Arrive in Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador, the capital city nestled in the Andes, or in the coastal city of Guayaquil. You'll receive a complimentary transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Both cities are well-served by international carriers, and Galapagos flights begin and end in Quito with a stop in Guayaquil. In Guayaquil, you'll stay at the Hotel del Parque, a 44-room Relais & Châteaux hotel set along the river amidst lush tropical gardens. In Quito, you can choose from several hotels, including a convenient airport hotel. You also have the option to book additional hotel nights and tours in Quito or Guayaquil.

Fly to Baltra in the center of the Galápagos, a unique world in the Tropical Pacific. You'll be welcomed by the naturalist staff and begin exploring the islands.

Listed below is a sample of islands you may visit during your expedition. Your journey begins and ends at Baltra and includes visits to Isla Santa Cruz and a carefully selected range of diverse islands. No two days are alike. Each itinerary offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes, and experiences. All ship itineraries are subject to change.

North Seymour
Look for nesting frigatebirds, land and marine iguanas, and enjoy a beautiful coastal walk.

Santa Cruz
Head to the lush, green highlands to look for giant tortoises roaming in the wild.

Isabela
Toast crossing the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, the northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you navigate these nutrient-rich waters, once the haunt of whalers and pirates.

Fernandina
Explore one of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world. Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in the Galápagos and home to the strange flightless cormorant and the largest marine iguanas.

San Cristobal
Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard, found only on this easternmost island.

Española
Visit this island in the extreme southeast of the archipelago, home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatrosses at Punta Suarez.

Floreana
Follow a trail past a rose pink-tinted lagoon frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish, or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the famous wooden barrel at Post Office Bay and learn about its unusual postal system.

Disembark this morning for your return flight to the mainland, where you will transfer to Hotel del Parque in Guayaquil. In Quito, you have several hotel options. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at leisure. You may consider taking advantage of overnight flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about joining a culturally rich post-voyage extension to Quito and Otavalo, a celebrated market town.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your flights home, unless you have arranged for additional nights or an extension.