Galapagos Islands

Today, you’ll be picked up from your hotel. First, you’ll be driven to the colonial center of Quito. The guide will tell us all about the history of Ecuador and Quito, the Inca Empire, Spanish invasion and the independence period as you pass some of the most famous squares, churches and colonial buildings in the capital. From the foot of the angel on top of the Panecillo hill, you get a fantastic view across the city.

You will then continue to the Mitad del Mundo (centre of the earth). This monument marks the spot that in 1736 Charles-Marie de la Condamine declared to be the equator, according to his measurements. It is possible to see how water drains clockwise on one side of the equator and anti-clockwise on the other. You then drive back into Quito. (B)

A small island, Plaza Sur nonetheless possesses abundant life and beauty. From your dry landing, you walk among resting sea lions and on trails that get you amid one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations, resting in the cacti and volcanic landscapes coloured bright red and green by sesuvium. The island’s rugged southern cliffs are an excellent place to spot tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as ‘the gentlemen’s club’, a gathering of male sea lions either too young or too old to be ‘beachmasters’! Your afternoon stop is Santa Fe, located 2 ½ hours southeast of Santa Cruz. This small island offers a dense concentration of wildlife, and is a fantastic place to see many of the stars of the Galapagos in one, relatively small area. Expect to see the Galapagos hawk, land Iguanas, a variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird, sea lions, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. It’s a naturally beautiful island as well, with one of the most attractive coves in the archipelago, the waters jade green and wonderful for snorkelling. Your trail follows the coast into the Opuntia Forest Santa Fe's trees are the largest in the Galapagos. Hiking into the island you can see a forest of giant cacti and palo santo trees. (BLD)

This morning you visit the island of Floreana in the south of the archipelago. It’s one of the most beautiful islands and is also interesting in terms of human history as it was one of the earliest to be inhabited. In 1793 a post office barrel was erected for mariners to post their mail and assist in delivery of mail to the United States and Europe. This custom continues today with Galapagos visitors leaving letters and postcards to be collected by the next passing boat – send one of your own and check if there are any you can deliver back home! Afterwards you explore the island’s magnificent geography, with particularly impressive lava tubes found a little inland from Post Office Bay. The marine life in the bay is also spectacular and is one of the best sites for swimming with turtles. The wet landing at Punta Cormorant leads to a hike that reveals the wonderful and unusual colours present in nature in the Galapagos. You land on a greenish-coloured sand beach and then hike a well-marked trail beginning in black mangrove beds before heading towards a lagoon where many flamingos gather - their vivid pink contrasting splendidly against the water. The island’s endemic plant life here is also noteworthy and, on your walk, you pass Galápagos millwork, passion flower and the unique button mangrove. Just off Floreana’s northeast tip is the Devil’s Crown, a ringed craggy outcrop of volcanic rocks that is undoubtedly as fine a snorkelling site as any in the Galapagos. Tropical fish surround you as you swim in the water, while starfish line the seabed and playful sea lions approach you. Whitetip reef sharks are often spotted here as are rays, turtles and many other species of marine life. Mirador de la Baronesa is located north of Floreana Island, in Bay La Olla. It is a tuff basalt formation between Cormorant Point and Post Office Bay. The ascent of the trail is fairly easy, except for the last 33 metres where the gradient is steep; however, steps have been built in this final stretch. The panga ride to the Mirador is excellent for viewing marine life with opportunities to see golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions and Galapagos penguins. As you walk the trail, your guide informs you of the interesting mangrove formations nearby as well as the important human history of the area. From the viewpoint, the sweeping views take in the coastline from Enderby Island to Post Office Bay, including Cerro Straw and the pool of flamingos at Punta Cormorant. (BLD)

Today you visit some great sites on and around Santiago Island. You start at Puerto Egas, a black sand beach located on the west side of James Bay. South of the beach is Sugarloaf Volcano, which has deposits of volcanic tuff. The walk along the beach gives you many encounters with the locals: hundreds of marine iguanas, fur seals and sea lions, and you also

see amazing tidal pools formed from ancient lava flow, home to sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish. your next stop, Espumilla Beach, is a well-known beauty spot. Located on Santiago Island’s northern coast, in James Bay, this idyllic beach is an important nesting site for sea turtles. Nearby are fine lava formations, and the beach is backed by mangrove, through which a short trail leads to a lake where flamingos, pintail ducks and stilts can be seen. Turtle nests are often found under the mangrove trees in the sand. your third site for the day is Caleta Bucanero (Buccaneer Cove), a natural monument of rocks caused by sea erosion, and a place of local legends and stories, where pirates used to careen their ships, and where later Darwin camped for a few days while making his study of the islands and its wildlife. (BLD)

North Seymour is probably one of the Galapagos’ most visited islands. A short loop takes one along the sandy beach with good views of Daphne Major and Minor. The trail takes you inland into a palo santo forest and low, bushy vegetation. Enjoyable for both its wildlife and views from the beach, the island is also the nesting ground for the magnificent frigate bird. Also look out for blue-footed booby, sea lion and marine iguana. You then cruise back to Baltra, where you say goodbye to the amazing Galapagos Islands and take your return flight to Quito. As you will be leaving the boat today, Please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline you recommend each passenger consider US$10 per day for the crew and US$6 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last day of your journey. On arrival in Quito you are met and transferred to your hotel for you last night. Hotel – 1 night (B)