GTMT-107A – QUITO & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Two Days Quito – Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury Boutique Hotel
Five Day Galapagos Cruise – M/V Santa Cruz – Western Islands Itinerary – Thursday to Monday
Six Days / Five Nights Tour Program
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Wednesday – Arrival in Quito
Assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel in Quito
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury Room
DAY 2: Thursday – Quito / Galapagos Islands
Private transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to Galapagos.
Baltra Island
We arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II where we receive our welcome introductory briefing, boat drill and lunch.
Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island)
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). The first part of our walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks and American flamingos and land iguanas.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3: Friday – Galapagos Islands
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
After breakfast, we explore the coast by panga, while our naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area, a nesting place for several Galapagos highlights: flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, boobies, etc.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina, which, having no introduced mammals, boasts a very unique environment with a very high density of marine iguanas, sea lions, hawks, penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4: Saturday – Galapagos Islands
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
In the morning, we disembark (dry landing followed by a brief bus ride) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest, home to many land birds.
Santa Cruz Island
We have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5: Sunday – Galapagos Islands
Baroness Tower – Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)
After breakfast, panga ride along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can be enjoyed. We follow this visit by continuing to Baroness Cove with its breathtaking views of Floreana and visit the historic Post Office.
Champion Islet – Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Following lunch and a siesta, we take the pangas and glass-bottom boat to explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcano, regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago. From there, it’s on to Punta Cormorant to view American flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6: Monday – Depart Galapagos Islands
Baltra Island
We disembark at Baltra Island in order to transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil or your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
