Galapagos Cruise - Diamante

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies.

This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 10.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark / North Seymour Island - Cruise Only Starts

Depart Quito or Guayaquil this morning for your flight to Baltra. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the Diamante to begin your Galapagos cruise. Your first outing is at North Seymour Island where you observe sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

This morning, stop in Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center where scientists, park rangers and park managers work to preserve and protect the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Station is also home to a tortoise breeding and rearing center. You may also take some time to walk through town for some souvenir shopping.

This afternoon, venture to the El Chato area in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Here you may observe giant tortoises or find short-eared owls, Galapagos rails, yellow warblers, white-cheeked pintails, and the bright red male vermilion flycatcher

Day 5: Espanola Island

This morning, explore Gardner Bay where you may snorkel and take a panga ride. In the afternoon, visit Punta Suarez to look for large colonies of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatrosses, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Day 6: Floreana Island

This morning at Punta Cormorant on Floreana, you visit a lagoon home to pink flamingos followed by a visit to a beautiful white-sand beach where sea turtles nest. Later in the morning, snorkel at Devil's Crown.

This afternoon, visit the famous historic post office in Post Office Bay. In 1793 British whalers set up the Post Office barrel to send letters to and from England, and today, visitors can post their cards to anywhere in the world.

Day 7: Isabela Island

This morning at Punta Moreno on Isabela, take a hike through lava fields. See cormorants and penguins along the way. This afternoon, explore Bahia Elizabeth in the panga.

Day 8: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

Take a long walk along Urbina Bay and see land iguanas and marine iguanas, native and endemic plants and the remains of raised seabed exposing corral heads and other marine fossils. This afternoon, visit Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island. Expect to see large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants nesting, penguins, and baby sea lions.

Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

Visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island and take a coastal walk exploring the variety of marine tidal life. Later, swim and snorkel. This afternoon explore Bartholome, best known for its dramatic geological formations. Hike to the top for a panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock; later, you may swim and snorkel along its shores.

Day 10: Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Deluxe Hotel or Premium Upgrade Hotel
Disembark at Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.