Galapagos West, Central & East Islands

Arrive at any time.

Meet fellow travellers at evening briefing session.

Morning flight to Baltra island. Transfer to Puerto Ayora. Afternoon visit to the highlands to visit giant tortoise reserve and lava tunnels.

Spend the morning exploring lava flows and lava tunnels on the small island of Chinese Hat followed by a swim in turquoise waters looking for fish and sea turtles in the protected bay. In the afternoon, explore the red sand beaches and salt water lagoons of Rabida. Look for wading flamingos and nesting pelicans before heading out to do some snorkelling.

In the morning, see the towering cliffs of Buccaneer Cove and watch the hundreds of birds nesting on the edge.
Later, land at Puerto Egas home to the elusive Galápagos hawk. Visit the salt crater as well as a dark-sand beach and tidal pools.

Enjoy a morning visit to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life. In the afternoon, travel to Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on Isabela. Walk the trail to get a view of the caldera and look for colourful land iguanas along the way.

Pay a morning visit to Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins. In the afternoon, land at Punta Moreno on the southwest coast of Isabela to see lava formations, flamingos, and amazing views of the three most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Islands.

Early landing in the small town of Puerto Villamil before beginning the walk to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. Later on, visit Las Tintoreras, one of the best places to see sharks, manta rays and other marine wildlife. Choose to visit the wet lands or the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area.

Take the morning to explore Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and catch up on some souvenir shopping - surprisingly, there are few  opportunities for this because time is spent exploring the islands. After lunch on board, wal to the beautiful beach at Tortuga Bay. Choose to relax on the white sand or rent a kayak and search for rays and turtles in the shallow waters.

Disembark early and visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre on the island before flying back to Quito. Enjoy an evening in Quito.

Day free for onward or return travel