Wildlife of the South and Western Galapagos Islands

Arrive Quito

Today you will arrive in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the historic centre of Quito, overlooking the Plaza San Francisco. Settle into your hotel and, in the evening, head out to explore this fascinating colonial city.

Overnight: Patio Andaluz

Quito

This morning you will head out on a half day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quito. Weave your way through the streets and plazas of the Old Town and admire the characteristic colonial architecture, including the cathedral and President's palace. Much of the city is built on top of an old Inca settlement, and the influence of the indigenous cultures is also evident. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city at your leisure, or relaxing back at your hotel in preparation for your upcoming expedition.

Overnight: Patio Andaluz (B)

Quito - Galapagos Islands

This morning you will transfer to the airport for your flight to the small island of Baltra, where you will transfer to the dock and board the Natural Paradise, your home for the next week. Check in to your cabin and get acquainted with your crew and fellow passengers, before setting off on your Galapagos expedition!

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

Isabela & Fernandina Islands

After breakfast this morning, your first stop is Vicente Roca Point where you will have the opportunity to go snorkelling, looking out for sea turtles, seahorses and even the weird and wonderful Mola mola, the largest bony fish in the world. After lunch you will head to Espinosa Point, where you will embark on a short hike past marine iguana and sea lion colonies, and view the nesting site of the flightless cormorants. In the evening, enjoy dinner al fresco on the deck of your yacht.

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

Isabela Island

This morning you will head to Urbina Bay, where you will have another opportunity to snorkel alongside tropical fish, sea turtles and rays. On land, take a short hike to observe the island's giant tortoises and land iguanas. In the afternoon you will head to Moreno Point on the southwestern side of Isabela, where you can view the craters and tide pools that were formed by historic volcanic activity and are now a haven for marine wildlife. This is also a great area for birdwatching, and you may witness pink flamingos, gallinules and blue herons.

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

Isabela Island

After a leisurely breakfast on board the Natural Paradise, you will disembark on Isabela Island once more to visit the the Sierra Negra Volcano. Hiking up to the volcano's impressive caldera, you can enjoy dramatic views over the surrounding landscapes as well as abundant birdlife. From here you will head to the Wall of Tears, constructed between 1945 and 1959 by the prisoners of the islands penal colony. You will also visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre, home to more than 300 juvenile giant tortoises that are getting ready to be reintroduced into the wild.

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

Chinese Hat & Mosquera

This morning you will visit Chinese Hat Island, so-called for its distinctive conical shape. Galapagos penguins can often be seen on the rocky shoreline of the nearby Santiago Island, while sea lions can be found resting in a cove on the north shore of the island, you will have a chance to go snorkelling alongside both in the late morning. After lunch, you will sail to Mosquera Islet, a rocky reef that is home to a large population of sea lions and shorebirds. Observe the wildlife from your panga and, if you're lucky, you may even be able to observe the orcas which visit the area to hunt. Finish the day off with a sundowner up on the deck of the yacht.

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

Floreana Island

Today you will visit Floreana Island, where in the morning you will drop anchor at Post Office Bay. In the 18th century, a wooden barrel was placed here and used by whalers as an unofficial mailbox, where passing ships would collect and deliver the letters to the whalers families - sometimes as far away as Europe. The custom continues to this day, so don't forget to bring your own postcards! In the afternoon you will move on to Cormorant Point, where you will have a short hike to a saltwater lagoon to observe the resident flamingos, and swim in the crystal clear waters of the Devil's Crown, an extinct volcano just off the coast of Floreana.

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

Espanola Island

This morning you will visit Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, home to the highest rate of endemic species in the Galapagos including sea lions, hood mockingbirds, waved albatross, blue-footed and nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, Darwin's finches and marine iguanas. After lunch you will walk along the picturesque white-sand beach at Gardner Bay, where you will encounter large colonies of sea lions.

Overnight: Natural Paradise (B, L, D)

San Cristobal Island - Depart

Your final stop off in the Galapagos Islands will be at Lobos Island, named after the sea lions that come to rest on its rocky shorelines, along with bird species such as boobies, pelicans and frigate-birds. This is also one of the best sites for snorkelling with sea lions on the islands. Afterwards you will head back to the airport for your return flight to Ecuador, in time for your international flight home.