Galapagos Adventure - 10 Days

Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

Sitting at high altitude under the gaze of Volcan Pichincha, Quito winds its way down a valley that drops into the Amazon Basin, a setting that makes it one of South America's most attractive cities. Take a wander through the compact Old Town and admire its myriad historical buildings or simply sit back and watch life go by in a chilled-out cafe.

Day 2 Baltra/Bachas

Located about 1,000 km off the Pacific Coast, the Galapagos were famed for their strange wildlife long before Charles Darwin's time. Board the motorised yacht that you will call home for the duration of the cruise and breathe in fresh sea air on this first stop in the Galapagos Islands.

Day 3 Genovesa

Spot colonies of red-footed and masked boobies, lava gulls and frigate birds on Genovesa. On shore look out for fur seals and marine iguanas then take to the water to explore an exotic world below the surface.

Day 4 Bartolome

An extinct volcano that has coloured volcanic formations, Bartolome is a surreal island stop. Explore the solidified lava sheets of Sullivan Bay, seeing amazing lava bubbles and the molds of tree trunks etched into their surface. Spot colourful crabs, pelicans and penguins on a hike to the summit, where a bird's eye view of the island and all the way out to San Salvador is sure to delight.

Day 5 Santa Cruz

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to inspect charts mapping the geological formations of the region and marvel at drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. After lunch visit a private tortoise sanctuary located in the inland highlands of Santa Cruz.

Day 6 Floreana

Discover the odd green beach of Punta Cormorant and sail around to Post Office Bay, a spot that mariners have relied on to deliver their letters home for hundreds of years. Passing ships would stop and leave their mail, and at the same time pick up letters destined for ports on their itineraries - a practice that continues today. Follow a trail on Floreana and walk to a lake inhabited by flamingos then to the white sands of Flour Beach. Continue on to Devil's Crown, where a submerged volcanic cone is a great snorkelling spot.

Day 7 Espanola

Chill-out on the beautiful white sand beach of Gardner Bay or take an optional clifftop hike.

Day 8 San Cristobal/Santa Fe

Call in at the San Cristobel Interpretation Center then cruise on over to Santa Fe, a tiny island brimming with land iguanas, cacti and sea birds. Learn how mangrove trees survive in such a harsh environment and hang out at a sea lion 'bachelor pad'. Explore the island's walking trails, strolling through a forest of prickly pear cactus or travelling up to the cliff-top.

Days 9-10 North Seymour/Baltra/Quito

Enjoy one last chance to see Galapagos birds on Seymour Island, maybe spotting flamboyant mating rituals or nesting couples. Bid a say goodbye to the surreal landscapes and animals of the Galapagos Islands and fly back to Quito for a night on the town, Ecuador-style.