The Wonders of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands - Journeys of Distinction Light

11-DAY ENLIGHTENED TOUR

Amidst incredible scenery, a spectacular wildlife encounter awaits as you sail the islands that inspired Charles Darwin and experience the culture and history of Ecuador.

So much is included in the price
• Return flights to and from the UK with Iberia Airlines, and internal flights, including all UK taxes

• A once in a lifetime cruise around the Galápagos Islands – a truly unique and enriching experience

• Sightseeing as specified with transfers and entrance fees included

• Local guides who’ll share their knowledge of the country, its history and culture

• Free time to explore independently

• 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners

• Quality hotels throughout

Extend your holiday
Once the travel bug bites you, it’s hard to return to normal life; but you can always put it off for a bit longer by booking an extension or stopover to give yourself a few more days’ holiday and a wealth of different experiences.

Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Galápagos Islands

Days 1, 2 & 3 Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Santa Cruz Island
Following your cruise around the Galápagos Islands, spend a few days relaxing on the main island, Santa Cruz. Transfer to the Finch Bay Eco Hotel, an excellent base for exploring the island surrounded by indigenous wildlife.

Days 4 Guayaquil
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Guayaquil. Transfer to the Hampton Inn for 1 night.

Day 5 Depart Guayaquil
Overnight flight to London via Madrid.

Day 6 Arrive Heathrow
Your flight arrives this afternoon.
Meals: 4 breakfasts, in-flight
Hotel: 3 nights Finch Bay Eco Resort, 1 night Hampton Inn

From £265 per person

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Depart Heathrow
Your flight via Madrid arrives this evening in Quito.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mercure Almeda

Day 2 Quito
Enjoy a half day tour of Quito old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll then head out of the city to the Equator monument to stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mercure Almeda.

Day 3 Quito to Cotopaxi National Park
Travelling into the spectacular Avenue of Volcanoes, you’ll pass traditional villages, explore the Cotopaxi National Park and stop for lunch at an historic hacienda.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mercure Almeda

Day 4 Quito to The Galápagos Islands
You’ll fly to Baltra and transfer to your cruise ship for a 5 night cruise around the western islands. After lunch, you’ll disembark to explore and see colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and marine iguanas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/V Santa Cruise.

Day 5 Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
You’ll take an inflatable panga raft to Punta Vicente Roca to learn about the island’s dramatic geology, where flightless cormorants nest. Look out for sea lions, fur seals, penguins, Nazca boobies and noddy terns. It may be possible to snorkel around the partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano. This afternoon walk across Fernandina’s dark lava to see the wildlife that thrives in this barren landscape, including marine iguanas, sally light-foot crabs, hawks and penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/V Santa Cruise

Day 6 Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
Secluded Tagus Cove was a favourite spot for pirates and whalers who left graffiti carved on its walls. You’ll hike uphill to the back of Darwin Crater for a view that makes the climb worthwhile. A panga ride along the volcanic shoreline reveals penguins, flightless cormorants, terns and sea lions, and you may be able to swim or snorkel from the pangas. After lunch, you’ll disembark at Urbina Bay in search of Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises and Darwin’s finches.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/V Santa Cruise

Day 7 Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin
Research Station At the Charles Darwin Research Station you’ll see the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like Lonesome George. After lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel, you’ll drive to the famous Giant Tortoise Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/V Santa Cruise

Day 8 Floreana Island
On a morning visit to Post Office Bay you’ll see the historic barrel where mail can be left for other vessels; a tradition that dates back 200 years. You’ll also explore the north shore along narrow channels teeming with rays, turtles and sea lions. After lunch, you’ll disembark at Cormorant Point to birdwatch and see the beach where sea turtles emerge at night to nest. You may be able to take a glass-bottom boat ride close to Devil’s Crown before this evening’s farewell cocktails.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/V Santa Cruise

Day 9 To Guayaquil
Today you fly to the tropical port city of Guayaquil.
Meals: Breakfast. Hotel: Hampton Inn

Day 10 Depart Guayaquil
You have some free time this morning before lunch and a tour of Guayaquil to get a flavour of its Caribbean vibe and fiery history. You’ll continue on to the airport for your return flight, via Madrid.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, In-flight

Day 11 Arrive Heathrow
You arrive this afternoon.
Meals: In-flight