Itinerary
Day 1 Quito
Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Located at 2,850 meters above sea level and surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world. Listed on the World’s Heritage for its fine collection of colonial architecture. The old town is an area of preserved colonial churches, monasteries, museums, and white-washed buildings with red-tiled roofs. The modern city reflects the rapidly growing Latin American city, and is a vibrant center of commerce replete with high rises, bustling sidewalks and traffic. Overnight at selected hotel.

Day 2 Otavalo
Today, we are met and transferred through lush fertile farmland and breathtaking mountain landscape towards the Otavalo Valley. Otavalo Indians are the most ambitious and prosperous of the Indian groups in Ecuador; they have not lost their tribal identity and traditions. On this tour, we visit different towns, each of them with a specialty; San Antonio de Ibarra and its wood workshops, leather goods at Cotacachi, and charming and colorful bread dough figures at Calderon. We will enjoy lunch at a local Hosteria. Late afternoon return to Quito. Overnight at selected hotel. (B)

Day 3 Galápagos – Baltra Island/North Seymour
Early transfer to the airport for flight to the Galápagos Islands located 620 miles off Ecuador’s Pacific coast. Upon landing in Baltra, guides will meet and led us to the point of embarkation to begin our cruise of the Galápagos Islands aboard the M/V Legend. Following lunch North Seymour Island will be our first stop. After a dry landing, we will encounter Swallow Tailed Gulls and Sea Lions. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony for Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird. We will also spot endemic species of iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Overnight aboard the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Galapagos – Genovesa Island
Today will be spent entirely on Genovesa Island, one of the most spectacular in the Galápagos Archipelago. Wet landing at the coral beach of Darwin Bay. This bay is actually the caldera of a partially submerged volcano and the surrounding cliffs were formed by the ancient volcano’s rim. We walk along a marked trail that wind around tide pools populated by swallow-tailed and lava gulls. We’ll enter a forest of mangroves where colonies of great frigate birds and red footed boobies nest. Time for swimming or optional sea kayaking. Continuing by Panga, we disembark at Prince Philip’s Steps and climb the rock staircase. The trail continues to open lava fields, where we should see groups of storm petrels and perhaps their greatest predator, short-eared owls. With luck this can be our first sighting of fur seals. Overnight aboard the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Galapagos – Espanola & San Cristobal Island
This morning, we arrive at Punta Suarez with a dry landing. Aside from the sea lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As we disembark, many species can be spotted up close, such as the hood mocking bird and red billed tropic birds. We will also find large marine iguanas. After a short walk, we run into colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. Also find Galápagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds, we reach the world colony of waved albatross (approximately 15,000), all coming to the Galápagos for mating rituals. Finally, a visit to the blowhole, where water shoots almost 75 feet in the air. After lunch, we have a dry landing at Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island and visit the Interpretation Center. Here, we learn about the natural and human history of the islands. Overnight on board the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Galapagos – Santa Cruz / Bartolome Island
Today, we arrive at Black Turtle Cove in Santa Cruz Island. We board a Panga for a ride though the mangrove, to observe Sea Turtles, white Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays. Afternoon dry landing on Bartolome Island, which has a moon like scenery because of volcanic lava formations. Here we have a steep hike to the summit for an impressive view of the Islands including the Pinnacle rock, an eroded tuff cone. Among the flora, we might find red mangroves, tiquilla, and cacti. Later time for snorkeling and may see Galápagos penguins, marine tortoises, and white-tipped sharks. Overnight aboard the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Galapagos – Fernandina & Isabela Island
After breakfast, we visit Punta Espinosa, at Fernandina Island to observe the largest colony of marine iguanas. In Fernandina at least ten volcano eruptions have been recorded since 1813. Among the flora there are Brachycereus cactus, pahoehoe, and mangroves extending to the sea. After lunch, we visit Isabela Island the largest island in the Galapagos. We dry land at Tagus Cove to see the largest population of Giant Tortoises (about 4000, but difficult to spot). A trail leads us to Darwin's salt water lagoon, frequently Galapagos Penguins are seen at this site, also a graffiti dating back to the 1800's. Overnight aboard the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Galapagos- Santiago and Jervis Island
This morning, we visit Santiago Island the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas after a wet landing. Here, we observe Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron, also Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. There is a colony of Fur-Seal swimming in “grottos” deep pools of cool water. Time for swimming and snorkeling in search of Octopuses, Sea Horses, and Star Fish. From a safe distance, we can admire Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, White Tip and Galapagos Sharks, Golden and White Spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed and Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles. After lunch, we visit Rabida Island. Dry landing at the dark red colored beach, frequented by sea lions. Here a short trail leads us to a salt-water lagoon, to see a small colony of Flamingos. Also to be found the brown pelican, boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s Finches. Overnight aboard the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Galapagos – Santa Cruz Island
Today, we explore the central island of Santa Cruz, home of Puerto Ayora, the economical center of the Islands. We visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station that works to protect in danger species. A good sample is Lonesome George (Solitario Jorge), the last of his specie. Following, we visit Santa Cruz’s highlands to observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos, and Cerro Chat, that houses the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands. In the afternoon, we stop at Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on the north end of Santa Cruz and its main attraction the brackish water lagoon. Here, we find land Iguanas, flamingos, common stilts, Darwin finches, yellow warblers, pintail ducks, and a variety of shallow-water birds. From tDragon Hill, we enjoy a majestic view of the bay.Overnight aboard the M/V Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Galapagos – Santa Cruz Island/Baltra Airport/Quito
Our destination this morning is Bachas Beach, at north of Santa Cruz Island. After a wet landing, we will be encountered by sea lions that will be found bodysurfing, also marine iguanas and sea turtles. Time to swim and snorkel in this white-sanded beach. From here, we sail on to Baltra to disembark and be transferred to the airport for flight to Quito. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at selected hotel (B)

Day 11 Departure
This morning, laden with memories and new knowledge of the planet’s unique bio-diversity, we are transferred to the airport our flight back home. (B)

Meals: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

2004 Price per person: Base on double occupancy from:

M/V Legend Low Season: $2401.00
High Season: $2698.00

Low Season: 01April to 15 June (Except Eastern) – 22 August to 15 October – 20 November to 15 December
High Season: Rest of the year. Price base on Superior Cabin.

M/V Santa Cruz Low Season: $2634.00
High Season: $3024.00

Low season: 16 March to 14 June - 01 September to 31 October – 21 November to 20 December.
High Season: Rest of the year. Price base on Main Deck twin.