Travelpack

Quito • Baltra Island • San Cristóbal • Santa Fe and South Plaza • Santa Cruz Island • Española • Eden Islet • Baltra Island • Guayaquil

Embark on a captivating journey starting with an immersive city tour exploring the rich colonial charm of Quito and the iconic Middle of the World monument. Then, set sail on a luxurious expedition through the breathtaking Galapagos Islands, encountering unique wildlife like giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and playful sea lions while enjoying expert-led lectures and guided nature walks. Experience pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and scenic island explorations before winding down with a stay at a stylish hotel featuring top-notch amenities in Guayaquil, perfectly blending adventure, culture, and relaxation.

Day 1: Quito
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Quito Mariscal Sucre
Airport via Miami International Airport
Private Transfer Airport to Hotel
Stay at 4/5* Hotel for 2 nights

Day 2: Historic Quito & Middle of the World
Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World City. Today, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Quito's remarkable Old Town - one of the largest and best-preserved colonial-era quarters in South America. Wander through cobblestone streets as you admire the architecture - and sample some delicious chocolate made from the finest Ecuadorian cacao along the way. Next, you'll head to the iconic `Middle of the World City', located around 16 miles north of Quito. After lunch, you'll visit the famous monument that delineates the imaginary line of the Equator. Have your camera ready to capture the moment you stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

Day 3: Galapagos Expedition
Shared Transfer Hotel to Airport
Flights from Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Shared Transfer Airport to Port
After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galapagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits. You'll get your first glimpse of the islands' incredible wildlife on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. We'll take our small panga boats ashore to get a closer look. As you stroll across flat and sandy dunes, look out for Blue-footed Boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs, and learn about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems from your naturalist guides.

Day 4: San Cristobal
Your first stop today is the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, a breeding centre for the endangered giant tortoise. It's also home to other endemic species, including the San Cristobal Mockingbird and lava lizard. The giant tortoise is probably the most iconic of all Galapagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. Here, they thrive, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat. Later, we will explore Punta Pitt in our small panga boats. This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands where you might see three species of boobies. Enjoy a nature walk, explore the coastline by boat, or snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear water.

Day 5: Santa Fe and South Plaza
We start the day with a scenic nature walk on the blissful beaches of Santa Fe, home to the endemic Barrington land iguana and a colony of sea lions. You can swim or snorkel from our small panga boats, take a kayak for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in our glass-bottomed boat to observe the marine life below. After a delicious lunch, prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island. Keep an eye out for frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Galapagos Shearwaters gliding on the breeze. Here, among a dazzling array of flora, land iguanas laze by the shore while marine iguanas slip in and out of the water.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island
Today, youll explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, will disembark at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. A giant tortoise breeding centre, where you can see recently hatched tortoises and Darwin's famous finches, the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution by natural selection. There's also an impressive forest of prickly pear cacti that's home to many land birds. Enjoy a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises shuffle about, munching on grass and wallowing in pools. You'll have time for another activity, including mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.

Day 7: Espanola
Your Galapagos Islands cruise reaches Espaola, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary. Look out for Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls, and the mighty Waved Albatross on cruises from April through December. It's also a chance to spot red Espaola lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see the famous blowhole, El Soplador, blasting water 75 feet into the air. After lunch on board the ship, we'll head to the picturesque coral beach of Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet, to seek out sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. If you're feeling active, you can go snorkelling or kayaking.

Day 8: Eden Islet
The wealth of wildlife watching opportunities continues at Eden Islet, where we hope to see Galapagos green turtles, rays and friendly reef sharks. On the shore, look out for distinctive frigatebirds with their rubbery, red throats. You can swim or snorkel to explore the reefs. Alternatively, see the reefs from our glass-bottomed boat or by kayak. After lunch, we'll sail to North Seymour. The island is a great site for spotting colonies of Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Sea lions and marine iguanas also congregate here, attracted by the bountiful sea life in its waters.

Day 9: Baltra Island - Guayaquil
Your expedition cruise draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Guayaquil.
Shared Transfer Port to Airport
Flights from Galapagos Island, Ecuador to Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport
Private Transfer Airport to Hotel
Stay at Oro Verde Guayaquil for 2 nights

Day 11: Departure
Private Transfer Hotel to Airport

Prices & Departures
Full payment
A56756 Heathrow from £6349pp
A56809 Manchester from £6849pp
A56815 Glasgow from £6869pp
A56820 Dublin from £6989pp

Terms & Conditions
Based on 2 adults sharing

Offer Includes

Meal Plans