Your Itinerary
Day 1Fly to Quito
Arrive late this evening.
Day 2Quito–Arasha Resort
Travel to the Pacific Rainforest for three nights at the all-inclusive Arasha Rainforest Resort & Spa. Surrounded by lush vegetation, tropical fruits, flora, birds, and local fauna, the award-winning Arasha offers beautiful thatch-roofed bungalows. Facilities include a large swimming pool with bar and cascading water, a Jacuzzi inside a grotto, two restaurants, theatre, mini golf, and a luxurious spa. (B,L,D)
Days 3-4Arasha Resort
During your stay, enjoy guided tours of the primary and secondary forests, birding and orchid tours, a chocolate-making demonstration, fishing, native jewelry-making classes, and much more. You may even visit one of the most colorful indigenous groups in Ecuador, the “Colorados,” and learn of their ancient traditions and religion. (B,L,D)
Day 5Arasha Resort–Quito
Return to Quito. (B)
Day 6Quito, Ecuador
Your included city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and later the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable Cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B)
Day 7Quito–Baltra (Embarkation)–Santa Cruz
Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, transfer to Santa Cruz Island, where you will embark the Santa Cruz for your 4-night cruise. Your first stop takes you to Cerro Dragón, a bird-lover’s paradise, where stilts, pintail ducks, Darwin’s finches, Galápagos mockingbirds, and the endemic Galápagos flycatcher are regular sightings. This evening, a lecture led by your onboard Naturalist will prepare you for tomorrow’s adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 8Cruising: Bartolomé & Puerto Egas Islands
At Bartolomé Island, hike to the summit for a stunning view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones. You will also have the chance to snorkel with a chance to see Galápagos penguins in tropical waters. Cruise to Puerto Egas, known for its numerous shore birds, Galápagos fur seals, and marine iguanas. (B,L,D)
Day 9Cruising: Rabida & North Seymour Islands
On Rabida, stroll along the red-sand beach (due to high iron content from the volcanic material), observing sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds, and even greater flamingos! This afternoon, travel to North Seymour to explore for colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. The island’s shore teems with sea lions and marine iguanas as well. (B,L,D)
Day 10Cruising: Santa Cruz & Charles Darwin Research Center
Take a ride on Santa Cruz to the highlands where the endangered giant tortoises can be seen (seasonally) grazing on the pastures of local farms. The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest, which provides an outstanding area for bird watching. It is up here where amazing encounters with woodpecker finches have occurred. This afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the efforts and results to protect the Galápagos’ giant tortoises. Spend some time in the town of Puerto Ayora before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 11Cruising: San Cristobal Island (Disembarkation)–Quito
This morning, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where you will have free time before flying back to Quito for one more night in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)
Day 12Quito–U.S
A morning flight allows for hometown connections. (B)