Ecuador highlights & Cruising the Galápagos Islands

Welcome to Ecuador. Arrive and transfer to Casa Gangotena, located in the heart of Old Town Quito, the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy dinner and a restful evening.

After breakfast, head out with your guide for a tour of this historic area. Explore the paved streets, white-washed houses adorned with intricate balconies and grand plazas that are quintessential Quito. Stopping for a street food lunch you will sample several local favorite dishes, like grilled corn on the cob with cheese. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Flight to the Galápagos. On arrival board your 5-night cruise. This small ship is the perfect way to explore the Galápagos Islands and Santa Fe Island, home to a small, picturesque bay is and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast is where you will make your first stop. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.

After breakfast, visit Espanola Island, home to the famed Blue-footed Boobies and albatrosses of the Galápagos. Check out the famous blowhole, sporting water high into the air. After lunch, head to Gardner Bay, breeding grounds for the Waved Albatross. Relax on the white sandy beach filled with sea lions and a great spot for snorkeling.

Spend the next 2 days exploring San Cristobal Island. First, visit the amazing interpretation center and museum, including exhibits on the natural history of the area and conservation efforts underway. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon shopping and dinner aboard the ship.

Today, head to the remote southeast side of the island. Here, the terrain is lush with trees and shrubs and this is a great place to see rare land birds like the warbler and mockingbirds, and of course the famous Galápagos Giant Tortoises.

After breakfast, set out to explore Floreana Island. First, visit one of the beaches that was used in the 18th century as an unofficial ‘mail box’ for whalers and other explorers in the area. This tradition of leaving mail continues today as travelers from around the world leave addressed postcards in the barrel. Sort through mail and hand deliver a letter to someone in your neighborhood who was there before you. In the afternoon, check out flamingoes on the island’s ‘green beach’ and finish the day with spectacular snorkeling at Devil’s Crown Reef.

Today you will fly from Baltra to Quito, where you will connect with your international flight home.