Galápagos Islands

Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, set out on a tour of the capital. Starting in Independence Square, we see the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and the Municipal Palace. Continue to La Compañía Church, a Jesuit church bathed in gold leaf from tip-to-toe, and San Francisco Church and Monastery with its Baroque church and museum of Colonial religious art. From there, venture to El Panecillo to marvel at the iconic statue of the Virgin of Quito and take in sweeping views of the city. Enjoy free time after lunch, then gather this evening for a welcome dinner in our hotel.

Depart for the Galápagos Islands, flying from Quito to Baltra Island. Upon arrival, head to the dock to board our yacht and begin our adventure. After a briefing and lunch, disembark on North Seymour for a walk along the coast and through the interior of this flat island, observing numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and land iguanas. We also explore the coast by dinghy.

This morning, we anchor off Isabela Island to take in the dramatic geology of Punta Vicente Roca—with its lava flow remains and tuff stone layers—by panga. Wildlife abounds here, and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we can snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles. In the afternoon, head to the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago, Fernandina. The waters here are among the richest in the archipelago, providing prime habitat for flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins.

After breakfast, we disembark at Urbina Bay, on the western side of Isabela Island. See corals, shells, and large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas. Later, we navigate the Bolívar Channel, keeping an eye out for whales. On the northwest side of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove provided a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Hike to the back of Darwin Crater, which is filled with salt water. We can also snorkel or ride kayaks amid the dramatic landscape here.

In the morning, we disembark at Rábida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll along the beach allows us to observe marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach. Alternatively, take a ride in La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat to check out life beneath the waves. This afternoon, continue to the north shore of Santa Cruz for a walk through the fascinating landscapes of Dragon Hill. Circle a brackish-water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, and meander inland for beautiful views of the bay and the western islands, as well as a chance to observe land iguanas.

Today, we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in search of the emblematic Darwin’s finches and the endemic scalesia trees. The highlands are also great for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. After lunch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which serves as the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. See the giant tortoise pens, set within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest.

Situated on Floreana Island, Post Office Bay is named after the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Place a letter in the barrel, then ride pangas along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore. Afterward, snorkel or ride the glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called Champion Islet. In the afternoon, go ashore at Punta Cormorant for an easy walk from the olivine-crystal beach to a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos reside.

Bid farewell to the Galápagos Islands this morning and head to the airport for our flight back to the mainland. Participants continuing on the post-trip extension to Mashpi fly to Quito. Those returning home fly to Guayaquil, where we check in to day rooms at the Hotel del Parque to rest before heading back to the airport for departures late this evening (or early on June 26th).