Day 1

Flight from Miami to QUITO - Upon arrival, reception by our representatives and transfer to the hotel. Luggage and hotel registration assistance is offered. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon we take you for a Quito Colonial City Tour and the Middle of the World. Explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas; visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. Drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan. Finish the morning at the “Panecillo” hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city. About 11 miles (18 km) to the north of Quito, there is the Middle of the World City complex. Visit the monument to the equatorial line or parallel 0, latitude 0° 0’0”. For families, there is the “Inti Ñan,” or “Pathway of the Sun,” where children and teenagers can enjoy a learning experience about earth subjects. Overnight.

Tentative itinerary in Galapagos (subject to change without prior notice)

Day 3

Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to Quito airport for your flight to GALAPAGOS ISLANDS via Guayaquil stop. Upon arrival you will be greeted and transferred to Hotel Silberstein at Puerto Ayora. During the drive, special attention should be paid to the changing surroundings from arid red and rocky ground in the North towards green and vivid nature in the highlands and the South. The charming welcome at the hotel is followed by an explanatory talk about the personalized itineraries and the accommodation in the rooms. Lunch will be served at the hotel restaurant, before our specialist guide joins the guests to the Charles Darwin Research Station for a visit in the afternoon. This station hosts educational museums, both about the history and development of the Galapagos Islands and the protection of this natural heritage. The endemic giant land tortoises can be observed, including the world famous Lonesome George who is the last male of its specie. At Galapagos many different tortoise species exist and with this station their extinction is meant to be anticipated. Subsequently, there is some leisure time to explore the small, but pictorial harbor town Puerto Ayora with its many shops of local arts and crafts. The dinner is served at the hotel restaurant. Overnight.

Day 4

Breakfast. The destinations visited in the Galapagos are subject to change due to availability. The Islands: BARTOLOME Very early in the morning - at 5.00-5.30 am - the bus departs from the Hotel Silberstein to take the guests to the Channel of Itabaca where the yacht awaits ready to depart. A day in a paradise with beautiful white beaches, an outer space ambient, clear water and many native animals is about to begin. At the two hour boat trip the unique possibility to have breakfast watching the sun rise on sea is offered. Also the opportunity to experience dolphins and other marine residents closely to the boat in the early hours is probable. Landing at Bartolome, approximately 300 steps follow their way up through the moon-like ambient to the highest point of the volcano island. The reward is an amazing view over the islands Santiago, North Seymour, Baltra, Santa Cruz and Rábida, the Chinese Hat as well as the well-known Pinnacle Rock which is the remains of an ancient volcano, consisting of black lava. It is the home of thousands of sea birds and the most famous photographed portrait of the Galapagos Islands.

Then after, changing clothes for the beach visit, the dinghy-ride will provide the guests with an amazing impression of the only 50 cm tall Galapagos Penguin standing on the cliff or shooting like a bullet through the clear waters. Further, arriving the shore, a short walk through the dunes takes the visitor to the northern beach. Here the pelicans have their nesting area and, just a step away inside the bay, small white-tip reef sharks have their territory and can be observed. Back at the southern beach the shallow sea invites to go swimming and snorkeling along with the cozy Galapagos penguins, sharks, starfish, rays, sea turtles and plenty of other exotic and colorful fish or just to enjoy the diversity of native residents such as marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans and many more. Lunch takes place at the boat after this amazing adventure. For this day the trip ends to return in the late afternoon to the Hotel Silberstein. Again, there is some leisure time to stroll over the mole of Puerto Ayora, before dinner is served at the Hotel Silberstein.

SEYMOUR AND BACHAS This day trip starts at 8 am and offers the golden chance to get to know the northern island Seymour and Bachas beach. The bus takes the guests to the yacht at Itabaca Channel and afterwards, during the one hour cruise to Seymour Island the awakening of the archipelago can be witnessed. The disembarkation takes place from the Dinghy straight to the rocky coast near a small forest consisting of gray and silver trees the Palo Santo (Holy Stick) without leaves most of the year. Seymour is famous for its large colonies of different kinds of birds. Especially the male frigate birds with their red pouch to attract females in the breeding time and the famous Galapagos blue-footed boobies can be observed. These seabirds have a wedge shaped tail, long pointed wings and for the courtship the males lift first one, then the other blue foot into the air and dance to impress the female. Other highlights of the excursion are a beach with small cliffs, the observation of sea-gulls, many sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans, almost an arm length away.

The fresh cooked lunch consists of two courses and is served on the yacht. Whilst the siesta time the yacht continues to Bachas beach at the Northern coast of Santa Cruz. First it is suggestible to take a short hike to a Flamingo pond just behind the beach and afterwards refresh swimming and snorkeling at this lonesome, paradisiac beach with white sand and turquoise water! Sea lions, different kind of rays, tortoises and tropical fish may join you in your underwater experience! The return to Puerto Ayora is approximately at 16:30h. Here it is possible to have a walk at the pier and shop some souvenirs or enjoy the sunset from the hotel roof before the day ends with a lovely dinner at our restaurant ""El Pelicano"".

PLAZAS AND PUNTA CARRION The group departs at 8 am from the hotel, leaving towards the north to the channel of Itabaca and then hopping on the yacht to cruise to Plazas South Island. It is one of the smaller islands of the Galapagos visitors are able to reach, located close the eastern coast of Santa Cruz. After 1 ½ hours, Plazas welcomes the traveler with a bright colorful red and green carpet of Sesuvio, an endemic plant, spread over the Island and the loud, friendly barking of several sea lion families which have settled down on the shore of the channel between North- and South Plazas where the yacht anchors. The turquoise water of the ocean jars perfectly with the white shining beaches and the black lava rocks of the coast. The hike is easy and goes along relaxing sea lions and Land Iguanas around most of the Island to reach the highest cliff where swallow-tailed gulls cross the air screaming and the sea lions which could not persist against their competitors climbing up the almost vertical wall. At the same time tropical birds, blue-footed boobies and other marine frigate birds glide gently in the wind. We suggest to take your binoculars along and get an extraordinary close view of these animals as well as the other marine life. The view from the highest point over the ocean and the powerful waves breaking at the cliffs is an experience the visitor will not forget. Afterwards the trip continues to Punta Carrión where lunch is served on board. This is a great spot to snorkel and swim among rays, sharks and hundreds of colorful tropic fish.Take a refreshing drink back at the hotel bar, before enjoying dinner at the restaurant.

FLOREANA A new adventure starts at approximately 7.30 am from the pier in Puerto Ayora where the boat is ready to depart. After a relaxing 2 hour cruise the island of Floreana in the South of Santa Cruz is reached. This was the first populated island of the Galapagos which still holds unsolved mysteries, romantic sites and a vivid history which our guide will tell first hand with the spots where it all happened at sight. With the bus the group is taken to the Highlands of Floreana. Here, it is possible to feel how the real pirates must have felt in their old, dusky caves which they used in the 17th century as hideaway. The “Asilo de la Paz” is a pretty lookout with the only source of fresh water for the island. The finca of the ancient Wittmer family is not only the biggest and oldest property of Floreana but also a lovely place to enjoy the archipelago. They were one of the first settlers of the island and have given already the possibility to many tourists from all over the world to experience this heritage with their knowledge and experience.

On the way back to the village, the endemic land tortoises of this island can be marveled at. Once the group attains the pier, playful sea lions, green sea turtles and penguins may pass by. The cruise continues to Bahía Champion which is the perfect place to be for the baby sea lions. They may join curiously whilst the guests snorkel in the bay – an unforgettable and simply unique experience. Next, La Corona del Diablo – the Devil's Crown – is headed to. At this place the sea is pretty rough and powerful, excellent conditions for sharks, rays and sea lions. But the blue-footed boobies, sea-gulls and sea iguanas also feel confident here. With these images, the group returns to Santa Cruz and before it is time to take dinner, the possibility is offered to get to know the local crafts and arts in Puerto Ayora.

SANTA FE AND GARRAPATERO The departure is scheduled at about 8 am from the hotel. The group is taken to the harbor of our little town to embark on the boat for an one hour cruise to the bay of Santa Fé. This island has an unique scenery: The largest cactus of the world, the Opuntia, with a height of up to 5 meters and the gently smelling Palo Santo tree are spread out over the whole island. Meet the old acquaintances named blue-footed boobies, sea-gulls, tropical birds and storm petrels. They all call the coast cliffs their homes. In this bay, a scenic lagoon is located with shallow clear waters – perfect for snorkeling and swimming with the playful sea lions, marine iguanas, resident green sea turtles as well as diverse rays. Back at the boat, the target is the beach Garrapatero on the western coast of Santa Cruz. Lurked beaches with beautiful white sand and turquoise water invite the people for a swim, a walk or just relaxing in the sun. The enjoyment of this beautiful site for a 1-1.5 hour break after lunch should be appreciated. At a beauteous lagoon feeding flamingos, the Galapagos sparrow hawk, egrets and many more species can be observed, before it is time at approximately 4 pm to head back to Santa Cruz. The dinner sets the perfect ambiance for ending this sensational day at the restaurant of the Hotel Silberstein.

Day 5

Breakfast at the hotel and cruise (destinations are subject to change due to availability)

Day 6

Breakfast at the hotel and cruise (destinations are subject to change due to availability)

Day 7

After breakfast, at scheduled time transfer to the airport for the international flight to Miami.

• - "From" prices expressed in US dollars per person based on Double Room occupancy, minimum of 2 travelers;
  
  
• - Hotel accommodations include daily breakfast and taxes;
  
  
• - Rates valid for individual reservations only and are subject to change based in specific hotel availability at time of booking. Not valid during holidays, special events, Carnival or New Year's;
  
  
• - Airfare not included; let us quote your best customized airfare based on your specifications; contact us for details.
  
  

Local airport taxes not included and to be paid in cash at the airports.
*Tours in Galapagos to be offered according to arrival dates of the packages, to be confirmed upon booking. Referential itinerary subject to change due to climate conditions or National Park regulations
Additional costs, subject to change without prior notice:
• Galapagos Transit card tax, $10.00 per person
• Meals not specified, beverages, tips and personal items
• International departure tax, $40.80 per person from Quito or $31.00 per person from Guayaquil
• Galapagos National Park tax, $100.00 per person
Services have been quoted on shared basis with local English speaking guides in each destination.