The Galapagos Explorer
A seven-night journey encompassing a luxury cruise combined with a stay in historic Quito
In Brief
| Quito - 3 nights. Galapagos cruise - 4 nights. Flight - 1 night. |
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow, via Madrid, to Quito (2,850 metres) for a three-night stay at the 4-star Hotel Grand Mercure Alameda.
Day 2 Afternoon walking tour of Quito’s historic centre explores the Spanish colonial architecture.
Day 3 Optional excursion to Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest volcanoes.
Day 4 Fly to the Galapagos and embark on the MV Galapagos Explorer II for three nights.
Day 5 Sail to Bartolomé Island with its colonies of Galapagos penguins and fur seals and in the afternoon visit Santiago Island.
Day 6 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 7 Visit North Seymour Island and this afternoon the highlands of Santa Cruz.
Day 8 Fly to Guayaquil and connect with the international flight to London or extend your cruise by three nights.
Day 9 Arrive Heathrow.
Pre-tour Extension – Amazon
Three nights on full board at Sacha Lodge, positioned beside the tranquil Lake Pilchicocha and within a 5,000-acre private ecological reserve. Accommodation is in cabins constructed from traditional materials with a high thatched roof and terrace, private facilities and fan in the Ecuadorian Amazon before returning to Quito.
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow, via Madrid, to Quito and overnight at Hotel Mercure Alameda.
Day 2 Take the 45-minute flight to Coca for lunch and a cruise on the Napo River before heading to Sacha Lodge for three nights. Access is via a raised boardwalk and canoe.
Days 3 & 4 A range of included explorations into the surrounding rainforest (poncho and boots provided).
Day 5 Fly back to Quito to join the city tour and itinerary from Day 2 above.
Extension – Galapagos
Extend your stay on the MV Galapagos Explorer II for a further three nights.
Day 8 Return to San Cristóbal to visit the sea lion beach and enjoy the birdlife of Junco Lagoon. Visit the local Interpretation Centre.
Day 9 Visit Española home to unique species, including the Española mockingbird, the giant lava lizard, the marine iguana and the waved albatross.
Day 10 Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Afternoon visit to Rabida Island.
Day 11 Visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz before disembarking for the return flight to Guayaquil to connect with the international flight to London.
Day 12 Arrive Heathrow.
