A fabulous cruise holiday to discover the iconic wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.
Departures: Weekly on Tuesdays
Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Destinations: Quito / Galapagos Islands Cruise (choose from a Western Islands Cruise or an Eastern Islands Cruise) / Guayaquil
Cruise: 5 days / 4 nights on the Archipel I or Archipel II Galapagos catamarans.
Alternative Cruises: We tailor all our holidays to suit our own travel style and wishes and can change the Galapagos cruise included in this suggested itinerary with a wide range of alternative Galapagos cruises of different lengths and in different yachts to suit your preferred cruise style or budget. Please contact us for further information.
Highlights: Enjoy some of the best sights in the Galapagos with opportunities to spot some of the iconic wildlife of the Galapagos Islands such as marine iguanas, sea lions, frigate birds and blue-footed boobies on a variety of excursions including snorkelling, zodiac rides and short hikes. A wonderful Galapagos experience.
Tailor Made: This is a suggested holiday that can be booked exactly as described if you wish or that can be used to help inspire you on the fascinating journeys and destinations in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Like all our holidays this itinerary can be tailored, customised and crafted by our friendly experts to suit your own travel style, personal requirements, wishes, budget and interests. Simply get in touch to discuss, and we would be delighted to create a truly personalised holiday for you.
Holiday Itinerary
Today is the first day of your Galapagos cruise holiday, and your first destination is the historic city of Quito. Arrive in Quito at any time and we will be waiting for you at Quito airport to escort you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be free time for you to relax following your flight.
Meals: None
Overnight: Central hotel in Quito
Today you will enjoy a free day in Quito to provide you with some time to adjust to the altitude and so you can make the most of your time in this incredible city and spend time exploring the ancient UNESCO World Heritage City Centre on your own. Quito's old-town centre is steeped in history, and exploring this place on foot is highly recommended as you stroll along cobbled streets, past quaint market stalls and historic churches and colonial architecture. Although the city is packed with interesting places to visit a highlight has to be the Compañia de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus) which has a beautiful interior covered in gold leaf paint. If you wish to venture further away from Quito today then ask us about our tours to nearby Cotopaxi volcano and Otavalo market.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Quito
Day 3 (Thu) This morning we will escort you to Quito airport from where you will take a short flight to the Galapagos Islands to begin your wildlife cruise. Your excursions begin in the Santa Cruz highlands for the chance to spot Galapagos Giant tortoises in their wild natural habitat.
Day 4 (Fri) Visit Cormorant Point on Floreana Island in the south to see sea lions grazing on the beach and flamingos in a nearby lagoon. In the afternoon visit the historic Post Office Bay and the nearby Baroness Lookout and spot Sally lightfoot crabs and pelicans at the beautiful white-sand beach.
Day 5 (Sat) Make a wet-landing at Gardner Bay, a beautiful white sand beach to spot the sea lions that lazily sun-bathe on the beach. In the afternoon visit Suarez Point, an incredible location in the Galapagos for birdlife with Nazca boobies, albatross and other wildlife on display.
Day 6 (Sun) Pitt Point in the far east of the Galapagos is a rarity being the only place in the Galapagos to spot blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca-boobies altogether in one colony. Later visit Witch Hill and make a landing on the coral beach to go snorkelling to spot the vivid sealife.
Day 7 (Mon) Great frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and Galapagos sea lions can be admired at Lobos Islet on your final excursion in the Galapagos to bring your wildlife cruise to an end. Afterwards in late morning you will be escorted to the airport for your return flight to the mainland.
Meals Days 3-6: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal / Day 7: Breakfast
Overnight Days 3-6: Archipel I or Archipel II Catamaran / Day 7: Hotel in Guayaquil
Day 3 (Thu) This morning we will meet you at your hotel to escort you to Quito airport for a flight to the Galapagos Islands to join your Galapagos wildlife cruise. Your first excursion is to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island where you can admire Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their wild natural habitat.
Day 4 (Fri) Today begins with today with a visit to Tintoreras to spot penguins, sea lions and white-tipped reef sharks among the jagged rocky outcrops. In the afternoon make a dry-landing on Isabela Island in the west of the Galapagos to visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre.
Day 5 (Sat) Visit Moreno Point for a short walk along a "Pahohoe" lava trail to spot the wildlife and birdlife that is active in the nearby creeks and mangroves. This afternoon embark on a panga-boat excursion to spot wildlife including flightless cormorants, sea turtles and penguins at the Marielas Islets.
Day 6 (Sun) This morning enjoy a short walk from the coast up to the clifftops at Tagus Cove. During the excursion you can spot penguins and other wildlife, and from the clifftops there are fabulous views of Darwin Lake. In the afternoon visit Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island to admire marine iguanas and flightless cormorant.
Day 7 (Mon) Your wildlife cruise comes to a fabulous conclusion with a visit to Bachas Beach to stoll along the beautiful white sands, a known nesting site for sea turtles. In late morning we will escort you to the Galapagos airport for your return to the Ecuador mainland where we will escort you to your hotel.
Meals Days 3-6: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal / Day 7: Breakfast
Overnight Days 3-6: Archipel I or Archipel II Catamaran / Day 7: Hotel in Guayaquil
At the required time we will meet you at your hotel and will escort you to Guayaquil airport so you can check-in for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: N/A
Included
- Two domestic flight within Ecuador (Quito - Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil)
- All excursions
- English-speaking guides for all excursions
- INGALA Galapagos Control Card
- Entry fees to all sites included in the itinerary (with the exception of Galapagos National Park Entry Fee which is payable on arrival in Galapagos)
- Accommodation
- All meals detailed
- Private transfers to / from airports or hotels
- All transport and travel within South America
Not Included
- International flights to/from South America. We exclude international flights to give the option to compare flight pricing or use air miles, however we can include and provide international flights as part of your holiday and any international flights booked through us would be ATOL-protected as part of your package with us. Depending on time of year, departure airport and airline preference flight prices start from around £500pp economy for return flights. If you would like us to include international flights or provide a quote just let us know your preferred departure airport when you enquire.
- The Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (payable on arrival in the Galapagos).
ATOL PROTECTION
This is a flight-inclusive package holiday. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate.
Contact Us if you want more information or want to book this holiday. One of our South America holiday specialists will be more than willing to help.
