All-inclusive Luxurious Quito and Galapagos Cruise Package

On this day you’ll visit the Historic Center of Quito – a wonderful area of Ecuador’s capital city that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1978. During the tour, you’ll walk through the Independence Square, which is flanked by the Cathedral of Quito, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. After that, we’ll visit the Basilica of the National Vow, where we’ll get to head up its impressive towers and explore the depths of its mysterious crypts, allowing you to unravel all the details that exist in its architecture! The next stop of the tour will be San Juan, where you’ll learn about the preparation of traditional quesadilla snacks. Following that, we’ll visit “Quito’s balcony” – a fantastic viewpoint that overlooks the impressive and magical city of Quito.

For lunch, we’ll head to an authentic dining spot where you’ll get to enjoy a delicious meal.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be taken back to Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel to rest up for the next day, but not before enjoying dinner at ac high-class restaurant* in Quito!

*The exact restaurant will be confirmed upon booking.

This morning, you’ll be transferred to Quito’s airport to board your flight to the Galapagos Islands!

Please note that the following Western Galapagos Islands Itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta is one of the many options you can choose for your Galapagos adventure. Ask our Destination Experts about our fleet and available itineraries.

Baltra Island

This adventure begins with your morning flight to Baltra Island and an immediate transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. After an introductory briefing on board, we will all partake in an emergency boat drill, after which you will be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch.

North Seymour Island

In the afternoon, we will disembark and get to enjoy a walk along the coast and inner area of this beautiful and relatively flat island. Throughout the excursion, you will get to observe numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and land iguanas. There’s also the possibility of exploring the coast aboard the dinghies. Afterward, we will head back on board for an evening briefing, a welcome cocktail, and then dinner.

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

Because there is no disembarking site at this location, this coastal exploration is done aboard dinghies. Naturalist guides will explain the dramatic geology of the area that is made up of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife present here and, depending on weather conditions, you will be able to snorkel along the cliffs, most likely in the company of green sea turtles!

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

In the afternoon, we will visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago – Fernandina. This island is ranked among one of the top islands to visit in Galapagos, by guests and guides alike. Here, you will discover an amazing interplay between barren terrain and abundant wildlife. Highlights here include hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants, and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

After breakfast, we will disembark at Urbina Bay over on the western side of Isabela Island. This visitor site happens to be the result of the tectonic uplift of the ocean floor! As a result, we will get to see plenty of corals and shells alongside large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas. Occasionally, we might even be lucky enough to spot giant tortoises. While sailing across the Bolívar Channel, we will have a high chance of spotting several species of whales.

Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Over on the northwest side of Isabela is secluded Tagus Cove – an anchorage spot that once served as a pit stop for pirates and whalers for several centuries. Nowadays, Tagus Cove is a superb visitor site. Upon disembarking, we will partake in an uphill hike that takes them to the rear of Darwin Crater, which consists entirely of saltwater. Afterward, you can choose to snorkel or ride kayaks along the dramatic coastal landscape.

Rabida Island

In the morning, we will disembark at Rabida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll along the beach allows us to observe marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, too. Non-snorkelers are invited to ride Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat for an exploration of life underneath the waves.

Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) [Santa Cruz Island]

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The walk here involves casually circling a brackish-water lagoon that’s often frequented by lagoon birds. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay as well as the western islands of the archipelago. You might even be lucky enough to observe land iguanas here, too!

Puerto Ayora & Charles Darwin Research Station

The morning visit heads to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the Galapagos’ headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we drive up to the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch.

Highlands of Santa Cruz Island 

The highlands of Santa Cruz Island are another world entirely from the drier coast, lush and green due to the heavier rainfall they receive. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin’s Finches and the endemic Scalesia trees. The highlands are also excellent for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. We visit a giant tortoise reserve to meet these lumbering giants up close. There’s more time to explore more of this fascinating ecosystem, before returning to the yacht at the end of the day.

Post Office Bay

After breakfast, we will disembark at Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) to visit the historic “Post Office Barrel” that has functioned as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries! Dinghy rides along the maze of channels over on Floreana’s north shore can also be enjoyed. Views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are quite rewarding, too. There’s great kayaking and swimming from the beach here as well.

Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

Before disembarking at Cormorant Point, you can enjoy snorkeling or a ride on Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat that travels along the coast of an extinct cone called “Champion Islet.” Later on, in the afternoon, you will get to visit Cormorant Point, which has an olivine-crystal beach and a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos can be spotted. A brief walk to the other side of the island rewards guests with a beautiful, white-sand beach that is often the spot for sea turtles to come and nest.

Baltra Island

On this day, you’ll enjoy breakfast and hop on your transfer to the airport, from which point you’ll take your flight back to Quito.

Quito

Once you arrive in Quito, you’ll take your transfer to Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel, but not before having another special dinner at a high-end restaurant* in Quito!

Overnight in Casa Gangotena.

*The exact restaurant will be confirmed upon booking.

At the designated time, you will be picked up from your hotel to take your transfer to the airport. Safe travels!