17 Day Galapagos Premium Cruise & Magic from Guayaquil to Quito

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador! Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), where your driver will meet you to transfer you to your accommodation. The entire city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350ft (2,850m). It welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. The city has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, and fourth-generation hat makers, as well as a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene. Welcome dinner awaits you tonight at your hotel.

Overnight: Quito
Suggested Hotel: La Palma Polo Club (or similar)
Meals: -/-/D

Once you arrive at Baltra airport, you will be met by our team and escorted on a short cross-island transfer to the jetty. Receive a warm welcome aboard Aqua Mare, the Galapagos Islands’ first 50m luxury superyacht with our 16-strong crew where you will be treated with the utmost attention courtesy of our 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. A delicious Nikkei-inspired lunch crafted by consultant chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino will be served. At your leisure, pick out your snorkeling kit complete with mask, fins, snorkel, and an optional shorty wetsuit for your personal use during the week. You will also receive as a welcome gift a special waterproof bag to place your belongings during wet landings and an Aqua Expeditions water bottle. The afternoon will see you head out onto your first excursion to the beautiful white beach of Bahia Borrero in the northern part of Santa Cruz. It is also possible to spot Darwin’s finches, Cactus Finch, or the Small Ground Finch among the coastal vegetation, Palo Santo, Leather Leaf, and saltbush. For those who prefer to snorkel, the beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles, so you will no doubt come across one or two! Head home to the yacht for the evening to indulge in your first sumptuous dinner in the Archipelago, making it the perfect start to your Galapagos Islands adventure.[/caption]

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

For those who missed the equatorial crossing the night before, ask our crew for your very own equator crossing certificate – although this is usually reserved for our young explorers, even the young at heart will proudly be able to take this home! This morning explore Genovesa Island, where you will take a tender ride along the volcanic rocks of El Barranco to view the fur seals resting inside rock crevices. A 1.5 km hike inland takes us to the lava fields to view red-footed boobies as well as great frigatebirds and Galapagos storm petrels. After the visit we will return to the yacht to get suited up for your snorkeling session to view bottlenose dolphins, schools of hammerhead sharks, colorful fish and pristine corals. The tenders will accompany us alongside the cliffs to observe the animal species that rest on the cliffs before a splendid lunch back onboard. The afternoon sees us at Bahía Darwin’s
coralline beach for hiking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, or kayaking. Make it a family affair after dinner at the lower deck Beach Club by enjoying a private movie screening. We recommend watching the Planet Earth documentary on the Galapagos Islands, the swashbuckling box office Master and Commander, or simply enjoy the starlit skies from the upper deck.

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

Start the morning early with a workout or a guided meditation on our upper deck followed by a refreshing breakfast. Our first excursion of the day will take us to the northeast of Santiago Island with a dry landing at Bahía Sullivan to discover recent Pahoehoe lava flows.
After a sumptuous lunch and lecture on the geology of the Galapagos Islands from one of our expert scientist guides onboard Aqua Mare, we depart to Sombrero Chino Island, so named after the small crater that forms the islet. The surrounding crystal-clear waters provide a great opportunity to observe sea lions and penguins from above. There will be time for snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking. Return to the yacht for evening sundowners and a barbecue dinner on the upper deck, with the volcanic island serving as a stunning backdrop to your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

With an early morning anchor at Bartolomé Island, you will embark upon a mild climb up to the summit of a spatter cone for a spectacular view of the island’s iconic Pinnacle Rock. Cool down afterward, with a snorkel where you may encounter sea turtles and Galapagos penguins, before heading back to the yacht for lunch as we sail towards Santa Cruz Island. Our afternoon excursion takes us to Cerro Dragón or Dragon Hill, so named because in 1975 it was one of the only places in Santa Cruz Island where scientists could still find a healthy population of land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus). The hiking trail begins with a wet landing and continues inland to a flamingo lagoon, ending with the option to swim and snorkel from the beach or walk along the mangroves and sand dunes of the south beach. Back onboard, swap tales of your magnificent excursion over an al fresco dinner encompassing flavors from the South American Pacific coast and Peruvian Nikkei style crafted by consultant chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

This morning you will explore the El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve to see these wild Galapagos Islands creatures up close in their natural habitat. The area is also a great place to observe Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, flightcatchers, cattle egrets, and if lucky Galapagos Rails. After a mouth-watering lunch and afternoon lecture on the evolution of Darwin’s finches presented by our expert guides in the panoramic lounge, you will take a tender ride to Darwin Station and National Park headquarters to observe tortoises in captivity at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, as well as the different age hatchlings categorized by islands. There will be free time to enjoy the town of Puerto Ayora before returning to the ship. Refreshing superfruit juices await you at our Beach Club, which is located at water level at the aft of the ship or enjoy the scenic sunset views from the upper deck.

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

Rise and shine to a guided meditation on our upper deck before disembarking in Punta Suárez for this morning’s excursion. This visitor site is one of the most interesting landing sites in the Galapagos Islands, due to the high percentage of unique endemism in its fauna such as Española mockingbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and the unique waved albatross.
In the afternoon, we will take a tender ride to the beautiful array of islets where you will be able to snorkel alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and many different species of reef fishes. The last visit of the day will be Bahía Gardner, an outstanding coralline sand beach that boasts one of the biggest colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. Back at the yacht, head over to our bar to socialize over Happy Hour with a glass of our special Aqua Bloody Mary as the crew prepares for departure to our next anchorage.

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

After a night of sailing, you will visit Santa Fé (also known as Barrington) Island for your penultimate day. It is one of the oldest in the Galapagos Islands (around 3.6 million years old), with the island being characterized to some degree by its vegetation of palo santo trees, a pear cactus that is called Opuntia Echio Barringtonensis, and many other native bushes. Here we will spot land iguanas, lava lizards, swallow-tailed gulls, shearwater petrels, red-billed tropicbirds, mockingbirds, Darwin’s finches, and Galapagos hawks. After the visit, we will be able to take advantage of the last full day in the Galapagos Islands by snorkeling, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding. As you enjoy lunch onboard – we recommend the Galapagueña lobster lettuce wraps with Acevichado dressing – the boat will sail to Plaza Sur Island, located off the eastern shore of Santa Cruz. In the afternoon you disembark at this small, but diverse little islet to head out on a two-hour hiking excursion led by your guide to discover its unique landforms. Swap notes on everything you’ve seen today at your final recap briefing once back aboard and toast farewell under the Archipelago’s amazing starlit skies to your newfound friends over a glass of wine.

Overnight: Cruise Ship (the Galapagos Islands)
Accommodation: Aqua Mar Luxury Yacht (or similar)
Meals: B/L/D

You begin your last day with a luxurious breakfast before bidding farewell to the Aqua Mare crew. Your last visit before leaving paradise is a final short excursion to drive up the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to the twin craters of Los Gemelos en route to the airport. It is a remarkable location surrounded by lush vegetation – with help of the expert naturalist guides you may spot short-eared owls, or if lucky, a vermilion flycatcher. Memories of this last adventure will accompany you as you are escorted to Baltra Island for the departing flight back to the mainland.
Upon arrival at Guayaquil airport, your private driver will be waiting for you to greet you and take you to your hotel.

Overnight: Guayaquil
Suggested Hotel: Oro Verde Guayaquil (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-

After breakfast, your guide/driver will pick you up from your hotel in Guayaquil, you have the chance to buy last-minute souvenirs to remind you of the Pearl of the Pacific, before starting your journey toward the colonial city of Cuenca.
On the way there, you will visit the Cajas National Park. The Cajas National Park is a system of more than 200 interconnected high-altitude lagoons. The Cajas is not only the source of many rivers but even connects to the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. After a hike (up to 3 hours) around the most prominent lagoon, you will continue to Cuenca to spend the night there.

Overnight: Cuenca
Suggested Hotel: Mansión Alcazar (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-

This morning, your guide will pick you up for a city tour. The beauty and colonial ambience of Cuenca is best experienced on foot. Our three to four hours Cuenca city tour weaves its way through the old town center, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, to give you a short introduction to the city before heading to Turi to enjoy the incredible view. The day continues with crossing the páramo (typical Andean landscape) following what was once the ancient Inca Trail and will be able to explore the pre-Incan period Ingapirca ruins which are the most important ruins in Ecuador. Here you can start a short hike to reach the Inca’s Face. If conditions and the weather allow it, you can make a stop at the small dunes of Palmira. Late afternoon you will continue your journey to Riobamba where you will spend the night at a gorgeous Hacienda!

Overnight: Riobamba
Suggested Hotel: Hostería La Andaluza (or similar)
Meals: B/-/D

Today you will leave Riobamba after breakfast and make your way to the impressive volcano Chimborazo. You should already be able to spot it several times along the way. If the altitude does not affect you, take a walk to the refuge Carrell on 4.800 m and enjoy the splendid view of surrounding valleys and mountains.
Afterward, continue your journey towards Baños, a small Andean town filled with adventure and relaxation where you will spend the night.

Overnight: Baños
Suggested Hotel: Samari Spa Resort (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-

In the morning, you will drive along the “Avenue of Waterfalls.” Driving south from Baños, you will follow the Pastaza River on its way through the valley of the same name. Passing a number of waterfalls, you will reach the village of Rio Verde, where you will stop to visit the well-known El Pailon del Diablo (The Devil’s Cauldron) waterfall. After visiting the thermal pools of Baños or the famous “Casa del Arbol”, you will return to Quito.

Overnight: Quito
Suggested Hotel: Hotel Patio Andaluz (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-

Today, after breakfast, your English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a walking city tour. The colonial center of Quito was already named world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 1978 and is home to many beautiful, historic buildings and squares. You will visit the Plaza Grande and the beautiful churches La Compañía and La Basílica, and walk down the oldest street of Quito—La Ronda. Afterward, you will visit the equatorial monument Mitad del Mundo, where French scientists determined the position of the central line many years ago.

Overnight: Quito
Suggested Hotel: Hotel Patio Andaluz (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-

This morning, you will explore the surroundings of the Cuicocha Lagoon during a short hike through the vivid flora of the Andean highlands, where blue waters and an awe-inspiring scene await you.
The lagoon is one of Ecuador’s hidden gems, sitting just outside of Otavalo, where you can sometimes hike around the whole thing without ever running into another person. In the afternoon, you will continue to your Hacienda in the area of Otavalo to check-in, rest, and it enjoy its properties.

Overnight: Otavalo
Suggested Hotel: Hacienda Pinsaqui (or similar)
Meals: B/-/D

Today, you will visit to the market of Otavalo. Otavalo features one of the most important traditional markets of South America. Here, the indigenous people of the surrounding areas gather to trade anything from animals over handicraft to fresh vegetables and fruits. Take a stroll through the streets and maybe try some of the local street food such as salted mango or fritada con mote, fried pork with cooked corn.
Afterward, you will enjoiy a traditional lunch in Cotacachi, where you will visit its leather market and a small archaeological museum, before returning to Quito.

Overnight: Quito
Suggested Hotel: Hotel Patio Andaluz (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-

Today, you are free to explore Quito on your own before being picked up for your transfer to the airport. After spending a lot of time in the city already, you might think that there is not much more to see. This could not be further from the truth as there are a few more points of interest to visit to make you feel completely satisfied before your departure.

Overnight: –
Suggested Hotel: –
Meals: B/-/-