Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Bienvenidos a Quito!
Begin your adventure with ease as a private driver meets you at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport and whisks you straight to your hotel. No queues, no stress — just a warm welcome and a smooth, comfortable ride. Sit back and relax as you take in your first views of Ecuador’s capital and the surrounding Andean hills unfolding beyond the window.
2 overnights at La Carlota with breakfast.
Day 2 - Walking tour of historic centre
This beautiful city, nestled high in the Andes, boasts one of the best-preserved colonial centres in South America. Its historic heart, a maze of cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, and ornate churches, was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978.
On your Quito city tour, we’ll explore the Main Plaza, home to the Presidential Palace and magnificent 16th- and 17th-century churches, including the intricately decorated La Compañía and the iconic San Francisco Monastery — begun just five days after the city’s founding in 1534.
We’ll also wander down La Ronda, Quito’s most famous colonial street, where you’ll discover the traditions, crafts, and stories that shaped life in this highland capital.
Day 3 - Galapagos Cruise
Your Galapagos adventure begins! You’ll be privately transferred from your hotel to Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport for your flight to Baltra.
Upon landing, you’ll board your comfortable cruise vessel — your home for the next five nights. With all meals included and expert-guided excursions each day, you’ll explore the extraordinary landscapes and unique wildlife of the Galapagos in depth, discovering why these islands are among the most magical places on Earth.
5 nights onboard Seaman Journey Catamaran in an ocean view suite on the main deck.
Day 4 - Mosquera Islet and North Seymour
AM: Mosquera Islet
A small, flat island between North Seymour and Baltra, Mosquera is known for its stunning contrasts — white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, lush greenery, and black lava rocks. It’s a perfect spot for landscape photography, especially in the soft morning or sunset light.
PM: North Seymour
A raised, rocky island famous for its wildlife. Watch magnificent frigatebirds nesting, blue-footed boobies performing their courtship dance, and swallow-tailed gulls perched on cliffs. Sea lions also lounge on the beach and sometimes surf the waves.
Day 5 - Genovesa and Darwin Bay
AM: Genovesa Island – El Barranco (The Cliff)
Located in southern Darwin Bay, this 1.5 km volcanic rock trail takes about two hours to explore. The fragile lava cliffs here provide perfect nesting sites for storm petrels, while short-eared owls patrol the area. Red-footed boobies — rare in the Galápagos — and masked boobies also nest here. During panga rides along the cliffs, watch for playful fur sea lions and various seabirds.
PM: Darwin Bay
Formed by a collapsed crater, Darwin Bay features a beautiful white coral beach for a wet landing. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise with red-footed and masked boobies, lava gulls, herons, and yellow warblers. Follow the trail up to the cliff’s edge for spectacular views and sightings of finches, Galapagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the mangroves below.
Day 6 - Plazas and Santa Fe
AM: Plazas Island, Santa Cruz
Part of the Islas Plazas east of Santa Cruz, this small island is home to some of the Galápagos’ most fascinating species. Discover the unique Plazas land iguanas—smaller than those on other islands—and rare hybrids of marine and land iguanas, easily spotted by their distinctive black-grey colouring and mixed features. Keep an eye out for swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, and magnificent frigatebirds nesting on the cliffs.
PM: Santa Fe Island
This mostly flat island, possibly the oldest in the archipelago, hosts unique wildlife including the Galápagos hawk, mockingbird, snake, and land iguanas. After landing on its pristine shores, you’ll likely encounter friendly sea lion colonies. Walk the trails past salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti, and don’t miss snorkelling opportunities with playful sea lions and vibrant tropical fish.
Day 7 - Land tortoises and back to Quito
AM: David Rodriguez Land Tortoise Breeding Centre
Visit this conservation centre near Cerro Colorado, dedicated to protecting San Cristóbal’s giant tortoises. Enjoy a 40-minute scenic drive from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before exploring the tortoises’ natural-like habitat. After your visit, transfer to San Cristóbal airport for your flight to the mainland.
On arrival in Quito, a private transfer will drive you to the charming Hacienda La Jimenita in the outskirts for the city for the last night.
Day 8 - Goodbye Ecuador!
A private transfer will drive you to the airport for your onward flight.
Why not extend this holiday with a few nights in the central highlands, the cloud forest or the Avenue of Volcanoes.
Or for all nature lovers, Quito is only a 30 minutes flights from Ecuador’s pristine Amazon rainforest!
- DETAILS
This itinerary costs from £3,980 per person and is based on two people sharing accommodation and services. The price includes all transfers, tours, and return flights to the Galapagos.
International flights tend to cost between £800 and £1000 per person return if booked well in advance – do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
NOTE: this is a sample itinerary on Seaman Journey, a mid-range small catamaran in the Galapagos. The specific journey in the islands will depend on the departure dates. Get in touch to enquire and find out more.
What's included?
- Prices start from £3,980 per person
- Accommodation on B&B basis based on two sharing
- Other board basis and meals as mentioned
- All transfers in private basis
- Entrance and National Park fees
- All excursions and activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Return flight to the Galapagos
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
