Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, sitting at 9,350 feet in the Andean foothills and holding the title of second-highest capital city in the world. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to wander through Old Town at your own pace. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has colonial architecture throughout, colorful plazas, and churches worth seeing if you feel like exploring, though there's no pressure to do everything on day one.
Optional Activities
- Pre-Program optional excursion (available for additional cost, join a few days before tour starts)
Landmarks/POIs Quito Old Town - Day 2
Middle of the World City
This morning you'll take a guided tour through Old Town's cobblestone streets with a local guide pointing out the colonial details. You'll also get to try some fine Ecuadorian chocolate while you're walking around. After lunch, you'll head north about 16 miles to the Middle of the World City monument. The whole point there is standing on the Equator with one foot in each hemisphere and getting that photo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Quito Old Town
- Chocolate tasting from Ecuadorian cacao
- Visit to Middle of the World City monument on the Equator
Landmarks/POIs Quito Old Town Middle of the World City Monument - Day 3
Quito to Galápagos Islands
After breakfast you're flying to Baltra Island and then transferring to the port to board the MS Santa Cruz II expedition ship. Later in the afternoon, you'll explore Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz's north shore. There's a brackish lagoon where you can see shorebirds and flamingos, and you'll get your first real chance to spot land iguanas along with nice views of the bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Baltra Island
- Transfer to expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II
- Landing and exploration of Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) with guided walk
Landmarks/POIs Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) Santa Cruz Island - Day 4
Santiago Island
You'll spend the day on Santiago Island checking out pristine beaches and rock formations like Elephant Rock and The Bishop, which are at Buccaneer Cove on the northwest coast. Marine birds and sea lions hang around these spots. In the afternoon at Puerto Egas, you can either view a Galápagos fur seal colony or go for a swim and snorkel session along the rocky shorelines where marine turtles come through.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Buccaneer Cove and rock formations on Santiago Island
- Visit to Puerto Egas with viewing of Galápagos fur seal colony and exotic birdlife
Optional Activities
- Swimming or snorkeling at Puerto Egas along rocky shorelines with marine turtles
Landmarks/POIs Buccaneer Cove Elephant Rock The Bishop Puerto Egas Santiago Island - Day 5
Bartolomé Island
Starting early, you'll take a panga ride around tiny Rábida Island to explore its red-colored beach, check out the sea lion colony, and look for marine iguanas and Darwin's finches. Later, the ship sails to Bartolomé Island where golden sands and Pinnacle Rock dominate the landscape. You can swim, snorkel, try to spot Galápagos penguins, or hike up to the summit if you want that views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panga ride along Rábida Island coast
- Exploration of Rábida Island's red beach and wildlife viewing
- Snorkeling or swimming at Bartolomé Island beach
- Glass-bottom boat ride to view marine life
Optional Activities
- Hike to the summit of Bartolomé Island for views
Landmarks/POIs Rábida Island Bartolomé Island Pinnacle Rock - Day 6
Genovesa Island
Genovesa Island starts with a short but steep 90-foot climb up Prince Philip's Steps to reach a rocky plateau where large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels hang out. By afternoon you'll land at Darwin Bay beach where swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or just relaxing are all options. You'll have hundreds of island birds to watch while you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike up Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco) to rocky plateau
- Wildlife viewing of boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels
Optional Activities
- Kayaking around Genovesa Island
- Swimming or snorkeling at Darwin Bay beach
- Beach relaxation and bird observation
Landmarks/POIs Genovesa Island Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco) Darwin Bay - Day 7
Santa Cruz Island to Quito
This final morning takes you to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island to explore the highlands reserve where two species of giant tortoises live in the wild. The area's surrounded by lush forests with Galápagos daisies, orchids, and bromeliads throughout. After exploring, you'll transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito so you can connect with your international flights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dry landing at passenger wharf on Santa Cruz Island
- Bus ride to island highlands
- Giant tortoise viewing in the wild
Optional Activities
- Optional Post-Program to explore more of Ecuador
Landmarks/POIs Santa Cruz Island
