Ecuador & Galápagos Islands Cruise: San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz

Name: Galápagos Legend was Legendary !
Item: Ecuador & Galápagos Islands Cruise: San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz
Rating: 5
Author: Teresa

10 days | 16 days with Peru extension

Group size: 15–35 travelers

Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars
7

Activity level

See dates & prices

This tour varies by year. Select which year's itinerary you would like to see.

2024 & 2025

2026

Get to the heart of Ecuador’s cultural and natural heritage.

If you think good things come in small packages, Ecuador’s the best present of all. Introduce yourself to this South American country on this version of our Ecuador & Galápagos Islands Cruise. Begin in its UNESCO-listed capital of Quito, replete with remnants of Spanish colonial rule, before departing from San Cristóbal for an island-hopping expedition through the Galápagos. Wrap up with a visit to the indigenous city of Otavalo, then extend your trip into Peru—if you’re feeling adventurous.

Your tour package includes

4 nights in handpicked hotels
4 nights aboard the M/V Galápagos Legend cruise ship
8 breakfasts
5 lunches
5 dinners
9 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
Private deluxe motor coach
2 on-tour flights

Included highlights

Cerro Panecillo
Old Quarter Quito
La Compañía
Gardner Bay
Floreana Island
Snorkeling with sea turtles
Punta Bowditch
Giant tortoise nature reserve
Otavalo market

Itinerary

Quito

Day 1: Flight & late-night arrival in Quito

Welcome to Ecuador! Arrive in Quito late this evening and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Quito

Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome lunch

Today, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Quito.

Drive up Cerro Panecillo hill for views of the city and surrounding volcanoes
Sit down to enjoy an included welcome lunch
Marvel at the neo-Gothic Basilica of the National Vow
Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, passing by the Legislative Palace, Independence Square, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito
Enter La Compañía, the city’s Baroque church, to view its gold leaf interior
Step inside the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco

Start planning today

Our travel experts are here to help.

Talk to a Tour Consultant

Reviews

Overall rating based on 7 traveler reviews

Showing 1-6 of 7 traveler reviews

Skip to page selector

Galápagos Legend was Legendary !

1st-time traveler Teresa, traveled in Jul 2023

Words cannot express how my time on and off the Galápagos Legend meant to me! The entire journey was a spiritual experience for me!

Wonderful trip

9th-time traveler Susan, traveled in Jul 2022

Excellent from start to finish

Galapagos Once in a Lifetime

1st-time traveler Teena, traveled in Jul 2022

If you are an adventurer and love the outdoors, enjoy snorkeling, small hikes this is the most amazing trip of a lifetime. From beginning to end spectacular. The EF tour guide was wonderful and our Galapagos naturalist was unbelievable! Like making a discovery channel...

EF Go Ahead Tours

Thank you so much for your kind review. We are thrilled you had a wonderful time on tour and we cannot wait to travel with you again soon!

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands

2nd-time traveler Anonymous, traveled in Jun 2022

Great tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Our tour director met us at the airport and guided us thru the 10 day adventure. Some unexpected events caused a change in itinerary but the tour director was able to find alternate activities for those few times when original...

Unique opportunity!

10th-time traveler Larry, traveled in Jun 2015

This trip was a great opportunity to see some unique wildlife as Charles Darwin may have seen them almost two centuries ago. Generally, the tour schedule was as follows: a very special island walk first thing in the morning (before it got too warm), followed by some spectacular...

Showing 1-6 of 7 traveler reviews

Skip to page selector

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Skip to end of carousel

Mercure Alameda Quito

This contemporary hotel is located in La Mariscal district of Quito. Guests enjoy two restaurants, a wine bar, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find the Basilica of the National Vow, Parque El Ejido, and the...

Galapagos Legend

This boutique cruise ship sails in the waters around the Galápagos Islands. Guests enjoy a pool and jacuzzi, gym, and stargazing area. Nearby, you’ll find snorkeling equipment to use, an auditorium, and a dolphin observation deck.

Hosteria Hacienda Pinsaqui

An hour and a half north of Quito, Hacienda Pinsaqui is ideally located at the foot of Imbabura volcano and in the heart of the province of lakes in Ecuador.

Jose Antonio Deluxe Lima

This comfortable hotel is located by the University of Piura. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a gym, and outdoor pool. Nearby, you’ll find Parque Central de Miraflores, Galeria Sara Burneo, and the ocean.

Hotel Jose Antonio Cuzco

This comfortable hotel is located in Cusco's Main Square. Guests enjoy the sauna, on-site restaurant, and terrace. Nearby you'll find Cusco Cathedral, the Qorikancha Inca ruins, and the Museo de Arte Popular.

El MaPi by Inkaterra

This contemporary hotel is located in Aguas Calientes. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a bar, and laundry service. Nearby, you'll find Machu Picchu, Phuyupatamarca, and the Urubamba River.

Skip to start of carousel

Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your healthcare provider regarding any potential health risks.
Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you stay hydrated and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
There are inherent risks associated with water activities, particularly for those with preexisting medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
Seasickness while on board the cruise ship is uncommon, but medication will be available if needed. If you are particularly prone to seasickness you may want to bring your own medication and take it at least 24 hours before the cruise starts.
Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth. Ice on board the cruise ship is made with purified water.
Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EC1.

Select tour date

Available to book now

Date	Extension	Price
2025
Call to book	Available	$5,589
Call to book	Available	$5,514
2026
Call to book	Available	$5,739
Call to book	Available	$5,739
Call to book	Available	$5,664
Call to book	Available	$5,589
Call to book	Available	$5,589
Call to book	Available	$5,589
Call to book	Available	$6,029