Fly from the UK to Quito. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay.

Tour the dazzling churches and monuments of old town—largest and best preserved colonial centre in the Americas—and visit a revitalized traditional market with a local non-profit this morning on a walking tour. Take the afternoon at leisure to relax and explore. Elect to join an exclusive neighbourhood visit for hotel guests. Gather for a welcome dinner at Restaurant Cedrón at Casa Gangotena, presenting Ecuadorian cuisine with modern flair.

After breakfast, journey 70 miles north across the Equator though dramatic Andean valleys to Mashpi Lodge, set in tropical forest at 3,000 feet.

After check-in and lunch, join resident naturalists on a nature walk. Search for the endemic Mashpi torrent frog and other nocturnal creatures after dinner tonight.

Take the day to explore, where options and excursions arranged for you include a ride across the canopy in the aerial tram or innovative sky-bike, naturalist-led walks to waterfalls on well-constructed trails, a visit to the hummingbird feeders and butterfly farm and the life center. Birds like endemic mountain tanagers, trogons, motmots and hummingbirds flock around the lodge verandas, and the surrounding forest is spectacular. Keep an eye open for the Chocó toucan, one of dozens of spectacular bird species endemic to this bio-region. The bird list tops 400 species.

Return this morning with the guide to Casa Gangotena with a lunch stop en route. Dinner and the rest of the evening is at leisure to prepare for your upcoming adventures in Galápagos.

Fly from Quito to Baltra. On arrival, transfer to the port and embark the ship.
*Itineraries are subject to change Galápagos National Park regulations.

Your expedition begins on Santa Cruz Island, the cultural and scientific heart of the Galápagos. In Puerto Ayora, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation efforts and see the giant tortoise breeding corrals, including the monument to the famed Lonesome George. Later, venture into the lush highlands where giant tortoises roam freely among green pastures and lava tunnels. In the afternoon, sail to nearby North Seymour Island, a wildlife-rich haven. Follow coastal trails past playful sea lions before heading inland through a forest of endemic palo santo trees. Here, blue-footed boobies perform their iconic courtship dances while magnificent frigatebirds inflate their red throat pouches. Land iguanas bask along the trail, offering your first glimpse of the islands’ prehistoric charm.

Today is devoted to Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago and a showcase of dramatic volcanic landscapes. Sail across the Equator near Volcán Ecuador, the northernmost of Isabela’s six massive shield volcanoes. Watch for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and the elusive ocean sunfish during the crossing. Land along the wildly eroded volcanic shoreline where Darwin once walked, and explore lava fields shaped by powerful geological forces. Over the course of the day, hikes and Zodiac cruises reveal rich coastal wildlife, including marine iguanas, seabirds, and nesting areas along the shore. Snorkeling opportunities offer encounters with sea turtles and colorful fish in nutrient-rich waters. The scale and raw beauty of Isabela provide a powerful introduction to the geological forces that shaped the Galápagos.

Begin the day at Fernandina Island, one of the most active oceanic volcanoes on Earth and the youngest island in the Galápagos. Its pristine landscapes are free of invasive species, making it a stronghold for endemic wildlife. Walk across striking recent lava flows while spotting flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and the largest marine iguanas in the islands. In the afternoon, sail to Santiago Island. Explore black basalt coastlines dotted with tide pools and quiet grottos sheltering fur seals. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding along the scenic coast. Inland, walk through an enchanting coastal forest once explored by Charles Darwin himself. The contrast between Fernandina’s raw volcanic power and Santiago’s sheltered ecosystems makes this a richly varied day.

Climb the iconic wooden staircase of Bartolomé Island to its 300-foot summit for sweeping views of volcanic cones, lava flows, and the famous Pinnacle Rock. After the hike, enjoy beach time with opportunities to swim and snorkel, keeping an eye out for Galápagos penguins—among the rarest penguin species in the world. Later, sail north across the Equator to remote Genovesa Island, a flooded caldera teeming with life. Known as “Bird Island,” it hosts over a million seabirds. At Prince Philip’s Steps, a trail reveals Nazca, red- and blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, gulls, and even short-eared owls. Snorkeling may reveal hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and turtles, rounding out a day of extraordinary biodiversity.

Española Island is one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos and a paradise for birdlife. Walk along coastal trails to encounter Española mockingbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and large colonies of Nazca boobies. Seasonally, this island hosts the world’s only population of waved albatross, offering a rare opportunity to observe their elaborate courtship displays. The vividly coloured marine iguanas here are unique to Española, adding splashes of red and green against the dark lava. In the afternoon, relax at Gardner Bay’s white sand beach, where sea lions lounge and pups play in the shallows. Snorkeling offshore reveals crystal-clear waters filled with tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. Española perfectly balances serene beauty with remarkable wildlife encounters.

Begin your final day on Floreana Island, rich in human history and natural beauty. Walk past a pink-tinted lagoon that is sometimes visited by flamingos, then snorkel among sea lions and vibrant marine life or cruise by Zodiac around Champion Islet. Visit the famous Post Office Bay, where travelers still leave and collect handwritten mail in a tradition dating back centuries. In the afternoon, continue to San Cristóbal, the easternmost island. Search for red-footed boobies, endemic mockingbirds, and lava lizards found nowhere else on Earth. Walk along a powdery white sand beach near iconic Kicker Rock, a dramatic sea formation rising from the ocean. Conclude in Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lions freely roam the town, offering a memorable farewell to the Galápagos.

Fly from Baltra to Quito. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 1-night stay.

Fly overnight from Quito back to the UK.