Quito and 4 Day Coral I & II Cruise – North/Central Galapagos Islands

Depart to Quito. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel.

In the morning, you will have a city tour of Quito. You will explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas, and visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. You will drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan and finish the morning at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city.

Following the city tour, you will be driven to the “Middle of the World City” complex, which is located 11 miles north of Quito. Here, you will see the monument of the equatorial line, a 98 ft high stone trapezoidal monument with a brass globe on top. The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Depart from Quito to Baltra (2.5 hour flight).  Upon arrival in Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by the naturalist guides and taken by bus (ten minutes) to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.

Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (dry landing).  You will visit the Galapagos giant tortoises breeding program, where the famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen of Pinta Island) lived for decades.  The center is operate by the Galapagos National Park (GNP) staff with the collaboration of scientists from the Charles Darwin Station (CDS).  Here, eggs taken from Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz Islands hatch without the danger of introduced species.  After artificial incubation; the “galapaguitos” (newborn tortoises) are reared until the age of five, when they are released in their native habitats, having the capabilities to survive alone.  Since the 70s, more than 2,000 specimens have returned to their own islands.  In addition, the Darwin Station works on several scientific projects, botanical research, providing environmental education to communities and schools within the Islands, and tourists.  Time allowing, you may be able to visit the small town of Puerto Ayora.  (Duration: 1.5 hour visit).  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Dragon Hill.  You will walk past a brackish lagoon to see flamingos.  The trail leads across a typical dry zone vegetation.  Keeping up until Dragon Hill, there will be an important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas, offering lovely views of the anchored boats and neighboring islands.  The forest is home to mockingbirds, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, and Galapagos doves.  (Duration: two hour walk).

Bartolome (dry or wet landing).  You will discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones — lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — that resembles the moon.  Going up to the summit there will be impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock.  You also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies.

Beach time provides a great opportunity to snorkel and see the famous Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colorful fish.  For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience.  Crystal clear water is the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer.  Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable however, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.  (Duration: 1.5 hour walk/one hour snorkeling).  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Rabida.  Also known as Jervis Island in English, Rabida is one of the most diverse in terms of volcanic activity as it lies at the very heart of the archipelago’s volcanic origin.  On this deep red beach, surrounded by cliffs and steep slopes of volcanic cinder cones, it is usual to find nesting colonies of brown pelicans, as well as, nine species of Darwin finches, fur seals, and Nazca boobies.  You will have the opportunity to snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active and colorful.  (Duration: 1.5 hour walk/one hour snorkeling/one hour dinghy ride).

Bucaneers Cove is an amazing location, featuring the remains of an eroded shoreline that is home to seabirds, fur seals and the playful sea lions.  Its different shapes have been made through a process caused by erosion of the waves and the wind.

Espumilla Beach is a white-sandy beach in James Bay and is a popular place among visitors.  There are mangroves and a small palo santo forest that leads to salt-water lagoons that are home to wading birds like flamingos.  In the upper dunes is a nesting site for sea turtles.  A good place to snorkel to see rays.  (Duration: one hour hike/one hour snorkeling/beach time).  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Black Turtle Cove.  On the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea, four species of mangrove form an internal lagoon.  Turtles visit the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface, while the fish and rays circle below.  White-tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, plus seabirds including pelicans, herons, and egrets feed from the cove.  This cove has been declared a “Turtle Sanctuary.”  (Duration: one hour dinghy ride).

After the visit, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito.  Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.  Overnight in Quito.  (B)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)