Overview
Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort
How deep is your love of adventure? Is it deep enough to follow the course of Charles Darwin to discover your own love affair with the wildlife paradise of the Galápagos Islands? If so, this Independence by Globus vacation in Ecuador is pointing you in the right direction. Begin by exploring the historic heart of Quito and depart for parts unknown where blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and diving iguanas of the Galápagos give new meaning to mind-blowing discoveries. You’ll stay at the award-winning Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, offering a private, seaside location to kayak, snorkel, bike, and take boat excursions to the various Galápagos Islands with expert Naturalists. Sail upon pristine waters to discover the perfectly evolved creatures who thrive on this volcanic archipelago. Stroll the sand where sea lions bask and albatross brace against the updrafts above the cliffs. Sail, snorkel, and simply stay in a state of astonishment through the sanctuaries of spectacular species on North Seymour, and South Plaza Island, and Santa Cruz Islands. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where conservationists work to protect the gentle giants for which the islands are named. You’ll also find the I-time you deserve to fall in love with adventure again!
Highlights of Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort
City Highlights
Price Details US
This vacation includes the following Intra-Vacation Air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Galápagos; Galápagos/Quito. Galápagos package includes Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card ($220 value) but will show separately on your invoice. These fees will be added to your Vacation Estimate.
Related Tours
Transportation
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and include private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon are included. Local guide service is provied in Quito. A Naturalist in the Galápagos & the Amazon are also provided. For the Amazon adventure, guests should be prepared for eco-lodging due to their remote nature in the rainforest. Further, guests should be prepared for sustained walking, possibly muddy conditions, and have the ability to jump in/out of small water crafts such as canoes and small fishing boats. Terrain is rocky and uneven. On the Galapagos Islands, we use a small vessel (20 guests) that has 3 crew members, emergency washrooms and a snack bar. The excursions are day cruises with landings on the islands, some of which are wet landings. Departure times vary depending on what islands we visit. At times we may visit 1 island but we land on different parts of it. These sailings are subject to change and weather related depending on what island we are visiting. The day sailings are around 5 to 6 hours per day which includes the landings and sightseeing. Maximum elevation on tour is 9,350 ft.
Travelers Notes
Your Independence by Globus tour delivers all the perks you'd expect from Globus, plus the I-Time you crave to explore on your own. We take care of the details with included accommodations, daily breakfasts, select guided sightseeing, transportation and transfers between each city on your tour, and a Local Host in each city to assist you when needed. We’ll also handle flight arrangements and airport transfers at the beginning and end of your tour, if you wish.
Product Group
Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort
UNESCO Sites
City of Quito|Galapagos Islands
Independent Tour
Venture further to enjoy the world your way without the group. The experts at Globus put Peace of Mind first in travel planning. We take care of the details with included hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and select meals, guided sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Explore confidently, knowing your Globus Local Hosts and GlobusGO mobile app provide you with tips and recommendations to personalize your tour and see the world your way.
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 4 lunches; 4 three-course dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2
QUITO • Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B)
Day 3
QUITO–BALTRA–NORTH SEYMOUR–SANTA CRUZ • Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. • Upon arrival, board a yacht bound for North Seymour, an island teeming with life. You might have to give way to a passing sea lion, marine iguana, or blue-footed boobies that nest here. As you walk along the shore, see large flocks of pelicans in a dive-bomb feeding-frenzy, and one of the Galápagos’ largest nesting sites of the magnificent frigatebird. In the bushes you can see the males up close with their puffed-up scarlet throat sacs. • Return to the yacht and continue to the Finch Bay Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 4
SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO THE HIGHLANDS • Transfer to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz to a farming area called El Manzanillo on the edge of the Giant Tortoise Reserve. Here, tortoises can be seen grazing year-round, along with woodpecker finches, mockingbirds, and flycatchers. • After lunch, visit a local farm, where coffee, sugar cane, and cocoa beans are grown, harvested, and prepared. • Return to the hotel and perhaps spend time on the private beach. (B,L,D)
Day 5
SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO PUNTA CARRION & SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND • This morning, travel to Punta Carrion on Santa Cruz Island for some time to snorkel. The shallow reefs and mangroves make this an ideal site to snorkel with plenty of reef fish as well as occasional sea lions and sharks. • Next, sail to South Plaza Island, a small island full of fascinating wildlife, both along its shore and along its dramatic, wind-swept cliffs. Here you will see large, yellow land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, masked and blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and much more during your guided walk. • Return to the hotel this afternoon.(B,L,D)
Day 6
SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO DIVINE BAY • Today’s adventure takes you to wildlife-rich Divine Bay on Santa Cruz Island. Marine iguanas, herons, noddy terns, blue-footed boobies, and tropicbirds are commonly seen here. You may explore by boat or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take to the sea by kayak. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks as you cruise the tranquil waters. • Return to the hotel for lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, established to help conserve the Galápagos’ natural habitats and protect the area’s famous giant tortoises. (B,L,D)
Day 7
SANTA CRUZ–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL • Depart the hotel this morning for the airport in Baltra. Then, fly to Guayaquil on Ecuador’s Pacific coast and transfer to the hotel for your final night in Ecuador. (B)
Day 8
GUAYAQUIL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
| # | Air Start Date | Land Start Date | Land End Date | Land Only Price | Discount | Final | Departure Code | Status |
| 1 | 2024-10-25 | 2024-10-26 | 2024-11-02 | $5779 | $0 | $5999 | ISQ141026 | Not Available |
| 2 | 2024-11-08 | 2024-11-09 | 2024-11-16 | $5779 | $0 | $5999 | ISQ141109 | Not Available |
| 3 | 2024-11-15 | 2024-11-16 | 2024-11-23 | $5779 | $0 | $5999 | ISQ141116 | Not Available |
| 4 | 2024-11-29 | 2024-11-30 | 2024-12-07 | $5779 | $0 | $5999 | ISQ141130 | Not Available |
| 5 | 2024-12-06 | 2024-12-07 | 2024-12-14 | $5779 | $0 | $5999 | ISQ141207 | Not Available |
| 6 | 2025-01-03 | 2025-01-04 | 2025-01-11 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150104 | Available |
| 7 | 2025-01-10 | 2025-01-11 | 2025-01-18 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150111 | Not Available |
| 8 | 2025-01-17 | 2025-01-18 | 2025-01-25 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150118 | Not Available |
| 9 | 2025-01-24 | 2025-01-25 | 2025-02-01 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150125 | Not Available |
| 10 | 2025-01-31 | 2025-02-01 | 2025-02-08 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150201 | Not Available |
| 11 | 2025-02-07 | 2025-02-08 | 2025-02-15 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150208 | Not Available |
| 12 | 2025-02-14 | 2025-02-15 | 2025-02-22 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150215 | Not Available |
| 13 | 2025-02-21 | 2025-02-22 | 2025-03-01 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150222 | Not Available |
| 14 | 2025-02-28 | 2025-03-01 | 2025-03-08 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150301 | Available |
| 15 | 2025-03-07 | 2025-03-08 | 2025-03-15 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150308 | Available |
| 16 | 2025-03-14 | 2025-03-15 | 2025-03-22 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150315 | Available |
| 17 | 2025-03-21 | 2025-03-22 | 2025-03-29 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150322 | Available |
| 18 | 2025-03-28 | 2025-03-29 | 2025-04-05 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150329 | Available |
| 19 | 2025-04-18 | 2025-04-19 | 2025-04-26 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150419 | Available |
| 20 | 2025-04-25 | 2025-04-26 | 2025-05-03 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150426 | Available |
| 21 | 2025-05-02 | 2025-05-03 | 2025-05-10 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150503 | Available |
| 22 | 2025-05-09 | 2025-05-10 | 2025-05-17 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150510 | Available |
| 23 | 2025-05-16 | 2025-05-17 | 2025-05-24 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150517 | Available |
| 24 | 2025-06-06 | 2025-06-07 | 2025-06-14 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150607 | Available |
| 25 | 2025-06-13 | 2025-06-14 | 2025-06-21 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150614 | Available |
| 26 | 2025-06-20 | 2025-06-21 | 2025-06-28 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150621 | Available |
| 27 | 2025-06-27 | 2025-06-28 | 2025-07-05 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150628 | Available |
| 28 | 2025-07-04 | 2025-07-05 | 2025-07-12 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150705 | Not Available |
| 29 | 2025-07-11 | 2025-07-12 | 2025-07-19 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150712 | Available |
| 30 | 2025-07-18 | 2025-07-19 | 2025-07-26 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150719 | Available |
| 31 | 2025-07-25 | 2025-07-26 | 2025-08-02 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150726 | Available |
| 32 | 2025-08-01 | 2025-08-02 | 2025-08-09 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150802 | Available |
| 33 | 2025-08-08 | 2025-08-09 | 2025-08-16 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150809 | Available |
| 34 | 2025-08-15 | 2025-08-16 | 2025-08-23 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150816 | Available |
| 35 | 2025-08-22 | 2025-08-23 | 2025-08-30 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150823 | Available |
| 36 | 2025-08-29 | 2025-08-30 | 2025-09-06 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150830 | Available |
| 37 | 2025-09-05 | 2025-09-06 | 2025-09-13 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150906 | Available |
| 38 | 2025-09-12 | 2025-09-13 | 2025-09-20 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150913 | Available |
| 39 | 2025-09-19 | 2025-09-20 | 2025-09-27 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ150920 | Available |
| 40 | 2025-10-24 | 2025-10-25 | 2025-11-01 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ151025 | Available |
| 41 | 2025-11-07 | 2025-11-08 | 2025-11-15 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ151108 | Not Available |
| 42 | 2025-11-14 | 2025-11-15 | 2025-11-22 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ151115 | Available |
| 43 | 2025-11-28 | 2025-11-29 | 2025-12-06 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ151129 | Available |
| 44 | 2025-12-05 | 2025-12-06 | 2025-12-13 | $6279 | $0 | $6499 | ISQ151206 | Available |
| 45 | 2026-01-02 | 2026-01-03 | 2026-01-10 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160103 | Please Call |
| 46 | 2026-01-09 | 2026-01-10 | 2026-01-17 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160110 | Available |
| 47 | 2026-01-16 | 2026-01-17 | 2026-01-24 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160117 | Available |
| 48 | 2026-01-23 | 2026-01-24 | 2026-01-31 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160124 | Not Available |
| 49 | 2026-01-30 | 2026-01-31 | 2026-02-07 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160131 | Available |
| 50 | 2026-02-06 | 2026-02-07 | 2026-02-14 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160207 | Available |
| 51 | 2026-02-13 | 2026-02-14 | 2026-02-21 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160214 | Available |
| 52 | 2026-02-20 | 2026-02-21 | 2026-02-28 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160221 | Available |
| 53 | 2026-02-27 | 2026-02-28 | 2026-03-07 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160228 | Available |
| 54 | 2026-03-06 | 2026-03-07 | 2026-03-14 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160307 | Available |
| 55 | 2026-03-13 | 2026-03-14 | 2026-03-21 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160314 | Available |
| 56 | 2026-03-20 | 2026-03-21 | 2026-03-28 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160321 | Available |
| 57 | 2026-03-27 | 2026-03-28 | 2026-04-04 | $6819 | $0 | $7039 | ISQ160328 | Available |
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Hilton Colon Quito - MET | The Hilton Colon Quito hotel is 10 minute walk from the colonial Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This modern hotel enjoys spectacular views of the city. Amenities include a fitness center, spa, outdoor heated pool, 5 restaurants/lounges, laundry service, concierge, florist, barber shop, and gift shop. | Quito | Ave Amazonas N 1914 Y Patria Avenida 1 | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Finch Bay Eco Hotel - Finch Bay Room | The Finch Bay Hotel offers a seaside location surrounded by mangroves. Amenities include a bar, lounge, restaurant, outdoor pool, and beachfront access. All rooms offer twin beds, private facilities, and air-conditioning. | Galápagos Islands | Barrio Punta Estrada S/N | First-Class |
| 3 | Hilton Colon Guayaquil - Metro | Guayaquil | Av Francisco de Orellana Mz 111 |
