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 our ship, our home for the next 7 nights, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Cerro Dragon where often there are fl amingos 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)
Visit San Cristobal Island. As some passengers are embarking and disembarking today, the sites visited will vary.
Day 9 (Thursday)
In the morning visit Punta Suarez on Española, walking among the blue-footed boobies, masked bookies and other sea birds. In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful beach which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Day 10 (Friday)
In the morning, on Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we see the work done in the conservation of the flora and fauna of the islands, and see the town of Puerto Ayora. In the afternoon, visit Rabida Island, a small island with a central volcano, with red lava rocks. There is very good snorkelling here.
Day 11 (Saturday)
Final excursion on the islands before flying 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 on the rim of the amazing Quilotoa crater lake.
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Fly to UK.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Arrival in the UK.