Galapagos Adventure
Quito, Galapagos Islands (private, Motor Catamaran, Archipel 1
and Panama City
Day 1 | Arrival in Quito - 23 Feb 2026
Welcome to Ecuador! Upon arrival at Quito airport, join your group for a private transfer (accompanied by an English-speaking guide) to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda
Day 2 | Quito city tour & Cooking class - 24 Feb 2026
Quito is also affectionately known as La Carita de Dios ("The Little Face of God" in English) because of the high number of skillfully ornamented colonial churches and monasteries. Many of these are also recognized to be amongst the finest colonial buildings of South America. Its' lively cobblestone squares and narrow streets are lined with the monumental façades of recently restored neoclassical mansions.
One of the highlights is the Jesuit church of La Compañia de Jesús, the first and best example of Latin American baroque architecture. Behind the elaborate façade, masterly carved out of volcanic rock, you probably will get overwhelmed by its ornate and completely gold-leafed interior, a fusion of Spanish, Moorish, Italian, Flemish, and indigenous influences.
Your tour continues: Your guide will take you to a traditional Central Market to hunt for fresh local products that you will use during your cooking class. You will head to the restaurant 'Claro Oscuro' which is in a beautiful colonial house in the heart of Old Town Quito.
During this tour, you will experience life as a local and will learn how to make 3 traditional dishes with a gourmet twist, which you can replicate back home. Get ready for a day filled with incredible sights, tastes, and smells. At the end of it all, you will be able to enjoy the delicious meal, that you cooked.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 | Day at Leisure - 25 Feb 2026
Today you will have a day at leisure in Quito.
You can always book an additional day tour if desired, ask your host.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 | Flight to the Galapagos & Start of the cruise - 26 Feb 2026
After an early breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Airport to start your amazing adventure on the enchanted islands, onboard the Motor Catamaran Archipel I. At the departures hall, you must reach the Galapagos Government Council counter, to purchase the Transit Control Card ($20 per person only cash, must be kept safe during the trip as it must be presented again upon return). Then your luggage will be inspected to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced on the islands.
On arrival at Baltra airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
PM – CC Fausto Llerena
On a tour to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans; it is an excellent spot to be photographed with them!
Accommodation: Motor Catamaran Archipel I
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 | Galapagos Cruise aboard the Archipel I - 27 Feb 2026
AM - Moreno Point (Isabela)
Moreno Point is located on the north coast of Isabela Island, between the volcanos Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The trail runs along a solidified pahoehoe lava flow into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its' main attractions are several species of birds, which are found around the lakes and mangroves
PM - Urbina Bay (Isabela)
Urbina Bay is located along the west coast of Isabela, between Elizabeth Bay and Tagus Cove. It is close to the base of the Alcedo Volcano. The coastline has undergone a major uplift in 1954, which caused the shore to expand three quarters of a mile out. Here you will be able to
find corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water.
Urbina Bay is home to large and colorful land iguanas and giant tortoise of the Alcedo Volcano population. A lot of Darwin finches can be seen as well.
Accommodation: Motor Catamaran Archipel I
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 | Galapagos Cruise aboard the Archipel I - 28 Feb 2026
AM - Espinoza Point (Fernandina)
Fernandina is the third-largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than on any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the flightless cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfection its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds is to witness evolution happening right in front of you.
PM - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela)
While having lunch you will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse-shape. You will enter a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner the collapsed
amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are cold, but great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and even seahorses!
Accommodation: Motor Catamaran Archipel I
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 | Galapagos Cruise aboard the Archipel I - 01 March, 2026
AM - Egas Port (Santiago)
Puerto Egas is a black beach located on the west side of Santiago Island. Volcanic tuff deposits have favoured the formation of this special black sand beach, and this is the main attraction of tthe Island. This site is called Puerto Egas because there was an attempt of Hector Egas to start
the exploitation of salt, which failed. After all, the price of salt on the continent was very cheap and did not justify its exploitation in the Galapagos. The project was abandoned, and they left their infrastructure.
PM - Rábida
Rábida Island is unique because of the red colour of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors such as rain, saltwater and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. A short walk along a trail will lead you to a coastal lagoon behind the beach to observe land birds; finches, doves, yellow warblers and mockingbirds. There is also a colony of flamingos at the lagoon.
Accommodation: Motor Catamaran Archipel I
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Day 8 | Galapagos Cruise aboard the Archipel I & Flight back to Quito - 02 March, 2026
AM - Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)
08:30 am After breakfast, check out and disembark the cruise for the last time. Your last adventure is brief but enchanting and will take place enroute to the airport. You will explore onboard the dinghy the green landscape of Black Turtle Cove, which is mostly composed of mangrove trees that host innumerable aerial and aquatic species.
Observe how the quiet emerald lagoon and surrounding shallow bays enables the easy observation of sea turtles and as well as groups of sharks.
The visit ends and you will disembark at 09:00 at Baltra island, ultimately reaching Baltra airport at 09:30. This is the official end of your cruise adventure.
You will be assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members as the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to the dock, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport. From there, you will take your flight back to Quito. On arrival, your guide and driver will take you to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 | Day tour Papallacta Thermal Hot Springs -
03 March 2026
Today your guide will drive you through a panoramic mountain road crossing farmland, trout ponds, and native polylepis forests to the town of Papallacta, where the Termas Papallacta resort is located.
Your program gives you access to the semi-private thermal pools area, where you can relax alternating between hot, tepid and cold waters. You could also pamper yourself with a massage and a variety of beauty treatments available at additional cost in the resort’s renowned spa.
At your convenience, enjoy lunch (at your expense) at the Pumamaqui restaurant, located right next to the pools.
The speciality here is trout, sourced from the nearby lakes.
You are in the middle of a former glacial valley and ecological area that is habitat to pumas, the Andean bear and the endangered giant condor bird. An afternoon hike allows you the opportunity to explore the area. At a convenient time (TBA), return to hotel in Quito.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda
Meals: Breakfast
Notes: The itinerary is subject to change due to National Park dispositions or to circumstances
beyond our control (force majeure).
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