Arrival at Quito Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Rich in history, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, founded in 1534 by Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Benacazar. For nearly three centuries, the arts and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish colonial rule until 1809, when Quito established the first self-governing junta in the colonies. Liberator Simon Bolivar led the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830, when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence with the adoption of the Constitution signed in Riobamba. Due to the city’s preservation of its blended past, UNESCO declared Quito a World Heritage Site in 1978.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito

OPTIONAL TOURS TO CHOOSE IN QUITO:
#1 Middle of the World Complex Visit the monument of the Equatorial Line or parallel 0, latitude 0º0’0”
#2 Colonial Quito World Cultural Heritage. Visit some of its most important churches in Quito
#3 Colonial Quito & The Middle of the World Quito, World Cultural Heritage and the Middle of The World Complex
#4 Colonial Quito plus dinner Panoramic Quito at night – dinner with a great view of Historic Downtown

Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken a ten minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend – all meals included on M/V Legend 4 days/3 nights.

Afternoon – Bartolome Island
Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of BartolomÈ Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.

Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: trail made of 372 steps.
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

Morning – South Plaza Islet
Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds fly past at eye level in the up draught. These include, frigate birds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropic birds. Back at sea level, we once again encounter land iguanas, some of which have hybridized with their resident marine cousins.

Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk

Afternoon –North Seymour Island
This flat, uplifted, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigate bird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. We will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while dancing to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.

Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk, 30 minutes snorkeling

Morning – Punta Pitt & Islet (San Cristobal Island)
Sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazcaís on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigate birds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.

Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2½-hour walk/ 40-minutes snorkeling or kayaking

Afternoon – Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
From our pangas, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of Sorcererís Hillí. We can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where we might spot black- necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

Morning – Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island)
In the moist highlands of San Cristobal we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center La Galapaguera to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat which lends itself to good photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs. One of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of Terrain: sandy
Duration: 40-minute bus drive to the Reserve / 1-hour visit

Afternoon – San Cristobal Airport
After the visit you will go to San Cristobal Airport for the return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel in Quito.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito

OPTIONAL 2 night Extension to Cotopaxi National Park including breakfast, lunch and dinner (2 hour journey)

DAY 1 – Cotopaxi National Park – Lasso
We will depart south from Quito headed to the Cotopaxi National Park.  The Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is the highest active volcano in the world, located in the middle of the moorlands, which is home to numerous birds’ species and varied flora.  The natural location is great for adventures of various skills; there is an opportunity for a light hike around the park or to climb to the summit.

The surrounding landscapes are also beautiful.  In the northeast lies the Rumiñahui mountain (4,557 mts.) and between the two mountains the plain and lagoon of Limpiopungo and to view the surrounding mountains Pasochoa, and Sincholagua.

Overnight: Hacienda La Ciénega

DAY 2 – Lasso–Tigua–Zumbahua–Quilotoa–Quito
Departing south and onto the high Andes, we will reach and pass by the village of Tigua, featuring the famous naïve paintings made on sheepskin and wooden – animal- masks worn during local festivities. We travel to the village of Zumbahua, an indigenous community famous for their handicrafts and multicolored ponchos; a unique cross-cultural experience amidst the marvelous patchwork setting of the Andes. Arriving at the Quilotoa Crater and lake to admire the turquoise waters surrounded by ancient legends and a trekking excursion.

After our visit, we will head back to Quito.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito