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8 days from $3,299 per person
Your Small Group Cruise & Tour features a 5-star hotel and ship, 18 meals, wine with dinner, in-depth naturalist guided shore excursions, port charges, national park fees, Transit Control card, and two internal flights.
Discover Ecuador’s unforgettable diversity... from amazing wildlife and geology in the Galapagos to the Colonial-era monuments of Quito. Tour the capital, nestled in the high Andes, and then step aboard our deluxe all-suites vessel. You’ll voyage farther through the archipelago to join your handpicked naturalists for amazing animal encounters on seven unique islands!
Quito and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Engaging Discoveries
More time in Quito means you’ll discover all the World Heritage monuments of the city.
- Dine at El Ventanal... Famed for creative Ecuadorian fusion cuisine and dramatic views over Quito.
- Encounter more creatures on more islands! Built for speedy ocean cruising, our ship even takes you to remote Isabela Island, where nutrient-rich ocean currents promise spectacular wildlife-viewing.
- Superior, all-inclusive value!
- Your tour features a superior ship, a deluxe hotel, excellent meals, wine with dinner and naturalist-guided excursions on 7 unique islands plus your National Park fee, Transit Control Card and all internal flights!
- 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 1 - Welcome to Quito
Check in to the deluxe Swissotel, perfectly located in the heart of this Colonial gem.
Day 2 - Discover the Colonial monuments of the capital
Your in-depth exploration of Quito begins along the grand Avenue of 12 October past Alameda Park, the Basilica of the National Vow, famed for its grand bell towers, and the National Congress. Arriving in the historic heart of the city, continue with your guide for a walking tour to see the capital’s finely-preserved, centuries-old architecture, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Church of the Compania de Jesus and the Church of San Francisco.
Then ascend into the Andean peaks that surround the city for commanding views over the city and its magnificent mountain backdrop. This evening you dine at El Ventanal, a stylish restaurant with a dramatic and enviable hilltop location; this was the ancient site of the Temple of the Moon.
Meals B
Day 3 - Fly to the Galapagos Islands
After arriving on Baltra Island you’ll be met and escorted to your waiting ship, the deluxe MV Galapagos Explorer II. After settling-in to your outside stateroom, step ashore to visit Dragon Hill, overlooking a beautiful bay on Santa Cruz Island. Dinner onboard is followed by a briefing from the ship’s engaging staff of experienced naturalists. Each night you can attend these talks previewing the next day’s activities.
Meals B,L,D
Day 4 - Morning on Bartolomé Island. James Island in the afternoon!
Bartolomé is famous for its dramatic geological formations, including Pinnacle Rock. A short hike brings you to the summit for a panoramic view. After lunch onboard, the ship sails to James Island where you make landing on a pristine black sand beach, surrounded by fantastic rock formations. A mile-long trail brings you to inter-tidal pools along the coast, home to land iguanas feeding on the exposed algae, Oyster Catchers and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. At trails-end is Fur Seal Grotto, one of the few places on the islands where this wonderful creature can be seen.
Meals B,L,D
Day 5 - To the edge of the archipelago... Fernandina & Isabela Islands!
As you prepare to land on Fernandina, keep your eyes peeled for penguins diving off the rocks and marina iguanas congregating in large groups. You can even snorkel and witness the rare spectacle of these iguanas feeding underwater. This morning’s hike crosses two lava flows to a small peninsula, home to flightless cormorants. At the edge of the archipelago is Isabela Island, visited only by faster boats like the Explorer II. Your afternoon exploration of the island’s northwestern tip is well-worth the journey. Sailing by dingy, you’ll travel along imposing coastal cliffs – home to blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and fur seals. The rocky shoreline also attracts sea-turtles who come to feed in these waters and with good conditions, snorkeling here can be spectacular. Manta rays, sea-turtles, sea lions and even dolphins are often seen.
Meals B,L,D
Day 6 - About North Seymour and Santa Cruz Islands
Walk along the flat trails of North Seymour to see colonies of blue-footed boobies and the magnificent frigate bird. On Santa Cruz you’ll see evidence of the island’s geological power on a walk through lava tubes. Exploring here in the highlands also offers a rare and exciting opportunity to observe the giant tortoise in its natural habitat.
Meals B,L,D
Day 7 - An afternoon flight back to Quito
Depending upon sea conditions and flights, your last day’s activities will include a visit to the sea lion colony at La Loberia, a visit to El Junco Lake, or a tour of the Galapagos Interpretation Center. An afternoon flight returns you to the capital where you’ll be greeted and escorted back to the Swissotel.
Meals B,L,D
Day 8 - Bid farewell to Quito
Your journey ends today.
Meals B
[Note: You can visit the vibrant Pacific port of Guayaquil instead of Quito. Contact us for details.]
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