The Charles Darwin Expedition (LFCDE-08)

	Duration: 8 days Departing: Daily
	Itinerary Day 1 Transfer In Day 2 Historical City Tour in Quito Day 3 - 7 The Galapagos Island Day 8 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 (Bartolome 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.

In the afternoon you will visit Bartolome Island where you can climb up a wooden staircase to the summit for a stunning view of two bays. In your way to the top you will have the possibility of admire marine iguanas and lava lizards. Among the flora you may find red mangroves and tiquilla cacti.
Later you can enjoy a beautiful beach where you can practice snorkeling and see Galapagos Penguins and sea lions. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 4 (Isabela island)

Today you will arrive to Urbina Bay, located at the foothills of volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin. After a medium walk you will admire large and colorful land iguanas, a good possibility to observe giant tortoises in the wild and flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and large marine iguanas.
Lunch will be served on board.

In the afternoon you will visit Tagus Cove a natural harbor where centuries ago pirates left their ship’s name painted on the rocks. The trail will take you to Darwin´s salt-water lagoon for an excellent view. After this visit you will have a dinghy ride that will allow you to see marine life like Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies, sally light foot crabs and pelicans. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 5 (Fernandina & Isabela Island)

In the morning you will visit Espinosa Point in Fernandina Island the youngest island in the archipelago, here you will observe marine iguanas sharing space with sally light foot crabs, also to be found flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, sea lions and mangroves extending into the sea.
Lunch will be served on board.

In your afternoon visit you will arrive to Vicente Roca Point where you will hike to the top of the volcano Ecuador for a stunning view. You can observe boobies, gulls and sea lions. Good chance for snorkeling. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 6 (Santiago Island)

Discover the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas in Santiago Island; here you will have a medium walk to find a grat spot for observing hunting herons, blue herons, oystercatchers and yellow-crowed night herons. There is a colony of fur-sea lions swimming in deep pools of cool water called grotos. Lunch will be served on board.

In the afternoon visit you will arrive to Rabida in Santiago Island with its red dark san beaches this point is considered the geographical center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks in all of the islands. Here a short trail leads to a salt-water lagoon, where you will find small colonies of flamingos. Also to be found are boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches. Accommodation (B – L – D)

Day 7 (Santa Cruz Island)

Your last day in Galapagos you will visit Santa Cruz Island where the famous Charles Darwin Station is housed, here you can admire the famous giant tortoises, and other land birds. Before you leave the islands 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 transfer to Baltra Island for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. Accommodation (B – L)

Day 8

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