2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort (ISQ1)

8-Day Package from Quito to Guayaquil

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How deep is your love of adventure? Is it deep enough to follow the course of Charles Darwin to discover your own love affair with the wildlife paradise of the Galápagos Islands? If so, this Globus Independent tour in Ecuador is pointing you in the right direction. Begin by exploring the historic heart of Quito and depart for parts unknown where blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and diving iguanas of the Galápagos give new meaning to mind-blowing discoveries. You’ll stay at the award-winning Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, offering a seaside location to kayak, snorkel, bike, and take boat excursions to the various Galápagos Islands with expert naturalists. Sail in luxury upon pristine waters to discover the perfectly evolved creatures who thrive on this volcanic archipelago. Stroll the sand where sea lions bask and albatross brace against the updrafts above the cliffs. Sail, snorkel, and simply stay in a state of astonishment through the islands of Santa Cruz, South Plaza Island, and other island sanctuaries of spectacular species. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where conservationists work to protect the gentle giants for which the islands are named. Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!

Special features included in this tour:

  • Private guided sightseeing of Quito’s colonial landmarks, including Independence Square and the Basilica
  • Guided Galápagos Island excursions to Bartolome Island, Divine Bay, and Santa Fe Island
  • Visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz for the Giant Tortoise Reserve and local coffee, sugar cane, and cocoa farm for lunch
  • Snorkeling opportunities
  • Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Roundtrip internal flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfast daily; 4 lunches; 4 three-course dinners


Notes:

Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and includes private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon are included. Local Guide service is provided in Quito. A naturalist in the Galápagos & the Amazon is also provided.

On the Galápagos Islands, we use a small vessel (20 guests) that has three crew members, emergency washrooms, and a snack bar. The excursions are day cruises with landings on the islands, some of which are wet landings. Departure times vary depending on islands visited. At times we may visit one island, with varying/multiple landing locations on the same island. These sailings are subject to change and are weather related depending on the island visited. Sailings are approximately 5 to 6 hours per day, which includes landings and sightseeing.

Maximum elevation on tour is 9,350 ft.

This vacation includes the following Intra-Vacation Air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Galápagos & Galápagos/Guayaquil.

Galápagos package includes Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR


Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

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Day 2 QUITO


Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows.



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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 QUITO–BALTRA–SANTA CRUZ

Transfer to the airport and fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, set off toward the Itabaca Channel and begin a scenic drive across Santa Cruz Island. Along the way, pause at Los Gemelos, dramatic twin pit craters, for a gentle walk and photo opportunity. Your journey continues to a local ranch and tortoise reserve, where you’ll come face to face with one of the Galápagos’ most iconic residents—the magnificent giant tortoise. Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant before you head to the hotel for check-in and some well‑deserved time to unwind.

Please note:
Departure times vary depending on what islands we visit. At times we may visit one island, but we land on different parts of it. These sailings are subject to change and weather-related depending on what island we are visiting.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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DinnerDinner

Day 4 SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND

Join a naturalist guide for an unforgettable day to a nearby island within the Galápagos National Park aboard the elegant Sea Lion Yacht. Enjoy a truly personalized experience on board, with attentive crew members, a delicious hot lunch, comfortable air‑conditioned interiors, and spacious outdoor viewing decks ideal for wildlife watching. Arrive at Bartolomé Island, renowned for its iconic Pinnacle Rock, a dramatic volcanic spire rising from the ocean and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the archipelago. At its base, Galápagos penguins—the only penguin species found north of the equator—carefully navigate narrow lava ledges, while playful sea lions lounge on rocky platforms and eagerly slip into the water to interact with snorkelers.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 5 SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO DIVINE BAY

Today’s adventure takes you to the Charles Darwin Research Station, established to help conserve the Galápagos’ natural habitats and protect the area’s famous giant tortoises. Just a short distance away lies tranquil Divine Bay, framed by rugged basalt cliffs on one side and lush mangrove forests on the other. This peaceful haven teems with wildlife, including small egrets, blue‑footed boobies, herons, brown pelicans, noddy terns, lava gulls, sea lions, sea turtles, and more—making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Divine Bay is also considered one of the premier snorkeling sites in the area, offering exceptional underwater encounters. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening to enjoy the resort’s amenities.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 6 SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO SANTA FE ISLAND

Another unforgettable day awaits on the water as you board the Sea Lion Yacht for a scenic voyage to Santa Fe Island, home to one of the most beautiful and sheltered coves in the Galápagos. A crescent of tiny islets protects its striking turquoise lagoon, creating a calm and picturesque anchorage. Located southeast of Santa Cruz and visible from Puerto Ayora, Santa Fe has been shaped by seismic uplift, revealing fascinating underwater lava formations that add to the island’s dramatic natural appeal.



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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 7 SANTA CRUZ–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL


Depart the hotel this morning for the airport in Baltra. Then, fly to Guayaquil on Ecuador’s Pacific coast and transfer to the hotel for your final night in Ecuador.



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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 GUAYAQUIL


Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.



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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ANA CECILIA CARDENAS

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

I always liked to travel and that is why after finishing high school, I decided to study tourism administration. While I was studying at the University, I started to work as a tour guide and found it very interesting. Being a tour guide allows me to meet people from many different places and it took me to incredible places. For a period of time I moved to Argentina where I taught Spanish and English but I missed my family and country, so I decided to come back to Ecuador. When I came back to Quito, I worked as a Key Account Executive for a tour operator, which was a great experience for my career, but after a time, I decided to be a tour guide again. I realized I enjoy being with people outside in the nature more than working in an office, and I am able to have more time for other activities I like, such as painting and working with the children of my church.

Tour Director - ANA CECILIA CARDENAS

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.