Galapagos Snapshot

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)

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)