The Charles Darwin Expedition (LFCDE-07)

	Duration: 7 days Departing: Daily
	Itinerary Day 1 Transfer In Day 2 Historical City Tour in Quito Day 3 - 6 The Galapagos Island Day 7 Transfer out
	Package Descriptions

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Upon your arrival to the capital of Ecuador, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your charming hotel in Quito, where you will receive your full itinerary and information about Ecuador and your trip.

Day 2 - Quito City Tour

After breakfast, your will visit “Quito” the most beautiful and colonial city in South America declared by UNESCO part of the Cultural Heritage of mankind. Your visit starts in Ecuador’s House of Congress where you will appreciate its stone-carved facade depicting scenes from Ecuadorian history. Explore the Independence square, with the presidential palace, the city hall, the Sagrario church and the Cathedral. Visit San Francisco church and museum-monastery (1535), San Agustin monastery and the finest example of baroque art in America, La Compañía church (1605) and its breathtaking gilded altars. Visit the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez and finally, drive up to the Panecillo hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the only winged Virgin in South America. Accommodation (B)

Day 3 - Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz Island)

After an early breakfast you will transfer to the airport to take your flight to the magical Galapagos Islands. Here you will board your exclusive yacht for a small group Galapagos experience.

On your first day in Galapagos you will visit Santa Cruz Island where you will walk around the island and observe the Twin pit crater and Cerro Chato where you can admire the Giant tortoises that gave name to these islands. After Lunch at the highlands of Santa Cruz you will visit the famous Charles Darwin Station, where you can admire the famous giant tortoises, and other land birds. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 4 (Española Island)

Today you will disembark at Suarez Point. This is one of the most important sites for bird watching. Observe masked & blue footed boobies, hood mocking birds, red-billed tropic birds, Galapagos doves, hawks, swallow-tailed gulls and the largest colony of waved albatross, you will also spot large colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions. Finally you will visit the blowhole where water shoots into the air at almost 75-ft. Lunch will be served on board.

In the afternoon you will visit Gardner Bay a special site for snorkeling and swimming, with a white coral beach with a large colony of Sea Lions. You will also have the opportunity to observe Galapagos hawks, American oystercatchers, Galapagos doves, and hood mocking birds, 3 species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards and marine iguanas. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 5 (San Cristobal Islands)

In the morning you will visit Ochoa Beach at Lobos Island, a nice place where you can swim or practice snorkeling. After this visit you will arrive to San Cristobal Island, here you will visit the interpretation center where you can learn about the natural and human history of the islands. Later you will have free time at the island for shopping or walking around. In the afternoon the expedition will take you to Punta Pitt where you can hike to the top of this point, an excellent opportunity to observe important nesting sites for many sea birds including blue & red-footed boobies, masked boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. On board the yacht you will observe the Kicked rock a vertical tuff cone formation rising almost 500-ft. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 6 (North Seymour Island)

After a dry landing you will be encountered by swallow-tailed gulls and Sea Lions that will be found bodysurfing. This is also a special nesting site for blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. You will also spot marine and land iguanas.
After the visit you will transport to Baltra Island for your flight to Quito. Accommodation (B)

Day 7

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home (B)