Itinerary:

Day 1 – U.S. / Quito
 
Fly to Quito.


Day 2 – Quito (Ecuador)
 
Upon flight arrival at Quito, capital of Ecuador, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Meal: Dinner

Lodging: Swissotel Quito


Day 3 – Quito

Declared a "World Heritage Site"by UNESCO in 1978, Quito is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Americas.

Full day sightseeing of Quito; Visits of The Basílica del Voto Nacional, Basilica the highest church in Ecuador, walk the Street of the Seven Crosses Plaza Grande main square, La Compañía Church – considered the finest in Latin America, come to the heart of the Old Town, the Plaza de la Independencia Here you’ll be able to take in the Government Palace , the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Cathedral.

You will also stop at the Equatorial Monument, which marks the middle of the world. Ecuador straddles the equator, from which it takes its name.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Swissotel Quito

 

Day 4 – Quito / Galapagos, San Cristobal Island

Fly to Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.
Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers will bring us to Cerro Brujo's white coraline beach . Wet landing.  The area will show us good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and some shore birds . Also, look for Galapagos sea lions.  The beach is a great open walking area, with rewarding birdwatching.   Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and with luck a Vermillion flycatcher (endemic subspecies to San Cristobal).  These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos.  Back on board for an ECO Moment and briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruising aboard M/V Santa Cruz


Day 5 – Punta Suarez, Española (Hood) Island

Morning outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Among its landbirds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights.  Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site.  For those planning not to walk the entire trail, a very short walk under easy walking conditions will be possible. Back on board for lunch.
Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed.  This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May).  Possibility of snorkeling from the beach.  ECO Moment, briefing and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruising aboard M/V Santa Cruz


Day 6 – Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina.  Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk.  Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife.  Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes.  Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos’ youngest volcanoes can be seen.  The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales.

Punta Vicente Roca (Isla Isabela)

In the afternoon, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we will schedule a snorkeling outing along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano, in the northern tip of Isabela Island.  Since there is no landing site at this location, we will include a coastal exploration by dinghy, where our naturalist-guides will commit to explaining the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers.  This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only existing marine birds in the world other than penguins that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds.  Wildlife here also includes Sea lions, Galápagos Fur seals, Galápagos Penguins, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies and noddy terns. This area has a very rich marine life, and is seasonally visited by green sea turtles.  Eco Moment, and details about the next day’s activities before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruising aboard M/V Santa Cruz


Day 7 – Santa Cruz Island and Baltra Island / Quito or Guayaquil / U.S.

Visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station will be certainly a rewarding adventure for this morning's program.  It will just require a different approach, in order to accomplish all our travel plans.  This outing is an optional program and an early one.  We arrive at the Itabaca Channel, between the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz and disembark at the public dock (dry landing) for a 30-minute bus ride along the highlands in route to Puerto Ayora where changes in vegetation can be witnessed.  Upon arrival, we proceed to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises.  Here we will get to understand the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest where endemic land birds can be seen.  After an hour visit, return via the same route to cross the Itabaca Channel by ferry and take the bus to Baltra Island airport in time for the 12h15 flight back to the continent.

Return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Connect International flight to U.S.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch


Day 8 – U.S.

Flight arrival in U.S.