Cruise on board of M/V Galapagos Legend (Deluxe Expedition Ship)

Day 1 (Wednesday):
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Quito and transfer to the 4****
Sheraton Hotel or similar for overnight.

Day 2 (Thursday):
Departure from Quito to Baltra airport in Galapagos, ( aprox. 2 hours and
half flight, AIRFARE INCLUDED ). Passengers are greeted by guides at the
airport and transfer to the M/V Galapagos Legend Lunch on board of the M/V
Galapagos Legend. Bartolome Island (dry landing). Arriving at this island
seems as if you were walking on the moon the volcanic formations on this
island include lava bombs, spatter cones, and cinder cones. There is a steep
hike to the summit aided by wooden steps, from where you will have an
impressive view of the Islands including Pinnacle rock an eroded tuff cone.
On your way to the top you have the possibility of admiring a large colony of marine iguanas and lava lizards. Among the flora you may find Red
mangroves, tiquilla, cacti. Later on enjoy the pleasure of snorkelling. Here you can spot Galapagos penguins, marine tortoises (January through March),
white-tipped sharks. Return on board, passenger welcome & briefing, there is a cocktail and a presentation of the crew. At this time a safety drill is
practiced. Free time on board. Guide’s briefing on next day activities at the auditorium. Dinner

Day 3 (Friday):
Wake up call. In each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken
passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast Disembarkation to visit Espinoza point in
Fernandina Island. Dry Landing. Catch the sight of largest colony of Marine
iguanas sharing space with sally-light foot crabs, also to be found
Flightless Cormorants nesting points, galapagos Penguins, galapagos Hawks
and Sea lions where resident bulls are present. Among the Flora and volcanic
formations there is, Brachycereus cactus, pa hoe hoe & a lava formations,
and mangroves extending into the sea. Recent lava flows formed by an active
volcano are also evident. Return on board, the crew will welcome you with
canapés.
Lunch. Visit to Tagus Cove in Isabela Island (dry Landing). Isabela
is the largest Island in the Galapagos, it was created by the eruption of
five volcanoes that flowed together. Graffiti dating back to 1800’s is
written on the rocky cliff, believed to be done by pirates and bucaneers.
The trail leads to Darwin’s salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the
lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. A Dinghie ride will allow
you to see marine life and Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants.
Visit largest population of giant tortoises (about 4000 very difficult to
spot), Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks and frigate birds. Return on
board, the crew will welcome you with canapés. Free time on board. Guides
briefing on next day activities at the auditorium. Dinner

Day 4 (Saturday):
Wake up call. In each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken
passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast After cruising through the Bolívar
channel for a possible observation of whales and dolphins, we make a Panga
ride and disembark to visit Moreno Point in Isabela island (dry landing). We
go for a medium-length walk in search of giant tortoises and land iguanas
orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs as well as
Flamingos and Oysterscatchers. Great possibilities for swimming and
snorkelling where you can spot hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks,
galapagos sharks, eels, groupers, and snappers. Return on board, the crew
will welcome you with canapés. Lunch Visit Urbina Bay in Isabela Island (Wet
landing). We go for a medium-length walk in search of giant tortoise and
land iguanas orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs.
Great possibilities for swimming and snorkeling where you can spot marine
iguanas, sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks,
galapagos sharks, eels, groupers, and snappers.
Return on board, the crew
will welcome you with canapés to the passengers. Free time on board. Guides
briefing on next day activities at the living room.
Dinner.

Day 5 (Sunday):
Wake up call. In each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken
passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast. Cross the highlands of Santa Cruz
passengers will observe the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos and later visit
Cerro Chato. Opportunity to admire the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the
name to these islands. Lunch at Ranch (typical restaurant). Visit the
Charles Darwin Station, staffed with international scientists doing
biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire
giant tortoises and their one year old offspring, the second being a
miniature version of the first and are part of the breeding program. Admire
the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. The
visit to the station lasts around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers
have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs. Free time in
the Island. Return on board, the crew will welcome you with canapés. Free
time on board Guides briefing on next day activities at the auditorium.
Dinner

Day 6 (Monday):
Wake up call. In each cabin there are speakers and a light music will awaken
passengers softly. Buffet Breakfast. Disembarkation at Baltra Beach, here
after a wet landing you will be encountered by sea lions that will be found
bodysurfing, marine iguanas and the opportunity to swin in the beach and
snorkeling. Return on board the M/V Galapagos Legend, Check out and depart to
the airport, flight to Quito, ( AIRFARE INCLUDED ) Meeting and assistance
upon arrival in Quito and transfer to the 4**** Sheraton Hotel or
similar for overnight.

Day 7 (Tuesday):
Colonial City Tour of Quito: (4 Hours approx.)
Visit starts in Orellana´s way, drive around the colonial center of Quito
and see the stone-carved façade of Ecuador’s House of Congress depicting
scenes from Ecuadorian history; Independence Square, with the Presidential
Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario. Visit the Church of La Compañía
(1605), (if open), with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the
finest example of baroque art in America and the church and monastery of San
Francisco (1535). Visit the art & crafts gallery of Tianguez. Finally, drive
up to el Panecillo Hill to have a spectacular view of Quito and to see the
only winged Virgin in South America. Overnight at the 4**** Sheraton
hotel or similar.

Day 8 (Wednesday):
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home , or
connection flight to Lima to take an exiting extension

Add Essence of Peru
Add Travels of the Incas
Add Cusco, Machu Picchu, Pisac and the Amazon Rainforest
Add Tambopata Research Center Birdwatcher Tour to Peru