Days 1/2/3

USA/QUITO/OTAVALO

Fly to Quito, where you are escorted to your historic boutique hotel in the heart of 'Quito Antiguo.' Next day, tour this vibrant colonial city and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. On the last day, depart for South America's most famous Indian fair - the Otavalo Market. Immerse yourself in the colorful and vibrant culture, enjoy a traditional Andean lunch at a local hacienda and continue your shopping adventure in Cotacachi. PATIO ANDALUZ. (B,D; B,L)

Day 4 

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - BALTRA/NORTH SEYMOUR ISLANDS

Fly to Baltra and get set for your Galapagos adventure. Enjoy exceptional food and daily lectures by your naturalist, as well as a beautiful and spacious sun deck offering a great view of the passing landscapes. Set sail for North Seymour Island where colonies of Blue-Tooted Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds and Swallowtail Gulls, Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas will welcome you. (All Meals)

Day 5 

TOWER ISLAND (GENOVESA)

Upon arrival at Darwin Bay, stroll up to Swallow-tailed and Lava Gulls hanging out at nearby tide pools. Swim, snorkel and then board your panga to view more wildlife near Prince Phillip's Steps. Savor the majestic view of the bay and the seabirds such as Red-billed Tropicbirds, Nazca Boobies and Storm Petrels soaring on the breeze. (All Meals)

Day 6

PLAZAS/SANTA FE ISLANDS

Arrive at Plazas Island and look for land iguanas resting in the shade of a cactus or the Swallow-tailed Gulls nesting along the southern cliffs. Head over to Santa Fe where you may be greeted by a large colony of sea lions. Search for large and pale iguanas, an island endemic, nestled along the tall forests of opuntia cacti. (All Meals)

Day 7

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND/JACINTO GORDILLO BREEDING CENTER/ INTERPRETATION CENTER

Visit the state-of-the-art Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, located in Cerro Colorado. After lunch, learn about the history of the islands at the oldest museum on the natural history of the Galapagos, the Interpretation Center. You’ll learn about the geological and human history of these fragile islands, as well as conservation facts. (All Meals)

Day 8

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND/ GALAPAGUERA/CERRO BRUJO

Enjoy La Galapaguera Natural hike and swim, a unique opportunity to see San Cristobal Giant Tortoises, Chatham lava lizards, and many wetland birds. Set sails towards Cerro Brujo where you can swim and snorkel in the company of sea lions and birds. Look for the endemic Chatham Mockingbird and San Cristobal lava lizards, the Pajaro Brujo tiny bird, and young tortoises in the wild. (All Meals)

Day 9

HOOD ISLAND (ESPANOLA)

Spend the day on the most southern island on the archipelago, Punta Suarez. See the only nesting site of the Waved Albatross in the Galapagos as you head towards Gardner Bay. Frequented by sea lions, it is also a major nesting site for marine turtles. (All Meals)

Day 10

FLOREANA ISLAND

Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches, one composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge and the other a carbonate beach of very fine white sand formed from coral skeletons. Located between the beaches is a salt lagoon, frequented by flamingos, pintails, stilts and other wading birds. (All Meals)

Days 11/12

SANTA CRUZ/GUAYAQUIL/USA

Drop anchor at Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Stroll along Charles Darwin Avenue for a chance to shop and experience the local color. En route to Baltra for your flight back to Guayaquil, time permitting visit Los Gemelos, enjoy a dayroom at the ORO VERDE HOTEL, or if time is short, dinner before returning to the airport for your flight home from the Galapagos Islands! (B)