Galapagos Adventure

ITINERARY

Itinerary Note:

This itinerary is specific to the Motor Yacht Letty, one of two private boats available. The Motor Catamaran Athala II is also available at a higher cost and slightly different itinerary.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE TO QUITO, ECUADOR

You will be met at the airport and escorted to the Hotel Colon. Dinner is on your own at one of the distinctive restaurants in this beautiful city.

DAY 2 - QUITO & OTAVALO MARKET

After breakfast, head into the highlands to visit the Otavalo Indian Market, the longest continually operating market in South America (its been around for 400 years). Here you can find incredible textiles and many other collectibles. 

For those who prefer, a city tour of Quito is available as an alternative. At dinner, the group will receive an orientation and then prepare for departure to the islands.

DAY 3 - ARRIVE TO GALAPAGOS

Today, you fly to San Cristobal, where you will be met by your expedition leaders. The first activity will be snorkeling at Punta Carola with friendly sea lions. After that, you hike up Frigatebill Hill for a spectacular view. 

Later that afternoon, you'll arrive at the yacht in time for dinner. The M/Y Letty is a comfortable yacht with 360 views from the observation deck. The day ends with a sunset cruise around Kicker Rock, a lava cone jutting up from the sea. 

DAY 4 - GENOVESA ISLAND

Today, spend exploring the fascinating Genovesa Island, a collapsed volcano that is home to more than two million land and seabirds. You'll enter the crater to see thousands of birds including red-footed boobies, lava gulls, storm petrels, and more. 

The yacht anchors at Darwin Bay, formed by the collapse of the volcano, where you are surrounded by vertical cliffs. Take a walk up Prince Philip's Steps to explore a lava field where many birds nest and in late afternoon, you land at a coral beach for swimming and snorkeling.

DAY 5 - NORTH SEYMOUR & BACHAS BEACH

Today you'll visit North Seymour Island, home to the largest nesting colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the archipelago. Here you can see both large land iguanas and marine iguanas as well as sea lions, green sea turtles, and pink flamingoes.

DAY 6 - FERNANDINA VOLCANO & ISABELA ISLAND

The youngest and most active volcano in the islands, Fernandina is home to a spectacular array of wildlife including flightless cormorants, Galapagos hawks, sea lions, marine iguanas, and more. You'll snorkel here to look for sea turtles and marine iguanas.

This afternoon, you'll cruise across the Bolivar Channel to look for whales and dolphins on the way to the largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela. Explore by panga (small motorized boat) the mangrove swamp looking for penguins and great blue herons. Onshore, walk a lava field looking for other wildlife like flamingos.

DAY 7 - ISABELA ISLAND

Today the boat heads to Urbina Bay to visit a white sand beach that is a fascinating example of geological uplift. More than 50 years ago, due to a shift in molten rock, the shoreline was lifted up 15 feet, driving the coastline farther out to see and exposing coral reefs. 

On Urbina, you'll see the iconic Galapagos tortoise and the islands largest iguanas. In the afternoon, explore Tagus Cove looking for penguins and pelicans and historic graffiti left by pirates and whalers. You'll have another chance to snorkel here too!

DAY 8 - SANTIAGO & SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS

This morning's activities include tidepooling at Santiago Island's Puerto Egas to look for octopus, chocolate chip sea stars, and more. This is a great birding spot too, with great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers, and Darwin's finches. Galapagos fur seals often haul out on a rocky shelf. 

In the afternoon, you'll visit the highest island in the archipelago, Santa Cruz. There is an option to disembark and head to the remote highlands of the island to camp at an exclusive Wild Tortoise Camp. The campground attracts these incredible reptiles and has a great view.  

DAY 9 - SANTA CRUZ & DARWIN STATION

Choose from two options today: Campers who spent the night at the tortoise camp can spend more time with these gentle giants as well as seeing lava tubes and possibly exploring a lava cavern. Also visit Los Gemelos, two craters in the forest that are home to many birds.

The other option is to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. The station has a tortoise breeding facility where you'll see tiny babies that will help the population recover. Visit the town later and then head to the Letty for lunch. 

The afternoon brings a cruise to Santa Fe Island to visit one of the most scenic lagoons in the islands. You'll look for birds including Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds, Darwin's finches, and more. Snorkel from the beach, possibly accompanied by sea lions.

DAY 10 - SAN CRISTOBAL / QUITO

The Letty returns this morning to Puerto Moreno on San Cristobal, the capital of the islands. Visit the National Park Interpretation Center for a final overview of the natural and cultural history of the islands. 

Late this morning, fly back to Quito in time for shopping and dinner.

DAY 11 - DEPART QUITO

Transfer to the airport for your final flight home or take an extension to another South American wildlife hotspot.