7D/6N Quito & Galapagos Luxury Island Hopping

Your guide will meet you at Quito airport arrival point to begin your transfer toward the hotel where you will stay.

The capital city of Quito stands as the second highest capital in the world because it rests within a circular formation of Andean mountains which create a stunning natural environment. The Quitu tribe established their first settlement during the first millennium which later became Quito, before the Inca Empire made it their vital domain until the Spanish conqueror Sebastián de Benalcázar destroyed it to create a new city in 1534.

UNESCO recognized the colonial center as a World Heritage Site in 1978 because it represents one of the most extensive and well-maintained colonial centers throughout Latin America. The city contains outstanding museums together with churches and art galleries for visitors to explore.

A unique journey through flavors, traditions, and local heritage

The tour starts with a hotel pickup service which transports guests directly to the center of Quito’s daily activities. The lively Santa Clara Market presents its visitors with a colorful environment which produces natural aromas through its collection of indigenous flowers and fruit and handmade basketry and ceramic artwork. The Andean energy cleansing ritual with traditional healer becomes available for people who want to experience authentic cultural practices.

The next stop offers one of the city’s most impressive panoramic views from the towers of a stunning Neo-Gothic church, one of the most iconic landmarks in Quito.

The experience continues along one of the city’s most traditional streets, where creativity and history blend seamlessly. Visitors can step into artisan workshops that preserve ancestral techniques in leather, wood, and metal, depending on availability. A local host creates an authentic dining experience through her culinary heritage which she shares with guests in her personal dining area.

Travelers will discover multiple historical churches which represent Quito’s cultural heritage during their visit to the city center. The tour includes a dining experience at a colonial house where chefs prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes from local ingredients which demonstrate the diverse flavors of Ecuador.

The walk continues through historical landmarks such as old libraries and iconic plazas. The site provides visitors with two activities which let them taste classic sweets while hearing stories about Quito’s historical background through its traditional folklore.

The experience reaches its peak at the last destination which leads visitors to a conventional bakery where they can enjoy a hot local pastry and Quito coffee before heading back to their hotel.

After breakfast, your Galapagos journey starts with a flight to Baltra Island, which leads you to the Pikaia Lodge.
Check in at Quito International Airport. Depending on flight routes, flight time will vary from 1h45m to 2h45 hours approximately.

The VIP Lounge staff will greet all visitors when they arrive at Seymour Airport (GPS) to help with their arrival needs and park fee payments, and luggage retrieval. The private van service will take guests to the Itabaca Channel, where they need to board a five-minute boat trip to Santa Cruz Island. After that, they will experience a picturesque 40-minute drive to Pikaia Lodge.

The lodge staff will greet visitors with a welcome drink while they give out their printed travel plans during the check-in process. A convenient time will be scheduled for a brief orientation about the property and the Galapagos Islands.

Lunch will be served at Evolution Restaurant, after which guests can unwind and explore the lodge’s facilities, relax at Sumaq Spa, swim in the infinity pool, work out at the gym, or go trekking or cycling within the 31-hectare private reserve.

Dinner at Evolution Restaurant begins at 7:30 p.m.

You will board the boat after breakfast which will lead you to Itabaca Channel before starting your Santa Fe trip. The island welcomes visitors with a noisy group of sea lions which lie on the warm sand while they soak up the sunlight. The Santa Fe land iguana which exists only in this location will become your main attraction during your guided hike through the island trails. During your visit you will encounter Galapagos hawks and blue-footed boobies as well as lava lizards. The bay’s calm waters create an ideal swimming area which allows you to observe sea lions and rays together with various colorful tropical fish. The South Plazas location appears simple at first until visitors discover its stunning features which include tall cliffs and colorful vegetation. The island experiences an annual transformation of colors throughout the year, which makes the ocean’s blue beauty stand out even more. The trails take you through paths which reveal yellow land iguanas together with swallow-tail gulls and large groups of sea lions that relax under the sun. The cliff’s edge serves as an ideal spot which lets you watch red-billed tropicbirds when they fly through the open sky. Return to Santa Cruz during the afternoon with a collection of Galapagos memories which will stick with you throughout your life from the islands’ untamed natural beauty and diverse animal population.

Your adventure begins after you finish breakfast when you head to the Itabacá Channel to board your yacht. The beginning of your tour takes place at North Seymour Island which provides an excellent sanctuary for bird enthusiasts and nature supporters. The route takes you across difficult landscapes which host large bird colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds together with living sea lion habitats. The courtship displays of boobies and frigatebirds will fascinate you because they show off their bright red pouches during their mating rituals. Mosquera Islet stands as a peaceful island that lies between Baltra and North Seymour at their meeting point. The area supports South America’s largest sea lion population which exists alongside multiple chances to watch lava gulls and sally lightfoot crabs and sometimes Galapagos sharks appear in the surrounding ocean. The snorkeling trip shows clear waters which display an amazing collection of marine life that includes rays and reef fish and sea turtles that swim close to the water surface. The boat serves lunch to guests who will take their return trip to Santa-Cruz-Island during the afternoon. The Galapagos offers a perfect day trip that combines breathtaking views and close animal encounters, and exciting adventures to create the ultimate Galapagos experience.

After breakfast, you should head toward Itabacca Channel to board your yacht which will start your journey. Your path starts at North Seymour Island which protects both bird enthusiasts and wildlife enthusiasts who visit the sanctuary. Visitors can access the island’s rugged coastal areas for strenuous hikes which lead them to observe blue-footed boobies and frigate birds and sea lions frolicking in ocean waters. Male frigatebirds show their red pouches to attract female mates which reveals the courtship behaviors of boobys during their display. The journey continues to Mosquera Islet, which presents a small sandy haven between Baltra and North Seymour. The archipelago supports the second-largest sea lion population across the globe because visitors can observe lava gulls and sally lightfoot crabs and Galapagos sharks swim through the nearby ocean. People can swim through the crystal-clear water because it reveals the entire reef system which contains rays and reef fish and sea turtles that swim in the water. We will serve you a specially prepared lunch on board before we head back to Santa Cruz Island during the middle of the afternoon. The Galapagos provides visitors with a complete day tour which combines stunning natural views with animal sightings and exciting outdoor experiences to create a mandatory adventure.

The final morning at the Galapagos Islands begins with guests receiving a healthy breakfast before the lodge operates guest transportation based on their flight schedules. Pikaia Lodge guests will board a private bus after they say their goodbyes before they begin their 40-minute scenic journey to reach the Itabaca Channel dock. You need to take a five-minute boat trip to reach Baltra before you can board a private van which will take you to Seymour Eco-Airport. The check-in process at your airline concludes when you proceed through airport security to reach the VIP section. The airport security process enables you to enter the VIP lounge, which provides luxurious facilities. The VIP lounge provides its guests with basic food options which they can consume during their flight waiting period.