Darwin's Paradise
Explore the enchanting colonial capital of Quito before venturing into the pristine wilderness of the Galápagos Islands aboard a private cruise vessel. Extraordinary wildlife encounters - penguins, marine iguanas, boobies, sea lions, and giant tortoises - in one of the most remarkable places on Earth. A truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Highlights
- Quito's UNESCO World Heritage historic centre and the equatorial Middle of the World monument
- Chinese Hat Island - American Oystercatchers and playful Galápagos Penguins
- Vicente Roca Point - dramatic geological formations and nutrient-rich Cromwell Current wildlife
- Fernandina Island - the most pristine and unspoiled island in the archipelago, with marine iguanas and Galápagos hawks
- Tagus Cove - a pirate haunt of the 1800s, home to the rarest bird on Earth, the Mangrove finch
- Urbina Bay - sea lions, land iguanas, and flightless cormorants
- Elizabeth Bay - rich marine life accessible only by panga, perfect for snorkelling
- Moreno Point - birdlife, coastal lagoons, and white-tipped sharks
- The Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoises of the Santa Cruz Highlands
- South Plaza Island - a jewel of biodiversity, land iguanas, sea birds, and Sesuvium plants
Day by Day
Day 1 - Arrival in Quito
Arrival in Lima. Your private host will be waiting to accompany you to your hotel in the heart of the city.
Day 2 - Quito & the Middle of the World
A private tour of Quito's magnificent UNESCO-listed historic centre - the Plaza de la Independencia, La Compañía de Jesús, and the Basilica del Voto Nacional, with its 24 chapels. Panoramic views from El Panecillo Hill, followed by a visit to the Middle of the World monument and the Intiñan Museum, where fascinating experiments bring the equatorial location to life.
Day 3 - Fly to the Galápagos & Chinese Hat Island
Fly to the Galápagos and board your private cruise vessel. In the afternoon, explore Chinese Hat Island - named for its striking silhouette - spotting American Oystercatchers on the volcanic rock and Galápagos Penguins darting through the surrounding waters.
Day 4 - Vicente Roca Point & Fernandina Island
Morning at Vicente Roca Point, where the nutrient-rich Cromwell Current fuels extraordinary marine biodiversity. In the afternoon, land on Fernandina - the most pristine and westernmost island in the archipelago, untouched by invasive species. At Espinosa Point, the island's sole visitor site, encounter marine iguanas basking in the sun and Galápagos hawks overhead, with snorkelling in one of the most unspoiled waters in the world.
Day 5 - Tagus Cove & Urbina Bay, Isabela
Explore Tagus Cove, a haunt of pirates and sailors in the 1800s - hike through rugged terrain to sweeping views of the cove and the mangrove forest, home to the Mangrove finch, one of the rarest bird species on Earth. In the afternoon, Urbina Bay - sea lions, land iguanas, and the remarkable flightless cormorant in a landscape uplifted from the ocean floor by ancient volcanic activity.
Day 6 - Elizabeth Bay & Moreno Point, Isabela
Elizabeth Bay - accessible only by panga, preserving its exceptional marine ecosystem. Glide through crystal-clear waters in search of turtles, rays, and the rich underwater life that makes this one of the finest snorkelling sites in the Galápagos. In the afternoon, Moreno Point - tidal pools, diverse shore birds, coastal lagoons with white-tipped sharks, and panoramic views of the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes.
Day 7 - Charles Darwin Research Station & Santa Cruz Highlands
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz - the epicentre of Galápagos conservation, where giant tortoises of different subspecies are raised for reintroduction into their natural habitats. In the afternoon, journey to the lush Highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises roam freely and the finches and mockingbirds that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution go about their daily lives among the vegetation.
Day 8 - South Plaza Island & Departure
A final morning at South Plaza Island - small in size, extraordinary in biodiversity. Land iguanas, sea lions, Sesuvium plants, and prickly pear cacti that have flourished since the eradication of invasive species returned the island to its natural state. Fly back to mainland Ecuador, with a transfer to a nearby hotel to rest before your international flight home.
Inclusions
Exclusions
- Private guides and drivers for Mainland Ecuador
- Hand-picked boutique accommodations in Quito
- Comfortable private cruise vessel in the Galápagos (full board)
- All domestic and inter-island flights
- Expert naturalist guide throughout the Galápagos
- All visits, entrance fees, and activities as described
- Itinerary tailored to your interests and pace
- 24-hour support throughout your journey
- International flights
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
This is a sample itinerary - a starting point, not a fixed package. Tell us what excites you most and we will shape it into your perfect journey.