All Galapagos cruise passengers must arrive via mainland Ecuador the day before flying to the islands. Land in Quito today, where you will transfer to your local airport hotel by shuttle. Quito is located in a huge valley of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 9,455 feet – the highest-altitude city in the world. It’s a great place to explore and learn about mainland Ecuador’s culture. (You may also choose to extend here to visit the surrounding volcanic portion of the Andes mountain range.) Alternatively, if you are concerned about altitude, you may arrive via Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, located on the coast. There are fewer appealing attractions in Guayaquil, but the city is at sea level.

Finally, today, travel to the Galapagos! In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport to collect your tickets for your flight to the islands, which is likely to route via Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, the crew will escort you to your anchored yacht. When all of your fellow passengers have arrived, raise anchor and depart for an incredible week of exploration. Lunch will be on board today, as will all meals for the rest of the trip.

Within a few hours, reach Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (Spanish for sleeping lion), a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rising 500 feet from the ocean. Erosion has split the rock, providing a spectacular backdrop for photographs at sunset. As you circumnavigate the formation, you’ll easily spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigatebirds on the cliffs. After a briefing on activities for the following day, join the Captain and crew for a welcome cocktail reception.

Throughout the rest of the trip, you can expect the vessel to travel in the evening and into the nighttime hours. The captain will work with your guides to position the boat for the next morning’s excursions. As you travel northward tonight, you will cross the equator.

Spend the entire day today on Genovesa (Tower Island), considered to be one of the most spectacular islands in all of the Galapagos for its variety and sheer number of birds. This morning, have a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps. Red-footed boobies nest here in Palo Santo trees, and Nazca boobies nest near the trail. In an open lava field, find storm petrels in large numbers. If you are lucky, you will see the elusive short-eared owl. Look for the beautiful Red-billed Tropicbird, found in the crevices along the cliff, by kayak or Zodiac.  After a BBQ lunch and a demonstration on how to make ceviche, you’ll have the option to explore the cliff up close by kayak, on stand-up paddleboards, or on a deep water snorkeling excursion.

This afternoon, you’ll land at Darwin Bay, a gorgeous coral sand beach. Here, you’ll see both swallow-tailed gulls and lava gulls gathered near the tide pools. A forest of Opuntia cactus and mangroves provides shelter for the Great frigate birds. Males looking to attract mates inflate their red pouches on their chests. Round out the afternoon by relaxing on the beach, or choose to swim with friendly, playful sea lions in these warmer northern waters. When you return to the yacht, you’ll have a short briefing followed by a delicious dinner. If the night is clear, take a stroll out on deck and see a sky full of bright stars. Your guides can point out constellations and help you identify the species of birds flying alongside the yacht.

This morning, you will visit Las Bachas, Spanish for “The Barges.”  There is a long stretch of soft, white sand beach and interior lagoons where you’ll find the greater flamingo. The snorkeling from the beach here is wonderful. Located on the northern tip of Santa Cruz is Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). Along the trail, you’ll find Darwin Finches, Galapagos Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers, Audubon Shearwaters, and endemic land iguanas, orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs, which were once part of the Darwin Station’s breeding research program. In the nearby saltwater lagoon, you’ll find pink flamingos, stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, and more. From the top of the hill, enjoy a majestic view of the bay island covered in Opuntia cactus, Palo Santo, and Cordia Lutea. After this evening’s briefing and dinner, sail toward the western islands and cross the equator line for the second time.

This morning, at Punta Vicente Roca, a Zodiac ride offers an incredible view of the tuff walls. Enter a wave-sculpted cave and find sea turtles who frequent this area. You may also spot the dorsal fin of a Mola Mola, a giant sunfish.  Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel in this remarkable spot. After lunch,  cross the Bolivar Channel, where you’ll often spot whales and dolphins riding the ship’s bow wave. Disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island, where you will find four miles of coastal seabed with remnants of marine life exposed to the air by a 1954 volcanic eruption. While here, you are likely to see land iguanas, marine iguanas, finches, and occasionally giant tortoises. Brown pelicans and flightless cormorants also nest here. You may also encounter penguins while snorkeling! Return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.

This morning, disembark by wet landing at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine Island in the Galapagos. Relatively recent lava flows from an active volcano stretch their way around the coast. Hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territories. Flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, and Galapagos hawks fly overhead. There is a chance to snorkel here with sea turtles.

After lunch back on the boat, land at Tagus Cove, also located on the western Island of Isabela. This was a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Old graffiti dating back to the 1800’s is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore the surrounding coves by zodiac or kayak to find Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans, and other seabirds. An uphill hike brings you to a saltwater lagoon, a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava fields, and volcanic formations. End the afternoon with an opportunity to snorkel, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. After dinner, a sky full of stars beckons as you cross the equator for the last time.

This morning, disembark on Rabida Island, home to the most diverse volcanic rocks of all the islands. Rabida is considered the geographic center of the Galapagos. Its signature dark red sand beach resulted from the erosion of volcanic stones. Follow a trail that leads to a saltwater lagoon, and observe greater flamingos as they feed. Brown pelicans nest in the mangroves at the far side of the lagoon. After the walk, there will be time for snorkeling.

This afternoon, arrive by wet landing at Puerto Egas on Santiago. Stroll along the shoreline looking for octopus, starfish, and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers, and yellow-crowned night herons. End at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you’re likely to encounter shy fur sea lions, once on the verge of extinction.

When you wake up this morning, your yacht will be one of dozens anchored in the lively harbor of Academy Bay. You’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz  Island, the social heart of the Galapagos, with a population of 24,000 residents. This morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and its Fausto Llerena breeding center, where you’ll learn about ongoing conservation efforts. You’ll see hatchlings and miniature tortoises that will be repatriated to their natural environs when grown. The newest exhibit honors Lonesome George, the famous last tortoise from the Pinta Island subspecies who died in 2012. With his subspecies now extinct, Lonesome George has become a worldwide icon, emphasizing the importance of efforts to preserve and protect endangered wildlife. You will also learn about Diego, a saddleback tortoise with a more hopeful story, whose species was reduced to 14 individuals before he was transported from the San Diego Zoo and fathered hundreds of descendants. All travelers in the Galapagos, regardless of itinerary, have the opportunity to visit the Darwin Station to learn about its research and conservation efforts and about Charles Darwin’s significant legacy.

Return to the yacht for lunch and later board a bus for a short ride to the highlands of Santa Cruz where you will walk through a lava tunnel, a hollow formation created when lava on the earth’s surface cools and hardens while molten lava continues to flow in the middle. Your next stop will be Los Gemelos (The Twins), a pair of large, deep craters with vibrant plant life at higher elevation. Then, visit Rancho Primicias, a privately-owned hacienda where giant tortoises – some weighing over 500 pounds – roam freely in their natural habitat, feeding or resting in shallow pools. Return to the yacht by zodiac for a delicious multi-course farewell dinner and goodbye presentation from the crew.

Today, on your final day in the Galapagos, drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, and disembark after breakfast. Visit the Giani Arismendy Environmental Interpretation Center, which was opened in 1999. Here, you will fill in any remaining gaps in your understanding of the natural and human history of the Galapagos Islands. Afterward, spend some time in town before heading to the airport for your noontime flight back to the mainland, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel or connect with your onward flight home.

Or – if you seek even more adventure – extend to explore the mainland with a visit to an indigenous trip along the Amazon River or a trek in the Andes mountains. Ecuador has so much to explore!