Day 1 (Wednesday)
Evening flight from the UK to Quito,
flying overnight.
Day 2 (Thursday)
Morning arrival in Quito. Optional
Colonial Quito excursion in the afternoon (2 nights).
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo Market excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. We transfer to the Galapagos Voyager yacht, our home for the next 7 nights, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the the highlands of Santa Cruz, where there are giant tortoises.
Day 5 (Sunday)
Today we visit the islands of Plaza Sur and Sante Fe, both with sea birds, marine iguanas, sea lions and good snorkelling.
Day 6 (Monday)
We sail to Española, the most southerly island, and visit Punta Suarez, walking among the blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, waved albatrosses and other sea birds. In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful beach which is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
This morning, we pass Leon Dormido, a sheer-walled tuff cone. On San Cristobal we visit the interpretation centre, and then Isla Lobos, a small island of rocky lava, with many sea lions and sea birds.
Day 8 (Wednesday)
This morning we visit Playa Las Bachas on Santa Cruz, a beautiful white sandy beach, ideal for swimming. In the afternoon, we visit Black Turtle Cove, where we ride by panga through the mangrove swamps, where there are rays, marine turtles and white tipped sharks.
Day 9 (Thursday)
Today we visit one of the most remote islands, Genovesa, an outpost for many seabirds. In the morning, we visit Prince Phillip’s steps, an excellent spot for snorkelling. On our afternoon walk in Darwin Bay, we may see red-footed boobies, masked boobies and tropicbirds as well as marine iguanas.
Day 10 (Friday)
After a long cruise, we arrive at Sullivan Bay where strange lava formations can be found. From there on we sail to Bartolome, where we can climb to summit of this volcanic island. From here, there are wonderful views. We can also snorkel with penguins in the surrounding sea.
Day 11 (Saturday)
Our final excursion to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, where we see the work done in the conservation of the flora and fauna of the islands, before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Quito (3 nights).
Days 12 & 13 (Sunday & Monday)
Two free days in Quito. Take one of our optional excursions to the Bellavista Cloud Forest, Papallacta volcanic springs or trek the rim of the amazing Quilotoa crater lake.
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Flight to the UK.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Arrival in the UK.