Day 1: En Route from U.S. / Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
After an evening arrival in Quito, transfer to your award-winning hotel for a comfortable night's sleep.
Overnight: Casa Gangotena – Quito 

Day 2: Quito
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Head out for a full-day, guided tour of historic Old Town. A local expert will take you through the Quito neighborhood called San Roque, where you'll visit with local artisans, including shopkeepers, hat makers, and sweet confectioners. Explore the San Francisco Market—one of the oldest in the capital. There, learn about unique Ecuadorian fruits and vegetables, as well as local culinary traditions.

Continue your journey to the cobbled street of La Ronda, featuring balconies festooned with colorful flags. Stop by a chocolatier to learn how cacao beans are processed, and taste the finest chocolates of Ecuador! 

Next, head north toward the political heart of the city. Following a brief narrative, stroll to the Jesuit church of la Compañía to admire its stunning gold-leaf interior. Relax and enjoy lunch that highlights the unique and diverse flavors of this culturally rich South American country. 

In the afternoon, head to the Casa del Alabado Archaeological Museum, inside a restored 17th-century colonial mansion, to view its collection of pre-Columbian art. This evening, meet your traveling companions for a welcome reception and prepare for your upcoming adventure.
Overnight: Casa Gangotena – Quito (B,L,R) 

Day 3: Quito / Flight to Baltra / Santa Cruz: Highlands / Puerto Ayora – Embarkation
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Arrive by plane to Baltra Airport and transfer to the Itabaca Channel to ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. After a short, scenic drive across Santa Cruz Island, arrive in the Highlands to enjoy lunch. 

Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to gain an understanding of the extensive conservation efforts that have gone into maintaining and improving the environment and biodiversity in this remarkable archipelago. See the Galapagos giant tortoise up close on paths leading through arid-zone vegetation, and learn about the various stages of tortoise care and development including a visit to the baby tortoise house.

Take a late afternoon stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on Isabela II. 

Join the captain this evening for a cocktail and briefing on the exciting activities to come. 
Overnight: Isabela II (B,L,D) 

Day 4: Bartolomé / Santiago: Sullivan Bay
Friday, July 8, 2022
One of today's highlights includes a panoramic view of the Galapagos from a special vantage point—an overlook atop Bartolomé Island. On a pristine day, more than 10 islands can be seen from this viewpoint. After the morning hike, examine the environment by snorkeling or by glass-bottom boat. 

Return to the beach to board dinghies for a cruise around Pinnacle Rock, formed by an eroded tuff-stone cone—light limestone created by the accumulation of small volcanic elements. Pinnacle Rock is home for a small colony of the flightless Galapagos penguin, which shares the area with sea lions and other marine birds.

After lunch, explore Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago Island featuring a white coral sand beach that's ideal for swimming. This location has some of the best snorkeling within the archipelago. See and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos by traversing the walking trail across a lava field consisting of lava that flowed here in 1897, and the lava shapes are the enigmatic volcanic features. 

Tonight after dinner look up and experience the enchantment of stargazing. 
Overnight: Isabela II (B,L,D) 

Day 5: Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill / Santiago: Salt Mine James Bay
Saturday, July 9, 2022
The island of Santa Cruz is the only one with six different vegetation zones. Pit craters, Scalesia forest, cacti and ferns are found here. After breakfast, set off on a walk, passing a lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks, and American flamingos. Continuing inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance of observing land iguanas. 

After an engaging onboard lecture and lunch, visit James Bay with a wet landing on Santiago Island, where Charles Darwin spent six days exploring in 1835. He encountered finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, yellow warblers, as well as Galapagos doves, hawks, and flamingos. Take note of the fascinating geological formations as you hike uphill for an incredible panoramic view of a crater filled with brackish water. The salt from this lagoon was mined in the 20th century, but the businesses didn’t prosper.

After partaking in a sunset cocktail, enjoy dinner onboard. Later in the evening we may continue stargazing to maximize celestial opportunities. 
Overnight: Isabela II (B,L,D) 

Day 6: Isabela: Punta Vicente Roca / Fernandina: Punta Espinoza
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Explore the captivating coast of Isabela Island by dinghy, seeking out abundant wildlife including colonies of Galapagos fur seals, the nesting sites of Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, and marine iguanas. Depending on conditions, there may be a chance to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles. Back on board, navigate along the Bolivar Channel, where nutrient-rich upwellings provide fertile fishing grounds for cetaceans.

Then visit the island of Fernandina, the youngest island of the archipelago and arguably one of the most pristine ecosystems on the planet. Punta Espinoza boasts an amazing combination of barren landscapes and abundant wildlife, all dominated by the lofty volcano at the heart of the island. Highlights to spot include hawks, penguins, huge numbers of marine iguanas, and the famous flightless cormorant, with its beguiling blue eyes.

This evening, join fellow guests and crew for a festive farewell toast followed by dinner.
Overnight: Isabela II (B,L,D) 

Day 7: Baltra – Disembarkation / Flight to Quito, Ecuador 
Monday, July 11, 2022
Bid a fond adiós to the Isabela II crew this morning prior to departing Baltra for Quito, where you will spend your final night.
Overnight: Hilton Colon – Quito (NOTE: post-tour guests may overnight at an alternate hotel near the airport) (B,L-aloft)

Day 8: Quito / Depart for U.S.
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
After breakfast, guests departing during the suggested times will take a complimentary transfer to the airport for flights home. Guests continuing on the post-tour will depart Quito for flights to Cusco, Peru. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R = Reception

Guests should be sure-footed on stairs and able to walk at least one mile on rocky, volcanic, and uneven ground. Some nature hikes will be on irregular and steep terrain. Guests should also be comfortable managing wet beach landings and boarding small vessels, both from shore and the deck of the Isabela II. Also keep in mind that you will experience varying altitudes to which you may not be accustomed. 

Maximum elevation: 9,350 feet in Quito, Ecuador