Classic Galápagos

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be transferred to Casa Gangotena, a boutique hotel in the city’s Old Town. The luxuriant hotel has an air of Victorian design, providing superb cuisine, a rooftop terrace, and a secluded garden to unwind after your journey.

Enjoy a full-day tour of magnificent Quito and its surrounds. You’ll start by exploring the city’s historic district, soaking in this urban jewel with its artistic and architectural treasures. Explore Independence Square, surrounded by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. After lunch you will journey north to where the equator crosses the earth at latitude 0° 0’ 0” and marks the exact middle of the planet. Here you will be able to stand with one foot in each hemisphere! Visit the site’s museums and stroll through “Middle of the World City”.

You will be taken by car to the historical city of Otavalo, home of numerous food and craft markets. Curious fruits and vegetables can be sampled as you wander the interlaced aisles and alleyways. A wealth of artisan goods can be found here, including textiles, jewellery, musical instruments and crafts. A trip to Miguel Andrango’s workshop will reveal the traditional weaving methods still employed today. From here, you will visit the home of the Morales family, fondly referred to as the Andean House of Music. Your hosts will present the history of indigenous communities through instruments such as the rondador, pakla, ruku, dulzinas, zampoña and more. On your return journey to Quito, you will take a brief visit to Peguche Waterfall and the nearby indigenous community village.

Board your flight to the Galápagos.  Once aboard your vessel, you will be given a briefing by the purser who will familiarize you with the vessel, your schedule and daily activities, before allocating your cabin. This afternoon enjoy a short excursion or activity followed by cocktails and a welcome dinner.

Your first stop this morning will be Suarez Point. This is a phenomenal site where you will get to see many of Española Island’s endemic wildlife on a walking tour. Species include sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawk, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds and Nazca boobies.

This afternoon, you will continue to Gardner Bay, and Osborn and Gardner islets. This white sandy beach is home to a large colony of sea lions and incredibly blue and turquoise waters. Osborn and Gardner islets are amazing for underwater discovery. Snorkeling is a highlight at this destination.

Today you will visit the Interpretation Center and Galapaguera, offering extensive knowledge about the history of Galápagos. San Cristobal is also the island where Charles Darwin first landed. It is now home to the capital of Galápagos and houses many government offices, as well as part of the Ecuadorian Navy. Giant tortoises are bred at the Galapaguera and roam in a semi-natural habitat created by the center.

The afternoon’s destination will be Lobos Island, aptly named after the many sea lions that reside here resting and playing along the rocky shores. It is also home to many different birds including pelicans, frigate birds, yellow warblers and more. Within the small channel the waters are very clear, making it easy to find sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays and perhaps even white-tipped sharks.

This morning as you arrive at Pitt Point, it will feel as if you’ve landed on a different planet. Here it is possible to see evidence of volcanic activity, reflected in the distinctive landscapes, calderas and igneous rock formations. Ascending the point reveals amazing views of the surrounding azure waters. Blue-footed boobies nest on the ground, and in the trees red-footed boobies roost and raise their young.

Later you will visit Witch Hill. Witch Hill has spectacular crevices and eroding rocks scattered along the coastline that can be observed from the Zodiac. Afterwards, you will visit a serene white-sand beach, home to teal and turquoise waters.

Many years ago, pirates and sailors would deposit letters on Floreana Island to be collected and delivered by other passing vessels. The mailbox is now more of a novelty, but your purser will provide you with a complimentary postcard to send a message to loved ones from one of the most exclusive mailboxes in the world. From Post Office Bay, you will visit Punta Coromorant, where a saltwater lagoon offers sanctuary to flamingos. One nearby beach has immaculate soft, white sand, while another has a tinge of green due to olivine crystal deposits. Floreana Island also has some superb snorkeling, the site of Devil’s Crown being one of the best in the Galápagos, with shoals of fishes, rays, sharks, turtles and sea lions.

Your final stop in the Galápagos will be to Black Turtle Cove, located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. This shallow inlet is surrounded by mangroves and provides a natural haven for a variety of marine life, attracting the vulnerable juveniles of many species. Below the surface, you can see black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, golden cow-nose rays, and spotted eagle rays. Pelicans and blue-footed boobies also fish here, diving gracefully into the water.

From Santa Cruz, you will transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to the mainland.