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Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Quito
Arrive Quito, Ecuador’s capital and transfer to your deluxe hotel in the city center. If you arrive early in the day, you could explore a bit on your own. SWISSOTEL QUITO

Day 2 BLD
Quito/M/V Santa Cruz
Fly over the Pacific Ocean to Baltra Island. Your adventure begins as you step aboard the M/V Santa Cruz for a five-day wildlife viewing exploration. This afternoon, an onboard briefing by a naturalist will acquaint you with the wonders to come. Later arrive Santa Cruise Island’s north shore. A dinghy ride takes you among the mangrove-lined islets to observe the dramatic landscape born of past volcanic activity. Enjoy dinner aboard the M/V SANTA CRUZ.

Day 3 BLD Bartolome Island/James Island

This morning, venture out onto the white sand beaches of Bartolome Island. Climb to Pinnacle Rock for an unforgettable view of land, sea and air. The island is home to a small colony of Galapagos penguins, the only penguins found outside the extreme southern latitudes. Next, visit Puerto Egas, an astounding salt crater on James Island, where a colony of fur seals has made its home on the black lava rocks and swims in the spectacular tidal pools. The multicolored cliffs of volcanic ash overhanging the James Bay have been polished by the sea and create a breathtaking and intricate pattern that many come here especially to see. Enjoy an excellent opportunity to swim and snorkel with such amazing creatures as marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, and an unbelievable array of colorful fish. M/V SANTA CRUZ

Day 4 BLD
Tower Island/North Seymour Island
Today visit Darwin Bay on Tower Island, famed as the Galapagos’ best island for bird watching. This island is home to many unique bird species like the red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, storm petrels, Galapagos hawks, and the magnificent red-throated frigate birds. This afternoon, embark on an excursion to North Seymour Island, where sea lions have colonized the cliffs and shores. Observe blue-footed boobies diving in shallow water, swallowtail gulls swooping, frigate birds gliding through the sky, and red- and green-trimmed marine iguanas sunning themselves on the cliffs. M/V SANTA CRUZ

Day 5 BLD Santa Fe/Darwin Station

An early morning visit to Santa Fe (Barrington) Island will give you a glimpse into the long geological history of the islands. At midmorning, cruise to Puerto Ayora, located on Santa Cruz Island. Visit the Darwin Research Station, which conducts research for marine and terrestrial conservation, monitors nesting green turtles as part of a new project that aims to protect and conserve the species, and pursues other research programs. Have lunch at the beautiful Finch Bay Hotel, then enjoy a drive up through the lush highlands to see the giant tortoises wild habitat. M/V SANTA CRUZ

Day 6 B
San Cristobal Island/Quito
Disembark, this morning on San Cristobal, the easternmost island in the Galapagos, and one of the oldest. This is where Darwin first went ashore in 1835. Pay a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Then take a pleasant stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Province of Galapagos, before your transfer to the airport and return flight to Quito. This evening, relax and reminisce about your unforgettable experiences of the past week. SWISSOTEL QUITO

Day 7 B
Conclude Quito
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. We hope you have been amazed by the remarkable wildlife sightings, and will join us again on future adventures. Back to Top