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Ecuador: Natural Wonders of Galapagos

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Bartolome Island in the Galapagos shows volcanic cones, twin turquoise bays, and the iconic Pinnacle Rock rising from the sea
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Overview
  • Duration:8 days 7 nights
  • Tour Type:Educational Tours
📍 Cities: Quito, Galapagos Islands

Itinerary

Fly to EcuadorDay 1

DAY 1: HOME - QUITO

Board your flight to Quito. Bienvenidos a Ecuador! Meet your Prometour Tour Director upon arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Have dinner with group. Overnight in Quito.

Quito and Middle of the WorldDay 2

DAY 2: QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Quito: Explore Quito - with one of the best-preserved UNESCO World Heritage historic centers in Latin America.
  • Middle of the World: Visit the Middle of the World - learn important facts about the Equator and celebrate being in both hemispheres at the same time.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Fly to Galapagos - Santa Cruz IslandDay 3

DAY 3: QUITO - GALAPAGOS

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Flight: Transfer to the airport and fly to the Galapagos Islands.
  • Santa Cruz: Arrive at Baltra airport and meet your local guide. Transfer to Santa Cruz Island.
  • Highlands: Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz, characterized by its beautiful Scalesia Forest and luxuriant vegetation.
  • Gemelos: Visit the Gemelos volcanic depressions (the Twins). Continue to the Giant Tortoise reserve to observe these animals in the wild.
  • Hotel: Continue to Puerto Ayora for check-in at your hotel.
  • Welcome Dinner: Enjoy welcome dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Galapagos Island ExcursionDay 4

DAY 4: GALAPAGOS

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Island Excursion: Depart from Puerto Ayora by boat for a guided excursion. Your local guide will introduce you to the amazing Galapagos ecosystem - learn about island formation, its flora, and fauna. Visit islands such as Floreana, North Seymour, Bachas, or Isabela.
  • Return: Return to Puerto Ayora for dinner and overnight.

Conservation Community Service DayDay 5

DAY 5: GALAPAGOS

  • Service Day: Today, participate in community service and environmental activity.
  • NGO Work: Support a local NGO working within the Galapagos community on projects to reconcile the differences between preservation of the environment and development needs.
  • Activities: Work on sustainable development, organic agriculture, habitat restoration including trail maintenance and beach cleaning, reforestation, and ecological education.
  • Leisure: The rest of the afternoon is at leisure - visit Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on Santa Cruz Island, or explore Puerto Ayora.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Environmental Park and Charles Darwin StationDay 6

DAY 6: GALAPAGOS

  • Breakfast: Breakfast with your group.
  • Environmental Park: Visit the Fabricio Valverde Environmental Park, managed by the Municipality of Santa Cruz. The Center collects non-organic material from the Island for recycling. The park also has a Compost Center where all organic wastes of the Island are processed.
  • Darwin Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Station to see the Giant Tortoises. Enjoy a lecture led by station personnel to learn about the challenges faced by the Galapagos Islands.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Return to QuitoDay 7

DAY 7: GALAPAGOS - QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel with your group.
  • Flight: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito.
  • Hotel: Transfer to your hotel for check-in.
  • Leisure: The afternoon is at leisure - pack or visit Quito at your own pace.
  • Farewell Dinner: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Overnight: Overnight in Quito.

Fly Back HomeDay 8

DAY 8: QUITO - HOME

Breakfast at the hotel with your group. Board your bus and transfer to the airport. Say Hasta Luego to your Prometour Tour Director. Board your flight from Quito and fly back home.

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Why Choose Prométour?
100% Risk Free Registration (no costs)
30+ years of Experience
Customizable Itineraries
Guaranteed travel dates
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises
24 x 7 Dedicated support
Learn More
Overview
  • Duration:8 days 7 nights
  • Tour Type:Educational Tours
📍 Cities: Quito, Galapagos Islands

Itinerary

Fly to EcuadorDay 1

DAY 1: HOME - QUITO

Board your flight to Quito. Bienvenidos a Ecuador! Meet your Prometour Tour Director upon arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Have dinner with group. Overnight in Quito.

Quito and Middle of the WorldDay 2

DAY 2: QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with your group.
  • Quito: Explore Quito - with one of the best-preserved UNESCO World Heritage historic centers in Latin America.
  • Middle of the World: Visit the Middle of the World - learn important facts about the Equator and celebrate being in both hemispheres at the same time.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Fly to Galapagos - Santa Cruz IslandDay 3

DAY 3: QUITO - GALAPAGOS

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Flight: Transfer to the airport and fly to the Galapagos Islands.
  • Santa Cruz: Arrive at Baltra airport and meet your local guide. Transfer to Santa Cruz Island.
  • Highlands: Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz, characterized by its beautiful Scalesia Forest and luxuriant vegetation.
  • Gemelos: Visit the Gemelos volcanic depressions (the Twins). Continue to the Giant Tortoise reserve to observe these animals in the wild.
  • Hotel: Continue to Puerto Ayora for check-in at your hotel.
  • Welcome Dinner: Enjoy welcome dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Galapagos Island ExcursionDay 4

DAY 4: GALAPAGOS

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Island Excursion: Depart from Puerto Ayora by boat for a guided excursion. Your local guide will introduce you to the amazing Galapagos ecosystem - learn about island formation, its flora, and fauna. Visit islands such as Floreana, North Seymour, Bachas, or Isabela.
  • Return: Return to Puerto Ayora for dinner and overnight.

Conservation Community Service DayDay 5

DAY 5: GALAPAGOS

  • Service Day: Today, participate in community service and environmental activity.
  • NGO Work: Support a local NGO working within the Galapagos community on projects to reconcile the differences between preservation of the environment and development needs.
  • Activities: Work on sustainable development, organic agriculture, habitat restoration including trail maintenance and beach cleaning, reforestation, and ecological education.
  • Leisure: The rest of the afternoon is at leisure - visit Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on Santa Cruz Island, or explore Puerto Ayora.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Environmental Park and Charles Darwin StationDay 6

DAY 6: GALAPAGOS

  • Breakfast: Breakfast with your group.
  • Environmental Park: Visit the Fabricio Valverde Environmental Park, managed by the Municipality of Santa Cruz. The Center collects non-organic material from the Island for recycling. The park also has a Compost Center where all organic wastes of the Island are processed.
  • Darwin Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Station to see the Giant Tortoises. Enjoy a lecture led by station personnel to learn about the challenges faced by the Galapagos Islands.
  • Dinner: Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Return to QuitoDay 7

DAY 7: GALAPAGOS - QUITO

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel with your group.
  • Flight: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito.
  • Hotel: Transfer to your hotel for check-in.
  • Leisure: The afternoon is at leisure - pack or visit Quito at your own pace.
  • Farewell Dinner: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Overnight: Overnight in Quito.

Fly Back HomeDay 8

DAY 8: QUITO - HOME

Breakfast at the hotel with your group. Board your bus and transfer to the airport. Say Hasta Luego to your Prometour Tour Director. Board your flight from Quito and fly back home.

Learning Objectives

Analyze the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands, examining how island isolation drove the evolution of species that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

Investigate the geological formation of the Galapagos Islands, including volcanic depressions, lava tubes, and the ecological significance of the Scalesia Forest on Santa Cruz Island.

Evaluate the challenges of balancing environmental preservation with community development needs, through work with a local NGO and visits to the Fabricio Valverde Environmental Park.

Compare the ecosystems of mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, examining how geography and isolation produce distinct flora, fauna, and conservation challenges.

Examine the role of scientific research and international conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Station, including the Giant Tortoise breeding program and ongoing biodiversity monitoring.

Tour maps

Landmark Highlights

  • Quito: UNESCO World Heritage historic center and Middle of the World monument.
  • Santa Cruz Island: Scalesia Forest highlands, Gemelos volcanic depressions, and Giant Tortoise reserve.
  • Galapagos Island Excursion: Guided multi-island boat excursion to Floreana, North Seymour, Bachas, or Isabela - learning about island formation, flora, and fauna.
  • Community Service: Full day with a local NGO on sustainable development, habitat restoration, organic agriculture, and ecological education.
  • Fabricio Valverde Environmental Park: Recycling center and Compost Center managed by the Municipality of Santa Cruz.
  • Charles Darwin Research Station: See Giant Tortoises and hear a lecture from station personnel on the challenges faced by the Galapagos Islands.
Why Choose Prométour?
100% Risk Free Registration (no costs)
30+ years of Experience
Customizable Itineraries
Guaranteed travel dates
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises
24 x 7 Dedicated support
Learn More

Frequently asked questions

Will my group be combined with another school group?

No. Every Prométour educational tour is personalized to ensure a meaningful experience. We guarantee private tours for all groups.

Your group will have its own dedicated Tour Director and itinerary, and will not be combined with any other school or student group.

How does Prométour support teachers with planning?

We take care of everything to make trip planning easy. From organizing travel logistics and accommodations to managing registrations, payments, and documentation, our team handles all the details so you can focus on the experience.

Support starts from day one. To help launch your trip, we host a parent meeting where your dedicated Tour Consultant introduces themselves, represents Prométour, and answers any parent questions directly.

Throughout the planning process, our expert Customer Service Team is available to assist families with registration, payments, and general inquiries, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone involved.

When will our travel dates be confirmed?

Prométour trips are fully customizable, including your travel dates. You can choose the dates that best align with your school calendar, giving your group flexibility to coordinate extracurricular activities around the trip.

How does Prométour support our group during the trip?

With our own teams in locations such as Montréal, Paris, and Málaga, you get real people who are with your students and know the destination inside and out, not a call center just reading from a script.
If any issues arise while on tour, our 24/7 Emergency Line ensures that help is always just a phone call away. Your group will have access to real-time support whenever it's needed.

What are Prométour's cancellation fees?

When you register for a Prométour trip, you can do so with confidence. If you cancel before the tour is officially confirmed, you'll receive a full refund with no questions asked.

Once the tour is confirmed, standard cancellation fees apply based on your departure date. Travelers may still be eligible for insurance coverage depending on their policy.

In some regions, and for travelers with an upgraded plan, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance may be available. We recommend contacting the insurance provider directly for full details on coverage options.
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