DAY 1: ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR

Arrive in Quito, where you will be met by your Local Host.

DAY 2: QUITO (B)

Your included city TOUR showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and, later, the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the BASILICA with its marvelous stained-glass windows.

DAY 3: QUITO – BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – ISABELA ISLAND (B, L, D)

Take a morning flight to Baltra, one of the remote Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival, transfer through the highlands of SANTA CRUZ and visit LOS GEMELOS, twin pit craters formed from collapsed lava chambers. This is your first opportunity to catch a glimpse of Darwin’s finches, short-eared owls, and other native birds. Next, walk through a private Giant Tortoise RESERVE, where you will get an up-close view of these prehistoric creatures grazing in the wild. After lunch at a local hacienda, board a speed-boat that will whisk you away to the largest island in the archipelago, Isabela Island. En route, watch for whales and dolphins. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and Naturalist briefing.

DAY 4: ISABELA ISLAND (B, L, D)

Head out to Sierra Negra VOLCANO to see the second-largest active crater in the world. After lunch, spend time at the GIANT TORTOISE BREEDING CENTER, where you will see Giant Tortoises at different stages of development and admire them up close. They live here safely until the age of five when they are released back into the wild on their islands of origin. Later, at FLAMINGO LAGUNA, enjoy a rare opportunity to observe these birds up close.

DAY 5: ISABELA ISLAND (B, L, D)

At LAS TINTORERAS, watch for boobies and penguins before taking a walk on a lava field, home to marine iguanas and sea lions. From atop the lava field, view a small water canal full of white-tipped reef sharks. At the nearby bay, take time to snorkel to see sea turtles, sea lions, tropical fish, and maybe even sharks! After lunch, visit the wetlands in search of flamingos and other seabirds. Also keep a look out for masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and sea lions before continuing on to TUNEL DEL ESTERO, a tunnel formed by lava flows.

DAY 6: ISABELA ISLAND – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (B, L, D)

Return to Santa Cruz by speed boat and tour the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION. Learn about conservation efforts by scientists, park rangers, and locals who help preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, journey to TURTLE BAY, a great place for snorkeling from the white-sandy beach. Here you can observe marine iguanas, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, turtles, and many other endemic shore birds.

DAY 7: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (B, L, D)

Enjoy a full-day boat EXCURSION to one of the nearby islands of North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartolomé, Dragon Hill, or Santa Fé. The island visited will be determined by Galápagos National Park.

DAY 8: SANTA CRUZ – GUAYAQUIL (B)

Depart for your flight to Guayaquil.

DAY 9: GUAYAQUIL (B)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.