This exciting vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito, have your photo taken at the "center of the world," and spend time at leisure in Guayaquil. Also, fly over the Pacific to Baltra Island, where you'll embark on an exciting 8-day cruise among various Galapagos Islands.

INCLUDED FEATURES

Cruise:
7-night cruise in the Galapagos in outside stateroom

Quito:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide, visit Legislative Palace, San Francisco Monastery, La Compania Church, Workshop and Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, and Equatorial Monument; welcome dinner

Galapagos Islands:
Seven nights cruising the Galapagos National Park aboard the La Pinta; Charles Darwin Research Station; guided sightseeing each day with a local Naturalist; farewell dinner

North Seymour Island:
Known for its nesting colony of frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and marine iguanas.

Hood Island:
The most southeastern island featuring quite eroded lava terrain. See Galapagos sea lions, lava lizards, Nazca boobies, and the only island with a Waved Albatrosses colony (May-December). Also see the famous blowhole!

Floreana Island:
See flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, and sandpipers. Great snorkeling here for close-up views of marine life that includes sea lions, rays, sea turtles, and possibly the Galapagos penguin. This island is also the site of Post Office Bay, where you learn about early inhabitants and adventures of pirates and whalers.

Santa Cruz Island:
The second-largest island boasts the largest human population, giant tortoises in the wild, and the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION. The highlands are great for bird watching, walking through a Scalesia forest, and seeing the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos.

Tower Island:
Due to its northern isolation and the effect of northern currents, this island's ecosystems are quite different from others. Boasting the most seabird diversity, you will find frigate birds, red-footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches, mockingbirds, and the short-eared owl. Good snorkeling is found here, too-along with hammerhead sharks!

Isabela Island:
Discover secluded Tagus Cove, a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers in past centuries. The vegetation includes the unusual Palo Santo trees, white-barked leafless trees that look dead most of the year. See Darwin Crater, filled with saltwater and one of Isabela's six volcanoes. Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises are a few species that call this island home.

Fernandina Island:
The youngest of islands is home to continuous volcanic activity and recent black lava flows. Considered by many as one of the most pristine islands in the world due to the absence of introduced mammals, Fernandina has a unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks, penguins, and the flightless cormorant.

Bartolome Island:
The most photographed view of islands in the Galapagos is seen here with Pinnacle Rock. A great place for swimming and snorkeling with its schools of tropical and subtropical fish, sea lions, sharks, rays, sea turtles, and Galapagos penguins.

Notes:

Wine with dinner on cruise.

Maximum elevation on tour: 9,200 ft.

Intra-tour flights: Included in both land-only and air-inclusive prices.

MEALS

American breakfast daily (B), 7 lunches (L), 8 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Quito and a farewell dinner on the La Pinta

SUPERIOR HOTELS

Quito Hilton Colon (SF), Galapagos Cruise La Pinta, Guayaquil Oro Verde (SF)

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Itinerary

Day 1 Fly to Quito, Ecuador

(Wed.) Board your flight to Quito. Your flight to South America arrives late this evening and will be met by your Local Host.

Day 2 Quito

(Thu.) An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito's treasures: the historic stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY, the Jesuit's LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars, and the impressive paintings at the WORKSHOP AND MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Have your photo taken in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, "the center of the world." This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 3 Quito-Baltra-Galapagos Islands (Embarkation)-Cruising

(Fri.) Fly to Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, board the La Pinta yacht for an exciting eight days of CRUISING among various Galapagos Islands. (B,L,D)

Note: The ship's itinerary will vary according to the Galapagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited.

Days 4-9 Galapagos Islands

(Sat. to Thu.) Travel ashore each day to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Each cruise will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands' natural habitat. On the last night of your cruise, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner, ending an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D daily)

Day 10 Galapagos (Disembarkation)-Guayaquil

(Fri.) Depart the Galapagos today for Guayaquil. Enjoy time in Guayaquil or relax at your hotel before your late-evening homebound flight departs. (B)

Day 11

(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight arrangements.