6 Night Galapagos Escape Cruise and Land Tour from Quito

Arrive in Quito, Ecuador's capital city in the Andes, where guests are met and transferred to a hotel for an overnight stay. At 9,350 feet above sea level, Quito's elevation makes early arrival beneficial for acclimatization. Additional nights in Quito may also be reserved to further enhance the journey.

Fly to Baltra in the center of Galapagos, a little world unto itself in the Tropical Pacific, where you'll be welcomed by your naturalist staff as you begin exploring the islands.

Listed below is a sample of islands you may visit during your expedition. Expeditions begin and end at Isla Santa Cruz and include a careful selection of diverse islands. No two days are alike. Each itinerary offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes, and experiences. All ship itineraries are subject to Galapagos National Park regulations. Santa Fe: Snorkel and kayak in the secluded cove at Barrington Bay. On shore, a trail leads you through the largest cactus trees in Galapagos. The Santa Fe land iguana is found only on this island, where Galapagos hawks are also thriving once again. Plaza Sur: Sea lions greet you at South Plaza, an uplifted block carpeted in salt-loving succulents and teeming with wildlife, including a noisy group of bachelor sea lions and a population of land iguanas. Santiago: Hike over the smooth pahoehoe lava and admire spatter cones, little miniature hornitos, and the wild riot of black lava at Sullivan Bay, the result of an eruption recorded by passing buccaneers in 1897. Snorkel and explore by kayak and Zodiac the crystalline water surrounding Sombrero Chino. Keep a keen eye for the Galapagos penguin, sometimes spotted along the coast. Genovesa: Sail north across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galapagos, bathed in warmer tropical waters and home to the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, great frigate birds, and other nesting seabirds. Paddle and kayak along the cliffs of this flooded caldera, where Galapagos fur seals and sea lions haul out to rest. Santa Cruz: Journey to the lush, green highlands, where you'll see giant Galapagos tortoises roaming wild at a local ranch. Continue to Baltra for a flight back to the mainland.

Disembark this morning for a return flight to the mainland. In Quito there are several hotel options. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about joining a culturally rich post-voyage extension to Quito and Otavalo, a celebrated market town.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board flights home, unless you have arranged for additional nights or an extension.