Quito and Galapagos wildlife cruise

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Quito 
• 6 nights Galapagos cruise 
• 1 night Quito 

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. You'll arrive in Quito later the same day, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for two nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 2: Quito 

Spend the day exploring Quito - you'll be picked up by your guide to discover the highlights of the city centre. Stroll through Independence Square where can admire the statues and architecture before wandering through Old Town. Here you can gaze up at the Presidential Palace and the Jesuit church, where the gilded walls are carved from volcanic stone and covered in gold leaf. You'll explore the market, soaking up the everyday life of Quito and enjoying a spiritual cleansing by a local practitioner before arriving at El Panecillo, where the Winged Virgin of Quito statue overlooks the city and surrounding volcanoes. 

In the afternoon, you'll head out of the city to the Middle of the World, where you'll be able to stand on the Equator and learn about the history of longitude and latitude in South America. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Fly to the Galapagos Islands

On arrival in the Galapagos Islands, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to the jetty where you will board your boat. You’ll be spending the next week onboard the Treasure, a first class catamaran with just 16 guests on board. This spectacular boat has been built specifically for exploring the Galapagos Islands, with minimum impact on the local ecosystems. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, with private balconies, air conditioning and a hot tub on deck, perfect for a relaxing evening under the stars. Enjoy sensational food al fresco on deck while you discuss the fantastic wildlife you’ve spent the day discovering.

Included: Internal flight, transfers, cabin onboard the Treasure catamaran

Days 4 - 8: Galapagos Islands

You’ll spend the next 6 days exploring the Galapagos Islands, heading around the largest island of Isabela and into the western islands. This virtually untouched corner of the archipelago is a joy to explore – look for white-tip reef sharks and eagle rays in the clear water, watch flightless cormorants on the rugged coasts of Fernandina and cross the equator as you look for dolphins leaping out of the ocean. Wildlife is never guaranteed but in the western islands you’ll have a good chance of spotting the Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos and the famous flightless cormorant. You’ll have the chance to snorkel with marine iguanas, hike across volcanic landscapes and kayak through the waves on a trip that is surely the pinnacle of wildlife experiences on earth.

Please note this is just one example of a boat and itinerary that we can offer – if you are interested in visiting other islands or have specific wildlife you’d love to see, we can find the perfect cruise itinerary for you, just ask!

Included: All meals and touring, cabin on board the Treasure catamaran                

Day 9: Fly to Quito

After breakfast, you’ll leave the boat and head to the airport for your flight to Quito, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel to check in for one night. Spend the afternoon enjoying the city - head to spectacular golden cathedral, taste the finest local chocolate or even hop on the cable car up to the top of Pichincha volcano for views over the city.

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, 4* hotel

Day 10: Depart Quito