Itinerary
Day 1: En route from U.S./Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
After an evening arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Overnight: Hilton Colon in Quito
Day 2: Quito
Head out for a full-day, guided walking tour of historic Old Town. With our expert guide, explore the Quito neighborhood of San Roque, and visit with local artisans, shopkeepers, hat makers, and confectioners. Peruse the San Francisco Market—one of the oldest in the capital—up the hill on Calle Rocafuerte. While there, you’ll learn about the unique fruits and vegetables grown in Ecuador, local culinary traditions, and indigenous herbs.
Continue your journey downhill to the cobbled street of La Ronda, featuring balconies festooned with colorful flags. Stop by a chocolatier to learn how cacao beans are processed and taste the finest chocolates of Ecuador!
Next, head north toward the political heart of the city. Following a brief narrative, stroll to the Jesuit church of La Compañía de Jesús to admire its stunning gold-leaf interior. A lunch of Ecuadorian specialties will be served in the beautiful restaurant Cedron.
In the afternoon, head to the Casa del Alabado—an archaeological museum located in a restored 17th-century colonial mansion—to view its collection of Pre-Columbian art. In the evening, meet your traveling companions for a welcome reception and prepare for your upcoming adventure.
Overnight: Hilton Colon in Quito (B, L, and R included*)
Day 3: Quito/Flight to Baltra/Santa Cruz—Embarkation
Arrive by plane at Baltra Airport, and transfer to the Itabaca Channel to ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. After a short, scenic drive across Santa Cruz Island, you’ll arrive in the Highlands to enjoy lunch and visit the iconic species for which these islands are named. Spot the saddle-backed shell of the lumbering Galápagos giant tortoise, and walk among them while your naturalist guide describes their habits as well as the conservation efforts underway for this remarkable reptile.
Overnight: Isabella II (B, L, and D included)
Day 4: Floreana
Floreana is perhaps best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, and colonists. After breakfast, board the panga boats for coastal exploration of Baroness Cove. Look for the bobbing heads of sea turtles or vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas clinging to the intertidal rocks. Visit the historic Post Office Barrel, which originated in the late 1700s as an unofficial mail box. Whalers going out to sea would deposit letters for ships returning home to collect and deliver. Today, postcards continue to be hand carried to far-flung destinations by visitors.
Mid-morning snorkeling off the beach provides the opportunity to observe sea turtles and colorful fish, or you can kayak to spot wildlife near shore. Following lunch, walk along Punta Cormorant to see the flamingos, stilts, and sandpipers that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon. A short walk leads to a sandy beach composed of coral ground so fine that it feels like flour. Green sea turtles nest here, and it is a good place to see sting rays near shore.
Overnight: Isabella II (B, L, and D included)
Day 5: Española
After breakfast, hike the tumbled terrain of Punta Suarez to the blowhole that shoots water 50 feet into the air. Along the way, observe unique sea bird colonies, including striking Nazca boobies and swallow-tail gulls. The Galápagos albatros—the largest bird in the archipelago—is found only on Española between April and December.
In the afternoon, relax at Gardner Bay on an expansive, white coralline beach, where you can watch sea lions, Hood mockingbirds, and finches.
Overnight: Isabella II (B, L, and D included)
Day 6: San Cristóbal
Arrive early at the eastern tip of the island for more spectacular wildlife viewing. San Cristóbal’s Punta Pitt is the only place where you can see all three species of boobies (Nazca, red-footed, and blue-footed) nesting together. Choose a hike up the hill in search of their nests, and admire the unique landscape and spectacular views of the beach below. Or take a walk on the beach and, if conditions are favorable, swim, snorkel, or kayak.
After lunch on the Isabella II, ride a panga along the shore to Cerro Brujo’s dramatic beach for a stroll and more bird watching. Join fellow guests and crew for a festive farewell dinner.
Overnight: Isabella II (B, L, and D included)
Day 7: San Cristóbal—Disembarkation/Flight to Guayaquil
Bid a fond farewell to the Isabella II crew, and depart San Cristóbal for a final night in Guayaquil.
Overnight: Wyndham Hotel in Guayaquil (B and L included)
Day 8: Guayaquil/Depart for U.S.
In the morning, transfer to the airport to board your flight back home.
(B included)
*B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R = Reception
Activity Level: Moderate
Guests should be sure-footed on stairs of varying heights and able to walk at least two miles on rocky, uneven ground without assistance. Also, keep in mind that you will experience varying altitudes, some of which you may not be accustomed to.
(Itinerary subject to change)