Ecuador and Galápagos | An Expedition to the Enchanted Islands

Depart the U.S. on a flight to Quito. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to the hotel. Check-in is available starting at 3 pm.

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.

After breakfast, head to the airport for the morning flight to the Galápagos. (Please note: There is a luggage weight limit of 50 pounds per person. Luggage over 50 pounds is subject to additional fees.) Upon arrival to San Cristóbal Island, head from the airport to the dock and board the M/V Legend. This afternoon, visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal. The center provides an excellent introduction the archipelago's natural and human history. Learn about the volcanic origin of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of different species, among other points of interest. The human history is also showcased chronologically, narrating the most significant events related to the islands' discovery and colonization. Afterwards, visit Tijeretas Hill, where a short walk takes you through beautiful landscapes to a magnificent viewpoint at the foot of a frigatebird nesting colony. Please 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.

Land at Gardner Bay on Española Island for a walk on the beach to observe the colony of sea lions, as well as curious Española Mockingbirds (endemic to this island) and several species of Darwin's finches. Then, take a panga ride around Osborn Islet and the islets of Gardner. After lunch onboard the vessel, visit Punta Suárez to walk along lava beds and observe marine birds. Geologically, Española is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago, and it has a high percentage of endemism due to its isolation from the rest of the islands. The great variety of wildlife makes this one of the most attractive spots in the Galápagos. The trail cuts through salt bush (Cryptocarpus pyriformis), and bird species include the Española Mockingbird, Nazca Booby, Red-billed Tropicbird, Galápagos Dove, Galápagos Hawk, and Swallow-tailed Gull. Also watch for the island's marine iguanas, which are noted for their distinct red-and-green coloration.

Disembark at Floreana Island and walk to Baroness Viewpoint, named after the Baroness Eloise von Wagner who once lived here. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and observe the ruins of her house. Continue to Post Office Bay. In the 18th century, whalers placed a wooden barrel here to use as an informal post office, and today, visitors continue the tradition by leaving their own postcards in the barrel for others to carry to their destinations. Return to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, go ashore at Cormorant Point, where the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral that gives the beach an olive-green hue. Take a short walk to the island's flamingo lagoon, then continue walking to a beach known as La Picona for the chance to observe sea turtles on their nesting grounds. Afterwards, go snorkeling at nearby Champion Islet, considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the islands, and look for tropical fish, moray eels, starfish, sharks, sea turtles, and sea lions.

This morning visit Dragon Hill on the northwest shore of Santa Cruz Island for a walk past a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed. Wading birds such as stilts, turnstones, and sandpipers are also often found along the edges. After lunch, visit Punta Bowditch for an opportunity to snorkel the islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals.

Today visit the lush highlands of Santa Cruz for an opportunity to see giant tortoises in the wild. Afterwards head to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to Quito. Lunch will be on your own today. Upon arrival, you will be taken to the hotel to freshen up before a lecture and dinner.

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. Continue to Alambi and explore a plant nursery that is at the heart of a community project meant to save Ecuador's critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg. Walk through the nursery and garden with a community member to learn more about the project and the various species of flowering plants being cultivated to restore the hummingbird's habitat. 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 a farewell dinner this evening. For those departing tonight, an airport transfer will be scheduled.

Arrive in the U.S.