Day 1, Monday – Miami/Quito
Flight from Miami to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2, Tuesday – Quito City Tour and The Equator
The tour begins with a great view of Orellana’s way and Guapulo Sanctuary (XVII Century). We will continue towards the downtown, where we will take a walk visiting the Independence Square, surrounded by historically important buildings, such us the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century). After some stops to take pictures or just to take your breath back, we will visit the Church and Monastery of San Francisco built few months after the Spaniards arrival (XVI Century). Visit to the Panecillo Hill where the Virgin of Quito, (the only winged virgin) is located. From this perspective you will be delighted by the spectacular view of Colonial Quito mainly. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Continue this amazing tour, we will drive 15 Km. north of Quito, towards the Middle of the World. Here you will have two options, either to visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument, which shows a display of the main cultures of Ecuador. This monument was built to commemorate the Geodesic Scientific Mission, which came to Ecuador, during the 19th century, in order to study and measure the Earth Meridian. Or, visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum, located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses and where you will be shown with different scientific experiments that you are truly stand on the 0° Meridian.

Day 3, Wednesday – Quito/Galapagos
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos (Baltra airport). Passengers will be picked up by our guides at the airport and taken to the yacht.

Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill)
Wet landing. Visitors walk to a saltwater lagoon which is occasionally visited by pink flamingos. Then you’ll hike up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. This area is a nesting site for numerous reintroduced land iguanas. There is also a peculiar scalesia tree forest.

Santa Cruz (Venice)
Dinghy ride around the islet along the coast of Santa Cruz. The land iguanas that live in Venice were protected from the wild dogs that live on the island of Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz is possible to observe the vegetation and marine animals like: spotted eagle rays and golden rays, mullets, white tipped reef sharks and pacific green sea turtles which rest in the calm waters of the coves and channels.

Day 4, Thursday - Rábida (Jervis)
Wet landing. The volcano-formed beach is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It’s considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands. You’ll hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found. July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be observed. You can take a dinghy ride by the reefs, as well as snorkel.

Santiago (Egas Port)
Wet landing on a dark sand beach. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. You can observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers. Passengers will see marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals swimming in deep cool-water pools. Here you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, star fish.

Day 5, Friday - Fernandina (Espinosa Point)
Dry landing. Visitors will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea.

Isabela (Tagus Cove)
Dry landing on Galapagos’ largest island. Visitors will learn about the eruption of five volcanoes that formed this island. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields and volcanic formations. You’ll take a dinghy to observe marine life. Frequently, Galapagos penguins can be seen here. Opportunity for snorkeling. Graffiti believed to have been made by 19th century pirates helps passengers better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today.

Day 6, Saturday - Bartolomé
Dry landing. Passengers will see volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After hiking to the summit you can enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock’s eroded tuff cone. On the way to the summit, you’ll often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla and various cacti. You’ll be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance.

Santa Cruz (Black Turtle Cove)
Located near Las Bachas beach on the north side of the island. Passengers will take a dinghy though the mangrove. The motor is turned off to allow close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays.

Day 7, Sunday - Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station)
Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you’ll be able to admire the giant tortoises involved in the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you’ll have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs. Disembark at Baltra. Passengers will take a bus to the airport for the flight back to Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to your hotel.

Day 8, Monday – Guayaquil/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.

Request more information:

• Air transportation from Miami to Quito, Quito to Galapagos, Galapagos to Guayaquil, Guayaquil to Miami, coach class - (departures from other cities available for a surcharge)
• Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
• 4 nights cruise on the Coral I or II, standard cabin, Galapagos Park Entrance fee is included; all meals and shore excursions
• Hotel accommodation including breakfast daily and taxes
• Guided tours in English including all entrance fees
• Meals as per itinerary