The Galapagos Explorer
A seven-night luxury cruise combined with a stay at a 5-star hotel in historic Quito
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow, via Miami or Madrid, to Quito for a two-night stay at the Hilton Colon Hotel (Gran Hotel Mercure Alameda April 2008 onwards).
Day 2 A morning walking tour of Quito’s historic centre explores the Spanish colonial architecture.
Day 3 Fly to the Galapagos and embark on the MV Galapagos Explorer II.
Day 4 Sail to Bartolomé Island with its colonies of Galapagos penguins and fur seals and the afternoon Santiago Island.
Day 5 Explore the islands of Isabela and Fernandina with their large colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions. Pelicans, flightless cormorants and Galapagos hawks are also likely to be seen.
Day 6 Visit North Seymour Island and this afternoon Santa Cruz including a visit to a flamingo lagoon and land iguanas.
Day 7 Return to San Cristóbal to visit the sea lion beach and enjoy the birdlife of Junco Lagoon. Visit the local Interpretation Centre.
Day 8 Visit Española home to unique species, including the Española mockingbird, the giant lava lizard, the marine iguana and the waved albatross.
Day 9 Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Afternoon visit to Rabida Island.
Day 10 Visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz before disembarking for the return flight to Quito via Guayaquil. Overnight at the Hilton Colon Hotel or Gran Hotel Mercure Alameda. Alternatively join the extension as detailed below.
Day 11 Fly via Miami or Madrid to London.
Day 12 Arrive Heathrow in the morning.
Extension - Cuenca & The Devil's Nose
The legendary Devil’s Nose is Ecuador’s most famous rail journey and makes a perfect combination with colonial Cuenca. A stopover is permitted in Miami on the return
British Airways flight
Day 10 Leave the tour at Guayaquil for a fascinating 5-hour drive from tropical lowlands to the foothills of the Andes. Overnight at 3-star Hotel Abraspungo, Riobamba.
Day 11 After an early breakfast, ride the Devil’s Nose railway to descend to the plain to join the road to Ingapirca, Ecuador’s best preserved precolonial ruins and believed to have been built by the Inca King Yupanqui. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel El Dorado, Cuenca.
Day 12 A morning walking tour of old, colonial Cuenca, arguably Ecuador’s prettiest town before driving along the Tomebamba River to enjoy a scenic view from Turi. Visit a Panama hat factory, one of Ecuador’s most famous exports, before transferring to the airport for the short flight to Quito and overnight at the 4-star Grand Hotel Mercure.
Day 13 Transfer to the international airport for the flight via Miami or Madrid to London.
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