Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, sitting at one of the world's highest capital elevations at about 9,350 feet. Spend your time walking through the UNESCO-listed Old Town to see the colonial architecture and colorful plazas built over what was once an Inca settlement. The churches here are really something. If you have energy left in the evening, head down Calle La Ronda, a pedestrian street where you can check out local shops, grab a bite at a café, or browse handicrafts from regional artisans.
Optional Activities
- Visit Calle La Ronda, an ancient pedestrian street with links to poets and artists
- Optional Pre-Program: 4-day tour to Cloudforest Lodge in Mashpi Reserve (also available as Post-Program)
Landmarks/POIs Quito Old Town Calle La Ronda - Day 2
Cotopaxi National Park
This is a full day heading to Cotopaxi National Park to see one of South America's most active volcanoes up close. Start by visiting the interpretation center to learn about the volcano's eruption history and the local wildlife. Then you'll hike up to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 12,800 feet, where you might see llamas, Andean gulls, hummingbirds, and if you're lucky, an Andean condor. There's lunch prepared by regional chefs partway through, then you head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch prepared by some of the region's best chefs), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Cotopaxi Interpretation Centre
- Walk to Limpiopungo Lagoon
- Full-day nature tour to Cotopaxi National Park with lunch included
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lagoon - Day 3
Quito to Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast you'll fly to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. From there, transfer to the port where MS Santa Cruz II, your expedition ship, is waiting. In the afternoon you land at Las Bachas beach on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island. Walk the white sand, look for flamingos and sea turtles in the turquoise water, then swim or snorkel before heading back to the ship for a welcome cocktail and a briefing about what's ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Baltra Island
- Transfer from Baltra Airport to ship
- Landing at Las Bachas beach
- Swimming and snorkeling at Las Bachas beach
- Welcome cocktail and briefing on board
Landmarks/POIs Baltra Island Las Bachas Beach Santa Cruz Island - Day 4
Santiago Island
Spend the day around Santiago Island exploring its beaches and landscapes. You'll see Buccaneer Cove on the northwest coast with its impressive cliffs and marine birds plus sea lions. From there, do water activities around rock formations with names like Elephant Rock and The Bishop. In the afternoon head to Puerto Egas to watch fur sea lion colonies and see exotic birds, or choose to swim and snorkel around rocky shorelines where marine turtles often hang out.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Buccaneer Cove
- Water activities and exploration of rock formations
- Visit to Puerto Egas
- Swimming and snorkeling at Puerto Egas
Optional Activities
- Excursion to explore fur sea lion colony and birdlife at Puerto Egas
Landmarks/POIs Santiago Island Buccaneer Cove Elephant Rock The Bishop Puerto Egas - Day 5
Rábida Island and Bartolomé Island
Start on tiny Rábida Island with a panga-boat ride along the coast or an island walk on the distinctive red-tinted sand beach. You'll see sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. Later, sail to Bartolomé Island and check out the iconic Pinnacle Rock. Swim or snorkel from the beach, take a glass-bottom boat to see colorful marine life and maybe spot Galápagos penguins, then hike to the summit for views across the archipelago.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panga-boat ride along Rábida Island coast
- Exploration of Rábida Island's red-tinted sand beach
- Visit to Bartolomé Island
- Swimming and snorkeling at Bartolomé Island
- Glass-bottom boat exploration
- Hiking to Bartolomé Island summit
Optional Activities
- Excursion to explore Rábida Island's mesmerizing red-tinted sand beach
Landmarks/POIs Rábida Island Bartolomé Island Pinnacle Rock - Day 6
Marchena Island
You're heading to Marchena Island, one of the best spots in the archipelago for scuba diving and snorkeling, and it's historically been restricted to serious divers. Visit Punta Espejo on the eastern coast for great snorkeling and panga rides through wild, remote volcanic shoreline. Then move to Playa Negra on the north coast for more snorkeling chances and panga rides where you can spot shy fur sea lions, diving boobies, and frigate birds swooping overhead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Snorkeling activities at Marchena Island
- Panga ride exploration at Punta Espejo
- Snorkeling and panga rides at Playa Negra
Landmarks/POIs Marchena Island Punta Espejo Playa Negra - Day 6
Genovesa Island
Start on Genovesa Island with a steep but short 90-foot climb up stairs to reach a rocky plateau. From there, walk along the flat area watching large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. If you prefer, kayak instead for a water-based adventure. In the afternoon land at Darwin Bay's beautiful beach to swim, snorkel, kayak, or just relax while watching hundreds of island birds all around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb to plateau at Genovesa Island
- Bird observation at Genovesa Island plateau
- Landing at Darwin Bay beach
- Swimming and snorkeling at Darwin Bay
- Kayaking at Darwin Bay
- Beach relaxation and bird observation
Optional Activities
- Kayaking excursion at Genovesa Island
Landmarks/POIs Genovesa Island Darwin Bay - Day 7
Santa Cruz Island to Baltra Airport
This is your final morning on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast your bags get transferred to the airport while you visit the tortoise reserve. You'll do a dry landing at a passenger wharf and take a bus to the island's higher region to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Walk through the lush highlands where you'll find dense forests of Galápagos daisies, orchids, bromeliads, and endemic land birds. Then transfer directly to Baltra Airport for your departure and say goodbye to the islands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit tortoise reserve on Santa Cruz Island
- Dry landing and transfer to highlands
- Observation of giant tortoises in the wild
Optional Activities
- Optional Post-Programs: 3-night tour to Napo River in Ecuadorian Amazon with lodge stay
- Optional Post-Programs: 3-night stay in Cloudforest Lodge at Mashpi Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Santa Cruz Island Tortoise Reserve
