Latin America / Ecuador
Galapagos Small Ship Adventure Cruise
Small Ship Cruise, Zodiac Excursions, Hiking, Sea Kayaking, and Snorkeling
Explore the islands that inspired Darwin. Experience wildlife that doesn't fear people and is so diverse and abundant you'll have to watch your step to avoid disturbing a napping sea lion or resting iguana!
Day 1: Guayaquil
Arrive in Guayaquil and transfer to the Hotel Hilton Colón for the evening.
Day 2: Santa Cruz Island
This morning we fly to the Galápagos! Upon arrival we immediately board ship and sail to Santa Cruz Island for a magnificent introduction to the wildlife of Galapagos. Spend the afternoon exploring mangrove-flanked channels and the shoreline of Cerro Dragon looking for land iguanas, sea lions, a variety of birds and schools of golden rays.
Days 3-8: Galapagos Islands
While our exact routing depends on the permit from the Galápagos National Park Service, we are likely to visit these islands:
Bartolomé
Explore this enchanting landscape where lava, mangroves and golden sand converge. Great walks and views plus a chance to snorkel with penguins--a tropical oxymoron!
Santiago
Provides a chance to see the Galápagos fur seal along with some of the best "tide pooling" in the islands.
Santa Cruz
Center of Galápagos administration as well as the Charles Darwin Research Center. Here we learn about their vital preservation work then head up into the highlands to roam the moss-draped landscape where wild giant tortoises often forage.
Isabela
We anchor off the picturesque port of Puerto Villamil and walk the streets of this small town visiting the nearby saltwater lagoons which are home to flamingos. We visit the tortoise breeding center and also explore Isabela's caves and shoreline, searching the waters for dolphins, whales, sea turtles and the elusive ocean sunfish--the mola-mola.
Fernandina
We explore Punta Espinoza, a marine iguana heaven, with Isabela's volcanoes as a dramatic backdrop.
Floreana
Here is a fabulous snorkeling site and home to a large colony of sea lions. There is nothing more delightful than an hour spent in the clear waters with these creatures! Hike to a lovely white sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.
Española
We snorkel and stroll the island's lovely beaches. Blue-footed boobies, sea lions galore and marine iguanas with particularly vivid coloration are found here. And the waved albatross (mid-April through mid-December) is exclusively found on Espanola.
Days 9-10: Guayaquil
We disembark and fly back to Guayaquil. The late afternoon and evening are free to explore the city. The following morning we transfer to the airport for flights home.
The itinerary above describes the Enchanted Isles 10-day departures. See the drop down menu above for the dates and prices of the Land of the Incas, a Galapagos expedition which includes a 6-day extension to Cusco, Peru, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The itineraries for both versions are available from the Detailed Itineraries link above.