As evening falls, Quito comes alive with colonial beauty, Andean culture, and vibrant neighborhoods. Stroll the illuminated plazas and cobblestone streets of the Old Town, browse artisan shops along Calle La Ronda, and sip a warm canelazo to the sound of live music. Ride the TeleferiQo for sunset views, sample street food and creative dining in La Floresta, visit a local craft brewery, or continue the evening with cocktails and nightlife around Plaza Foch.

A city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and home to many spectacular historic churches; Quito has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all of South America. The integrity of this fascinating historic city was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site. Join your private guide and walk through the city's Main Plaza to see the Government Palace, the spectacular gilded church of La CompaÑÍa, and some of the most important churches built through the 16th and 17th centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery. Visit La Ronda, the city’s famous colonial street to learn about traditional jobs in colonial Quito. Your final stop will be Panecillo, a hill that divides Quito between north and south. Here you will be able to admire the famous statue Our Lady of the Panecillo, built by Bernardo de Legarda, while taking in spectacular views of the city. After a break for lunch in the emblematic neighborhood of La Ronda, enjoy a chocolate sampling experience, starting with a guided tour that explains the history of cocoa in Ecuador. Cocoa has been revered in Latin America for over 5,000 years, and Spanish explorers treasured it so much they dubbed it the ‘Food of the Gods’. Learn about Republica del Cacao, an ambitious company that aims to produce the most authentic chocolate while developing sustainable fine cocoa production practices. This day of discovery concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.

Tonight, dine at Urko Cocina Local, a casual and ambient gastro-house that is widely regarded as one of Quito’s top restaurants. Utilizing ingredients from the many unique regions of Ecuador, Urko Cocina Local invites guests to discover a slice of the country’s history and culinary heritage while enjoying a range of masterfully prepared dishes. Reservations will be made in advance, and round-trip transportation in a private vehicle will also be provided. Please note: Your meal is not included and must be paid for on location. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.

Transfer to Quito Airport with your private driver and an English-speaking guide.

Board a flight in Quito with service to Baltra Island, connecting via Guayaquil (no change of plane required). Approximate flight duration is three hours and 30 minutes. Please note: Flight rates and availability are subject to change until booking.

All guests visiting the Galapagos Islands are required to have medical travel insurance. Proof of insurance is required upon entry to the Galapagos Islands, and your insurance policy must be valid for the duration of your stay. Medical Travel Insurance can be purchased through Kensington Tours or independently. Please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.

The mandatory Galapagos tourist transit card is included in your itinerary.

The mandatory Galapagos National Park entrance fee is included in your itinerary. Please Note: All Galapagos excursions are to be referenced as a guideline only - the route and program are subject to change according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety precautions and estimated wildlife encounters, etc. A fuel surcharge is applicable to all vessels cruising in the Galapagos and all flights to and from the Galapagos. These surcharges have been included in your trip price. Fuel Surcharges are subject to change without notice and additional fees may be applicable at time of travel.

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, gateway to the Galapagos, you will be greeted by a local representative and escorted to a lounge with restroom facilities, where you will have the opportunity to change into swimwear and apply sunscreen before transferring to the Itabaca Channel.

At Itabaca, explore the beautiful turquoise waters with your private guide while kayaking, snorkeling, or using a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Throughout the water activities, keep an eye out for iconic Galapagos wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, sea lions, brown pelicans, a variety of herons, and white-tipped reef sharks, all amid red mangrove forests and dramatic lava rock cliffs. The clear waters also offer excellent opportunities to observe marine life in the shallows.

Single and double sit-on-top ocean kayaks and life jackets are provided. A support boat will accompany you throughout the water activities for added safety and provide water, snacks, and towels between activities. After an hour or two on the water, you will be transferred to your accommodations on Santa Cruz Island.

La Terraza at Ikala Galapagos Hotel is an inviting place to begin the day or unwind at sunset. Buffet breakfasts, private dinners, and al fresco dining showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients inspired by the islands. As evening falls, admire Puerto Ayora Bay and use the available binoculars to observe the moon and stars, creating a peaceful dining experience connected to the natural beauty of the Galapagos.

Begin the day with a visit to the Cerro Mesa viewpoint, from which you can admire sweeping views of the southern shore of Santa Cruz. Afterward, continue toward one of Cerro Mesa’s most iconic formations, its collapsed crater, hiking downhill for approximately 30 minutes. Explore the fascinating crater floor and take some time to relax before beginning the hike back. Along the way, keep watch for endemic bird species such as the woodpecker finch and, with some luck, iconic Galapagos wildlife including giant tortoises.

After a break for lunch, set out on a short walk along flat, easy terrain through a deciduous forest to reach El Garrapatero Beach. Enjoy time at leisure by the water, with kayaking available when weather and water conditions allow. Continue with a short walk to a brackish lagoon, where you may spot pink flamingos. At the end of the day, return to your accommodations.

Evenings on Santa Cruz Island unfold at an easygoing pace. Stroll Puerto Ayora’s waterfront, browse local shops, or dine on fresh seafood at Isla Grill, Plaza del JardÍn, or Calle Charles Binford’s lively Los Kioskos market. Sample local brews at Santa Cruz Brewery, sip oceanfront cocktails at Bohemian or The Point by Midori, and watch the sunset from La Ratonera alongside marine iguanas and crabs.

Begin your day in Puerto Ayora with a short water taxi crossing to the opposite shore, where your exploration starts. Together with your private guide, follow a gently winding path of approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) leading to Las Grietas. This narrow volcanic canyon is framed by steep rock walls and filled with remarkably clear, still water, offering a refreshing place to swim or snorkel.

From here, continue on foot through a landscape of dry coastal vegetation for around 2.5 km (1.5 miles), arriving at the expansive shoreline of Tortuga Bay. Known for its soft white sand and open coastal views, it is one of the most scenic stretches in the islands. Walk a further 1 km (0.6 miles) along the beach to reach Playa Mansa, where the waters are calm and well-suited for kayaking.

Set out on a guided kayaking experience along the bay, taking in the surroundings from the water. At the end of your excursion, return to Puerto Ayora, where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to your hotel.

Enjoy a private transfer from your hotel on Santa Cruz Island to the Baltra Airport. The travel duration is 1-2 hours depending on the location of your hotel.

Board a flight at Baltra Airport with direct service to San Cristobal. Approximate flight duration is 45 minutes. Please note: Inter-island flights are operated on light aircraft's, often Britten-Norman Islander planes which seat 6-8 passengers. Luggage restrictions apply: 1) One checked bag weighing up to 20 lbs (11 kg) per guest, 2) One piece of carry-on luggage weighting up to 5 lbs (2.3 kg) per guest.

Enjoy a private transfer alongside a professional driver and English-speaking guide between your hotel and the airport on San Cristobal Island.

Replete with all the amenities expected of a modern beachside resort, the Golden Bay Hotel stands out as the finest boutique hotel in the quiet town of San Cristobal. Ideal for family, friends or couples, the property features a lovely sun terrace, outdoor pool and garden, and is situated just steps from the water. Opt to enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool located in the interior garden. Located next to the island's sea lion colony, perhaps take some time to photograph your playful new neighbors, known to lounge on the hotel's terrace chairs. Today, take the time to slow down and take in all that surrounds.

San Cristobal’s intimate dining scene centers around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where local farms and fishermen inspire fresh island flavors. Darwin’s Secret and Post Office Galapagos showcase local cuisine, while Midori Galapagos and The Pier pair creative menus with coastal views. Giuseppe’s serves Italian favorites, El Descanso Marinero specializes in seafood, and Calypso offers a relaxed setting for a casual meal.

Your day begins with a visit to Cerro Colorado Reserve alongside your private guide. From the entrance of the Reserve, walk slightly just over half a mile to reach Puerto Chino beach. This is a spectacular beach where you can find a number of endemic plant species, colonies of seals and many other animals, and where you will also have time to enjoy some snorkeling in the inviting water. After stopping to enjoy your box lunch in the Reserve (included), drive to the highest part of the island where you’ll visit and take a relaxed walk around El Junco lagoon. This body of water is the largest source of fresh water on the island and a critical source of life for the many inhabitants of the archipelago.

As evening unfolds, San Cristobal comes alive along the waterfront of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Stroll the illuminated Malecon as sea lions settle onto the benches and sand, or visit Playa Mann to watch the last light fade over the shore. Dine on fresh island flavors, sip local craft beer at an open-air cafe overlooking the bay, then walk beyond the town lights for stargazing beneath the clear Galapagos sky.

After an early rise, you’ll meet your private guide and depart from your hotel, heading to Baquerizo Moreno Port to set out for the impressive Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock, but before taking to the waters on a vessel shared with other travelers, you will try out some snorkeling gear in a small protected bay with calm water and playful sea lions. Leon Dormido, made of two rocks in the form of an obelisk, jutting dramatically out of the sea, is considered one of the top snorkel and dive sites in the Galapagos, and here you will use your snorkeling equipment to explore a channel between the rocks. Stingrays, white-tipped reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, turtles, tropical fish and eagle rays all live in the waters around Leon Dormido and if you are lucky you may even get to spot dolphins and whales! During the day, you'll be treated to a delicious lunch served onboard. After snorkeling at Kicker Rock, you will return to San Cristobal and be transferred to your accommodations.

Enjoy a private transfer alongside a professional driver and English-speaking guide between your hotel and the airport on San Cristobal Island.

Board a flight on San Cristobal Island with direct service to Guayaquil. Approximate flight duration is two hours. Please note: Flight rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Following a meticulous renovation, this antique Spanish-colonial house was resurrected and modernized into what is now Hotel Mama Cuchara. The property offers guests all the charisma of a historic hotel, the deeply individual charm of a boutique guesthouse and the effortless comforts, services and contemporary elegance of five star accommodations. Faithful to the Art Hotels brand concept, Hotel Mama Cuchara indulges the keen traveler with a private collection of art complemented by rotating exhibits of various Ecuadorian artists. For an artistic, creative approach to luxury hospitality in the impressive historic center of Quito – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – look no further than Hotel Mama Cuchara.

The Ikala Galapagos Hotel offers an experience made to impress. Surrounded by beautiful trees and lush gardens, the hotel invites you to unwind in one of the 15 spacious suites or 6 standard guest rooms. Take a refreshing dip in the open-air pool, indulge in delicious dishes in La Terraza Restaurant & Bar, or spend time exploring at your own pace with complimentary bicycle rentals. The Ikala Galapagos Hotel's use of solar energy, convenient location, and dedicated staff help make it an ideal choice when visiting Santa Cruz for a peaceful retreat or an adventure to remember.

The 21-room Golden Bay Hotel was designed to offer guests an unparalleled level of comfort and world-class service in the strikingly beautiful Galapagos Islands. Ranked as the top choice for guests visiting Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on TripAdvisor, the property has clearly achieved this goal. Featuring an outdoor pool, non-smoking rooms, and gourmet cuisine on-site, the hotel fuses modern desires with the environmental demands of the Enchanted Archipelago. Modern, chic and stocked with the latest amenities, experience the Galapagos in luxury at the Golden Bay Hotel.