Day 1, Sunday – 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, Monday – 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, Tuesday – Quito/Galapagos
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos, upon arrival you transfer to the dock to board the Isabela II. Welcome briefing and lunch.

(North Seymour Island) - Afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available. Welcome Cocktail offered by the Captain. Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities and dinner.

Day 4, Wednesday - Gardner Bay (Hood Island)
After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat.

Punta Suárez (Hood Island) - Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Day 5, Thursday - Point Cormorant (Floreana Island)
After breakfast, disembark at Point Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. There is great snorkeling at this site. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.

Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) - Wet landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Day 6, Friday - Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the Isabella II. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Day 7, Saturday - Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs. Lunch on board.

Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island) - The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) and then a leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and the short-eared owl. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Day 8, Sunday
Early risers will enjoy cruising right in front of famous Ecuador Volcano, which rises off the water line with one of its halves completely collapsed, and now resting underwater, while crossing the Equator line.

Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) - On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the unusual Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in the short wet season, which usually begins in March or April. An uphill hike through palo santo forest takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. Lunch on board.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) - The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.

Day 9, Monday - Puerto Egas (James Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Good snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Lunch on board.

(Bartolome Island) - Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, to enjoy the beach (wet landing), snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.

Day 10, Tuesday – Galapagos/Guayaquil
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to your hotel.

Day 11, Wednesday – Guayaquil/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.

 

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Price Includes:

• 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
• 7 nights cruise on the Isabella II, 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