Visit the middle of the World and Galapagos Islands during 13 days
(Friday or Monday) Day 1:
USA to Quito flights
Private transfer upon arrival this evening to your hotel.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito. (Premier Room)
(Saturday or Tuesday) Day 2:
Quito – Shared Colonial City Tour & Middle of the World.
Visit the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical old town in the Americas, a multi-ethnic, artistic and cultural heritage destination. Stop for lunch on your own account which will be recommended by your guide. Later, visit the “Middle of the World” Monument (La Mitad del Mundo) situated at 0°0’0” latitude.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito. (Premier Room | B)
(Sunday or Wednesday) Day 3:
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake.
Visit the well-known indigenous market in Otavalo for an arts and crafts shopping adventure. Stop for lunch on your own account which will be recommended by your guide. Visit Peguche, known for its weavers, visit a wind instruments workshop, and Cotacachi known for the manufacture of leather goods. Next stop by Cuicocha Crater Lake, a 3 km (2 mi) wide caldera and Crater Lake at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes. Return to Quito.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito. (Premier Room | B)
(Monday or Thursday) Day 4:
Flight from Quito to Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands
Check into cruise and sail to Santa Cruise Island.
All-inclusive Galapagos cruise aboard top quality M/V Galapagos Legend (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil and continuing to Baltra Island. On arrival, Meet and greet and bus transfer to the port, check-in on board the M/V Legend.
Only a special few have the chance to travel through this paradise, sailing on a charming ship, with nautical interior decoration of wood and brass, featuring ample outer decks, sea-view cabins and suites, Jacuzzi, pool, bars and more. See prehistoric iguanas, giant tortoises, exotic birds & plants, beautiful landscapes of volcanoes, lava cones, and magma flows. Swim and snorkel at any time of the year in the warm clear waters among tropical fish, manta rays, sea lions, swordfish, sea turtles and other marine wildlife. Multilingual naturalist guides lead shore excursions twice a day to a place unlike any other full of wildlife that has no fear of man. Lectures explaining the geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna of the islands are provided in several languages. A fine selection of meals will delight you, from buffet breakfast to gourmet dinners, ice cream festivals, and evening barbecues.
In the afternoon – Enjoy the Highlands of Santa Cruz with a trek to see Giant tortoises, tree & ground
Darwin finches. Also view the truly unique geological formations of the Pit Craters and Lava Tubes.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Tuesday or Friday) Day 5:
AM: Egas Port – Santiago Island
Trek to see the Landscape comprised of tuff cone (volcanic ash) and lava flows. Snorkel and see the Galapagos fur seal up close.
PM: Bartolome – Bartolome Island
Trekking, a dinghy ride, and snorkeling bring you to view the Landscape, Pinnacle Rock, penguins, and the world famous blue-footed boobies.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Wednesday or Saturday) Day 6:
AM: Dragon Hill – Santa Cruz Island
Moderate trekking bring you to the Dry zone vegetation, endemic land iguanas, Darwin finches, and the mockingbird.
PM: North Seymour – North Seymour Island
Here is a unique place for two types of frigate: magnificent and great; also see swallow-tailed gull, and a nesting colony of blue-footed boobies.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Thursday or Sunday) Day 7:
AM: Bachas Beach – Santa Cruz Island
Trek and snorkel to one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles, flamingoes, good swimming locals, sharks, and rays.
PM: Baltra Island and then Black Turtle Cove – Santa Cruz Island
Enjoy the Baltra Island shore with some free time. Re-board the ship and continue to Black Turtle Cove for some light water trekking to see four species of mangrove trees in an area declared a “Turtle Sanctuary”.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Friday or Monday) Day 8:
AM: Sullivan Bay – Santiago Island
Difficult walk today as you walk on old lava flows (pahoe-hoe) a great geological place and view the local penguin colony.
PM: Rabida – Rabida Island.
Enjoy light trekking, a dinghy ride, some snorkeling, and kayaking as you view an incredible landscape, brown pelicans, and this wonderful nesting spot of seabirds on the red sand beach.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Saturday or Tuesday) Day 9:
AM: Urbina Bay – Isabela Island
Trekking and snorkeling today as you see Land iguanas, giant tortoises, sea birds, cormorants, and visit 2 trails for trekking.
PM: Tagus Cove – Isabela Island
Enjoy the calm water, listen and learn for pirate’s history, lots of seabirds: blue-footed boobies, brown noddy terns, flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguins – depending on season; marine iguanas.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Sunday or Wednesday) Day 10:
AM: Espinosa – Point Fernandina
Visit this pristine island, the largest marine iguana colony, whale’s seasonal feeding area, pahoehoe, lava formations, and unique lava cacti
PM: Vicente – Roca Isabela
Visit one of the richest marine havens, marine turtles, landscape, marine birds: blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, cormorants, ocean sunfish, rays, and noddies.
Overnight: M/V Legend – Earth Deck. (B,L,D)
(Monday or Thursday) Day 11:
AM: Highlands – Santa Cruz Island
See the famous Giant tortoises, lava tubes, scalesia forest, Chato Reserve.
PM: Check-out of the ship and take a shared transfer to airport.
Fly back to Quito via Guayaquil and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Swissotel Quito. (Premier Room | BL)
(Tuesday or Friday) Day 12:
Transfer to airport
Flights Quito to USA
Overnight: En Route (B)
(Wednesday or Saturday) Day 13:
Arrive home
PLEASE REQUEST A QUOTATION.