zQuito + The Galapagos - 11 Day Adventure

Check in to the luxurious Casa Gangotena.

Your exploration of this World Heritage city begins with San Francisco, a magnificent 16th-century Roman Catholic church and convent. At a local hat shop, the owner will share her millinery skills and the techniques learned from her father that have allowed her to produce some of the city’s finest hats for nearly 60 years. You’ll also spend time with the Carrion family in their 150-year-old workshop. For generations, this talented family has been restoring religious images which their customers use for festivals. Then it’s off to the Museo Casa de Alabado, set in a beautiful 17th-century residence and renowned for its meticulously curated collection of Pre-Colombian artifacts. In the historic heart of the city, you’ll behold important Colonial-era landmarks including the Presidential Palace and Cathedral. Your sightseeing ends in La Ronda, a charming historic district filled with inviting shops and galleries. Meals B,L

Fly to Baltra Island and transfer to the pier where our deluxe and intimate yacht-style vessel awaits. After lunch onboard La Pinta, your first shore excursion finds you exploring both the coast and interior of North Seymour Island, home to blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions and marine iguanas. This evening’s informative and entertaining lecture with our experienced shipboard naturalists, the first of your daily briefings, has been specifically designed to enhance your exploration over the coming days.  Meals B,L,D

Enjoy a morning dingy excursion along the remote coastline of Isabela Island where your sharp-eyed naturalist will point out its unusual inhabitants including flightless cormorants, sea lions, Nazca boobies, sea lions and fur seals. In the afternoon, step ashore at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, the youngest in the archipelago. A one-mile nature walk across the barren lava fields reveals a remarkably high density of wildlife including marine iguanas, sea lions, sally light foot crabs, penguins and hawks. Meals B,L,D

Go ashore at Urbina Bay this morning to observe Darwin's finches, penguins and other endemic species. This beautiful cove is also a great spot to take advantage of the complimentary snorkeling gear. After lunch on board, you'll explore secluded Tagus Cove where an invigorating hike is rewarded with fantastic views of a saltwater lagoon which sits in the middle of a volcanic tuff cone. Meals B,L,D 

A guided morning stroll along the unusual red-sand beach of Rabida Island reveals a thriving colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. This particular stretch of the island also offers fantastic snorkeling for both beginners and the experienced. After lunch, join your naturalist to explore the scenic trails and wildlife of Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. Meals B,L,D

This morning, you'll step off ship in the colorful town of Puerto Ayora. Visit the esteemed Charles Darwin Research Center and learn about the important research and work being done to preserve the natural heritage of the Galapagos Islands. After a delightful al fresco lunch at the Finch Bay Hotel, explore the impressive interior highlands of Santa Cruz. Return to ship in time for dinner and another informative naturalists' briefing.  Meals B,L,D

Settled in the early 1900's, Floreana is one of only four inhabited islands in the Galapagos. This morning, you'll explore historic Post Office Bay to learn about its early residents and to hear adventurous tales of pirates and whalers. Then explore by dinghy along the island's north shore to observe sea lion colonies, marine turtles, rays and penguins. Enjoy lunch onboard and then return to shore for a guided walk along Cormorant Point, home to numerous bird species including greater flamingos, pintail ducks, herons and sandpipers. Conditions permitting, there will another opportunity this afternoon for some snorkeling or a ride in the ship's glass-bottom boat.  Meals B,L,D

A morning walk to observe sea lion harems on the white sand shores of Santa Fe Island is enriched by fascinating insight from your naturalist guide! Hear how dominant bulls vie for the title of "Beach Master" while smaller males masking as females make stealthy mating moves. Also home to the Galapagos hawk and endemic land iguanas, this picturesque stretch of beach offers fine swimming and snorkeling. After lunch, go ashore on South Plaza Island to observe Sally Lightfoot crabs, land iguanas basking under prickly-pear cacti, colonies of sea lions and numerous bird species including swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters.  Meals B,L,D

Disembark your ship after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your included flight back to the South American mainland. Upon arrival in the bustling Pacific port of Guayaquil, you'll be met and escorted to the deluxe Hilton Colon Hotel.  Meals B

Our tour services end this morning after breakfast. Meals B

Check in to the luxurious Casa Gangotena.

Your exploration of this World Heritage city begins with San Francisco, a magnificent 16th-century Roman Catholic church and convent. At a local hat shop, the owner will share her millinery skills and the techniques learned from her father that have allowed her to produce some of the city’s finest hats for nearly 60 years. You’ll also visit Chez Tiff, a boutique chocolate shop that produces fine confections from locally-sourced cocoa, herbs and fruits. In the historic heart of the city, you’ll behold important Colonial-era landmarks including the Presidential Palace and Cathedral. Your sightseeing ends in La Ronda, a charming historic district filled with inviting shops and galleries. meals b+l

Fly to Baltra Island and board La Pinta. After lunch explore North Seymour Island, home to blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and sea lions. Nightly briefings with our expert naturalists enhance your cruise. meals b+l+d

Enjoy a morning dingy excursion along the remote coastline of Isabela Island where your sharp-eyed naturalist will point out its unusual inhabitants including flightless cormorants, sea lions, Nazca boobies, sea lions and fur seals. In the afternoon, step ashore at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, the youngest in the archipelago. A one-mile nature walk across the barren lava fields reveals a remarkably high density of wildlife including marine iguanas, sea lions, sally light foot crabs, penguins and hawks. meals b+l+d

Go ashore at Urbina Bay this morning to observe Darwin's finches, penguins and other endemic species. This beautiful cove is also a great spot to take advantage of the complimentary snorkeling gear. After lunch on board, you'll explore secluded Tagus Cove where an invigorating hike is rewarded with fantastic views of a saltwater lagoon which sits in the middle of a volcanic tuff cone. meals b+l+d

A guided morning stroll along the unusual red-sand beach of Rabida Island reveals a thriving colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. This particular stretch of the island also offers fantastic snorkeling for both beginners and the experienced. After lunch, join your naturalist to explore the scenic trails and wildlife of Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. meals b+l+d

This morning, you'll step off ship in the colorful town of Puerto Ayora. Visit the esteemed Charles Darwin Research Center and learn about the important research and work being done to preserve the natural heritage of the Galapagos Islands. After a delightful al fresco lunch at the Finch Bay Hotel, explore the impressive interior highlands of Santa Cruz. Return to ship in time for dinner and another informative naturalists' briefing. meals b+l+d

Settled in the early 1900's, Floreana is one of only four inhabited islands in the Galapagos. This morning, you'll explore historic Post Office Bay to learn about its early residents and to hear adventurous tales of pirates and whalers. Then explore by dinghy along the island's north shore to observe sea lion colonies, marine turtles, rays and penguins. Enjoy lunch onboard and then return to shore for a guided walk along Cormorant Point, home to numerous bird species including greater flamingos, pintail ducks, herons and sandpipers. Conditions permitting, there will another opportunity this afternoon for some snorkeling or a ride in the ship's glass-bottom boat. meals b+l+d

A morning walk to observe sea lion harems on the white sand shores of Santa Fe Island is enriched by fascinating insight from your naturalist guide! Hear how dominant bulls vie for the title of "Beach Master" while smaller males masking as females make stealthy mating moves. Also home to the Galapagos hawk and endemic land iguanas, this picturesque stretch of beach offers fine swimming and snorkeling. After lunch, go ashore on South Plaza Island to observe Sally Lightfoot crabs, land iguanas basking under prickly-pear cacti, colonies of sea lions and numerous bird species including swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters. meals b+l+d

Disembark after breakfast. Fly to either Guayaquil or Quito and overnight with a transfer to the airport in the morning. Or connect to your international flight on the same day. meals b

We transfer you to the airport today. meals b