Ecuador and Galápagos Islands | Holbrook Travel 50th Anniversary Invitational

Upon arrival into Quito, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and escorted to the hotel.

After breakfast and an orientation, explore some of the highlights of Quito. Surrounded by volcanoes, Ecuador's capital is a unique city that boasts one of the largest and best preserved colonial centers in the Americas, earning it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start the day with a visit to Mercado Iñaquito for a look at the great variety of fruits and vegetables grown in the country, as well as the many natural products used for fiber, oils, resins, and medicine. Next, head to the historical center; while walking its narrow streets, discover Quito's rich history, from pre-Columbian times to the colonial period and the modern-day Republic of Ecuador. At the Casa del Alabado, a privately owned museum, learn about the spiritual, social, and political practices of the different Indigenous groups who inhabited this territory from 4000 BC to 1400 CE. Afterward, visit La Compañia Church as well as the Church and Convent of San Francisco, the oldest and largest colonial structure in the city. At nearby Plaza Grande, Quito's main square, you'll find the Independence Monument surrounded by important historical buildings, including the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace. Enjoy a lunch featuring traditional recipes, then continue to the Quito Botanical Garden, located in Parque La Carolina. This impressive garden showcases plants from the country's different ecosystems; of particular note are the two large orchidariums housing nearly 2,000 orchids.

Depart early this morning toward Mindo via the Yanacocha and Quinde Ecoroute. Arrive to Yanacocha, a moss-clad temperate forest and Polylepis woodland on the side of Volcán Pichincha situated at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. This protected area was established to safeguard the critically endangered and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg, a type of hummingbird. Other high-altitude bird species seen here include Black-chested and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewing, and Sword-billed Hummingbird. Enjoy lunch at the reserve and continue through the ecoroute. There will be several stops to look for birds like the Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and Beautiful Jay. While driving down to the lower altitudes of the subtropical forest region, be on the lookout for Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and White-winged Brushfinch. Continue to Mindo for check-in, an orientation, and dinner.

Today visit the feeders at the family-run San Tadeo Birdwatching, where you can easily observe more than a dozen different types of birds, including hummingbirds, tanagers, aracaris, toucanets, and barbets. Next, visit a butterfly farm with an exhibition of 25 species of butterflies. Continue to a local farm to learn about cacao and the process of creating artisanal chocolate. Enjoy lunch at the farm, where chocolate is a key ingredient on the menu.

Early in the morning depart toward Refugio Paz de las Aves near Nanegalito (13 miles northeast of Mindo). Angel Paz is the proprietor of this private reserve, and his story is an excellent example of community conservation. Angel was formerly a local logger who transformed his property into a haven for antpittas and Andean Cocks-of-the-rock over a decade ago. He learned how to coax the rare and elusive Giant Antpitta into the open with earthworms and now has six different species of antpittas staked out on his property: Giant, Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breasted, Chestnut-crowned, Moustached, and Scaled. Other birds seen in the area include the Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals and a fantastic mix of hummingbirds. Have a typical countryside breakfast at the reserve while enjoying the natural surroundings. Then visit Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, located in the core zone of the Chocó Andino de Pichincha Biosphere Reserve. In 2020, Bellavista became the first private ecological reserve in Ecuador to be included in the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP). Travel back to Puembo, stopping at the Middle of the World en route. Arrive at Rincón de Puembo in time to freshen up before dinner this evening.

Fly from mainland Ecuador to Baltra Island. Take the bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests and the Twin Craters, two formations caused by the collapse of surface material caused by underground fissures. After boarding M/Y Tip Top IV, attend your first orientation. Each day there will be a briefing about the next day's activities, and daily opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and/or kayaking. *Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. weather) or at the discretion of the captain, guide, or the Galápagos National Park.

After breakfast, disembark at Santa Fé Island for the chance to see a different species of land iguana, endemic only to this island and recognizable by its paler yellow coloration. Walk by scenic cliffs and a forest of Santa Fé Opuntia cactus to observe the iguanas, along with Galápagos Hawks, Darwin's finches, Galápagos Mockingbirds, racer snakes, and more. Before going back to the boat, spend time at the beach swimming and snorkeling among sea lions. After lunch sail to South Plaza Island, which is characterized by its unique and colorful vegetation. Sesuvium is a bright red succulent plant that carpets the rocks here and creates vivid photo opportunities against the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. The taller Opuntia cacti provide food and shade for the numerous land iguanas that dig nesting burrows all over the island. Continue walking toward the sea cliffs to view many sea birds such as Red-billed Tropicbirds, Galápagos Shearwaters, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies.

Visit Bartolomé Island and hike to the summit. During the hike, it's possible to observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards, and on the summit you'll see an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic sights in the archipelago. After lunch explore Sullivan Bay on the adjacent Santiago Island, a perfect place to get a feel for the volcanic origin of the islands due to the far-reaching lava fields comprising both pahoehoe (ropy) and 'a'a lava.

This morning, land at Rábida Island to walk and observe marine iguanas, sea lions, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, and Brown Pelicans. Rábida is known in particular for its red-sand beaches, a result of the high iron content that has oxidized over time. Arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you may be able to see American Flamingos. Return to the yacht for lunch. Afterwards explore Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a small island off the coast of Santiago Island. On the rocky shoreline, look for Galápagos Penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas. This is an excellent snorkeling site, and there will be time to swim, snorkel and/or kayak for those who would like.

This morning explore the flamingo lagoons behind Playa Las Bachas, a beach on Santa Cruz Island that was used by the U.S. Army during World War II. (The name "Bachas" refers to two U.S. barges that were left here.) Return to the yacht and navigate to the pier, where you'll disembark at 9 am. Your guide will accompany you on the bus ride directly to the airport. Lunch is on your own at the airport. Enjoy the afternoon in Quito at leisure before gathering for a farewell dinner at the hotel this evening. For those departing this evening, you will be taken to the Quito International Airport for your flight(s) home.

Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight home.