Quito and 5 Day La Pinta Cruise – Northern 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. Overnight in Quito.

This morning, you will visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar.

Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 16 miles north of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Galapagos.  Upon arrival in Baltra Island, you will be transferred to the Itabaca Channel.  A small ferry will take you across the Channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island.  You will then board a bus to the Highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will learn about the unique ecosystems and biodiversity.  Lunch at a local restaurant.

Highlands of Santa Cruz.  After lunch, you continue by bus to reach a reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.  The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools.  There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, too.  A short bus ride takes you down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Eden Islet.  After breakfast, a panga ride takes you to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where you can observe blue footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates.  There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, to ride in the glass-bottom boat.  The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning due to its variety of volcanic debris, including cinder cones, tuff cones, and semi-eroded lava flows.

Sombrero Chino Islet.  The tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance, reminiscent of a Chinese hat.  This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its 400-metre long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach.  The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Bartolome Island.  This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits: Bartolome Island.  A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort!  Following the walk, you take to the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to enjoy the beach and some snorkeling.  You can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.

Sullivan Bay.  After lunch, you board the pangas to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach great for swimming and snorkeling, and with a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago.  This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Darwin Bay.  In the morning, you begin your exploration of this island with an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds.  There is an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else you can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor.  The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks.

Prince Philip’s Steps.  The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs before you disembark for a short but steep climb up a wooden staircase.  Once at the top, the land is flat, allowing for a captivating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels and the elusive short eared owl.  Farewell Cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Your journey ends at Baltra Island, where you transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.  Baltra’s flat substrate (due to its uplifted origin) is the reason why the island was chosen back in the 1940s as the location to building an airport.  Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.  Overnight in Quito.  (B)

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