Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Quito
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
In Quito
Today you have two excursions to choose between, depending on your interests. The first is an included half-day city sightseeing tour in Quito followed by a free afternoon in the city. Alternatively you may choose to upgrade and take an optional full day trip to visit the market at Otavalo. (This is subject to availability by local provider and must be pre-requested in advance with Explore)The town is set in beautiful countryside and the market is huge! It comprises three different markets situated all over the town and starts early in the morning, continuing until early evening. Vendors sell hand woven textiles and also bring in crafts from elsewhere in South America, such as paintings, jewellery and leather goods.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Fly to the Galapagos Islands; start Galapgos itinerary 1 or 2
The Galapagos Islands are located about 1000 km (620 miles) off the Pacific coast of South America. The archipelago is comprised of 13 major islands and scores of islets that served as a living laboratory for Charles Darwin, the renowned evolution theorist. Long before Darwin arrived in the Galapagos, seafarers knew these isolated islands as home to some of the strangest and most wonderful wildlife imaginable, including birds that could swim but no longer fly, aquatic iguanas, dragon-like lizards left over from prehistoric times, and the giant Galapagos tortoises for which the islands were named. Covering nearly 5000 square km (3100 square miles), the Galapagos Islands are now a National Park. The Galapagos National Park is the institution that controls the preservation of this environment, assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos Tortoises, which may live up to two hundred years. This is also the training centre for naturalist guides who accompany all visitors landing at more than 40 approved sites on the islands, and members of the international scientific community often come to study at the station. Your Galapagos cruise will take one of two itineraries stopping at a variety of different islands. You will have amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, along with some fantastic cwimming and snorkelling experiences in the bays. During your time here we would hope to see a multitude of different bird life, inlcduing albatross and the famed blue footed boobies as well as other wildlife such as marine iguana, sea lions and giant tortoise.
Itinerary 1:
Today we fly to Baltra and then transfer to Santa Cruz Island visiting the Research Station en route. We board our vessel in Puerto Ayora and sail, overnight, to Santa Fe and the South Plazas Islands.
Itinerary 2:
Today we fly to Baltra and then transfer to Santa Cruz Island visiting the Research Station en route. We board our vessel in Puerto Ayora and sail, overnight, to Sullivan Bay and Bartolome Island
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Santa Fe Island/Bartolome Island
Itinerary 1:
Visit Santa Fe Island and South Plazas Islands
Itinerary 2:
Visit Sullivan Bay and Bartolome Island
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Visits on San Cristobal/Bachas beach
Itinerary 1:
San Cristobal is the easternmost island of the Galapagos and where Darwin first went to shore in 1835. We visit Isla Lobos, named after the sea lions often present here. Isla Lobos is also a seasonal nesting place for blue footed boobies and a great place for some snorkelling.
Itinerary 2:
Bachas beach and Cerro Dragon
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
San Cristobal / Black Turtle Cove
Itinerary 1:
Further visits on San Cristobal, including the Interpretation centre
Itinerary 2:
Sail to Black turtle cove and Mosquera Islet
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
San Cristobal Island/ Isabela Island
Itinerary 1:
Visit to cerro Brujo and Sleeping lion (or Ochoa Beach)
Itinerary 2:
Isabela Island - including Sierra Negra Volcano and Tintoreras
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:
Espanola Island/Rabida Island
Itinerary 1:
This morning we sail to Española Island. This is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and home to several wildlife species. The Waved Albatross is seen here from April to December during its mating/nesting season; virtually the entire world population of this species, with more than 12000 pairs residing here. Large numbers of masked and blue-footed boobies are also found here, as well as marine iguanas and sea lions.
Itinerary 2:
Visit to Chinese Hat and Rabida island
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9:
Floreana Island/Santiago Island
Itinerary 1:
Sail to Floreana Island and visit Cormorant Point and Mirador de la Baronesa
Itinerary 2:
Sail to Santiago Island vist Egas point and Espumilla Beach
Overnight Accommodation on Boat (U)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10:
Santa Cruz/North Seymour; fly to Quito
Itinerary 1:
Return to Santa Cruz and visit the highlands area
Itinerary 2:
Visit to North Seymour Island
Return flight to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and enjoy one last night on the town.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11:
Tour ends Quito
Included meals: Breakfast
