Tour Number: 2575135TK
Group Leader: Miriam Alonso Bartels
Requested Departure Date: 3/29/2024
Requested Return Date: 4/6/2024
Requested Departure Gateway: Columbus (OH)

ABOUT EF

For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.

9 days
Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island; extension to Riobamba

Your perspective on the world evolves when you walk in Darwin's footsteps on this fascinating archipelago.

On Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal islands, observe the giant tortoises, finches and mockingbirds that helped solidify Darwin's theory of evolution. On mainland Ecuador, the discoveries are more culturally oriented at Quito's Independence Plaza, the Intiñan Museum and Otavalo.
  • Day 1: Fly to Ecuador

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 2: Quito

    Take a tour of Quito

    With your Tour Director you will see:

    • Independence Plaza
    • Government Palace

    Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus

    Take an excursion to the equatorial line

    Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator 

  • Day 3: Quito • San Cristóbal Island

    Fly to San Cristóbal Island

    Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center 

    Go snorkeling at La Loberia Beach

    Hike Tijeretas Hill 

  • Day 4: San Cristóbal Island • Santa Cruz Island

    Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island

    Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

    Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild tortoises

    Visit the Twin Craters

  • Day 5: Santa Cruz Island • Isabela Island

    Travel by boat to Isabela Island

    Visit a pink flamingo habitat

    Visit a tortoise breeding center

    Take a boat excursion to the Tintoreras Lava Islet

    Go snorkeling

  • Day 6: Isabela Island • Santa Cruz Island

    Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island

    Hike to Tortuga Bay

    Enjoy some relaxation time on Playa Mansa

    Visit the Playa de los Alemanes Beach

  • Day 7: Santa Cruz Island • Quito

    Enjoy free time in the morning on Santa Cruz Island

    Fly to Quito

  • Day 8: Otavalo • Depart for home

    Take a day trip to Otavalo

    Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan

    Explore the local market

    Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi

  • Day 9: Arrive home

  • Day 1: Fly to Ecuador

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 2: Quito

    Take a tour of Quito

    With your Tour Director you will see:

    • Independence Plaza
    • Government Palace

    Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus

    Take an excursion to the equatorial line

    Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator 

  • Day 3: Quito • San Cristóbal Island

    Fly to San Cristóbal Island

    Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center 

    Go snorkeling at La Loberia Beach

    Hike Tijeretas Hill 

  • Day 4: San Cristóbal Island • Santa Cruz Island

    Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island

    Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

    Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild tortoises

    Visit the Twin Craters

  • Day 5: Santa Cruz Island • Isabela Island

    Travel by boat to Isabela Island

    Visit a pink flamingo habitat

    Visit a tortoise breeding center

    Take a boat excursion to the Tintoreras Lava Islet

    Go snorkeling

  • Day 6: Isabela Island • Santa Cruz Island

    Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island

    Hike to Tortuga Bay

    Enjoy some relaxation time on Playa Mansa

    Visit the Playa de los Alemanes Beach

  • Day 7: Santa Cruz Island • Quito

    Enjoy free time in the morning on Santa Cruz Island

    Fly to Quito

  • Day 8: Otavalo • Depart for home

    Take a day trip to Otavalo

    Enjoy a demonstration from a local artisan

    Explore the local market

    Visit a waterfall in Cotacachi

  • Day 9: Arrive home


Feel confident helping your child see the world

Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.

Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.

¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?

Visit our parents’ page

Pagina de padres en español

Visit our video gallery to hear more from fellow parents


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Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Internal flights; Boat

  • Hotels

    7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)

  • Regional-style meals

    Breakfast and dinner daily; 3 meals on days 3-6

  • Guided sightseeing

    2 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director; comprehensive sightseeing of natural attractions

  • Entrances

    Compañía de Jesús church; Intiñan Museum; Charles Darwin Research Station; artisan’s workshop

  • Full-time Tour Director

    Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • Worldwide Presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • Peace of Mind Program

    Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.

Have questions about this tour?  Give us a call at 800-665-5364

Total price

$5,114
View price details

All your EF tour questions, answered

On our easy-to-navigate Help Center, you’ll find information on everything from our Automatic Payment Plan to college credit to our insightful, culturally knowledgeable Tour Directors.

Book today and lock in your price