7-Day Quito–Galapagos Central & Northern Cruise (A)

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will meet with your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.

Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire before being destroyed and re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534.

The colonial center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978, is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

Overnight Wyndham Garden or similar.

After breakfast, you will have a half-day city tour where you can choose a visit to the Historical Center, the Equator Line, or the Teleferico.

“Equatorial line” complex. Its monument is located at the latitude 0º 0´0″ and provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to straddle both hemispheres or hop between the two in the blink of an eye.

The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants. The site occupies an important place in the solar-based Andean cosmovision since ancient Andean people were aware of its significance many thousands of years ago. The Ethnographic Museum at the complex provides a fine overview of Ecuador’s varied cultures and geography.

The largest historical center in the Americas, in a unique adventure, the route takes us along the street of the Seven Crosses. Enjoy the view of the old colonial houses and the facades of the churches, before entering Quito’s Main Square, known as Independence Square, which is located at the Government Palace.

Enjoy a scenic ride up the Teleférico to one of the highest viewpoints in Quito. As you ascend the slopes of Rucu Pichincha, the city unfolds beneath you with breathtaking panoramic views of the Andes. At the top, take time to explore the trails, breathe the fresh mountain air, and capture incredible photos of Quito’s dramatic landscape. A short but memorable experience that lets you see the capital from an entirely new perspective.

Overnight Wyndham Garden or similar.

After breakfast, a representative of the staff will pick you up from the hotel in order to take at the airport. Your journey begins with a flight to this remarkable archipelago. Upon arrival, our VIP representatives will assist you with all entry formalities, including the migration card ($20) and the National Park fee $200 for adults (as of September 2024) and Children $100 under 12 years old. After a brief biosecurity clearance, your personal naturalist guide will greet you and escort you to our private transport.

While our crew handles your luggage, you’ll be transferred to the Seaman Journey via our comfortable tender boat, known locally as a “panga.” This short scenic ride delivers you directly to your boutique yacht, where our crew awaits with refreshments to welcome you aboard. We’ve arranged every detail to ensure your arrival is seamless and comfortable, allowing you to begin your Galapagos adventure in style.

PM: BARTOLOME ISLAND

Bartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an altitude of 114 meters (approximately 375 feet), from where we can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Galapagos Islands, featuring Volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba-formed pinnacle eroded by the sea.

It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles can be spotted alongside sea lions, and at the base of the pinnacle, there is a tiny colony of Galapagos penguins.

AM: MOSQUERA ISLET 

Located between North Seymour and Baltra, Mosquera Islet is one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos. It is of volcanic origin, formed by geological uplift, has no visible crater, and its terrain is very flat.

One of the most striking features of Mosquera is the contrast of colors. A beautiful beach of white sand, transparent turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, and jet-black lava rocks. Landscape photography is highly recommended here, especially in the golden light conditions of early morning or at sunset.

PM: NORTH SEYMOUR

This remarkably elevated island offers an easy, level walking experience across a pristine landscape. Here, nature provides an intimate theater of Galapagos wildlife. Watch magnificent frigatebirds nesting among the low shrubs, their males displaying their brilliant red throat pouches, while charming blue-footed boobies perform their delightful courtship dances a few feet from the trail.

Along the shoreline, playful sea lions ride the waves, while elegant swallow-tailed gulls perch gracefully on the cliffs. Our expert guides will lead you along well-maintained paths, ensuring comfortable viewing of these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

Your visit can be as active or relaxed as you prefer, with ample opportunities to observe and photograph from convenient resting spots.

AM: GENOVESA, ISLAND EL BARRANCO – THE CLIFF 

El Barranco offers an enchanting morning exploration along Darwin Bay’s southern edge. This 1.5 km trail traverses volcanic terrain and typically requires two hours at a leisurely pace. The path reveals one of Genovesa’s most remarkable bird sanctuaries, where red-footed and masked boobies nest in proximity.

In the cliffs’ natural cavities, observe fascinating storm petrels and their primary predator, the short-eared owl. The dramatic coastline can be admired both from the trail and during a comfortable panga ride, where you might spot fur sea lions resting on the rocks.

Note: This is one of only five locations in the archipelago where the red-footed booby nests, making it a particularly special destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

PM: DARWIN BAY

This bay originated when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This island is a favorite destination for birdwatchers, allowing the observation of several species, including red-footed boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned and black-crowned lava herons, and yellow warblers.

Continuing on the trail, visitors can see Red-Footed nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Birdwatching opportunities include sightings of sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls. Alongside the trail, there are tidal pools, where you can observe coastal and sea birds like night herons, as well as playful sea lions. It is also a very good snorkeling spot to encounter marine life like small reef-trip sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of colorful fish. Sea Kayaking is also possible.

AM: PLAZAS ISLANDS

South Plazas is located to the east of Santa Cruz Island and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands.

Throughout the island, there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. They are unique, recognisable at first glance by their black/gray colour, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tunas, their favourite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

PM: SANTA FE

After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in proximity to one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant prickly pear cacti: gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities for snorkelling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant prickly pear cacti: gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities for snorkelling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Your final morning in the Galapagos features a visit to the prestigious David Rodriguez Tortoise Center, a conservation jewel dedicated to protecting San Cristóbal’s native giant tortoises. Named after a devoted park ranger who served these islands for 39 years, this sophisticated breeding facility plays a crucial role in preserving these magnificent creatures.

Located in a serene setting near Cerro Colorado, the center is a 40-minute scenic drive from the port through the island’s highlands. Here, you’ll witness the remarkable Chelonoides chathamensis tortoises in a carefully designed natural habitat. The facility, established in 2002 and refined over the years, represents the pinnacle of conservation excellence in the Galapagos.

Following this memorable encounter, our staff will ensure a seamless transfer to San Cristóbal airport for your departure flight.