DAY 1 : ARRIVE QUITO
Arrive in Quito and transfer to Patio Andaluz, a 4 star boutique hotel situated in the heart of the refurbished colonial center of Quito. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [Meals on your own]
DAY 2 : QUITO
We begin our Ecuador vacation with a half-day city tour of colonial Quito, including the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church, and the impressive San Francisco Church. Visit the Mitad del Mundo Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum. Afternoon and evening are free to explore this beautifully restored city with its busy pedestrian plazas, shops, coffee bars, pubs, and many excellent restaurants. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [B]
DAY 3 : GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Private transfer this morning to the domestic airport for the 2 hour flight to begin our trip to Galapagos. We meet our naturalist guide and transfer to the Eric, Flamingo, or Letty. We are greeted by the ship's crew who take care of your luggage and run through safety drills before our Galapagos adventure gets under way to Lobos Island. The protected and serene habitat of Lobos Island preserves many rare and endangered species of plants and birds found here. Watch Blue-footed Boobies dive for fish and see lazy sea lions bask on the lava shores. As the sun sets, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal, the nightly briefing, and formal presentation of the captain and crew. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 4 : GENOVESA & DARWIN BAY
Darwin Bay, at Genovesa Island, is all that remains of the caldera from a collapsed volcano with steep, soaring walls. Snorkeling in the submerged caldera is excellent, as the high nutrient content of the water attracts an abundance of sea life. Known as The Bird Island, Genovesa features a wealth of avian species including great frigate birds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, and Darwin's finches. This afternoon you might kayak or ride the dinghy below the steep cliffs to view birds nesting in the narrow rock crevices. Red-Billed Tropicbirds, as well as Masked and Red-Footed Boobies are usually seen on the hike up Prince Philips Steps to the high plateau. The path meanders through the Palo Santo forest before emerging on the other side of the island. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 5 : FERNANDINA & ISABELA ISLANDS
This morning, head out to Fernandina, the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Punta Espinosa is a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen including Sally Lightfoot crabs, penguins, and Marine iguanas, which congregate in larger groups here than on any other island. Watch penguins throw themselves off the rocks into the water, while the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest. The Marine iguanas are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed in the lava, and blocking the way at the landing dock, one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater. A short boat ride mid-day through Bolivar Channel will bring you to Tagus Cove, at Isabela Island. Whales and dolphins are often seen here. Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring site for pirates and whalers. The nature trail is an ascent through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake connected to the sea by a narrow inlet. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes, and see Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and pelicans. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 6 : SANTIAGO & SOMBRERO CHINO
After landing this morning at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas, on Santiago, embark on a hike through the dry interior of the island. Keep your eyes out for hawks, doves, and finches before reaching the opposite coastline. Deep aquamarine colored grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrates such as sea urchins, octopus, and starfish. This is one of the few places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals basking on the black lava rocks. During lunch the yacht will motor to the other side of the island passing by beautifully scenic landscapes on the way to Sombrero Chino island, off the Southern tip of Santiago. After a wet beach landing among the sea lion colonies, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava formations and lava tubes. Mingle with marine iguanas and watch pairs of oystercatchers hunt on the beach. Photographers will love this location, as it is ripe with beautiful shots at every turn. Enjoy a delicious dinner aboard your yacht while anchored in a calm protected area. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 7 : BARTOLOME & NORTH SEYMOUR ISLANDS
In the morning, visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island where penguins are often spotted. Hike 30 minutes up to the summit of the once active volcano for spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock, the white-sand beaches, lush mangrove swamps, and various volcanic formations, keeping an eye out for pelicans and Galapagos hawks. In the afternoon head to North Seymour Island, and follow the trail amongst swallow tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, you can find marine iguanas and sea lions surfing on the northern swells. After the walk you may decide to take a short snorkeling excursion offered in deep water. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 8 : SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & CHARLES DARWIN STATION
Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about current research and conservation initiatives including several breeding programs that hope to reintroduce specific tortoise species back onto the island of their origin. Meet Lonesome George, possibly the oldest resident of Galapagos and the last surviving individual giant tortoise of his Pinta Island sub-species. In the lush green highlands, explore lava tubes and pit craters, and look for wild giant tortoises. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 9 : ESPANOLA & PUNTA SUAREZ ISLANDS
We make a wet landing on the beach where sea lions gather at Gardener Bay, Espanola. Snorkeling from shore here, we find plenty of beautiful fish as well as harmless nurse sharks and gentle sea turtles. Due to its isolation, Espanola has a high number of endemic species found only on this island; here we visit the nesting site of over ten thousand pairs of Waved albatross. At one meter high with a two meter wing span, the Waved albatross is one of the most impressive and comical aerial acrobats in the world. Remarkably, the islands off the coast of Ecuador are their only refuge on Earth. This afternoon our Galapagos trip heads off to Punta Suarez to see up to five species of nesting seabirds including the Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Prehistoric-looking Marine iguanas and giant lava lizards roam the terrain. A short hike leads to the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs which blasts incoming breakers into geysers over 90 feet high. Overnight onboard your cruise vessel. [BLD]
DAY 10 : RETURN TO QUITO
We conclude our Galapagos Islands vacation by disembarking with our guide who accompanies passengers to the Galapagos Island airport for the afternoon flight to the mainland. Transfer in from the Quito airport and overnight at Patio Andaluz or similar. [B]
DAY 11 : DEPART
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to visit more of Ecuador's natural wonders. [B]
