Itinerary
Proposed itinerary of 11-day tour (subject to change)
DAY 1: VANCOUVER, CANADA – QUITO, ECUADOR
On arrival at Quito airport, transfer to a comfortable hotel where we enjoy a two-night stay.
DAY 2: QUITO, ECUADOR
After breakfast, depart on a morning tour of Quito, a designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. This colonial city has a unique blend of modern and old, with fascinating churches, decorated in gold intricate interior sculptures, and historic monasteries.
Drive to the Middle of the World City monument, located on the equator. Learn about the ‘Coriolis Effect’, which demonstrates the effect of gravity in the northern and southern hemispheres. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with typical Ecuadorian food. B,L,D
DAY 3: QUITO – SANTA CRUZ – ISABELA, GALAPAGOS
Fly to Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, followed by a connecting flight to Isabela, the largest island of the archipelago. Check into our tranquil hotel in Puerto Villamil, where we will be staying for three nights.
After a brief rest, we will explore the Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos, and one of the main nesting sites for flamingos. We will also see seals, pelicans, and frigate birds. B,L,D
DAY 4: ISABELA, GALAPAGOS
Enjoy a morning hike to Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active of the Galapagos volcanoes to see a spectacular view of Isabela Island.
Optional snorkeling near Tintoreras, a small island near Puerto Villamil, which is home to the Galapagos Penguin and known for the rest spot of white-tipped reef sharks. B,L,D
DAY 5: ISABELA, GALAPAGOS
Cabo Rosa is the perfect spot to observe colorful fish and, with a bit of luck, manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, seals, and swimming marine iguanas. Later visit the Wall of Tears, built by prisoners with huge blocks of lava as punishment, and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre and their conservation efforts of the Ecuadorian government. B,L,D
DAY 6: ISABELA – SANTA CRUZ, GALAPAGOS
Fly to Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands and transfer to Puerto Ayora. After check-in and lunch on board our large, first-class catamaran, depart by bus for the lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Visit volcanic craters, lava tunnels and a private farm to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Return to catamaran to begin our five-day/four-night cruise. B,L,D
DAY 7: FLOREANA, GALAPAGOS
Cormorant Point has a beautiful green olivine sandy beach. Observe a flamingo colony and Darwin’s finches. In the afternoon, we will visit Post Office Bay and the legendary ‘Post Barrel’ that whalers historically used as a mailbox. Continue on an easy walk to “Mirador de la Baronesa”, a viewpoint located on the north of the Floreana Island, where your naturalist guide will recount the legend of the murder of the Baronesa. B,L,D
DAY 8: ESPAÑOLA, GALAPAGOS
Gardner Bay on Española Island is home to a variety of endemic wildlife and has an excellent beach for swimming and the small islets nearby reward snorkelers with many species of fish, and sometimes turtles, sharks, and colonies of friendly sea lions.
Suarez Point is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a large variety of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. See the spectacular courtship dance of the waved albatross and the blue-footed boobies. This is the only place on earth that waved albatross will land and nest. B,L,D
DAY 9: SAN CRISTÓBAL ISLAND, GALAPAGOS
Pitt Point is considered by many as one of the most beautiful places in the Galapagos Islands because it is the only place where you can see two species of frigate birds and all three species of boobies nesting in the same area. See colonies of sea lions and climb a volcanic tuff cone for a view of a surreal landscape.
Cerro Brujo (Witch Hill), one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin, is home to blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, brown pelicans, and frigate birds. Snorkel in the protected bay with young sea turtles, sea lions and rays or relax on the white coral sandy beach. B,L,D
DAY 10: LOBOS, SAN CRISTÓBAL – QUITO, ECUADOR
On Lobos Island, enjoy swimming and snorkeling with sea lions. It is also a seasonal nesting location for the blue-footed boobies and frigate birds.
Fly to Quito. On arrival in Quito, check-in our hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at a typical Ecuadorian restaurant. B,D
DAY 11: QUITO, ECUADOR
After breakfast, enjoy a day at leisure to explore all that Quito has to offer. You will have a chance to shop for woven blankets, alpaca jackets, art pieces, and jewelry. Later group transfer to the airport for our return flight to Canada. B
Note: The flight from Quito to the Galapagos is included but the international flight is not included; contact us to obtain information on how to book the international flight.
Marine iguana, Galapagos Islands