Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
Optional Activities
- Visit Calle La Ronda ancient pedestrianized street with shops and cafes
- Browse local handicrafts for sale in Calle La Ronda
- Explore Old Town Spanish colonial architecture
- View sparkling city lights spreading across surrounding hills and mountains
Landmarks Quito Old Town Calle La Ronda - Day 2
Cotopaxi National Park
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional dishes prepared by region's best chefs in San Augustin del Callo), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sangolqui open-air market and sample Andean specialities
- Walk to Limpiopungo Lagoon in Cotopaxi National Park
- Nature walk in Cotopaxi National Park with views of the volcano
- Lunch at San Augustin del Callo prepared by local regional chefs
- Full day Nature Tour to Cotopaxi National Park, including lunch
Optional Activities
- Purchase clothing and handicrafts at Sangolqui market
- Chat with friendly local indigenous stallholders at market
- Spot birdlife including Andean Gull, Hummingbirds, and Condor
- Observe herds of wild llamas roaming the paramo landscape
Landmarks Sangolqui Open-Air Market Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon Cotopaxi Volcano San Augustin del Callo - Day 3
Quito to Galápagos Islands
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Welcome lunch in beautiful ship restaurant with Captain's toast), Dinner
Included Activities
- Mandatory safety briefing on board ship
- Welcome lunch on board ship with Captain's toast
- Expedition boat visit to Mosquera Islet
- View sea lions, seabirds, and Sally Lightfoot crabs at Mosquera Islet
- Easy walk across Mosquera Islet's flat sandy dunes
- Educational guidance from guides on marine and terrestrial ecosystems
Landmarks Galápagos Ecological Airport Baltra Island Mosquera Islet - Day 4
San Cristóbal Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Galapaguera giant tortoise home on San Cristóbal Island
- Walk and explore beautiful white sand beach
- View shorebirds, waders, and potentially pink flamingos at lagoon
Optional Activities
- Swim at white sand beach
- Snorkel in deep water
- Ride glass-bottom boat
- Power walk 8-kilometre round-trip to see giant tortoises in natural habitat
Landmarks San Cristóbal Island Galapaguera - Day 4
San Cristóbal Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Cerro Colorado tortoise breeding centre for endangered giant tortoises
- Explore Cerro Colorado's six-hectare forest home to endemic species
- Small expedition boat exploration of Punta Pitt coastline
- Nature walk on land at Punta Pitt with coastal trail views
- Snorkeling and swimming at Punta Pitt
Optional Activities
- Explore coast by small expedition boat at Punta Pitt
- Hike trails at Punta Pitt for spectacular coastal views
- Spot three species of boobies including Blue-footed Boobies
- Observe sea lions performing underwater acrobatics over reef
Landmarks Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve Punta Pitt - Day 5
South Plaza Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Nice, long lunch rustled up by excellent onboard chefs), Dinner
Included Activities
- Nature walk on white sand beach at Santa Fe Island
- Swimming at Santa Fe Island
- Snorkeling at Santa Fe Island
- Glass-bottom boat trip at Santa Fe Island
- Kayaking at Santa Fe Island
- Nice, long lunch on board ship
- Visit South Plaza Island with flora exploration
- Observe land iguanas, marine iguanas, and hybrid iguanas
Optional Activities
- Glass-bottom boat exploration of underwater world
- Kayaking at own pace on Santa Fe Island
- Relax by swimming at Santa Fe Island
- Snorkeling at South Plaza Island
- Kayaking activities at South Plaza Island
Landmarks Santa Fe Island South Plaza Island - Day 6
Santa Cruz Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in the highlands), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
- View baby tortoises in incubators
- See Darwin's famous finches
- Try traditional trapiche sugar cane grinder
- Bus or bicycle ride to the sugar cane mill
- Explore Opuntia Cactus Forest
- Lunch in the highlands
- View giant tortoises in natural habitat in highlands
Optional Activities
- Mountain biking in highlands
- Kayaking in Tortuga Bay
- Hike 1.3 miles to Tortuga Bay and Playa Brava
- Visit Playa Brava seasonal nesting site for green turtles
- Explore Playa Mansa natural mangrove cove for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking
- Observe sea lions and marine iguanas at natural sites
- Simply enjoy views from mangrove shade
Landmarks Puerto Ayora Charles Darwin Research Station Opuntia Cactus Forest Tortuga Bay Playa Brava Playa Mansa - Day 7
Coastal Exploration
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coastal exploration by small expedition boat (pangas)
- Guided observation of marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs
- Spotting of marine turtles in waters
- Wildlife observation at every turn
Optional Activities
- Observe albatross bobbing on ocean and flying near water
- Watch sea lions surfing on beach breaks
Landmarks Galápagos Islands Coastline - Day 7
Española Island
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lovely and relaxed lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Española Island
- Guided observation of Waved Albatrosses and seabirds
- View of famous El Soplador blowhole
- Lunch on board ship
- Visit Gardner Bay coral beach
- Visit Osborn Islet
Optional Activities
- Relax and observe sea lions, Mockingbirds, and finches at Gardner Bay
- Snorkel at Gardner Bay or Osborn Islet
- Kayaking activities at Gardner Bay
- Dip in water for swimming
Landmarks Española Island El Soplador Gardner Bay Osborn Islet - Day 8
North Seymour
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Well-deserved spot of lunch aboard the ship), Dinner
Included Activities
- Snorkeling at Eden Islet
- View of Galápagos green turtles, rays, and reef sharks
- Optional glass-bottom boat trip at Eden Islet
- Optional kayaking at Eden Islet
- Lunch on board ship
- Visit North Seymour Island
- Explore Palo Santo forest on North Seymour
Optional Activities
- Glass-bottom boat exploration at Eden Islet
- Kayaking along coast of Eden
- Observe Frigatebirds with red throats on shore
- Hike North Seymour trails to observe seabird and marine mammal colonies
Landmarks Eden Islet North Seymour Island - Day 9
Departure
Optional Activities
- Continue from Guayaquil to Quito (must be requested at time of booking)
- Join optional post-program to Ecuadorian Amazon and Napo River with lodge stay
- Join optional post-program to Mashpi Reserve Cloudforest Lodge with 3-night stay
- Add extra days to explore more of Ecuador with optional post-programs
Landmarks Baltra Island Guayaquil