The Galapagos Islands & Ecuador

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information

Day 1 – Home to Quito
Fly to Quito, Ecuador today and check into our lovely hotel for a
restful night.

Day 2 – Quito, Ecuador
Tour colonial Quito, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Visit
Old Town, including the Plaza de la Independencia. It is the home
of the tomb of Sucre and also houses interesting 17th and 18th
century paintings. The Plaza de San Francisco was constructed by
the Spanish in 1553, and the church has a high altar made of pure
gold and beautifully carved ceilings. Next visit La Compañia, the
finest of all Jesuit churches with it’s richly sculptured facade and
interior. Later visit the Indian market at Avenida de 24 de Mayo
at the base of El Panecillo and the Ipiales market. Stay at your
beautiful hotel offering outstanding service and atmosphere.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 – Quito
Experience the Awakening Valley today with a visit to Calderon,
famous for with its bread-dough figurines, and Cayambe, where
we savor local delicacies. Continue through beautiful Andean
landscapes to the famous Otavalo Indian Market in time to start our
hunt for hand-knitted wool sweaters, colorful tapestries, straw hats,
and more. Lunch is served at a historic and charming hacienda
before continuing to the middle of the world. See the spot that
marks the exact middle of the world and stand with one foot in the
Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere.
Later, visit the Indian town of Peguche, where textiles are woven
in old-fashioned shuttle looms. Continue along the valleys of
Cuayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms. Return to
Quito for a restful evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 – Galapagos – Bartolomé
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra. Upon
arrival you are met at the airport and taken to the pier to board the
M/V Galapagos Legend for accommodation on a superior exterior
cabin. We start our cruise and dry land at Bartolome. Here we will
see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones.
After a hike to the summit you’ll be impressed by the view of the
surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle
Rock. During the hike to the summit, we will often see colonies
of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti. We will
then be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles,
and white tipped sharks from a safe distance.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Urbina Bay (Isabela) – Fernandina
Morning wet landing at Urbina Bay. Here we will visit the fossil
beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be able to
observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After
the walk we will have time for snorkeling. Afternoon dry landing
in Espinosa Point. Here we will see the biggest marine iguanas
mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants
nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions.
Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot
brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava
formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Santiago (Egas Port) – Rábida
Wet landing on a dark sand beach. Most of the landscape is tuffstone
layers and lava flows. You can observe hunting herons, great
blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster
catchers. You will encounter marine iguanas grazing upon algae
beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of furseals
swimming in deep pools of cool water. Here you can swim
and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, and star fish. In the
afternoon you will wet land at Rábida (Jervis). The volcano-formed
beach is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It’s considered the
geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse
volcanic rocks on the Islands. You’ll hike to a salt water lagoon,
where flamingos can sometimes be found. July through September
is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty
bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be
observed. You can take a dinghy ride by the reefs as well as snorkel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin
Research Station) – Santa Cruz
(Highlands)
In the morning we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station,
staffed with international scientists conducting biological research
and conservation projects. Here you can admire the giant tortoises
that are part of the breeding program. The area has abundant
prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you’ll
have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.
You can then trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit
Cerro Chato, where you’ll be able to observe the famous giant
tortoises. Additionally, travelers can walk inside the dormant lava
tubes.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach) – Quito
Morning wet landing at Bachas Beach, located on north side of
Santa Cruz Island. Here you will encounter many sea birds, marine
iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the white
sand beach. Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer
to Baltra’s airport. Return flight to Quito, arrival and transfer to the
Swissotel for accommodations on a standard room.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – Quito to Home
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return international
flight home. Return home on the same day.
Included Meals: Breakfast