Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

QuitoisEcuador’s capital and has a setting of great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua.Quitois located at 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level, so some visitors may suffer from altitude sickness during the first hours after arrival. The city has preserved much of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church inSouth America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Also in the plaza are theMunicipalPalace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Palacio Presidencial. Many of the city’s famous churches and monasteries contain priceless examples of Spanish art and sculpture, particularly the Monasterio deSan Franciscoand the JesuitchurchofLa Compañía. Most ofQuito’s colonial churches are located in theOldTown, parts of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

The Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito, located in the heart of historic “Quito Antiguo” and surrounded by churches, museums and national monuments, was declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1978. The Hotel is an official National Treasure and holds centuries of history within its walls. It was part of the original Solaris (original building sites) that constituted the City of San Francisco of Quito at the time of its foundation. The hotel has a maximum capacity of a 63 guests with only 32 suites, and has fully equipped amenities throughout the hotel without sacrificing  its traditional colonial style.

Overnight at Patio Andaluz.

Day 2 Galapagos

Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galapagos. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. The Baltra airport was originally constructed by theU.S.military during World War II as a base to protect thePanama Canalfrom enemy attack. It is linked by bridge to Santa Cruz Island. It is the main airport for arrivals and departures from the Galapagos.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Take your flight from Quito to Galapagos via Guayaquil today. The flight duration is approximately 4 hours.

The $100 entrance fee to theGalapagos IslandsParkand the $10 Tourist card are included in your booking. Please note that the itinerary is a guide only -  the route and program vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety precautions and wildlife encounters.

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. After this, a guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor and then on board your cruise ship.

Disembark at Bachas Beach (wet landing), on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will encounter sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles. You will have the opportunity to swim at this white-sand beach.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Discover the Galapagos Islands on board the finest expedition vessel available. Ever since her arrival in Ecuador, the Eclipse has surpassed the other options available in the Galapagos Islands, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and service. She was converted specifically for upscale cruising in the islands, and was designed to meet the exacting demands of luxury travel. The Eclipse is the perfect base for any Galapagos experience; a generously proportioned ship with a small yacht atmosphere. Whether you are snorkeling with sea lions, watching a blue-footed booby feed its young, or following a giant tortoise through the forest, the Galapagos Islands will surpass all expectations. And there is no better way to enjoy the wonders of the islands, than on board the Eclipse.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 3 Galapagos

After a wet landing, visit the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, a good area for observing Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron. You can see Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide, sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. There is a colony of Fur-Seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling in search of Octopus, Sea Horses, Starfish, and other sea life caught in the small tidal pools. From a safe distance you can observe Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, White Tip and Galapagos Sharks, Golden and White Spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed and Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles.

Dry landing. Arriving on Bartolome island, you will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit you will have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the ascent, it is usually possible to see a large colony of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. The vegetation here includes Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti. You will have a chance to snorkel after your walk. You may be able to see the Galapagos Penguin, Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 4 Galapagos

After a dry landing, you will walk to a salty lagoon behind the beach. Here you may see pink flamingos. Continuing on the trail up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. You will also encounter a large colony of reintroduced land iguanas [hence the name, Dragon Hill] and a Scalesia tree forest. Returning to the shore, you will take a ride in a panga [Zodiac] boat to Venice Islet, to observe marine animals such as golden rays, sharks and sea turtles in the calm waters of the coves, as well as the land iguanas.

Dry landing at the dark red-colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks in all of the Islands. There is a short trail leading to a saltwater lagoon, a feeding ground for small colonies of Flamingos. Brown pelicans nest in the mangroves on the far side of the lagoon. It is also possible to spot boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches. Enjoy a dinghy ride by the reefs where you will have an excellent opportunity for snorkelling.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 5 Galapagos

On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favourite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the unusual Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in the short wet season, which usually begins in Mar/Apr. An uphill hike through palo santo forest takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago.

Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. A panga ride around two islets called the Marielas offers a wide variety of bird life, such as flightless cormorants, herons, and blue-footed boobies. Then we will enter a sheltered cove – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles and rays.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 6 Galapagos

After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, you will be able to see the largest colony of Marine Iguanas mingling with Sally-light Foot Crabs, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks and Sea Lions. It is also an opportunity to see the nesting sites of the Flightless Cormorants. Among the flora and the volcanic formations, you will see Brachycereus Cactus, “pa-hoe-hoe” lava, and other unusual lava formations. Lava flows are always viewed from a safe distance. The island has numerous mangrove beds extending into the sea, indicating a healthy and thriving eco-system.

The largest and one of the most volcanically active islands, Isabela provides habitat for five subspecies of giant tortoise - one for each of its five volcanoes. We will visit Punta Vicente Roca which has beautiful volcanic scenery, with amazing lava intrusions as well as a huge sea cliff. Wet Landing.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 7 Galapagos

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you will see the Giant Tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Then take a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora and enjoy a snack or the views across the harbour.

Take a bus ride to the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit Cerro Chato. Here you’ll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises that give the islands their name. After this visit, return to Puerto Ayora.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 8 Galapagos

Wet landing atGardnerBayon a white coral beach, amidst a large colony of sea lions. In this open area you can spot many species of birds, such as Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hood mockingbirds and yellow warblers, as well as marine iguanas and lava lizards. The bay is a great area for snorkeling and swimming.

After a dry landing at Suarez Point, you will learn about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava fields. In addition to the Sea Lion colonies, this is also one of the most important sites for bird watching. You will see such species as the hooded mocking bird, red billed tropic bird, Galapagos dove and swallow-tailed gull. There are also lava lizards, colorful sally lightfoot crabs and colonies of marine iguanas and masked and blue-footed boobies. Nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. This island also has the world’s largest colony of waved albatross (approx. 15,000). If you are lucky, you will be able to observe their mating ritual. Before leaving the island, you will visit the famous blowhole, which shoots water into the air at almost 75 feet.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at M/V Eclipse.

Day 9 Quito

Arrive at Black Turtle Cove near Las Bachas Beach on the north coastline of Santa Cruz Island. This excursion provides passengers with a “dinghy” ride through the mangroves, during which the outboard motor is turned off to allow close observation of marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays and yellow rays.

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. After this, a guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor and then on board your cruise ship.

Fly from Galapagos to Quito via Guayaquil on Aerogal. The flight duration is approximately 4 hour.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

The Hotel Patio Andaluz Quito, located in the heart of historic “Quito Antiguo” and surrounded by churches, museums and national monuments, was declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1978. The Hotel is an official National Treasure and holds centuries of history within its walls. It was part of the original Solaris (original building sites) that constituted the City of San Francisco of Quito at the time of its foundation. The hotel has a maximum capacity of a 63 guests with only 32 suites, and has fully equipped amenities throughout the hotel without sacrificing  its traditional colonial style.

Overnight at Patio Andaluz.

Day 10 Quito

Enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery, fascinating Indian cultures and specialized artisan villages as you travel across the northern Andean highlands to the famous market town of Otavalo. Allow yourself to browse, bargain, and enjoy the visual feast of an Indian market in Otavalo. Afternoon, return to Quito.

Overnight at Patio Andaluz.

Day 11 Quito

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Departure tax is not included in the tour price ($44.30 per person).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) .

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