Take a 10-night trip to Ecuador and visit the Galapagos Islands. From Miami, fly to Quito and visit the historical side of Ecuador, reaching back to its colonial roots. Transfer to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. Board your cruise and visit the islands, including South Plaza, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, and Santa Cruz. Along the way, see the flora and fauna, including night herons, sea lions, fiddler crabs, and lava gulls. See the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn from the science that has been pioneered on these islands. Finally, return to Quito before flying back to the US. Starting from $7165 including air, departures from Miami every Saturday.
Day 1, Saturday - Miami/Quito
Depart Miami via Avianca Airlines for Quito, Ecuador. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Dann Carlton/Sheraton)
Day 2, Sunday - Quito
In the morning, tour bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas. Visit churches, colonial quarter and Old Town. Stop at "Panecillo" hillside for breathtaking views. (B)
Day 3, Monday - Quito/Galapagos Cruise
Early morning transfer to airport for your flight to Baltra Airport, Galapagos. Upon arrival, transfer to pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend. Afternoon, sail to Mosquera Island, located between North Seymour and Baltra islands, and make a wet landing. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions and is an excellent site for observing shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. (Standard plus cabin/Junior suite) (B/D)
Day 4, Tuesday - Galapagos Cruise
This morning make a dry landing on South Plaza Island. The walk begins with an impressive cactus forest surrounded by land and marina iguanas. Be on the lookout for tropicbirds, Nazca and bluefooted boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. This is the only place on Earth where the Galapagos hybrid iguana is found. In the afternoon, make a wet landing on Santa Fe, a white sand beach surrounded by a sea lion colony. Walk through a cactus forest searching for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, the largest in the islands. (B/L/D)
Day 5, Wednesday - Galapagos Cruise
After a wet landing at Pitt Point on San Cristobal, take a high-intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together. Afternoon, make a wet landing at Cerro Brujo. The white sand beach is great for snorkeling and sunbathing. Migratory bird species can be seen in the lagoon. Cerro Brujo offers views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast. (B/L/D)
Day 6, Thursday - Galapagos Cruise
This morning, make a dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Visit the San Cristobal giant tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park's conservation programs. In the afternoon, take a high-intensity walk on Tijeretas Hill amidst scenic landscapes and a view at the foot of a frigatebird nesting colony. (B/L/D)
Day 7, Friday - Galapagos Cruise
On the island of Espanola this morning, make a wet landing on a white coral sand beach guarded by a colony of sea lions. Along the shore, spot Galapagos hawks, American oystercatchers, Galapagos ground doves, hood mockingbirds and three species of Darwin's finches. Swimming and snorkeling offer a look at a variety of Galapagos marine wildlife. After a dry landing at Suarez Point, explore volcanic formations and riveting wildlife, including large sea lion colonies and seabirds. Encounter marine iguanas and colorful sally lightfoot crabs. (B/L/D)
Day 8, Saturday - Galapagos Cruise
This morning's dry landing is on the north side of Floreana at Post Office Bay. You may encounter Darwin's finches and lava lizards. Snorkel with green Pacific sea turtles or among playful sea lions on the main beach. This island is known for its endemic vegetation. The afternoon's wet landing is on an olivine green sand beach at Cormorant Point. Hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon that usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. The trail continues to a white sand beach, where you may spot sea turtles and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search of food. Head back to the olivine beach to swim or snorkel. (B/L/D)
Day 9, Sunday - Galapagos Cruise
Sail to Santa Cruz and make a dry landing. A bus ride takes you to the Santa Cruz highlands, located to the north of Puerto Ayero, home to a natural reserve with giant tortoises. You may also walk inside surprising lava tubes. In the afternoon, visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety of Darwin's finches and other land birds. (B/L/D)
Day 10, Monday - Galapagos Cruise/Quito
This morning, circumnavigate the island of Daphne, an eroded tuff cone formation created by successive volcanic activity. You may see Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and brown noddies. Return to the M/V Galapagos Legend for checkout, and transfer to Baltra airport for return flight to Quito. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Dann Carlton/Sheraton) (B)
Day 11, Tuesday - Quito/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Miami via Avianca Airlines. (B)
