Galápagos Grandeur: Explore the Archipelago by Luxury Yacht - 10 Days

Highlights

• Cruise around the highlight isles of the Galápagos in a luxury superyacht
• See baby tortoises emerging from their eggs at an island hatchery
• Spend time with exotic animals like penguins, sea lions, iguanas, and cormorants
• Immerse yourself in the history of Ecuador on museum tours in Quito

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Optional Activities

Welcome to Ecuador! You'll arrive in the capital of Quito, a city filled with history and culture nestled high in the Andes. While Quito boasts many fine qualities, it's also one of the main hubs in the country for trips to the famed Galápagos Islands—exactly where you're headed tomorrow. That's why you'll be staying near the airport at EB Hotel by Eurobuilding.

This 5-star hotel doesn't skimp on class and comfort. Its well-appointed rooms and suites feature adjustable beds with luxury linens, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. There's also a swimming pool where you can relax in a lounger amid views of Quito's surrounding green hills. And in case you want a midnight snack, the hotel offers 24-hour room service. Save your appetite, though, because, in the evening, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner to kick off this memorable Ecuadorian adventure.

Day 2: Fly to the Galápagos, Visit Highland Ranch & Board Ship

Time to jet off to the islands! Return to the airport this morning and board a two-hour flight to the Galápagos. This archipelago of 13 main volcanic islands needs no introduction. One of the most biodiverse spots on Earth, this ecosystem attracted none other than Charles Darwin. Exploring the Galápagos inspired his theory of natural selection, which states that animal species can change over time as they adapt to new environments.

You'll see evidence of this as you explore many of these isles. To kick things off, you'll arrive on Baltra, an islet adjacent to Isla Santa Cruz, the archipelago's central hub. At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz's south side. On the way, you'll stop in the highlands for a delicious al fresco lunch at a restaurant near a giant tortoise reserve. Enjoy your meal as you watch these laid-back creatures (who can live well over 100 years) lumber around the area.

After eating, you'll transfer to the harbor in Puerto Ayora and your home for the duration of this adventure, the Aqua Mare. The 16-person staff will welcome you aboard this 164-foot (50 m) cruiser, which is the Galápagos' first luxury superyacht. The ship features seven decadent suites outfitted with modern conveniences like king beds, deluxe en suite baths with walk-in showers, and air-conditioning. After settling in, you'll have free time to stroll Puerto Ayora's waterfront before returning to the ship for a fresh seafood dinner.

Day 3: Cruise to Isla Floreana: Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay

This morning, you'll set sail for the peninsula of Cormorant Point, which forms the extreme north cape of Isla Floreana. At the landing beach, you'll be welcomed by a small Galápagos sea lion colony and notice the pale green sand colored by olivine minerals. You'll find a "flour sand" beach on the southern side of the peninsula, with fine coral sand that feels powdery and smooth to the touch. In the shallows around the island can spot schools of stingrays, and Pacific green turtles come ashore here to bury their eggs.

After lunch on the ship, you'll visit nearby Post Office Bay. A short walk from the beach here leads to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, it remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. In the spirit of tradition, visitors today often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.

You can also swim and relax on the beach, where, in addition to sea lions, you may spot Pacific green turtles, golden rays, and Galápagos penguins. This is also the only place in the southeastern archipelago where penguins can be found. Another option is to climb to the Baroness Lookout for coastal views. This was the favorite spot of one of Floreana's first settlers, the eccentric baroness and self-proclaimed "Empress of Galápagos," Eloisa von Wagner, who built a house here in the early 20th century. At the end of the day, you'll return to the ship, where a Japanese/Peruvian feast awaits.

Day 4: Cruise to Isla Isabela: Punta Moreno & Urbina Bay

Strike out on a full day of cruising, traveling first to Moreno Point on the west coast of Isla Isabela. During a stop to explore, you can admire the green shoots of pioneer vegetation, which starkly contrast with the black lava landscape. As you look around, keep an eye out for wildlife in and around the island's biodiverse tidal pools, which include penguins and blue-footed boobies.

After lunch, you'll head to the west coast of Isabela to Urbina Bay. Nature is larger than life here, and the coastal plain at Urbina Bay is home to wild prehistoric giants, such as the largest land iguanas on Earth. You may also see giant tortoises. Optional activities include hiking and snorkeling, where you'll likely spot marine iguanas feeding underwater. 

Day 5: Cruise to Isla Fernandina: Espinoza Point & Tagus Cove

Start the day with a morning trip across the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Isla Fernandina, the third-largest island in the Galápagos. You'll land at Espinoza Point and, after disembarking, hike past colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions on your way to a nesting site of flightless cormorants. This cormorant is one of the many animals that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution, as, over time, the environment forced its wings and feet to adapt to water. The area is also home to the Galápagos hawk.

Later, cruise back to Isabela, arriving at Tagus Cove. Here, you'll stroll along the sea cliffs, keeping an eye out for penguins and other aquatic birds. You can also hike to a viewpoint overlooking Darwin Lake, which has a saline content higher than the sea. You'll spot several volcanoes from this location and pass graffiti on the surrounding cliffs and cove—it's been written over the centuries by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers.

Day 6: Cruise to Isla Santiago: Egas Port, Espumilla Beach & Buccaneer Cove

You're in for another wildlife treat today, as this morning, you'll cruise to Puerto Egas on Isla Santiago. This is the best place in the archipelago to observe Galápagos fur seals, though if you're lucky, you may also spot marine iguanas, crabs, and various birds such as herons and hawks.

Later in the day, you'll cruise a short way north to Playa Espumilla. At either end of this beach, trails lead through mangroves to a saline lagoon, where you may get lucky and see flamingoes, pintail ducks, and stilts. There's good snorkeling and kayaking off the coast here, as well.

The journey continues as you explore the coast and the dramatic cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. This scenic inlet is home to many marine birds, sea lions, and intertidal organisms. You'll definitely want to snap photos of the seaside caves and otherworldly rock formations, like The Bishop and Elephant Rock. There's also the opportunity for snorkeling and a ride on a glass-bottom boat. At the end of the day, you'll return to the ship in time for happy hour and some signature cocktails.

Day 7: Cruise to Isla Rábida & Black Turtle Cove

As you enjoy breakfast, the ship will cruise to Isla Rábida, located off the south shore of Isla Santiago. Rábida is known for its vivid red-sand beaches, which come from the high iron content in the lava that formed this island. Spend some time relaxing on the beach, then hike along a trail to a saltwater lagoon amid prickly pear cactuses. The viewpoint here is a great place to take pictures of the seaside cliffs and the ocean beyond.

Later, cruise to Isla Santa Cruz and Black Turtle Cove, which gets its name from the abundance of green sea turtles. There's no landing here, so you'll be riding in a motorized boat, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. You're likely to spy sharks, sea turtles, and several species of rays here, and herons, pelicans, and boobies are commonly drawn to the area to feed on the abundant schools of anchovies.

Day 8: Cruise to Isla Seymour Norte & Mosquera Islet

Spend some time this morning at Isla Seymour Norte. It's a great place for a nature hike and to spot blue-footed boobies performing their famous mating dance while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the sides of coastal cliffs. Land iguanas are common inland, while their marine counterparts bask on rocks along the shore, close to sea lions who like to body surf in the waves.

Later, you'll cruise to Mosquera, an islet located north of Baltra. Here, you'll embark on a short hike on a sandbar home to sparse vegetation and plenty of sea lions, lava gulls, shorebirds, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Lucky visitors might also see a yellow-crowned heron. The visit also includes a guided walk around the islet and time to snorkel offshore.

Day 9: Cruise by Daphne Major, Fly to Quito & Farewell Dinner

Enjoy one last decadent breakfast in the Galápagos as the ship cruises to Daphne Major, an islet next to Baltra. This is one of the Galápagos' premier dive sites, and there might be time for snorkeling as the ship circumnavigates the islet. Afterward, return to Baltra, disembark the ship, and hop a flight back to Quito. There, you'll transfer back to EB Hotel by Eurobuilding, where a festive farewell dinner awaits!

Day 10: Visit Cultural Museum, Depart Quito

There's time left to enjoy a bit of Ecuadorian culture before heading home. After breakfast, you'll head into the city and visit the Museo Casa de la Cultura. Located near Quito's historic center, this iconic museum showcases the national culture through diverse exhibits. These range from traditional textiles to archaeological artifacts dating back thousands of years to artworks by some of the country's most renowned painters and sculptors. Spend a couple of hours browsing the exhibits, after which you'll transfer back to the airport and catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

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