Galapagos / Patagonia

Galapagos, Patagonia Tour

19 days | 18 nights
Private tour
From 5770USD per person

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Tour Description

3-Week Custom Travel Vacation – Tailored Trip Through the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador & Patagonia’s Untamed Beauty

19-Day Patagonia, Ecuador, Galapagos Private Tour

Your 3-week custom tour to the Galapagos Islands and Patagonia starts with the enchanting Galapagos—a living laboratory of evolution and wonder. Begin your adventure on Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises roam the lush highlands, ancient lava tunnels invite exploration, and the volcanic Twin Craters rise majestically. Next, head to Isabela Island to encounter vibrant flamingos in their natural habitat, wander through The Wetlands, and snorkel alongside unique marine life at Tintoreras and the mysterious Cabo Rosa Tunnels. Wrap up your Galapagos experience with a refreshing swim in Las Grietas and a visit to the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station.

In Quito, Ecuador’s capital, a tailored city tour invites you to explore colonial history, local flavors, and the Andean atmosphere before heading south for your Argentina and Chile journey.

In Buenos Aires, a custom Argentina tour includes a vibrant tango show and a gaucho experience that reflect the soul of the pampas. Then fly to El Calafate to witness the majestic Perito Moreno, Spegazzini, and Upsala glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park. Over the border in Chile, the journey continues through Patagonia with stops in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, and visits to Torres del Paine and Bernardo O’Higgins National Parks—home to Balmaceda, Serrano, and Grey glaciers.

Experience the landscapes from another angle with scenic cruises across the Beagle Channel, Lake Argentino, and Ultima Esperanza Fjord. Conclude your tailored Chile tour in Santiago, Valparaiso, and Viña del Mar, where cultural contrasts and Pacific coast charm complete the journey.

This perfectly crafted tailored vacation highlights the breathtaking landscapes of the Galapagos, Ecuador, and the wild beauty of Patagonia, delivering a custom travel experience filled with nature, culture, and unforgettable moments. Latin Discoveries Travel Experts can 100% customize this private trip to your desires—reach out today to start your Patagonia-focused journey!

Destinations

Multi-Country

Trip at a glance

Visits

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands, Twin Craters, Giant tortoises, Lava Tunnels, Las Grietas (The Cracks), Charles Darwin Station, Isabela Island: Flamingos Lake, The Wetlands Complex, Tintoreras, Snorkeling at Finados, Cabo Rosa Tunnels

MAINLAND ECUADOR: Quito City, Middle of the World

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, One Tango Show, One Gaucho Tour, El Calafate

CHILE: Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Santiago

5 NATIONAL PARKS: the Galapagos, Tierra Del Fuego (Argentina), Los Glaciares (Argentina), Torres Del Paine National Park (Chile), Bernardo O'higgins (Chile)

6 GLACIERS: Perito Moreno (Argentina), Spegazzini (Argentina), Upsala (Argentina), Balmaceda (Chile), Serrano (Chile), Grey (Chile)

3 CRUISES: Beagle Channel (Argentina), Lake Argentino (Argentina), Ultima Esperanza Fjord (Chile)

Trip details

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL TO QUITO

Arrival at Mariscal Sucre, Quito International Airport.

Meet and greet with your English-speaking guide.

Transfer to the city center and check-in at your hotel.

Evening

Overnight in Quito. 

Day 2 QUITO CITY TOUR, MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Morning

Discover with your guide the least-altered and best-preserved Latin American capital.
Take a walk to visit the colonial churches and monasteries of this urban jewel, the first city in history to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting at Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace your visit will include the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, the Archbishop's Palace and the City Hall.
Ramble through the city's old streets on your way to El Sagrario church and its exquisitely carved stone façade and step inside the awe-inspiring church of the Society of Jesus.
Walk on to the Convent and Church of San Francisco, one of the greatest religious buildings on the South American continent.
Drive up to the top of the Panecillo hill for breathtaking panoramic views of Quito.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, drive out of the city to the Equatorial Valley (50 min), north of the capital, where you will visit the 'Middle of the World' monument. 

A monument and a museum exhibiting an ethnographic collection indicate the Equator line. 

Transfer back to your hotel in Quito (1 hour 30 min).

Evening

Free evening.

Overnight at your hotel in Quito.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 3 FLIGHT TO BALTRA, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Highlands, Twin Craters, giant tortoises, Lava Tunnels

Morning

Your day begins with a transfer from your hotel to Quito International Airport, accompanied by an English-speaking driver guide (1 hour).

You will then board a domestic flight from Quito to Baltra (2.5 hours).

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, our agency staff or your naturalist guide will greet you and assist with your transfer.

First, you will take a public bus to the Itabaca Channel (10 minutes), followed by a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island (10 minutes).

Once on the island, a vehicle will take you through the scenic highlands of Santa Cruz (45 minutes), where your first stop will be at Los Gemelos Craters. These twin volcanic sinkholes are surrounded by lush vegetation, including the endemic Scalesia trees, offering a unique introduction to the island’s highland ecosystem.

Afternoon

After exploring Los Gemelos, you will visit a local ranch where you can observe giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat and learn about their behavior and life on the islands.

The tour continues with a guided walk through one of Santa Cruz’s volcanic lava tunnels (100 meters / 328 feet), during which your guide will explain the geological history and volcanic activity that shaped the Galapagos.

Following this exploration, you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora for check-in at your hotel (30 minutes), where you can settle in and enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Evening

Free evening and overnight at your hotel on Santa Cruz Island.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 4 Isabela Island: Flamingos Lake, The Wetlands Complex, Tintoreras

Please note that a municipal tax of 10 USD / person must be paid in cash upon arrival at the dock.

Morning

Your day begins early with a transfer from your hotel to the passenger dock (approx. 10 minutes), where you will take a water taxi to board the speedboat heading to Isabela Island (2 to 2.5 hours of navigation).

Upon arrival at Isabela, another water taxi will take you from the boat to the passenger dock (10 minutes), followed by a short land transfer to your hotel (5–10 minutes).

Once settled in, you'll visit Poza de Flamingos, a semi-natural lagoon formed from old quarries, where you can observe the striking pink flamingos. These birds, white as chicks, turn reddish-pink as adults due to their diet, making for a beautiful and iconic Galapagos sight.

Then you will explore the Wetlands Complex, a network of trails showcasing the island's diverse ecosystems. Your visit will include several key sites:

  • La Playita, a quiet beach trail
  • Los Tunos Viewpoint and Pozas Verdes, where you can observe native flora and fauna; Playa del Amor, a rocky beach popular with locals
  • The Tunnel of the Estuary, a 75-meter trail that ends in a lava tunnel
  • Poza Redonda, a 50-meter path leading to a pool inside a collapsed lava tube
  • La Poza Escondida, a trail through a mangrove forest ending in a tranquil pool
  • The Estero, a 227-meter lava rock trail with a picnic area used by the local community for recreation.

Each site offers unique perspectives on the volcanic landscape and biodiversity of Isabela Island.

Afternoon

Later in the day, you’ll take a guided excursion to Tintoreras, a group of small black lava islets located just off the coast.

This 3-hour tour begins with a panga ride around the bay for wildlife observation, where you might spot lava herons in the mangroves, Galápagos penguins, and sea lions along the shore.

After disembarking, you’ll walk along an easy black lava trail to reach the Tintoreras channel, where whitetip reef sharks are often seen resting in the shallow waters.

The excursion concludes with snorkeling in the calm, clear waters around Tintoreras, which provide excellent underwater visibility and the chance to observe marine life up close.

Afterward, you will return to your hotel.

Evening

Free evening and overnight at your hotel on Isabela Island.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 5 ISABELA ISLAND: Snorkeling at Finados, Cabo Rosa Tunnels

Depending on the schedule assigned by the Galapagos National Park, your tour may begin in the morning (from 7:30 am to 1pm) or in the afternoon (from 11 am to 4:30pm).

Your naturalist guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the dock (10 minutes), where a boat will be waiting.

You will then embark on a scenic ride to Cabo Rosa Tunnels (45 minutes), with your first stop at the Finados site. Known for its calm, crystal-clear waters, Finados is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos. Here, you’ll snorkel among an abundance of marine life, including colorful reef fish, sea turtles, marine iguanas, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, sea lions, and even seahorses—all amid stunning underwater lava tunnels formed by ancient volcanic activity.

After snorkeling, the excursion continues with a guided walk over the lava formations of the Cabo Rosa Tunnels.

This unique volcanic landscape is home to numerous seabird species such as blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, pelicans, herons, and frigate birds, all of which can often be observed resting or nesting on the black volcanic rock.

Following the tour, you will return to Puerto Villamil by boat (45 minutes) and transfer back to your hotel (10 minutes).

Free afternoon or free morning depending on the assigned schedule.

Evening

The evening is at your leisure to relax, explore the town, or enjoy a quiet dinner after a day of unforgettable wildlife encounters and exploration.

Overnight at your hotel in Isabela Island.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Lunch included

Day 6 Santa Cruz Island: Las Grietas (The Cracks), Charles Darwin Station

Morning

Your day begins very early with a transfer from your hotel in Isabela to the passenger dock (10 minutes).

From there, you will take a short water taxi ride to reach the speedboat that will transport you to Santa Cruz Island (2 to 2.5 hours of navigation).

Upon arrival at Santa Cruz, another water taxi will take you to the passenger dock (10 minutes), followed by a short transfer to your hotel (5–10 minutes).

After settling in, you'll begin your first excursion with a visit to Las Grietas, one of the most iconic geological sites on the island. This impressive natural formation features two towering volcanic rock walls separated by a crystal-clear channel of water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding area is dotted with striking giant cacti, adding to the dramatic landscape.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, located in Puerto Ayora. This renowned biological research center offers rich insight into the Galápagos Islands’ history, ecology, and conservation efforts.

Through a series of interpretation rooms and exhibits, you’ll learn about the islands’ evolution, native species, and environmental challenges.

One of the highlights is viewing the embalmed figure of the legendary Lonesome George, the last known individual of his species.

The station also operates a respected giant tortoise breeding center, where you can observe these iconic creatures at various stages of development, helping to ensure their survival for future generations.

Evening

Transfer to your hotel.

Free overnight on Santa Cruz Island.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 7 FLIGHT TO QUITO, FREE AFTERNOON

Morning

Transfer to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island for your onward journey.

Direct flight to Quito (2 hours 30 min).

Afternoon

Transfer to your hotel in Quito.

Free afternoon to stroll or relax.

Evening

Free evening and overnight in Quito.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 8 FLIGHT TO BUENOS AIRES

Morning

Transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires (5 hours 50 minutes).

Afternoon

Transfer to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. 

Evening

Free evening and overnight in Buenos Aires.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 9 SOUTHERN BUENOS AIRES CITY-TOUR, TANGO SHOW

Morning

Discover the historical center on a guided walking tour that will take you through the emblematic Plaza de Mayo and stop for pictures in front of la Casa Rosada, the pink Presidential Palace. 

Drive to San Telmo, the city's oldest neighborhood with its many busy cafes, tango parlors and antique shops lining the cobblestone colonial streets. A neighborhood much loved by local artists and dancers. 

Take time to tango around the colorful 'El Caminito' street museum, once home to Italian immigrants. 

Afternoon

Afternoon at leisure. 

Evening

At about 8pm, transfer to a traditional café where you will spend the evening (10 min).

Dinner at a hundred-year old tango institution in the capital followed by a 1h30 tango-show.

At about 11pm, transfer to your hotel (10 min). 

Overnight at your hotel in Buenos Aires. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Dinner Tango Show

Day 10 NORTHERN CITY TOUR & GAUCHO PARTY

Morning

Visit La Recoleta Cemetery, home of over 6,400 graves, famous for being Eva Perón's resting place. 

Drive along the exclusive Alvear Avenue and stop at the Alvear Hotel, one of the most luxurious and distinguished hotel in Argentina. 

After this quick tour, your driver and guide will pick you up to go to the Estancia Santa Susana, a ranch located in the Campana district. (1 hour 10 min). 

These ranches or 'estancias' have preserved their traditional form, with the impressive homesteads where the owners still live and its adjoining farming facilities used by the local gauchos. 

The term 'gaucho' refers to the original horse-riding shepherds of the South American pampas. 

Nowadays, there are no gauchos as such but many people in the countryside identify with the national heroes of the high plains and keep the South American cowboys's customs alive and still wear their traditional attire. 

Afternoon

During your visit of the 'estancia' you will be treated to a great horse show and be invited on a short horseback ride on the open Argentinean pampa. 

Drive back to Buenos Aires (1 hour 10 min). 

Evening

Free evening

Overninght at your hotel in Buenos Aires. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Lunch at the Estancia

Day 11 FLIGHT TO EL CALAFATE, PERITO MORENO GLACIER, LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK

Morning

Morning transfer to the airport. Assistance for check-in. Direct flight to El Calafate (3 hours 15 min). 

Arrival at El Calafate on the shores of Lake Argentino, transfer to your hotel (20 min), check in. 

Meet with your private driver and guide and drive along Lake Argentino (the largest freshwater lake in the country) towards Los Glaciares National Park (90 min). 

Arrival at Perito Moreno glacier, named after the Argentinian explorer Francisco Moreno Pascacio. 

Afternoon

Easy hike on the boardwalk to get different views of the 18-mile long (30 km), 3-mile wide (5 km) Perito Moreno glacier. Get your camera ready and listen for the roaring glacier dropping blocks of ice causing mini-tsunamis in their fall. 

1-hour boat ride to get a really close view of the walls of the glacier. 

End of the afternoon, drive back to El Calafate (90 min). 

Evening

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in El Calafate. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 12 CRUISE TO USPALA AND SPEGAZZINI GLACIERS

Morning

Transfer to Punta Bandera (45 min). Board your 5-hour cruise to the Uspala and Spegazzini glaciers located inside Los Glaciares National Park. 

37 miles (60 km) long, 3 miles (5 km) wide and 230 feet (70 metres) tall, the Upsala glacier is the largest in this park and the longest in South America as its ice spreads over 300 square miles (780 km²). 

The access to Upsala glacier is often limited because of the amount of ice on the passage, as result of glacier melting. 

Afternoon

On your way to the Spegazzini glacier, enjoy the views of the Onelli and Agassi glaciers and the occasional iceberg. 

Arrival at the Spegazzini glacier with its impressive wall towering up 135 metres (440 feet). 

Disembark and transfer to your hotel in El Calafate. 

Evening

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in El Calafate. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Lunch onboard

Day 13 ROAD TO PUERTO NATALES

Morning

Transfer to the bus terminal (10 min). 

Enjoy the scenic bus ride to Puerto Natales (3 hours 30 min). 

After about 2 hours at the border with Chile, you will have to get off the bus for customs and immigration control. 

Remember that it is forbidden to bring fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products and any type of home-made food to Chile. 

Afternoon

Arrival in the afternoon at Puerto Natales in Chile. 

Free afternoon for souvenir shopping. 

Evening

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in Puerto Natales. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 14 CRUISE TO BALMACEDA & SERRANO GLACIERS, BERNARDO O'HIGGHINS NATIONAL PARK

Morning

Morning pick up at your hotel and 5-minute drive to the pier to board the '21 de Mayo' cruise ship. 

Sail across the Ultima Esperanza Fjord where sea lions and cormorants can often been spotted (2 hours 30 min). 

You will first stop at the foot of the Balmaceda glacier, before another short sail to the Bernando O’Higgins National Park. 

Hop off for a 15-minute easy hike through native forest on your way to the foot of the Serrano glacier. 

Afternoon

After lunch, sail back to Puerto Natales (2 hours). Late afternoon arrival. 

Evening

Free evening

Overnight at your hotel in Puerto Natales. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Typical lunch at Estancia Perales

Day 15 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, GREY GLACIER AND BEACH

Morning

Your guide and driver (pool service) will pick you up at your hotel. 

After a 40-minute drive, visit the milodon cave and learn about the paleontological and archeological morphology of the area, once home to the extinct milodon. 

Stop at Sarmiento Lake before entering Torres del Paine National Park. As you enter the National Park you will get spectacular views over the Laguna Amarga ('Bitter Lagoon') where you can take photographs of the Las Torres del Paine mountains. 

After a 30-minute drive, stop for a 15-minute hike to get to the impressive Salto Grande, a majestic emerald waterfall that feeds onto lake Pehoe.

Afternoon

Walk through Grey beach (30 min) to get views of the distant the Grey glacier. 

Drive back to Puerto Natales (2 hours).  

Evening

Free evening

Overnight at your hotel in Puerto Natales. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 16 RETURN TO SANTIAGO

Morning

Transfer to the bus station (10 min). 

At about 3pm, departure by bus on your own from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport (3 hours 30 min). 

Afternoon

Flight to Santiago (4 hours), arrival early in the evening. 

Transfer to your hotel in Santiago (30 min). 

Evening

Free evening. 

Overnight at the hotel in Santiago. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 17 CITY TOUR OF SANTIAGO

Morning

Discover Chile's largest city and capital, its cultural and political centre, Santiago de Chile. 

Learn about Chile's history at historical places such as the Constitution Square located next to the Moneda Palace. 

Set foot on other key squares in the city, the Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins Square and the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). 

Stop at the Central Market, a busy, colorful and traditional fish and food market. 

Afternoon

Drive along Balmaceda Park and the Mapocho river to the old train station, an Eiffel-inspired building, Estación Mapochol is now a cultural center. 

Drive up San Cristobal Hill (2280 ft - 690 m) for breathtaking views over the whole city. 

At the end of the day, drive back to your hotel (30 min). 

Evening

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in Santiago. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 18 VALPARAISO, VIÑA DEL MAR

Morning

Drive north west (75 miles - 120 km) to the coastal cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. 

Relax in Vina del Mar, a picture-perfect beach resort city also referred to as Garden City. 

Transfer to Valparaiso (20 min), Chile's busiest port, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. 

Afternoon

Ride one of the funicular tramways up the city's steep hill for extensive views of the port and beyond. 

Take a leisurely stroll on one of the 45 hills to experience Valpo's street art and its bohemian and poetic atmosphere. 

Drive back to Santiago (1 hour 40 min). 

Evening

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in Santiago. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 19 DEPARTURE FROM SANTIAGO

Morning

At the indicated time, private transfer to Santiago airport (30 min). 

Check-in assistance. 

International flight. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Customer reviews

Services

What's included

Flights

  • Domestic Flights:
    • Quito to Baltra
    • Baltra to Quito
    • Buenos Aires to El Calafate
    • Punta Arenas to Santiago de Chile
  • Regional Flights:
    • Quito to Buenos Aires

Accommodation

Nights
18 nights in Premium Hotels

Meals

Full board plan
18 breakfasts + 7 lunches + 1 tango-show dinner

Transportation

Boat
Shared boat excursions in the Galapagos Islands
Shuttle
Shared shuttle transfers in the Galapagos
Bus
Regular bus trips for El Calafate/Puerto Natales and Puerto Natales/Punta Arenas
Car
Private driver and premium car for all transfers and visits except in the Galapagos Islands
Cruise
3 cruises: Beagle Channel (Ushuaia), Lake Argentino (El Calafate), Ultima Esperanza Fjord (Puerto Natales)

Orientation

Guide
Private English-speaking guide for all visits except in Torres del Paine and in the Galapagos Islands (Shared English-speaking Guide)

Entrance Fees

All entrance fees to mentioned sites except in the Galapagos

What's not included

  • International flights to/from South America
  • Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park (200 USD/person)
  • TCT Ingala Migration Card (20 USD/person)
  • Isabela Island Municipal Tax (10 USD/person)
  • Buenos Aires Tourist Tax Fee (charged by the hotel)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Extra Meals
  • Drinks
  • Tips

Prices


Important notes

Each guest must strictly follow the Galapagos National Park Rules: 

  • Remain on marked trails at visitor sites and respect signs at all times for the protection of wildlife
  • Maintain a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from wildlife to avoid disturbing them, even if they approach you
  • Never feed wildlife, as this can cause health problems
  • Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife
  • Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the Galapagos National Park Department
  • It is your responsibility not to introduce food, animals, or plants into the Archipelago. Cooperate fully with all environmental inspection and quarantine officials during your visit.
  • Do not take or buy any products or souvenirs made from banned substances, including black coral, shells, lava rock, animal parts, or any native wood or vegetation prior to leaving Galapagos. This is illegal and must be reported
  • Practice “leave-no-trace” principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment
  • Pack out all trash and dispose of or recycle it in the populated areas or on your tour boat
  • Smoking and/or campfires are strictly prohibited within the Galapagos National Park

When traveling to Patagonia, we recommend you bring:

  • a warm and waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex)
  • a pair of gloves
  • a wool hat, a scarf
  • quality sunglasses
  • sunblock
  • a daily backpack
  • hiking/walking waterproof shoes
  • binoculars
  • a medical kit
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