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 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)
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 15 (Wednesday)
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 16 (Thursday)
In the morning, take a short tour of Cuenca, including a visit to a Panama hat factory.
Day 17 (Friday)
A free day in Cuenca, before flying back to Quito in the afternoon (1 night).
Day 18 (Saturday)
Flight to the UK
Day 19 (Sunday)
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