Depart USA for Ecuador
Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Upon arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel for the evening.

Fly to Galápagos
After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the airport and depart on our flight to the Galapagos Islands. On arrival in Baltra, our Naturalist Guide will accompany us to a wonderful restaurant, in the middle of the cloud forest, where lunch awaits. Enroute to the restaurant, we will be stopping to visit “Los Gemelos,” two massive pit craters located in the cloud forest, where we will see a few of Darwin’s famous finches and endemic plants of the area. After lunch, we’ll continue to our hotel to check in, have our “Snorkeling Safety Briefing”, and practice in the hotel swimming pool. Tonight, we gather for dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Tortuga Bay Beach
This morning we’ll take a nature walk, at a slow leisurely pace, to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Tortuga Bay. As we walk through a typical cactus forest, our naturalist will point out the many species of birds, including the Galapagos mockingbird. Our walk concludes as we arrive on the gorgeous white sandy coral beach where the remainder of the day’s activities is up to us. Delight in the clear turquoise water, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, or simply relaxing on the shore. Plenty of Galapagos wildlife can be found here, such as marine iguanas, sea turtles, lava herons, pelicans, and finches. Our crew will set up a picnic lunch, on the beach, for us to enjoy and bring towels and any additional gear we’ll need to make the most of our day. Later, board the boat and ride back to the town and our hotel. (B, L, D)

Santa Fe Island
Today we’ll depart for the island of Santa Fe, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. Santa Fe’s beach makes quite the impression as it is typically packed with sea lions. After a wet landing on the beautiful white beach, we’ll walk a path to discover the Galapagos hawk, Santa Fe marine iguana, land iguanas, blue-footed boobies and more.

Later this afternoon, after a delicious lunch at sea, we’ll go snorkeling to see rays, turtles, many different types of fish and playful sea lions. Then we’ll head back to Puerto Ayora where you’ll have dinner on your own this evening. (B, L)

North Seymour – Bachas Beach
Following a delicious breakfast, we’ll be taking a bus across the island to board our tour boat heading to North Seymour Island. North Seymour Island is the only place where we will see the male frigate bird showing his big red pouch. We’ll also see blue-footed boobies, gulls, marine iguanas, and sea lions’ pups. After our adventure on shore, we’ll return to the boat for lunch.

After lunch, we navigate to Bachas Beach, a beautiful white coral beach located on the northern side of Santa Cruz Island. This is a sea turtle nesting site where we will also see a flamingo lagoon, mockingbirds, ghost crabs and pelicans. We will have time here for more snorkeling or a stroll along this gorgeous beach and its crystal- clear water. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Bartolome Island
After coffee at the hotel, we will travel by bus to the other side of the island where our boat will be waiting. This morning we navigate to Bartolome. This hour and 30-minute navigation gives us a good chance to see the playful bottlenose dolphins, jumping rays and hopefully even bigger creatures.

Bartolome is one of the most beautiful islands in the Galapagos. First, we’ll hike the 372 steps and enjoy a wonderful volcanic view of one of the most photographed places in the Galapagos, Pinnacle Rock, along with many volcanic splatter cones. Then, take a short ride by boat to look for endemic Galapagos penguins which are found on the rocky shoreline or hunting fish in these waters.

Later we’ll have a chance to get in the water and explore the diverse marine life. Snorkel in the water surrounding Pinnacle Rock and, with a little luck, swim with penguins and many different fish. We’ll return to the hotel smiling, happy, tired, and ready for more adventure! (B, L, D)

Charles Darwin Research Station – Santa Cruz
This morning, we will visit the famous Charles Darwin Station where we’ll learn about the different conservation programs the Galapagos National Park and Darwin Station are carrying out. We’ll also visit the tortoise breeding center, where we’ll see baby tortoises before they are old enough to go back to their original island. Later, we travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz, through private farmland, to a place in the highlands where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. While here we’ll see one of its natural wonders, a lava tube, and we will walk underground to enjoy this magnificent geological formation. Our busy morning concludes with a delicious lunch at one of the local farms on the island.

After lunch, we’ll continue onward and make a stop at an old farm run by a true Galapagos farmer, see a small coffee, banana and sugar cane plantation, and many interesting plants in the area. Tonight, enjoy a farewell feast in town, as we say goodbye to our Galapagos Naturalist Guide. (B, L, D)

Fly to Quito
After breakfast we say goodbye to our new friends in the Galapagos Islands and return to the airport for our flight to mainland Ecuador. Upon arrival into Quito, “la carita de Dios”, meaning “the little face of God”, we’ll board our bus to tour Quito’s Old Town. The mix of well- preserved colonial churches and convents, shining glass and sleek contemporary architecture makes Quito one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America. Then well head to the hotel where we’ll have dinner on our own this evening. (B, L***)

Quito – Flight Home
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport to check in for our international flight home. (B)

Please Note: Itinerary order subject to change based on ocean conditions or flight schedule changes.