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Your Unforgettable Voyage
Day 1 – Arrive Quito  , Ecuador
Check-in and relax at the luxury Swissotel, ideally situated close to the Colonial treasures of Old Town.
Day 2 – Fly to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos
After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival on San Cristobal, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your waiting ship, the deluxe MV Galapagos Explorer II. Settle-in to your suite where you’ll find a welcome basket of tropical fruits. Then step ashore with your naturalist guide to observe Sally Lightfoot crabs, iguanas and sea lions. This evening’s onboard dinner is followed by an informative briefing from the ship’s naturalists. Each night, you can attend these talks to learn more about island wildlife and geology - and for a preview of the following day’s activities. Meals B,L,D
Day 3 – Espy the wildlife of Espanola Island
Espanola Island is the oldest and southernmost in the Galapagos archipelago. Because of its remote location, it offers a number of interesting endemic creatures not seen elsewhere, species that have uniquely adapted to the island’s specific environment. Marine iguanas on the other islands, for example, are black in color, allowing them to camouflage against the black lava rocks where they gather. On Española, adult marine iguanas are brightly colored, with a reddish tint except during mating season when they become more of a greenish color! Exploring the wildlife-rich western tip of the island, you’ll also observe Blue-footed boobies, playful sea lions, elusive lava lizards and the world’s only nesting site of the magnificent waved albatross. Meals B,L,D
Day 4 – Exclusive AAA Experience on Santa Cruz and Explore Rabida Island
Learn about the vital research being conducted at the Charles Darwin Research Center, including the important Galapagos tortoise breeding program. Afterward, your exclusive AAA Experience reveals an ingenious approach to conservation. You’ll visit a local family of woodcarvers who create beautiful sculptures from wood of the Cedrela tree, an invasive species that was introduced to the island by human activity. This hardy tree has thrived and now threatens endemic plant species and the fragile ecological balance of Santa Cruz. Watch these artisans at work and return to your ship with a lovely memento. After a relaxing lunch onboard, alight on Rabida Island with your guide. Celebrated for its unusual lava formations, Rabida is the most geologically diverse of the Galapagos Islands and home to flamingoes, colonies of sea lions and pelicans. Meals B,L,D
Day 5 - Explore Bachas Beach and Dragon Hill
Alight on the white sands of Bachas Beach, where you can visit a sea turtle nesting site. The calm waters and pristine sands also make this a wonderful place for a refreshing swim. Walking along the shore, keep your eyes peeled for marine iguanas, blue herons, pelicans and Sally Lightfoot crabs. In the afternoon, hike the trails of Dragon Hill. This is one of the newer Park-approved Visitor Sites in the Galapagos and is so-named for the large population of land iguanas that can be seen here. The area has become an important nesting site for these elusive creatures since they were reintroduced here by the Charles Darwin Research Center. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 – Ascend Bartolomé Island & Hike Santiago Island
Bartolomé is famous for its dramatic geological formations, including the much-photographed Pinnacle Rock. A short hike brings you to the summit for a panoramic view of this Galapagos icon framed by two tranquil inlets. The snorkeling here is superb, with playful sea lions and penguins often nearby. Or, walk the beach where sting rays and white-tipped sharks come close to shore. After lunch onboard, the ship sails to Santiago Island where you make landing on a pristine black sand beach, surrounded by fantastic rock formations. A mile-long trail brings you to intertidal pools along the coast, home to land iguanas feeding on the exposed algae, Oyster Catchers and Sally Lightfoot crabs. At trails-end is Fur Seal Grotto, one of the only places on the islands where this wonderful creature can be seen. Meals B,L,D
Day 7 – Seas and Shores of Fernandina & Isabela Islands
As you prepare to land on Fernandina, keep your eyes peeled for penguins diving off the rocks and marina iguanas congregating in large groups. You can even snorkel and witness the rare spectacle of these iguanas feeding underwater. This morning’s hike crosses two lava flows to a small peninsula, home to flightless cormorants. Here at the edge of the archipelago, you also visit Isabela Island which is visited only by faster boats like the Explorer II. The visit to the island’s northwestern tip is worth the journey. Sailing by dingy, you’ll explore along the imposing coastal cliffs – home to blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and Fur seals. The rocky shoreline also attracts sea-turtles who come to feed in these waters, and with good conditions, snorkeling here can be spectacular. Manta rays, sea-turtles, sea lions and even dolphins are often seen. Tonight’s dinner celebrates your crossing of the Equator. Meals B,L,D
Day 8 – Birds of North Seymour Island & the Giant Galapagos Tortoise
Today promises amazing wildlife viewing! After breakfast, join your naturalist guide to walk along the flat trails of North Seymour, home to colonies of Blue-footed boobies and the magnificent Frigate bird. In the afternoon, step ashore on Santa Cruz Island where you’ll see evidence of the island’s geological power on a walk through lava tubes. Giant tortoises roam the highland wilds of Santa Cruz, giving you an extraordinary opportunity to see these rare creatures in their native habitat. Meals B,L,D
Day 9 – Alight on San Cristobal and Fly to Quito
The National Park Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island offers a nice overview of all that you’ve encountered on your week-long voyage. It’s the perfect way to cap your visit to the Galapagos. The interesting architecture, landscaped gardens and panoramic ocean views at the Center also provide a great backdrop for a final vacation photo! At mid-day, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your return flight to the capital. Enjoy dinner and a tranquil overnight back at the luxury Swissotel in Quito. Meals B,L,D
Day 10 – Depart Quito
Your tour concludes this morning. Meals B
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