When you arrive, a guide who speaks English will be there to meet you outside of Customs. They will have a sign with your name on it. The guide will show you where to go to meet your private driver and vehicle. They will also go with you to your accommodation to help you check in.

Quito is Ecuador’s capital and Guayaquil is its largest city and main port. The city of Guayaquil, located on the Guayas River, has a lively tropical atmosphere. During this day tour, a private guide will accompany you as you visit some of the city’s highlights, including the Malecon 2000 Boardwalk, Seminario Park, and a park that showcases life in 19th century Guayaquil. You will also have the opportunity to visit an animal rescue center that protects wildlife from the threatened dry forest habitats surrounding the city. After observing boats on the river, you will explore important structures such as the Crystal Palace, the Moorish Tower, and the Governor’s Office Building. Additionally, you will visit Santa Ana Hill, the charming neighborhood where Guayaquil originated, and witness the amusing behavior of the many tame iguanas residing in Seminario Park.

A professional driver and English speaking guide will privately transfer you between Guayaquil Airport and your hotel.

Catch a direct flight from Guayaquil to Baltra Island, which takes approximately two hours.

Every visitor to the Galapagos Islands must have medical travel insurance, which must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. You can purchase Medical Travel Insurance through Kensington Tours or independently. Please consult your Destination Expert for more details.

Your itinerary includes the mandatory Galapagos tourist transit card.

The mandatory Galapagos National Park entrance fee is also included in your itinerary. Please be aware that all Galapagos excursions are subject to change based on National Park policies, weather conditions, safety precautions, and wildlife encounters. A fuel surcharge is applicable to all Galapagos cruises and flights, and the surcharges have been included in your trip price. Please note that fuel surcharges are subject to change, and additional fees may apply at the time of travel.

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, a local representative will greet you and take you to a VIP lounge where you can prepare for your transfer to the Itabaca Channel. Enjoy water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, or using a stand-up paddleboard with your private guide. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see famous Galapagos wildlife, including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, herons, and white-tipped reef sharks. The clear water allows you to observe marine life in the shallows as you glide past red mangrove forests and lava rock cliffs. Double or single ocean kayaks are available, and life jackets are provided. A support boat will accompany you for safety and provide water, snacks, and towels. After one or two hours on the water, you will be transferred to your accommodations on Santa Cruz Island.

Begin your day by joining a private guide for a trip to El Cascajo, where you will explore a traditional farm and learn about coffee bean and sugar cane cultivation. A highlight of the visit is a tour of a handcrafted sugar cane mill and distillery, where the farmers produce sugar cane liquor. Enjoy a nutritious lunch before heading to the renowned Charles Darwin Research Center. This scientific research station serves as the hub for important conservation projects in the Galapagos Islands, and you will have the opportunity to learn about them firsthand. Take a walk through the Research Center, where you can observe the breeding of giant tortoises and the study of land iguanas. Don't miss the station's new Interpretation Center, which showcases the incredible works of local Galapagueños artists, reflecting the beauty and magic of the islands.

Begin the journey by taking a water taxi from Puerto Ayora's main pier to the "Other Side Pier." Your private guide will accompany you on an easy half-mile walk to reach Las Grietas, an impressive geological formation. Here, you will discover two massive rock walls surrounding a clear water pond, perfect for snorkeling. Take a refreshing dip, relax on the rocks, and enjoy a box lunch. Afterward, embark on a 1.5-mile walk through a deciduous forest to reach one of the most exquisite beaches in the archipelago. Follow the white sand beach for another half mile until you reach Playa Mansa, where an extraordinary kayaking experience around Tortuga Bay awaits. Conclude the day with a return to your hotel shortly after the kayaking expedition.

During your stay on Santa Cruz Island, you will have transportation provided between your accommodation and the cruise terminal. The travel time will vary depending on the location of your lodge, but on average it will take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Upon arriving at Baltra, there will be a group transfer waiting to take you to the ship.

Once aboard, take some time to settle into your stateroom and explore the ship. Your expedition will begin shortly.

After a dry landing, you will board a bus to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit a natural reserve for giant land tortoises, which are incredible creatures that can live for up to 200 years. You will also have the chance to explore lava tunnels, which were formed by volcanic eruptions over many millennia. This unique experience is not something that many people will have the chance to enjoy, and it is a fantastic way to start your expedition.

Today, discover Vicente Roca Point, a headland with two protected turquoise coves on either side. One cove is solely accessible by sea through underwater passages, making it a marine-only visitor site. This area offers excellent deep-water snorkeling due to its location in one of the world's richest marine ecosystems. In this part of the Galapagos, cold water currents from the west bring an abundant food source for marine species. The area is inhabited by red-lipped batfish, sea horses, frogfish, nudibranchs, octopi, and sun fish. Look out for dolphins, sea lions, and tunas feeding here. In the afternoon, experience a dry landing at Espinosa Point, where you can see Isabela Island across the Bolivar Channel. Marine iguanas, sea lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs can be seen mingling here. There is also the chance to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins, or the apex predator on the Islands, the Galapagos Hawk.

In the morning, you will have a wet landing at Urbina Bay, where you can see giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, take the opportunity to snorkel and see sea turtles, sea lions, and tropical fish. Depending on the season, you can also observe the diverse plant life that attracts different insects, birds, and reptiles with its beautiful colors. Explore the uplifted coral reef that formed in 1954 due to volcanic activity and enjoy the stunning view of Alcedo Volcano. Then, go to Tagus Cove to learn about how Isabela Island was formed. Walk to the salt-water Crater Lake and admire the incredible views of lava fields. Take a dinghy ride along the shoreline to see various seabirds such as the blue-footed booby, brown noddy, tern, flightless cormorant, and possibly Galapagos penguins. There will be an opportunity to snorkel here as well.

In the morning, you will arrive at a beach with black volcanic sand. The Egas Port trail is a great place to discover tidal pools in the Galapagos, which are home to fur seals and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Snorkeling here is amazing, with a variety of marine animals to see, such as marine iguanas eating algae or the possibility of spotting an octopus or squid. In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay, which is located in the southeastern part of Santiago Island. This site is known for its extensive lava flows that are believed to have formed in the late 19th century.

Before leaving your ship, take the opportunity to visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz's north side. The beach is home to two small flamingo ponds, where you can spot coastal birds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and gulls. It is also a major nesting site for sea turtles, with turtles laying eggs multiple times per season. Additionally, you can explore the remains of sunken barges from the World War II era when the United States Navy had a base on Baltra Island.

A coach will be waiting to take you to the airport for your outbound flight. The flight from Baltra Island to Quito, with a stop in Guayaquil, is approximately two hours long. Please be aware that flight rates may change without notice.

Once you arrive at Quito Airport, you will be greeted by a private driver and an English-speaking guide. They will assist you with your transfer.

In the evening, you have the option to explore at your own pace or relax at your hotel.

Quito, a city with narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed walls, boasts one of the best-preserved colonial centers in South America. The United Nations declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978, ensuring the integrity of this fascinating historic city. Join your private guide to explore the Main Plaza, where you can see the Government Palace, the gilded church of La Compañía, and other important churches from the 16th and 17th centuries. Take a stroll down La Ronda, a colonial street, to learn about traditional jobs in colonial Quito. Lastly, visit Panecillo, a hill that divides the city, to admire the famous statue Our Lady of the Panecillo and enjoy stunning views. After lunch in La Ronda, embark on a chocolate sampling experience that includes a guided tour on the history of cocoa in Ecuador. Learn about Republica del Cacao, a company focused on producing authentic chocolate and promoting sustainable cocoa production practices. This day of discovery concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.

Experience the epitome of fine dining at Zazu, a Relais & Châteaux designated restaurant. Indulge in a decadent 7-course tasting menu that showcases rare and beautiful ingredients. Chef Wilson Alpala creates contemporary cuisine with Latin American influences, presenting dishes like fish ceviche and foie gras as works of art. The restaurant's simple yet welcoming décor sets the stage for an incredible epicurean journey. Your elegant dining experience includes private round-trip transfers and English-speaking assistance for added comfort and convenience.

Travel to Quito Airport will be facilitated by your own private driver and an English-speaking guide.