Epic Galápagos
Overview
Experience the perfect blend of comfort, discovery and natural wonder on this eight‑day journey, thoughtfully designed to inspire and captivate. Combining serene moments at sea with immersive exploration, this carefully curated experience offers an ideal balance of guided encounters, relaxation and exceptional onboard service. From striking natural scenery to tranquil vistas, each day brings a deeper connection to one of the world’s most extraordinary environments, all enjoyed with the ease and elegance of cruising.
Important notes:
- If your itinerary includes domestic and/or regional flight tickets, as well as entry tickets to landmarks that require passport details, you must call Air Canada Vacations immediately upon receiving your booking confirmation. Failure to provide Air Canada Vacations with your passport details may result in the unavailability of domestic and/or regional flight tickets and entry passes for certain landmarks included in your tour package. It is mandatory to call Air Canada Vacations at the number provided in your electronic confirmation as soon as your booking is confirmed to submit your passport details.
- Due to the natural characteristics of the Galápagos Islands, all the activities that visitors undertake there, both on Cruises as well as in the Combined Programs (Hotel + Excursions), require certain levels of physical effort and adequate mobility. These activities include:
- To climb up and down stairways and steps.
- The excursions include walks over irregular natural trails as well as aquatic activities such as snorkelling.
- Most of the walks are over irregular terrain made of lava, rocks or sand.
- To constantly get in and out of small boats in motion, on landings that can be “dry” or “wet.”
- Dry Landing: Passengers step directly from the boat to a small pier or onto the rocks.
- Wet Landing: The boat reaches a beach, and passengers disembark in the water, usually with maximum knee-high water.
- Unfortunately, due to the local conditions, the cruise vessels as well as the combined programs (Hotel + excursions) in the Islands do NOT have facilities for passengers who need a wheelchair or who have limitations of mobility by themselves.
- Galápagos Islands entry procedure:
Before boarding your flight in the mainland, all travellers’ luggage must pass through the ABG Biosecurity inspection, where bags are screened and sealed to prevent prohibited organic material from entering the islands. Upon landing in Baltra or San Cristóbal, visitors proceed to pay the Galápagos National Park Entrance Fee, which for foreign adult travellers is US$200 & US$100 for children under the age of 12 years old (fee subject to change without notice). After completing this final step, travellers collect their luggage, pass the local biosecurity checkpoint, and exit the arrivals area.
Format
Locations
- Ecuador
- Quito
- Baltra Island, Galápagos Islands
- Galápagos Islands
Inclusions
- Round-trip flight to Quito (if Flight & Hotel option is chosen)
- Round-trip domestic flight in economy class between Quito and Baltra Island
- Transit Control Card (TCT)
- Shared transfers for all the services within your itinerary
- 7 nights accommodation in select category (2 nights in Quito, 5 nights on a Galápagos cruise)
- Early check-in upon arrival
- Daily breakfast, unless noted otherwise
- Other meals as per itinerary (drinks not included)
- More Moments activities included:
- Immersive Chocolate Experience in Quito
- 5-night cruise
- Hotel taxes
- Fees and service charges
- Service of an English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fee to the monuments mentioned in the itinerary
- Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Quito
Welcome to Quito! Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you’ll proceed through customs and immigration. After collecting your luggage, you’ll be greeted by a local representative holding an Air Canada Vacations sign with your name, who will escort you to your hotel to check in.
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and set off on an immersive chocolate experience inspired by Ecuador’s world‑famous cacao.
Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Immersive Chocolate Experience
Learn about the country’s rich chocolate heritage and the journey from bean to bar, as traditional methods and modern craftsmanship come together.
Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch
Day 2 to 6
Quito – Baltra Island – Galápagos Cruise
After you’ve finished breakfast and checked out of your hotel, you’ll meet your local representative in the lobby for a seamless transfer to the airport for your flight to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, one of the main gateways to the enchanting Galápagos Islands.
Upon arrival, you’ll complete the standard entry formalities before proceeding to the arrivals area, where a dedicated representative will be waiting to welcome you. You will then be escorted to your transfer and taken to the pier to board your Galápagos cruise, marking the beginning of an unforgettable island journey.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure, allowing you to settle in, relax and enjoy the onboard amenities as you sail into one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments.
More Moments Activities Included
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5-night Galápagos Islands Cruise
Embark on an unforgettable five‑night voyage aboard your floating home in the extraordinary Galápagos Islands. Each day unveils a new and breathtaking setting, brought to life by expert naturalist guides who share their deep knowledge of these pristine environments. Enjoy immersive land explorations paired with up to two snorkelling experiences daily within one of the world’s largest marine reserves. Along the way, encounter the islands’ iconic wildlife—remarkably calm and unafraid—allowing for rare, close‑up moments with the natural wonders that make the Galápagos truly unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Galápagos Island Cruise – Baltra Island – Quito
On the final day of your Galápagos cruising experience, you’ll savour your last moments aboard as you reflect on the unforgettable days spent exploring these extraordinary islands. After disembarkation, you will be transferred to Baltra Island, where you will connect with your flight back to Quito.
Upon arrival, a representative holding an Air Canada Vacations sign will welcome you and guide you to your transfer. You will then be taken to your hotel, near the airport, to check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 8
Quito - Canada
After breakfast and check out, your local representative will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel and take you to Mariscal Sucre International Airport to catch your flight back to Canada.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 twin beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 Adults
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 twin beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 Adults
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 twin beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 Adults
Important Information
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Dec 10/26 and Dec 17/26, Dec 24/26, Dec 31/26 (Thursdays) Jan 7/27 (Thursday) Feb 18/27 (Thursday) Mar 4/27 and Mar 11/27 & Mar 18/27 (Thursdays)
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Not Included:
- Gratuities
- Airport taxes (where applicable)
- Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Beverages during meals
- Porterage of luggage at hotels
- Additional hotel services (laundry, minibar, room service, etc.)
- Transfers for optional activities, or any additional transfers outside those listed in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to landmarks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities and excursions
- Visa fees (where applicable)
- Galápagos National Park fee
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- Car for all airport-hotel-airport and mainland Ecuador sightseeing transfers
- Flight from Quito to Baltra Island
- Cruise in the Galápagos Islands
- Plane from Baltra Island to Quito
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- The room category assigned at the following properties will determine the accommodation differentiation selected:
- Holiday Inn Quito Airport by IHG: Premium Accommodation will receive an Executive Suite Sky Club Room.
- The room category assigned at the following properties will determine the accommodation differentiation selected: