Quito and Galapagos Islands Luxury Vacations

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Quito. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure, after a briefing and detailed explanation of your overall Ecuador program by our local representative.

You will join a wonderful tour through the streets and main squares of Quito Historic Center including a visit to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo. After lunch at a local restaurant you will take a short trip to the Intinan Museum, knows as "The Path of the Sun", and be at our planet's latitude 0'0'0''. At this museum you will become familiar with the wonderful world of Mayan Cosmovision, culture and traditions. (B,L)

You will be transferred to Quito airport to catch your flight to San Cristobal (not included). Upon arrival you will be transferred to the La Pinta yacht for an introductionary briefing and lunch. In the afternoon you will get off at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island's southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, you will visit the breeding center of the highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard. (B,L,D)

You will land at the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island this morning. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline. You can watch the two frigate species and a colony of bachelor sea lions. In the afternoon enjoy a dingy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers to Cerro Brujo's expansive white coral beach, great for walking and rewarding bird watching. (B,L,D)

Your morning outing at Punta Saurez provides an exciting walk on lava-boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses from April to December, boobies, swallowtail gulls, and the famous "blowhole". Also look for red-green-black marine iguanas. In the afternoon, you will set down at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. Enjoy great snorkeling in this area, ride a kayak or sail the glass bottom boat. (B,L,D)

You will disembark this morning and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the 'rearing in captivity' program for the giant tortoises. Here you will witness the efforts and results of all fieldwork done in the name of science. You will be transferred by bus across the Santa Cruz Island and short ferry ride to Baltra Island to catch your flight to Guayaquil (not included). (B)

You will be transferred to Guayaquil airport for your return flight home. (B)