Day 1 (Wednesday)
Flight from the UK to Quito (3 nights).
Day 2 (Thursday)
Optional Colonial Quito excursion.
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra in
the Galapagos. We transfer to our ship, our home
for the next 4 nights, where we have lunch. In the
afternoon, we visit Cerro Dragon where often there
are flamingos near the two lagoons.
Day 5 (Sunday)
This morning, we visit 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.
In the afternoon, we visit Santiago. The black lava
shoreline has marine iguanas and red Sally Lightfoot
crabs. You can snorkel here with fur seals.
Day 6 (Monday)
This morning, we visit Fernandina, the
westernmost island. Flightless cormorants, sea lions
and Galapagos penguins are common here. After
lunch, we visit Isabela, the largest of the islands,
excellent for snorkelling.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
After breakfast, we visit the island
of Seymour, home to many marine birds. In the
afternoon, we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz,
including the Galapagos Tortoise Reserve, and the
lava tunnels.
Day 8 (Wednesday)
We have our final excursion on the
islands before flying back to Quito (3 nights).
Days 9 & 10 (Thursday & Friday)
Two free days in Quito. Take one of our optional excursions to the Bellavista Cloud Forest, Papallacta volcanic springs or trek on the rim of the amazing Quilotoa crater lake.
Day 11 (Saturday)
We drive south of Quito, passing
Cotopaxi, to Latacunga. After visiting the market,
we carry on to Chimborazo National Park, driving
to the refuge at 4,800m on the highest mountain in
Ecuador. We carry on to Riobamba (1 night).
Day 12 (Sunday)
We catch the early morning train from
Riobamba to the Devil’s Nose and Alausi. From here,
we continue on the beautiful road to Cuenca, visiting
the Inca site of Ingapirca if time allows (2 nights).
Day 13 (Monday)
In the morning, take a short tour of
Cuenca, including a visit to a Panama hat factory.
Day 14 (Tuesday)
A free day in Cuenca, before flying back
to Quito in the afternoon (1 night).
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Flight to the UK.
Day 17 (Friday)
Arrival in the UK.
Board
Galapagos Explorer II: Full board
Quito: Bed and Breakfast
Riobamba: Bed and Breakfast; lunch is included on Chimborazo volcano; a packed lunch is provided for the Devil's Nose train.
Cuenca: Bed and Breakfast