Galápagos Family Adventure

Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and take the rest of the evening to rest and acclimatize.

After breakfast, embark on a tour of the Ecuadorian capital. Starting at Independence Square, we see the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and the Municipal Palace. Continue to La Compañía Church, a Jesuit church bathed in gold leaf from tip-to-toe, and San Francisco Church and Monastery with its baroque church and museum of colonial religious art. Also visit Basilica del Voto Nacional, which features gargoyles representing indigenous fauna, such as condors, alligators, and Galápagos tortoises. After lunch at Casa Gangotena, return to our hotel for an afternoon of rest. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner in our hotel.

This morning, depart for Mindo where we explore the Ecuadorian cloud forest. Visit a butterfly farm, stop at the Orchid Garden with its private collection of native orchid species including several endangered plants. Continue to the Intiñan Equator Museum, dedicated to physics, folklore, and culture. Return to our hotel this evening for dinner.

Transfer to the airport for our flight to Baltra Island. Upon arrival, transfer to the Itabaca Channel, taking a small ferry across the channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. From there, travel to the highlands and learn about Santa Cruz’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to a reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Later, drive to Puerto Ayora to board our ship.

After breakfast, take a panga ride to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, as well as reef sharks and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, to ride in the glass-bottom boat. The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning due to its variety of volcanic debris, including cinder cones, tuff cones, and semi-eroded lava flows. In the afternoon, head to Chinese Hat Islet, located off the coast of Santiago and formed only recently. Wander along the crescent-shaped, white sandy beach. Swim or snorkel in the cove amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins. Learn how the Humboldt current carried a flock of Humboldt penguins from southern South America to make a new home amid the volcanic sanctuary of the archipelago as the Galápagos penguin.

This morning, a Galápagos icon awaits: Bartolomé Island. Begin the day with a steep climb up a wooden staircase for stunning views. Following the walk, we ride by dinghies around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to enjoy the beach, snorkel, or ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. After lunch, go ashore on Santiago Island at Sullivan Bay, a white coral sand beach great for swimming and snorkeling. Take in the volcanic origin of Galápagos as we walk across a lava field that flowed here less than 130 years ago. Later tonight, we sail north and cross the Equator.

Awake this morning at Genovesa Island, known as “bird island.” In the morning, enjoy aquatic activities from the beautiful white coral beach before taking an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds. Our anchorage location provides great views of the collapsed caldera of this once active volcano. In the afternoon, disembark for a climb to the top of the island and then across to the other side where we observe large colonies of Nazca and red-footed boobies and frigate birds. Keep a lookout for the diurnal short-eared owl, often hunting down flocks of storm petrels that swoop in the winds.

Bid farewell to the Galápagos Islands this morning and head to the airport for our flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, check in to our hotel to rest and enjoy dinner on our own. Return to the airport later this evening for late-night departures.