Day 1: Quito, Ecuador
Arrive in Ecuador’s capital and transfer to the Hilton Colon.

Day 2: Quito / Galapagos – North Seymour
Fly to the Galapagos, where we meet our Expedition Leader and begin our exploration of the islands with a boat excursion to North Seymour. The island is home to nesting colonies of magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies, and land iguanas, up to three feet long.

Day 3: Santa Cruz
Today we visit Tomas de Berlanga School, a model for environmental education for Galapagos children, and learn about sustainable farming at the Lava Java coffee plantation in the lush highlands. At the Tortoise Reserve, we’ll observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Camp beneath the stars this evening at our comfortable permanent tented camp.

Day 4: Puerto Ayora
Near the laid-back town of Puerto Ayora, we hike through a palo santo forest to Tortuga Bay. Watch for pelicans, white egrets, oystercatchers and blue herons as we swim and snorkel from a pristine beach. At the Charles Darwin Research Station we tour the world-famous giant tortoise-rearing center, where we’ll see baby tortoises and learn about efforts to conserve the islands’ iconic denizens. In Puerto Ayora we stay opposite the harbor, steps from the craft shops and open-air cafés in town.

Day 5: Las Plazas
A short cruise across a turquoise channel brings us to the tiny island of South Plaza. Bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs speckle the black lava, while land iguanas rest among prickly pear cactus. We follow a gradual trail to the top of the steep cliffs where swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropic birds nest. The view is magnificent, and we may spot manta rays in the ocean below.

Day 6: Floreana
This morning we travel by speedboat to Floreana. Few visitors to the Galapagos

have the opportunity to stay in such an undeveloped location, once the refuge of pirates, whalers and convicts as well as a small band of colonists who eked out a Robinson Crusoe-like existence. Floreana offers some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos, and we’ll have a chance to swim with sea lions. We may also see sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and golden rays.

Day 7: Isabela
Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos, formed when several volcanoes merged into a single landmass. We stay in Puerto Villamil, a fishing village flanked by clear lagoons where penguins and flamingos frolic. Here, we’ll enjoy an array of activities: swimming at Playa Chica’s beautiful white-sand beach, exploring lava tunnels, and walking to the top of Cerro Orchilla to survey the entire coastal wetland system.

Day 8: Isabela
For avid hikers, there’s an optional excursion around the rim of Volcan Sierra Negra. This challenging hike allows a chance to peer into the vast caldera of the volcano, one of the largest in the world. Others will visit Las Tintoreras, to snorkel with sea lions and see white-tip reef sharks. This is also a breeding site for a large colony of marine iguanas. This evening we enjoy a special farewell dinner together.

Day 9: Isabela / Quito
We return to Santa Cruz by speedboat, then transfer to the airport. After arriving at our hotel in Quito, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10: Depart Quito
Transfer to the airport for flights home or onward excursions to Machu Picchuor the Amazon rainforest.

Hilton Colon Our hotel for time spent in Quito is the Hilton Colon. Built as a luxury hotel in the financial district of Quito, it is fifteen minutes from the airport. Upon arrival you will be greeted by the hotel’s grand foyer and reception desk with a view of the lush park right outside the windows. The hotel has 399 rooms and suites, with air conditioning, hair dryers, and safety boxes along with many other amenities to make your stay comfortable. The Hilton also has three restaurants to choose from and a fitness room and pool in case you have any free time on your hands. There are historical sites and areas of interest just a few blocks from the hotel and other sites, such as the Otavalo Market are outside of Quito. Towering mountains and volcanoes surround Quito. Quito’s rich history and historical landmarks earned the city the distinction as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. If time allows, a city tour is a must as you discover one of South America’s most beautiful capital cities at 9,000 feet in altitude.
Galapagos Land Based Lodges Galapagos Islands, Ecuador                             The accommodations on this land-based Galapagos adventure have been chosen for their remote authenticity and comfort. From the highlands of Santa Cruz where we stay at the secluded and luxurious Royal Palm, to our relatively isolated accommodations along the ocean in Floreana and Isabela, to the quaint lodge in the harbor town of Puerto Ayora, these accom­modations will greatly add to the experience of your land-based Galapagos adventure.