Quito and 5 Day Treasure of Galapagos Cruise – Central/Eastern Islands

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

Day 1 (Wed): Quito.

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.

Day 2 (Thu): City Tour of Quito-Middle of the World.

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 foot 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)

Day 3 (Fri): Quito-Baltra Airport-Chato Reserve (Santa Cruz Island).

Flight to Baltra Airport. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of $200 (unless it has been prepaid). Your guide will meet you at the airport, help you with your luggage, and escort you on the short bus ride. You will then board the Treasure catamaran where the crew and captain will introduce themselves and you will proceed to your assigned stateroom. Finally, you will enjoy your first lunch on board.

Chato Reserve. On your first excursion, you will disembark at the Itabaca Channel and be driven to the highlands of Santa Cruz island, where you will visit an area populated by Galapagos giant tortoises. Because these magnificent reptiles don’t stop their migration patterns at the official limits of the National Park, dozens of them also roam the island’s agricultural properties and humid forests, enjoying muddy baths, devouring fallen fruits, and carrying birds on their backs. After sharing the company of these modern-day dinosaurs in their natural habitat, you will return on board for dinner, entertainment, and relaxation. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Sat): Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)-Bartholomew Island.

Sullivan Bay. The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling fields seem to be mostly lifeless, but this island, which is particularly popular among photographers, still offers a lot to see. There is even some life! Green sea turtles burrow in the small white sand beach, where you can also find crabs, blue herons and oystercatchers. In the lava flow, only sparse pioneer vegetation, such as lava cacti and mollugos, can grow.

The island of Bartholomew rises 114m above Sullivan Bay. Climb the steps of the Bartolomé Peak Trail and you will be rewarded with panoramic views over volcanic peaks, lunar craters and lava fields. Afterwards you can refresh yourself at the foot of the famous “Pinnacle Rock” and explore the underwater world in the shallow water while snorkeling. Although there is little vegetation on this island, it has two breathtaking beaches, where sea turtles live. At the foot of the mountain you can also discover a small colony of Galapagos penguins and enjoy a beautiful view of the bay. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Sun): North Seymour Island-South Plaza Island.

North Seymour Island is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and therefore is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing. Do watch your step as the boobies don’t worry much about where they nest, and you might just step on one. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps. They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves. There’s a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

This afternoon’s excursion will be to the South Plaza Island. While landing there, a barking Galapagos sea lion bull may block the jetty for a loud welcome to his beach and rookery. Overall, this islet breaths a unique Jurassic ambiance, with its psychedelic reddish flora and giant Opuntia cacti covering the landscape and providing food and shelter for thousands of endemic marine and Barrington iguanas. During this visit, you will also have the opportunity to swim over a reef of boulders that attracts an amazing variety of marine life, such as sea turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and sea lions. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Mon): Pitt Islet and Pitt Point-Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal).

Pitt Islet and Pitt Point. The wind-sculpted cliffs of Pitt Point were the first sight of land when Charles Darwin arrived in the Galapagos aboard the HMS Beagle on September 15, 1835. Today you will disembark on that very same small green sand beach, where you will first be greeted by a group of barking sea lions. Behind this dreamy beach, crossing some thorny bushes, begins a trail that will take you to the top of the cliff through a ravine. While you ascend, marvel at the landscapes of this geological wonder, where it is possible to find three species of boobies breeding and playing: blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca. Two species of frigate birds can be found as well (Great and Magnificent). Do not miss the chance to snorkel or kayak around these far-away, dreamlike shores.

Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo in Spanish) is the remains of a tuff cone, and its primary attraction is a coral sand beach that opens into a tranquil bay. Snorkeling here leads to a rich habitat for marine iguanas, stingrays, white-tipped sharks, eagle rays, turtles, morays, garden eels, and many kinds of reef fishes. Behind the sand dunes of the beach, there is a dry dark lava flow with salty ponds, which serve as a refreshment spot for iguanas, as well as a strategic place to observe coastal and migratory birds, including pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Tue): Interpretation Center (San Cristobal)-San Cristobal Airport-Quito.

Interpretation Center. The Galapagos National Park Visitor Center lies close to the port town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The center explains a series of natural circumstances such as the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, its ocean currents, its special climate, the arrival of different species, and their establishment, among others.

Following the tour, you will be transferred to San Cristobal Airport for your return flight to Quito. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Day 8 (Wed): Quito.

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

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner