Day 1, Arrival/Quito

 

Arrival to Ecuador. Meet our representative at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to our modern hotel beside the airport.

 

Day 2, Galápagos/Boat 

 

After breakfast, we will return to the airport to catch our flight to the Galapagos Islands. After landing at Baltra Airport, we will go to the humid highlands of the island, where we will look for Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board our Yacht Isabela II.

 

Day 3, Galápagos/Boat 

 

We will spend our first full day in the Galapagos on Santiago Island. In the morning we will visit Puerto Egas, where we can enjoy close-up encounters with recently reintroduced land iguanas, plus land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers, craggy rocks, and lava flows. We can also observe a colony of fur seals, usually dozing in the shade of some rocks. During the afternoon, we will visit the Chinese Hat Islet. Formed only relatively recently, it makes for a beautiful afternoon visit as we explore the wildlife on a quick hike. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.

 

Day 4, Galápagos/Boat 

 

Today we will visit Genovesa Island. In the morning, we will start with a panga ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island”, as Genovesa is affectionately nicknamed, followed by a landing at Prince Philip’s Steps, a steep staircase that connects us with a flat plateau. From here, the trail winds its way through large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. With luck, we’ll be able to spot the short-eared owl. Those who do not wish to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (inflatable dinghy) ride along the cliffs, weather permitting. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available as well. In the afternoon, we land at the white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid literally hundreds of birds, most of which are frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds.

 

Day 5, Galápagos/Boat 

 

This morning we will visit Santa Fe Island. We take the dinghy over to a sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The endemic Santa Fe land iguana may be spotted during our exploration. Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat. In the afternoon, we disembark at South Plaza Island. We find sea lion colonies along the coastline while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, and shearwaters glide on the thermals.

 

Day 6, Galápagos/Isabela Island

 

Our time on the boat ends at Baltra Island, where we will start our land-based part of the trip. From Baltra, we will take an air taxi to Isabela Island. After a 30-minute flight, we arrive at Puerto Villamil. After checking in at our lodge at the beach, we will go for lunch. During the afternoon, we will spend photographing marine iguanas on the white beach with time for landscape photography at sunset.

 

Day 7, Galápagos/Isabela Island

 

This morning we will do an early hike looking for Blue-footed boobies and Isabela Giant Tortoises in the wild. The landscape is unique due to its combination of mangroves, lava rocks, and white beaches. In the afternoon, we will look for flamingos close to our lodge.

 

Day 8, Galápagos/Isabela Island

 

This morning we will visit the breeding center of Galapagos Giant Tortoises to see the efforts of the Galapagos National Park to restore the populations of these iconic species. In the afternoon, we have a snorkeling option in a quiet and shallow area close to our lodge, looking for sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks. We also have a land-based option to explore the surrounding beach and mangroves for wildlife and landscape photography.

 

Day 9, Galápagos/San Cristobal Island

 

After breakfast and check-out, we will take an air taxi to San Cristobal Island. After a 30-minute flight, we arrive at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. After checking in at our lodge, we will explore the local town and photograph the largest sea lion colony settled around the local houses and stores. In the afternoon, we will visit the highlands to a fresh-water lagoon where frigatebirds drink, followed by the local Galapagos Giant Tortoises breeding center.

Day 10, Galápagos/San Cristobal Island

 

This morning we will photograph sea lions and Darwin finches at a beach close to town. In the late afternoon, we will visit a viewpoint called Tijeretas for some landscape pics. There is also an optional snorkel opportunity this afternoon.

 

Day 11, Galápagos/San Cristobal Island

 

On our last day in paradise, we will visit an interpretation center to understand the human history in the Galapagos. After this, we will visit a new beach where locals and sea lions hang out together. You can walk the town in the afternoon, buy souvenirs, grab a drink, or pack. In the evening, we will have our farewell dinner.

 

Day 12, Back to Quito

 

Today we check out and head to the airport for our return flight to Quito. Time permitting, we will make an excursion to Quito's beautiful historic center.

Day 13, Airport

 

Private transfer to the airport for your flight home.