ECUADOR AND THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
The Galápagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most fascinating animal life. This exciting cruise vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and its famous and fascinating Galápagos Islands where you’ll encounter giant tortoises, penguins, sea lions, lizards, and a whole host of diverse bird species.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito and have your photo taken at the “Centre of the World”
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Cruise among various Galápagos Islands
- See colonies of sea lions, pelicans, albatross, several species of Darwin’s finches, marine iguanas, flamingos, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels, short-eared owls, and other birds
- Snorkel in the tropical waters and keep a lookout for sea turtles, rays and sharks
AT A GLANCE
ITINERARY DETAIL
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR
Bienvenido a Ecuador! South America’s Most Biodiverse Country
Take free time today to relax and prepare for your upcoming Galápagos adventure, or walk through the historic city to sample ceviche or helado (Latin-American ice cream). Dine out tonight or ask about the best clubs for music and dancing.
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| Accommodation: Swissotel Quito |
DAY 2: EXPLORE KIGALI
Full Day Tour of Quito
Included sightseeing showcases Quito’s colonial history and treasures including the historic stone murals of the Legislative Palace, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century San Francisco Monastery, and the Jesuit’s La Compania Church with its stunning golden altars.
Next, take a walk down one of Quito’s oldest streets, La Ronda, which is home to many artist’s workshops and galleries. Here, you will have the chance to meet some of the local artists and talk with them about their work before visiting a Chocolate Factory to learn why Ecuador is considered one of the finest chocolate producers in the world.
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| Tour: Full Day Tour of Quito Accommodation: Treasure of Galapagos Meals: B, D |
After seeing the chocolate-making process, a tasting is a must! Top off your day with a photo in front of the Equatorial Monument in the “Middle of the World.” Stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously and test the effects of the earth’s rotation through different experiments like balancing an egg on a nail. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
DAY 3: START YOUR CRUISING THROUGH THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Fly to the Galápagos Islands and Set Sail
Take a morning flight to Baltra, one of the remote Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival, embark on the Treasure of Galápagos for five days of cruising among various Galápagos Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert Naturalist, who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
After lunch, join your Naturalist for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, established to help conserve the Galápagos’ natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. While here, learn about the tortoise-rearing program and see many of the various islands’ tortoises.
Later, on board the ship, join a briefing on the next day’s adventure, followed by a Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.
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| Tour: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station Accommodation: Treasure of Galapagos Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 4: LAVA FLOWS AND SEA LIONS
Santiago and Bartolome Islands
After breakfast, you will find yourself anchored in the western-central part of the archipelago where volcanoes are still active, attributing to the dramatic scenery. Join your Naturalist for an exploration of Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, where you will walk on newly-formed (less than 100 years ago) lava flows reminiscent of the lunar landscape. Keep your eye out for lava lizards, marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and even the Galápagos penguin
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| Tour: Santiago and Bartolome Islands Accommodation: Treasure of Galapagos Meals: B, L, D |
This afternoon at Bartolomé Island, hike to the summit for one of the best panorama views of the region with two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones, including the iconic Pinnacle Rock. End your visit with a chance to snorkel or swim off the beach with the playful sea lions, Pacific green turtles, harmless white-tip reef sharks, and if you are lucky—the Galápagos penguins!
DAY 5: BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIES AND SALLY LIGHTFOOT CRABS
North Seymour Island and Mosquera Inlet
Disembark at North Seymour Island, where your Naturalist will point out colonies of blue-footed boobies, Magnificent and Great Frigate Birds, swallow-tailed gulls, and lava herons. This is one of the few spots where you can compare the Magnificent and the rarer Great Frigate Bird breeding next to each other. The shores teem with sea lions and marine iguanas, and are a good spot for snorkelling.
In the afternoon, visit Mosquera Islet, a sandy island with one of the largest concentrations of Galapagos sea lions in the entire archipelago. A walk on the white coral beach reveals shorebirds like the endemic lava gull, waders like the yellow-crowned night heron, and intertidal hunters, such as the striking reddish-orange Sally Lightfoot crabs.
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| Tour: North Seymour Island and Mosquera Inlet Accommodation: Treasure of Galapagos Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 6: ONE-OF-A-KIND IGUANAS
South Plaza and San Cristobel Islands
At South Plaza Island, wildlife includes sea lions, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and hybrid iguanas (only found on this island and a result of a cross between land and marine iguanas). Also known for its prolific birdlife, you will see blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon’s shearwaters, and many other species.
This afternoon, visit the first site Charles Darwin visited in the Galápagos, Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal. Admire the stunning views of Kicker Rock before visiting a lagoon home to many migratory birds such as pelicans, black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and the great blue heron.
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| Tour: South Plaza and San Cristobel Islands Accommodation: Treasure of Galapagos Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 7: DISEMBARK YOUR CRUISE AND FLY BACK TO QUITO
Check out the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre
After breakfast, disembark the boat in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre. Here, you will learn about the islands’ volcanic genesis, their remoteness, ocean currents, special climate, the arrival of different species, and their establishment.
Fly to Quito
Next, head to the airport for your flight to Quito, where you will have free time this evening to prepare for your return flight home tomorrow.
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| Tour: Check out the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre Accommodation: Swissotel Quito Meals: B |
DAY 8: FLY HOME OR CONTINUE EXPLORING
Quito
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You are free to fly out of Quito anytime today, or choose to extend your stay.
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| Tour: Quito Meals: B |
ACCOMMODATION
HEAVEN BOUTIQUE HOTEL-RESIDENCE
This contemporary hotel is located in the commercial district of Quito, minutes away from historical Old Town. The hotel offers a wide variety of dining with six restaurants and two bars. Other features include a luxury spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, tennis and racquetball courts, beauty salon, gift shop, and business center.
TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS
Exploring the Galápagos Islands on board the 9-suite Treasure of Galápagos goes beyond traditional cruising and allows you a truly intimate experience with a maximum of 16 guests. Chartered for Avalon guests, the Treasure of Galápagos features spacious suites with balconies and takes you around the archipelago to explore the natural wonders of this region in privacy and comfort. Completely refurbished recently, the Treasure of Galápagos is designed to surpass luxurious standards with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy all of the treasures of the Galápagos Islands! From penguins and flamingos sharing the same beach, ancient tortoises and iguanas that swim, colorful birdlife that forgot how to fly, and the diverse marine world teeming with life, these dramatic volcanic islands truly are “a laboratory of evolution.” Delve into this unique world with the Treasure of Galápagos’ crew and expert Naturalist, who share their passion for nature and conservation of this mysterious part of the world. Your Galápagos cruise includes Naturalist-guided shore excursions, lectures, and exploration of the marine reserve by strolling, hiking, and snorkeling. At day’s end, you’ll return to the relaxed luxury of your ship.
ACCOMMODATION
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Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.