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Quito’s historic center, giant tortoises, and Galápagos snorkeling.
DAYS /
7
NIGHTS
Start in UNESCO-listed Quito, then fly to Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal to snorkel, hike, and spot giant tortoises, sea lions, frigate birds, and marine iguanas. The Galápagos is Darwin’s living laboratory, with species found nowhere else on Earth.
Most people book this trip solo — small groups of like-minded 21–35s mean connection happens fast. No third-wheeling, no FOMO.
Meet at Mariscal Sucre International Airport by 4:00 pm for the included transfer into Quito. Arriving a few hours earlier is the best way to join the group ride.
Arrival at 4:00 pm isn’t mandatory, but it does guarantee the included airport transfer.
You’ll fly back from San Cristóbal to Quito, where your Trip Leader will help point you toward your onward international flight from Mariscal Sucre Airport.
Book your departure a few hours after 7:00 pm. Flight details are sent after registration, and the return usually includes a short layover in Guayaquil.
Expect 3–4 active hours most days, with snorkeling, island walks, and a 45-minute hike up Cerro Tijeretas. Quito’s high altitude can also make the first days feel a little harder.
There’s some room to breathe, including a free afternoon after Las Grietas, beach time at Tortuga Bay, and a few flexible island moments. Most days still have a solid activity plan.
After two nights in Quito, you’ll spend most of the trip between Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, with access to Tortuga Bay, Las Grietas, Kicker Rock, El Junco, and La Loberia.
This trip usually runs with 11–15 travelers and never more than 16.
Upon arriving in Ecuador, your Under30Experiences Trip Leader will greet you in Quito and prepare you to explore the capital city.
You'll be provided transportation to your hotel, where you can relax, catch your breath after your flight, and adjust to Quito's high altitude in the Andes Mountains.
Enjoy your first Ecuadorian dinner with your new friends in the evening while admiring the breathtaking landscape.
Take it easy, settle in, and acclimate to Quito’s altitude before dinner.
Get ready for an exciting day in Ecuador! You’ll start with a guided city tour of Quito, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Founded by the Spanish in 1534 on Inca ruins, Quito proudly possesses one of Spanish America's best-preserved historic centers.
Explore the marvelous capital city, learn about its rich history from a local guide, and take in the views from the Virgin Mary statue perched high above the city.
Afterward, visit the Middle of the World, where you will stand on the equator and witness the uniqueness of this geographic landmark.
On the third day, you’ll take an included flight 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador to the incredible Galapagos Islands!
Your island adventure begins with a visit Las Grietas, a natural wonder with stunning rocky crevices filled with crystal-clear turquoise water.
The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the island on your own and settle into your surroundings.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the island and settle into your new surroundings.
Today, you will visit Manzanillo Ranch, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. This ranch is known for its lush greenery and diverse wildlife, including Galápagos giant tortoises, land iguanas, and various bird species.
The area is rich in biodiversity, allowing you to observe and appreciate the endemic and native species up close.
In the afternoon, visit the famous and stunning Tortuga Bay beach, one of the archipelago's most extensive white sand beaches. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, or just relax on the beach. Look for marine iguanas, sharks, seabirds, and sea turtles.
Afterward, you can take a peaceful walk through a beautiful lagoon or visit the local sharks that come to the dock at night.
Kayaking at Tortuga Bay
At Tortuga Bay, you’ll have time to swim, snorkel, kayak, or just stretch out on the beach.
Visit the Charles Darwin Station to learn about the successful efforts to repopulate the islands with the once-endangered land iguana and several species of giant tortoises.
In the afternoon, you will take a speedboat ride to San Cristóbal Island. Depending on the group energy you could visit the Interpretation Center this afternoon.
End your day by watching one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Galápagos.
Depending on the group’s energy, there may be time to visit the Interpretation Center after arriving on San Cristóbal.
This morning, you will visit Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock, where you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays, and maybe even the harmless Galápagos shark.
In the afternoon, visit the Interpretation Center and hike to Cerro Tijeretas, aka Frigate Bird Hill, where you will look for two species of frigate birds! It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top of the hill, where you'll find several viewpoints offering stunning views of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and the Pacific Ocean.
In the morning, explore El Junco, the largest freshwater lake in the Galápagos Islands. Here, you can hike along scenic trails surrounding the crater rim, observing endemic bird species such as the Galápagos petrel and the frigate bird.
Enjoy a homemade lunch prepared by one of the oldest coffee farm families in San Cristobal, using primarily ingredients sourced from their farm. After lunch, you'll have the opportunity to learn about their sustainable farming practices, the entire coffee production process, and explore the fruit and vegetable plantations in the area.
End your day at La Loberia, one of the most magnificent beaches on the Galápagos Islands. It is renowned for its abundant marine life, including playful sea lions, colorful fish, and diverse aquatic species.
Wrap up the day at La Loberia, with time to enjoy the beach and watch the wildlife.
The included transportation will take you to San Cristobal Airport (SCY) where you’ll catch your included local flight back to Quito.
Upon landing at Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport, your Trip Leader will help direct you to your connecting flight back home.
We look forward to having you stay in touch.
You’ll stay in shared boutique hotel rooms throughout the trip, with clean, comfortable stays in Quito and on the islands. Laundry is often available for an extra fee—just ask your Trip Leader.
Rooms are shared by default, and the exact hotels may vary by departure while staying the same quality.
Taxes are included, there are no blackout dates, and you have a 60-day switch window if plans change.
Plenty of companies will fly you to Costa Rica for less. Here's what you're actually paying for — and why people who travel with us rarely go back to the alternative.
Small enough that you'll know everyone's name by day two. Not a 40-person coach where you're a wristband.
Locally-owned places with character and comfort — not a bunk in a 12-bed dorm. Where you sleep is part of the trip.
We guide the big moments and leave the rest open. No 6am wake-up calls to tick boxes you didn't ask for.
Hotels, activities, ground transport, your leader, and taxes — included. No hidden fees stacking up after you book.
Went on my first under 30 experience and it was great. I had a really good group and an AMAZING guide. Katty Célleri is an amazing guide for the Galapagos tour! Extremely knowledgeable, fun, professional, makes sure her group has a top notch experience and just a wonderful human being!
I have been on 8 trips (Colombia, Ecuador/Galapagos, France to Spain, Spain, Starter Costa Rica, Explore Iceland, Costa Rica Rain Forest, and Turkey) with U30X. U30X has been my favorite company to travel with and excels at finding the most unique and amazing accommodations and activities while maintaining their sustainability values. Their tour leaders are also phenomenal and are way more like friends that know the area than just a tour guide. I highly recommend traveling with U30X if you enjoy meeting like-minded travelers, having adventures of a lifetime, and have a genuine desire to explore and try new things.
I had an amazing time with 2 trips so far with U30X, Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. If you are thinking about doing a trip, do it! It's worth it. I made a lifetime friend in Costa Rica and now we plan to do more trips with U30X like Morocco, Thailand, Peru, and Belize, etc. It's worth the money, promise, and you will see things you would never imagine on your own! 10/10!
Every departure is led by a dedicated U30X Trip Leader who handles the logistics, brings the group together from day one, and works alongside our trusted local guides on the ground.
"My job is to make sure you never feel lost — and never feel like you're traveling alone."
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Vetted partners, trusted accommodations, and a leader who's done this before.
The community starts the day you book — not the day you land. By the time you're at the airport, these are already people you've been talking to for weeks.
What optional activities are available?
While your Trip Leader will assist you with optional activities available, please note that any optional activities are not part of your itinerary, and we don’t guarantee their safety or the quality standard of the operators running them. Please use your own judgment when selecting an activity in your free time.
Is this trip for me?
Have a question that's not on this list?
Feel free to reach out to our all-star customer service team at info@under30experiences.com or by messaging on WhatsApp +1 (888) 959-4436.
Do you have last-minute deals?
Yes! When travelers take advantage of our “Switch Your Trip” program last minute slots open up on sold out trips. Visit our Trips On Sale page for the latest last-minute deals.
Sign up to the list to be notified.
Will I have WiFi access on the Galapagos Islands?
WiFi will be available on the islands. However, the Galapagos Islands are an isolated group of islands over 500 miles away from South America. Therefore, you can expect WiFi to be slow, and unavailable at times.
We encourage you to take this opportunity to disconnect and immerse yourself in one of the most remote and beautiful places on our planet.
I’m arriving a few days before the trip starts, any recommendations?
-Visit The Mitad del Mundo monument
-Take a dip in Las Termas de Papallacta
-Teleferiqo up toward Pichincha Volcano
What languages are spoken in Ecuador?
-Spanish is the official language of Ecuador.
-English is spoken in many tourist areas and hotels.
Do I need to worry about a visa for Ecuador?
Citizens of the United States, Canada and most European countries traveling to Ecuador for tourism, business or to study do not require a visa unless they expect to stay in Ecuador for more than 90 days.
Are the outlets compatible with American plugs, or should we bring adapters?
Ecuador uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the United States. Outlets are typically the 2 pronged flat type so travelers from the United States shouldn’t need a converter or adapter.
What do I need to pack?
Check out our Essential Guide To Packing Like A Pro
It can definitely get chilly in Quito at night because of the altitude so pack a comfy sweater or light jacket just in case.
For the islands, we recommend light clothing, comfortable and water resistant shoes, and a sweater or jacket for some cold nights. It’s also recommended to bring sunglasses, a hat, bug repellent, and plenty of sunscreen.
Don’t forget a rain jacket!
What type of luggage is best?
We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on our transportation, so one main piece of luggage per person is limited. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.
Your domestic round-trip flight from Quito to the Galapagos allows you to bring one carry-on bag, with a maximum weight of 17 pounds, and one checked bag, with a maximum weight of 30 pounds. If you want to bring additional baggage, you can pay an extra fee at the airline counter, subject to availability.
How much should I budget for food and activities?
Depending on your spending habits, bring cash with you for additional expenses such as, snacks, souvenirs, optional activities. We suggest about ~$200 USD.
What activities are optional? And how much do they cost?
We’ve included many activities in the price of the trip giving you plenty to do. However, we pride ourselves in helping you make the trip perfect for you. Therefore we’ve sought out the best activities and vendors to help you have the experience you want.
And don’t worry, your trip leader can help set up any of the following optional activities for you so you can sit back and enjoy your trip.
-Swimming in Las Grietas: Free
-Charles Darwin Research Center: Free
-Scuba Diving: Apx. $150
-Kayaking: Apx. $30
-Bike Rental: $4 per hour
Can I opt out of an included activity?
Of course! This trip is your trip, and you don’t have to participate in anything you don’t want to. Just be aware that opting out of included activities will not change the price of your trip.
What is the physical activity level of this trip?
This trip is a good mix of activity and relaxation and includes moderate physical activities. Participants should expect to be active 3-4 hours most days. An active lifestyle is helpful though not required to enjoy the trip.
Can I drink the water in Ecuador?
Drinking tap water is not advisable anywhere in Ecuador.
We encourage our travelers to travel sustainably. Please bring a reusable water bottle. There will be filtered water coolers available in all of our hotels throughout the trip!
What are the food options for vegans & vegetarians?
Most traditional meals can be made without meat or animal product, but if you have strict diet restrictions we recommend bringing your own snacks. We do our best to accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as any allergies or other dietary restrictions.
What food can I expect to eat in Ecuador?
Meals will be typical Ecuadorian food with options for every diet.
Sample Breakfast Menu:
Sample Dinner Menu:
We do our best to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, or any allergy requests.
What is the bug situation in our hotel?
Since we're staying on one of the most bio diverse places in the world, there may be bugs around.
However, we’re staying in lovely and clean boutique hotels that should keep most creepy crawlers away from your personal space.
Is laundry available?
Most hotels will have laundry services available for an additional fee, however, availability may vary.
There will also be laundromats available on the islands.
What are the accommodations like?
We will stay in boutique hotel rooms for the duration of the trip.
Solo travelers are paired with someone of the same gender.
*Private room options are available upon request and subject to hotel availability (for an extra charge)
What type of weather should I expect?
In Quito, the weather is mild with temperatures between 48 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to use light clothing during the day, and sweaters or jackets at night.
The coast, including the Galapagos Islands, has warm weather. The average temperature is around 87 degrees Fahrenheit or 28 degrees Celsius.
When is the best time to visit Galapagos?
The weather in the Galapagos is warmest between November - April and provides abundant opportunities to take advantage of the beautiful beaches and viewing wildlife.
Fortunately this is the time when we run our trips to these epic islands!
Will I get to see a Giant Tortoise?
Yes! We will visit a Giant Tortoise preserve on our first day in the Galapagos!
What type of wildlife can I see in Galapagos?
Since this is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, you're guaranteed to experience wildlife.
In fact, 80% of the land birds, 97% of the reptiles & land mammals, & more than 30% of the plants are native to only these islands!
We’ll hike, snorkel, and boat our way across the archipelago & get to know wildlife, locals, and remarkable landscapes. Some frequently seen animals are giant tortoises, sea lions, finches, frigate birds, sea turtles, marine iguanas, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks, and so much more!
Every day is a new surprise!
From $2,795 with $195 down, plus a 60-day switch window if plans change.
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