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 7 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)
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 to Quito (2 nights).
Days 12 (Sunday)
A free day in Quito. Take our optional one-day excursion to the Bellavista Cloud Forest. Alternatively, extend your holiday in Ecuador by taking a 2 day excursion to the Bellavista Cloud Forest, to the Papallacta volcanic springs or trek the rim of the amazing Quilotoa crater lake.
Day 13 (Monday)
Flight to the UK.
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Arrival in the UK.
Board
Galapagos Explorer II: Full board
Quito: Bed and Breakfast