Galapagos Islands Cruise & Colombia Coffee Triangle Tour

On this day, you’ll visit the Historic Center of Quito. This marvelous place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. On this day, we stroll through Independence Plaza where we’ll see the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. After that, we visit La Compañia de Jesus and San Francisco Church and Convent with their impressive, gilded and baroque interiors, respectively. Shortly after, we’ll go to the Metropolitan Cathedral to admire the view from up top, along with its magnificent domes. Lunch will be had at the Plaza Grande Café, where you’ll get to savor Ecuadorian cuisine.

You’ll also want to get your senses ready to experience sublime art pieces and the exquisite flavors that reside in chocolate produced by the renowned To’ak brand. You’ll experience all this over at the home of Ecuador’s most famous painter – Oswaldo Guayasamin.

At the end of the tour you’ll be taken back to Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel.

Overnight in Quito.

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

Please note that the following Northern Galapagos Islands Itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II 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

You will land in Baltra Island by plane in the morning and then take a guided transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II. After an introductory briefing onboard, all passengers will partake in an emergency boat drill and then lunch.

Las Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island)

This beautiful visitor site is located on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island, where a glorious white beach awaits along with a couple of brackish lagoons that are just a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons actually serve as the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. You are more than welcome to enjoy swimming and snorkeling activities at this beach, too.

Buccaneer Cove

Explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, all while learning about the area’s history. This cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. We will also get to marvel at the fantastic geological formations. Here, you will have the chance to go snorkeling, take a ride on the dinghy or the glass-bottom boat.

Puerto Egas

Enjoy a swim or snorkel along the rocky shorelines, typically in the company of marine turtles. After, a walk will give us the opportunity to see both land and marine birds as they skitter about a landscape that consists of tuff-stone layers and lava flows.

Rabida Island

The color of this beach is the result of the unusually high levels of iron that are found within its sand. The walk here will bring guests close to a colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and many more creatures. A nearby saltwater pond, too, is occasionally seen hosting American flamingos. Snorkeling along the beach is offered.

Bartolome Island

This island is home to Pinnacle Rock and is a great place for all of us to go for a swim and snorkel from the beach. Guests will get to go for a hike to the summit of Pinnacle Rock on this relatively small island, the viewpoint of which boasts fantastic views of the archipelago.

Prince Philip’s Steps

A flight of stairs reach a flat and rocky plateau. Once there, you can walk along comfortably and check out large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds and storm petrels. Otherwise, you can opt for enjoying a longer dinghy ride along the cliffs, weather permitting. Kayaking here is optional.

Darwin Bay

In the afternoon, we will land at the beautiful beach that lines this bay to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following this refreshing dip, the excursion will head out to take a stroll and observe hundreds of different birds. Opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking and swimming are available here.

Tortoise Reserve

You will begin your last morning on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, where you will head out for one last visit over at the Giant Tortoise Reserve, where one of the final highlights of this itinerary awaits: giant tortoises roaming around in the wild. These lush highlands include dense forests consisting of Galapagos daisies, orchids and bromeliads as well as several endemic land birds.

Baltra Island 

Disembark at Baltra Island and take your transfer to their airport, where you’ll board your flight back to the mainland.

Guayaquil

Once you arrive in Guayaquil, you will take your transfer to the Wyndham Hotel. Overnight in Guayaquil.

On this morning, you’ll take your transfer to the airport to hop on your flight to Bogota.

Bogota

Welcome to the capital city of Colombia–Bogota! Our guide will meet you at El Dorado International Airport and you’ll take a transfer to the Sofitel Hotel. After assisting you with check-in, the guide will give you a detailed itinerary of all the services included in your trip.

Bogota’s Sofitel Hotel is located in the prestigious neighborhood of La Cabrera, an excellent place for guests given its central location. The surrounding areas are home to museums, monuments, restaurants, and boutiques.

Zipaquira’s Underground Salt Cathedral + City Tour
Today begins with a panoramic city view on the way to Zipaquira. Head underground to experience the extraordinary Salt Cathedral, carved inside an active salt mine formed 250 million years ago.

Afterward, visit the colonial quarter of La Candelaria–a favorite of photographers. We explore the Museo del Oro (Gold), and the Botero Museum, celebrating Colombia’s most famous artist.

Lunch at a local restaurant with a set menu. Overnight at Sofitel Hotel in Bogota.

[NOTE: Appropriate dress is required for visits to sites such as churches. Please avoid wearing shorts, skirts, etc. Museo del Oro closes on Mondays and Botero Museum on Thursdays.]

Airport Transfer + Coffee Triangle
Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and you’ll take a transfer to the El Dorado Airport or Puente Aereo (depending on your flight). We will assist you with check-in and connecting to your next destination.

The Zona Cafetera (Coffee Triangle) is Colombia’s principal coffee-growing area. Shaped like an inverted triangle, this region is comprised of three departments: Caldas, Quindio, and Risaralda. Its spectacular natural beauty makes it one of the most beautiful destinations; combining lush green valleys, exotic wildlife, and balmy climate. The perfect place to unwind and relax; sit back and enjoy the freshest coffee you’ll ever taste.

Overnight at Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge.

Salento & Cocora Valley

This day, we visit Quindio’s beautiful Cocora Valley, home to the wax palm, (Colombia’s national tree and the world’s tallest variety of palm), measuring up to 190 ft.

A traditional canelazo (cocktail) welcome is followed by a visit to the misty forest where our guide explains the importance of conserving this beautiful ecosystem. Guests make a lasting contribution by planting wax palms at the park.

Next, visit Salento, founded in 1842, its well-preserved, colonial bahareque architecture is awash in harmonious color. The town’s Calle Real is lined end-to-end with restaurants, bars, and handicrafts shops.

A typical lunch, featuring smoked trout, is included at the Cocora Valley. Overnight at Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge.

On this day, an easy transfer to the airport gets you there in time to catch your flight to Bogota and make your international connection.

We hope you have enjoyed the wonders of Ecuador and Colombia!