the field-explanations and briefings of your naturalist guide. Information panels (English/Spanish), pictures, maquettes and true to life dioramas tell the background story of the islands in a different way, which helps you to get an overview and learn what makes the Galapagos so unique. The well-maintained botanical garden with native species from the arid zone (including the giant prickly pear and candelabra cacti) is worth your visit as well; and you will probably spot the Chatham mockingbird, endemic to this island, that put Darwin on track of his evolution theory. The attractive exhibition is quite complete and explains a series of natural circumstances that create the Galapagos’ unique environment: such as the volcanic genesis of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, its ocean currents, its special climate, the arrival of different species, and their establishment, among others. It also recounts historic discovery and attempts of colonization; and shows a diorama with ancient mail barrels from Post Office Bay. Extensively it concludes how times have changed with current conservation and the many ways in which this is being achieved, as well as the environmental challenges that proceed. PM - Transfer out to San Cristobal Airport (SCY) 

Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crewmembers, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the Seymour Ecological Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.

Flight to Quito 

• Tips, personal expenses 
• Alcoholic and bottled beverages
• Wetsuit
• Travel and health insurance for a full stay in Ecuador, 
• Public bus airport-dock-airport in the event that the passenger uses other schedules.
• Any services or activities not mentioned in our information.
• International flights