DAY 02: QUITO
After breakfast, we will enjoy a morning's sightseeing tour beginning with a visit to the Equatorial monument - an irresistible opportunity to straddle both hemispheres. Then, we return to Quito where we will explore the “Old Town” and marvel its ornate churches, cathedrals and baroque architecture. Our sightseeing will also include a visit to San Francisco Church, dedicated to Quito’s patron saint and rich in artist treasures, as well as a stop at La Compania Church, whose magnificent interior was built with seven tons of gold. Later tonight, get ready for our group reception dinner.
Accommodation: Swissôtel (Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 03: QUITO / BALTRA AIRPORT / GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
This morning we fly (2.5 hr flight) via coastal Guayaquil to the Galápagos archipelago, where we will board the 'Eclipse,' your home for the seven-night cruise of your program itinerary. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, welcome your guides who will take you on a short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized dinghies, known locally as “pangas” will transport you to the Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard. After we embark the cruise ship, we will have a briefing, lunch and a safety drill. Settle in, listen to an introductory briefing and become acquainted with the ship and staff.

In the afternoon, enjoy your time ay Las Bachas Beach located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.

DAY 04: SUNDAY
SUNDAY MORNING: BARTOLOME ISLAND
Bartolomé is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Back on board for a quick change of clothes and then it is a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit you will have a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay.
Type of landing: Wet at first site and dry at second site
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling

SUNDAY AFTERNOON: PUERTO EGAS / SANTIAGO ISLAND
Puerto Egas (James Bay) is located on the northwest side of Santiago. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then continues along the coast. Tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. The trail leads to the Fur Seals Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where they can be seen. After the walk, you will have time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles and reef sharks.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling

DAY 05: MONDAY
MORNING: FERNANDINA ISLAND
Fernandina last erupted in 1995. On the youngest island in Galapagos, you’ll land at Punta Espinoza, a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unusual Galapagos species can be seen. While the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, look for penguins diving off the rocks into the water. Sally Lightfoot Crabs disperse on the lava near the shore and herons, sandpipers and wimbrels explore the mangrove roots. Marine iguanas congregate in larger groups here than on any other island. They are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed in the lava and blocking the way at the landing dock. This is one of the few places where there is the opportunity, if the water is clear, of watching them feed underwater while snorkeling.

Following a trail inland, two different types of lava flows can be seen and compared. At the tip of one of the small peninsulas, Flightless Cormorants are found. Without predators on the island, these serpent-necked birds adapted for swimming and not for flight, another example of evolution at work in “nature’s laboratory.”

AFTERNOON: PUNTA VICENTE ROCA, ISABELA ISLAND
Largest of the Galapagos islands, Isabela is composed of six shield volcanoes merged into a single land mass. Wolf Volcano on Isabela is also the highest point in the archipelago. The Galapagos Explorer II is one of only a few faster, better-equipped boats able to make the long journey from the central islands to the visitor sites on the western side of Isabela. The trip is more than worthwhile for the unique species found in this part of the archipelago. The landscape is known for its massive volcanoes silhouetted against the sky and offers a striking contrast to the lower-lying islands of the east.

Located on the north-western tip of Isabela island, our visit of Punta Vicente Roca is done by dingy. The dingys are launched on a coastal dingy-ride that skirts 400-500-feet cliff sides. Blue-footed boobies, masked boobies & pelicans can be seen here. Also, very many sea-turtles feed along this shoreline. Reaching a rocky pile of large basalt, there are colonies of fur-seals & marine iguanas in groups, basking in the sun. Sea lions are also present. Continuing along the sheer cliffs there is a secluded cove with dark and yellow rocks are superposed. This cove is near the large cave that allows for snorkeling or sightseeing.

Snorkeling at the cave will enable you to discover a great variety of marine life, special marine invertebrates. One starts at the intersection between the dark and yellow rock and swims all the way around the small point into the cave, all the way into the cave & then out of the cave until the next point.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking

DAY 06: TUESDAY
MORNING: NORTH SEYMOUR
North Seymour represents a small flat island with a long sandy stretch where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to a surf wave. The island features a Palo Santo small Opuntia cactus forest with Blue footed boobies and magnificent Frigate bird colonies. Our visit will last for about an hour and a half. Dry landing.

AFTERNOON: HIGHLANDS & LAVA TUNNELS
You and your family will board a bus for a 45-minute ride through changing vegetation zones to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, about 40 giant tortoises live in the wild. By approaching quietly, you can find and observe a turtle on your own. You also hike to tunnels made by cooling lava.
Type of landing Dry landing.
Activities: Wildlife viewing, hiking, swimming, snorkeling.

DAY 07: WEDNESDAY
MORNING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND / PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO
Considering the changes in the flight schedules, weather conditions and National Park Regulations, we have included several alternatives for the Wednesday AM visit that will be offered to our passengers on the spot. Some of these options are detailed below:
- La Loberia: Sea lion colony, marine iguanas, warbler, finches, blue-footed boobies.
- Isla Lobos: Situated less than one hour drive from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Lobos Islet is a seasonal nesting location for the Blue-footed Booby. There is an opportunity for snorkeling.
- El Junco Lake: Fresh water lake and water reservoir located at 700m which features a variety of species such as Miconias, ferns, sedges, clubmoss, tree ferns, white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules.
- Interpretation Center: Donated by the Spanish Government in 1998, this state of the art facility offers a great educational experience on the Islands.

AFTERNOON: WIZARD HILL (CERRO BRUJO)
At Cerro Brujo (wet landing), you’ll go to the beach for swimming and snorkeling activities. You can spot blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, coast bird (whimbrels, sander lings, etc), Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers. Free time to walk on the beach at your leisure.
Water activities: Swimming & Snorkeling

DAY 08: THURSDAY
MORNING: PUNTA SUAREZ, HOOD ISLAND
This morning you will visit Hood Island, the southernmost island of the archipelago. Because it is so isolated, the island has a large population of indigenous wildlife. You will explore Punta Suarez, one of the most spectacular spots in the Galapagos, where you’ll look for sea lions surfing the breaking waves and groups of iguanas basking in the sun. Further inland, Masked and Blue-footed Boobies nest beside the trails. You can hike a trail towards the cliffs to the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs where seawater jets high in the air.

Type of landing: Dry

AFTERNOON: GARDNER BAY, HOOD ISLAND
Gardner Bay offers the chance to enjoy a wonderful white sandy beach. Stretching just over half a mile, this island is among the most magnificent in all Galapagos. It is home to many sea lion colonies and the turquoise colored water makes a beautiful contrast to the white sand that consists of shell dust. Mocking birds fight for their territory and inspect the backpacks of the tourists. The Gardner Rock is the most spectacular of all rocks and it can be reached with a dinghy. It is home to white-tipped reef shark, cactus finch and other colorful sea dwellers that are very popular among snorkel.

Activities: Walks, snorkeling in deep water (experience is required), beach.
Wildlife: Hood Mockingbird, Lava Lizards, Galapagos Dove, Large Cactus Finch, marine iguanas and sally light-foot crab.
Vegetation: Saltbush, Palo Verde, acacia and mesquite bushes.

DAY 09: FRIDAY
MORNING: CHARLES DARWIN STATION, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
We visit Darwin Station and learn about the research conducted on the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Galapagos tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different sub-species are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. Afterwards, you can stroll through Puerto Ayora, largest town on the islands.

AFTERNOON: RABIDA ISLAND
This small island (5 km2) covered by dry and coastal vegetation has a central volcano of 367 m2. Rabida contains the largest variety of lava types with red being the dominant color. A salt-water lagoon provides occasional sights of Flamingos. While the beach holds a large sea lion colony, fur seals also may be seen here. Red sands and teal waters characterize this island. Sea lions cover the waterfront, and the bull is always making a show of his bravado. There's a short walk to the top of the trail where you can take fabulous photos of the clear waters and volcanic peaks. There's also great snorkeling. Keep near the rocks and keep your eye out for sharks and rays.

Activities: Walks, snorkeling and bird watching.
Wildlife: Flamingos, Galapagos Hawks, Penguins, Pelicans and Sea Lions
Vegetation: Opunia Cactus, Palo Santo, Scrubby bush

DAY 10: SATURDAY SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / BALTRA ISLAND / GUAYAQUIL / QUITO
MORNING: BACHAS BEACH / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
This white sand beach enables you to see some nesting sites for sea turtles. It is a delightful swimming beach with a small lagoon behind, where you can see flamingos and marine iguanas. Other species include whimbrels, blue heron, pelican, Sally Lightfoot crab and much more.

AFTERNOON: You will take a zodiac ride to the Baltra pier and then a 15 mn bus ride to the Baltra airport.