Colonial Quito, Maya Mexico and Natural Galapagos Tour | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Colonial Quito, Maya Mexico and Natural Galapagos Tour

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PRIVATE TOUR - 13 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 11018

Private Tour Highlights

  • Taking a walk through Independence Square in Quito, stopping off at the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery and El Sagrario Church along the way.
  • Straddling the middle of the world during a visit to the equatorial line while in Quito.
  • Encountering all manner of endemic wildlife in the Galapagos, from Blue-footed Boobies and Frigate Birds to Marine Iguanas and Sea Lions.
  • Visiting the spectacle of Genovesa, or “bird island”, so called due to the many thousands of tropical birds who call it home.
  • Taking in the stunning, panoramic views of Santiago de Chile atop San Cristobal Hill.
  • Reveling in the exciting energy of Cancun, a lively coastal resort that boasts excellent nightlife.
  • Staring in awe at the iconic Mayan-Toltec pyramids of Chichen-Itza, which dates back around 1,000 years and is an emblem of Mexico’s heritage.
  • Picturing life as a Mayan noble while stepping through the regal ruins at Tulum, perched dramatically on the cliffs above the Caribbean Sea.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Let Yampu guide you to Ecuador and Mexico with the Colonial Quito, Maya Mexico and Natural Galapagos Tour! Your trip starts with a tour of Colonial Quito and a visit to the Equator Monument. Leaving the mainland we will travel for five days to the renowned Galapagos Islands where you will have the chance to see unique species of birds, sea lions, tortoises, dolphins, and many more. After flying to Mexico, soak in the sun and sand along the Riviera Maya while visiting the ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum.

Included in the itinerary is a First Class cruise. Due to current Galapagos Islands regulations each cruise can only visit an island every 14 days. This sample 5 day itinerary runs every two weeks. However we are able to offer a variety of other Galapagos cruises. Depending on your dates of travel, we are able to customize your itinerary to match the Galapagos Cruise departures.

Inclusions
Price includes international and domestic airfare as specified in the itinerary, cabin aboard a Galapagos First Class Cruise including all meals, hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast, all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling, locally guided tours in English including all entrance fees, and meals where specified. Also included in the $100 Galapagos Park fee and the $10 Transit Control Card fee.

*By traveling to the Galapagos with Yampu Tours, you will be making the choice to travel responsibly. As members of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association), Yampu donates $7 for every traveler that travels to the Galapagos with us. We are dedicated to helping preserve the islands while supporting sustainable ecotourism. As an IGTOA member, we are informed, involved, and concerned.

*There will also be an optional Galapagos Conservation contribution of $50 per passenger added to your final proposal. The contribution will go towards:
-Creating benefits and educational opportunities for local people.
-Strengthening responsible tourism management.
-Building strong financial support for conservation among the travel industry and travelers.
-Promoting high professional standards for the tourist industry.
Exclusions

Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Local airport departure taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Airfare taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are included in the cost.
Gratuities and personal expenses are not included in the rate.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 11018

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

Wednesday; Flight to Quito

Upon arrival in Quito, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Upon arrival in Quito, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Day
2

Thursday; Full Day Colonial Quito Tour & The Equator

This tour begins with a visit to Independence Square where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. Visit the Church of La Compania (1605), and enjoy a brief visit to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535), the oldest Ecuadorian church. The collection of artwork here includes paintings, sculpture and furniture dating back to the 16th century. Leaving the churches, visit the recently restored 24 De Mayo Boulevard, named after the battle which sealed Ecuador´s independence. Travelers will also visit La Ronda Street in Old Quito. Lined with colonial houses and inspired by painters, poets, musicians and historians, this visit will give a taste of traditional Quito. The tour will then continue 30-minutes outside of Quito, towards the Middle of the World. Visit the main Monument honoring the correct location of the equator and visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument. One can also visit the Inti Nan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses. ...read less

Independence-Square-Quito-Ecuador
Day
3

Friday; Quito- Galapagos

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Galapagos cruise.
This afternoon, visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island.
Play de las Bachas is located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz. Here travelers will be able to see the brightly colored flamingo lagoon, encounter marine iguanas, various sea birds, and sea turtles. This is a good location to swim and snorkel.

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Galapagos cruise.
This afternoon, visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island.
Play de las Bachas is located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz. Here travelers will be able to see the brightly colored flamingo lagoon, encounter marine iguanas, various sea birds, and sea turtles. This is a good location to swim and snorkel.

Day
4

Saturday; Genovesa Island

This morning, visit Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island.
Genovesa is a collapsed volcano that ships are able to sail into through its large breached caldera and anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Genovesa is commonly referred to as ‘bird island’ because it is home to thousands of great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels, and Darwin’s finches.


This afternoon, visit Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island
El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, has a trail through a Palo Santo forest to an open area full of nesting birds that include masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumbed storm petrels nesting in the crevices at the cliff’s edge. Travelers will also be able to see the short-eared owls as they hunt the storm petrels during the daylight hours.
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Darwin_Center_Bird_Ecuador
Day
5

Sunday; Plazas Island- Santa Fe Island

Plaza Sur was originally formed by uplifted lava and the terrain includes an impressive cactus forest. On land witness land iguanas, sea lions and several species of tropical birds.


This afternoon, visit Santa Fe Island.
Santa Fe is home to a cactus forest and a colony of land iguanas that are native to the island. Here, one can also see the Galapagos mockingbird, magnificent frigate, brown pelican, and several species of Darwin’s finches.

Plaza Sur was originally formed by uplifted lava and the terrain includes an impressive cactus forest. On land witness land iguanas, sea lions and several species of tropical birds.


This afternoon, visit Santa Fe Island.
Santa Fe is home to a cactus forest and a colony of land iguanas that are native to the island. Here, one can also see the Galapagos mockingbird, magnificent frigate, brown pelican, and several species of Darwin’s finches.

Galapagos-Marine-iguanas
Day
6

Monday; San Cristobal Island- Kicker Rock- Isla Lobos

This morning, visit Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island
This unusual volcanic formation is located in the northeast of San Cristobal Island. Here it is likely to see tiny lava lizards scurrying around the rocks as well as all three species of the Galapagos booby; Nazca, masked, and blue or red-footed boobies.


This afternoon, visit Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos.
Isla Lobos is a tiny rock island to see a colony of sea lions and a colony of blue-footed boobies.
Kicker Rock is a magnificent rock that jets out 500 feet high from the middle of the ocean and is shaped similar to a sleeping lion. The rock is split with towering vertical walls on either side that forms a narrow channel through which small vessels can investigate. There is no landing site here but the view from the boat will make a lasting impression.
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blue-footed-boobie-ecuador
Day
7

Tuesday; San Cristobal

This morning, visit El Junco Lagoon, San Cristobal.
This site is reached by road and is about a half hour drive from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The road goes through the small farming settlement of El Progreso. The lake itself is the caldera (collapsed cone) of an extinct volcano and is about 300 meters wide. The name El Junco is Spanish for sedge, which is present along the banks of the lake.
This afternoon be transferred to the San Cristobal airport for a flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
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San-Cristobal-Ecuador
Day
8

Wednesday; Cancun

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cancun. Upon arrival, be greeted for airport assistance and transferred to the hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cancun. Upon arrival, be greeted for airport assistance and transferred to the hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

rocks-cancun-mexico
Day
9

Thursday; Chichen-Itza

In the morning head to the ancient archeological site of Chichen-Itza. The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are more than 1,500 years old. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” Visitors will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok, full of symbolism and drama. Breakfast and lunch included.

In the morning head to the ancient archeological site of Chichen-Itza. The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are more than 1,500 years old. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” Visitors will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok, full of symbolism and drama. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day
10

Friday; Isla Mujeres

Today, take a boat tour of Isla Mujeres, a small island that is just a short distance off the coast of the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. While on the boat enjoy an included lunch and an open bar!

Today, take a boat tour of Isla Mujeres, a small island that is just a short distance off the coast of the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. While on the boat enjoy an included lunch and an open bar!

Mexico_yucatan_Chichen_Itza_pillars
Day
11

Saturday; Archaeological site of Tulum

In the morning, head to the archaeological site of Tulum. Mounted on the edge of a cliff, this abandoned city towers above the deep turquoise of the Caribbean and a beautiful white sandy beach. Although the site dates back to earlier times, Tulum reached its peak in the Post-classic period between 1,000 and 1,600 AD. Originally called Zama or City of the Dawn, the sun rises from the sea above the city walls and for the ancient Maya, begins her dance across the sky. The city within the walls was only inhabited by the nobles, high priests and esteemed citizens such as astronomers whereas the lower classes lived in simple wood and thatch huts beyond. The buildings in the city were originally covered with brilliant paintings and carvings – stark white, deep red or vibrant blue, but only faint remnants of these now remain. ...read less

tulum-ruins-mexico
Day
12

Sunday; Day at Leisure

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore on one’s own or add additional optional activities.

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore on one’s own or add additional optional activities.

Mexico_Cancun_Quintana_beach
Day
13

Monday; Flight Home

Transfer to the airport for a flight home or continue to another destination of choice with help from Yampu!

Transfer to the airport for a flight home or continue to another destination of choice with help from Yampu!

Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador

Cancún, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Places You'll See

  • Quito-Ecuador-Hillside

    Quito

    The magnificent city of Quito is bursting with cultural, historical, and artistic character. Along with its scenic parks such as Parque La Carolina, visit its enchanting museums like the Museo del Banco Central. Take a trip to the Mitad del Mundo, or the “Middle of the World”, where the first measurements to prove the earth was round, were taken.

  • Galapagos

    Become enchanted by the unique and seemingly intrepid wildlife native to the Galapagos Islands. Dive in with the underwater life, or stay above water enjoying the other several water sports. For a dryer experience, relax on the sandy beaches soaking up the sun. Spend time with Giant Tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Center.

  • cancun-mexico

    Cancun

    From historical relics of Mayan civilization, to sandy beaches, Cancun has it all. Visit El Meco, a substantial archeological site on the mainland, or The Interactive Aquarium of Cancun where you can get acquainted with all sorts of aquatic life, and even swim with dolphins. If an aquarium isn’t exciting enough, dive into the sea with some of Cancun’s best scuba diving instructors.

  • playa-del-carmen-mexico

    Playa del Carmen

    With a distinctive European touch, Playa del Carmen is a relaxed coastal resort town that can be enjoyed in many ways. Enjoy snorkeling and diving while learning about the local aquatic creatures including the kind sunfish, chasing sardines or maybe glimpse the peaceful manatee. Aside from the aquatics, one can walk the cobblestone streets and enjoy the nightlife and shopping offered as well.

Hotel Options

3 Star Properties

Quito : Stubel Suites

Quito : Vieja Cuba Boutique

Quito : NU House

Cancun : Presidente Intercontinental

Cancun : Beach Scape Kin Ha Villas & Spa

4 Star Properties

Quito : La Casona de la Ronda

Quito : Casa Aliso

Cancun : Westin Resort & Spa

5 Star Properties

Quito : Swissotel

Quito : Le Parc Hotel

Quito : JW Marriott in Quito

Cancun : Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun

Cancun : Hotel Casa Turquesa

Luxury Properties

Quito : Plaza Grande

Quito : Casa Gangotena

Testimonials

Let Us Customize This Trip For You

Our World Experts offer full support and dedication to customizing this tour to fit your wishlist - We can mix and match experiences, hotels and highlights to fit your budget and taste.

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