Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Upon arrival in Quito, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Situated 2,850 meters above sea level in the Andean foothills, Quito, Ecuador's capital, is renowned for its breathtaking colonial architecture and art. Founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city, Quito boasts one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas, earning it UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status in 1978.
Overnight in Quito.
Day 2: Quito Six Senses Tour
Today, you'll embark on a guided tour of Quito’s charming highlights. Visit key sites such as Independence Square, the Government Palace, the lively street of La Ronda, and some of the city’s exquisite baroque churches.
In addition to the main attractions, you’ll experience a range of activities that may vary by season. Options include visiting local markets, making and tasting empanadas or ice cream, crafting your own Panama hat with an artisan, or participating in the restoration of colonial art.
Conclude the day with a cocktail at a rooftop bar, offering stunning views of the old town and Panecillo Hill.
Overnight in Quito.
Day 3: Quito to Cotopaxi National Park
Travel south from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park, home to the world’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi (5,943 meters). Despite its altitude, the park is teeming with birdlife and diverse flora. Weather permitting, you might enjoy spectacular views of the volcano. The landscape also features other volcanoes like Rumiñahui, Pasochoa, and Sincholagua. Lunch is included at a restaurant at the mountain’s base, followed by a visit to a nearby indigenous market.
Return to your hotel in Quito for the night.
Overnight in Quito.
Day 4: Quito to the Galapagos Islands
Transfer to Quito Airport for your morning flight to the Galapagos Islands, with a stop in Guayaquil. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, your naturalist guides will meet you, collect your luggage, and transport you to Ranch Mazanillo to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Note: Before departing, you'll pass through an inspection point to prevent the introduction of foreign plants or animals and pay the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (currently US$100 per person, subject to change). The visit to Ranch Mazanillo includes a picnic lunch and a short walk before boarding the Seaman Journey, where you’ll be welcomed by the crew.
PM: Santa Cruz Highlands
Travel across Santa Cruz into the highlands, starting from the coast and ascending through agricultural lands into misty forests. Santa Cruz features all the life zones of the archipelago, ideal for birdwatching, including vermilion flycatchers and Darwin’s finches. Explore lava tubes, sinkholes, and craters to gain insight into the island’s volcanic origins.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 5: Galapagos - Fernandina Island
AM: Mangle Point, Fernandina Island
Mangle Point, off Fernandina’s eastern coast, offers excellent snorkelling and the opportunity to navigate through a mangrove forest. Expect to see penguins, sea lions, pelicans, rays, marine iguanas, and various bird species.
PM: Punta Moreno
Located on Isabela Island’s north coast between Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes, Punta Moreno features a trail along pahoehoe lava flows and coastal lagoons. Look for bird species around the lakes and mangroves, and observe three types of cacti.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 6: Galapagos - Isabela Island
AM: Urbina Bay, Isabela Island
Urbina Bay, at the base of Alcedo Volcano, is noted for a 1954 uplift that exposed coral reefs and marine life on land. Explore the area’s diverse environment, including sand, pumice, lava, coral, and vegetation. Look for flightless cormorants, pelicans, Darwin’s finches, giant tortoises, and various iguanas.
PM: Tagus Cove
Tagus Cove, west of Darwin Volcano, has a history of pirate and whaler visits. Explore volcanic rocks and a steep hike to Darwin Lake, where you might spot land birds such as finches and hawks.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 7: Galapagos - Fernandina Island
AM: Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island
Espinoza Point is known for its large marine iguana colonies and habitats of the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, and other unique species. The area is also home to sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs, with La Cumbre volcano dominating the landscape.
PM: Punta Vicente Roca
Punta Vicente Roca on the northwestern coast of Isabela Island is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and volcanic formations. The bay is a prime location for snorkelling with seahorses, sea turtles, and the mola-mola. Observe feeding frenzies involving whales, dolphins, sea lions, and various seabirds.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 8: Galapagos - Santiago Island
AM: Playa Espumilla, Santiago Island
Espumilla Beach, on Santiago Island’s northern coast, is a crucial nesting site for marine turtles. Walk through the mangrove forest to a lagoon often frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks, and common stilts.
PM: Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
Puerto Egas features a distinctive black sand beach due to volcanic tuff deposits. Explore the abandoned infrastructure from a failed salt exploitation attempt and enjoy the unique volcanic landscape.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 9: Galapagos - Rabida & Chinese Hat
AM: Rabida Island
Rabida Island is noted for its red-hued rocks and sand, a result of oxidised volcanic material. A short trail leads to a coastal lagoon with land birds such as finches, doves, and mockingbirds, and a flamingo colony.
PM: Chinese Hat
Chinese Hat, a small islet off Santiago Island’s southeastern tip, is named for its hat-like shape. It’s an excellent site to study geological features and observe sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 10: Galapagos - Santiago & Bartolome Island
AM: Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
Santiago Island, located in the Galapagos’ western central part, is known for its volcanic activity and recent lava flows. Explore reddish-yellow tuff cones amidst the lava flow and observe tiny plants growing in the fissures.
PM: Bartolome Island
Bartolome Island, across from Sullivan Bay, is famous for Pinnacle Rock and offers panoramic views of lava flows and Santiago Island. The island’s minimal vegetation includes tequila plants and lava cacti, and it’s home to a small Galapagos penguin colony.
Overnight onboard the Seaman Journey.
Day 11: Galapagos - Santa Cruz Island to Mainland
AM: Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
Bachas Beach, west of Turtle Cove, is a major sea turtle nesting site. A small lagoon behind the beach is ideal for spotting flamingos and other birds. Look for remnants of WWII-era floating docks and abandoned barges.
After the morning excursion, transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland, either to Guayaquil or Quito, depending on your onward travel plans.
**Please note: Galapagos Island itineraries are subject to change.**
