Galapagos Adventure Cruise - Grace - Ecuador and Galapagos -

Southern Islands - Overview

Explore the fascinating blend of Indian and Spanish culture in Quito, South America's oldest capital city and designated UN World Heritage Site, and voyage among the unique Galapagos Islands. Discover plants and animals unique to particular islands as you travel through the archipelago. Our expert naturalist guides explain how these species have evolved and adapted over time. During an eight-day cruise you will visit the major wildlife sites, including some of the more remote outer islands. Meet exotic and bizarre creatures as you venture among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, and rocky cliffs and cool off with snorkel in clear equatorial waters.

Southern Islands - Days 1 - 2: Quito

A guided, half-day tour of the city of Quito, a designated World Heritage Site, is the perfect kick off to your Galapagos adventure: start in the quaint, hillside neighborhood of Guapulo and move towards the busy plazas, ornate churches and rich museums of the old colonial center. At Mitad del Mundo, the equatorial marker, village and museum, learn about this region’s diversity, from the coastal African slave descendants to the rainforest dwellers. Overnights are at the charming boutique hotel of Casa Aliso, located in the fashionable La Floresta neighborhood.

Accommodations: La Casona de la Ronda

Southern Islands - Days 3 - 5: Espanola / Floreana

Fly two hours to the Galapagos, where you meet your naturalist guide and board the Grace. Your first stop is the small islet of “Los Lobos,” a haven for barking, playful sea lions and blue-footed boobies, where we have our first snorkeling opportunity. At Punta Suarez on Espanola see five species of nesting seabirds: the Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Marine iguanas and giant lava lizards roam the terrain and a short hike leads to the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs which blasts incoming breakers into geysers over 90 feet high. Following lunch, relax on the beach with the sea lions at Gardener Bay and spend time snorkeling and kayaking. Visit Floreana Island, which has the most intriguing human history of all of the islands in the Galapagos. A nearby lagoon is home to flamingos, pintail ducks, stilts, and other shorebirds. Visitors may also spot stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the shallows of the bay. Overnights on the Grace.

Accommodations: Grace

Southern Islands - Days 6 - 7: Santa Cruz / Santiago

On Santa Cruz Island, follow your guide to view prehistoric-looking giant land iguanas before visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station and its breeding center for giant tortoises. Las Bachas Beach is prime nesting habitat for sea turtles as well as offering great opportunities for snorkeling and sea kayaking. Santiago and Sombrero Chino's volcanic origins are evident in the pahoehoe lava and rust red caldera. Climb the slopes for spectacular views of the sparkling bay below. Overnight on the Grace. [BLD]

Accommodations: Grace

Southern Islands - Days 8 - 9: Rabida / Bartolome / North Seymour

Rabida, with its reddish beach and cliffs and steep, sloping volcanic cinder cones, makes it easy to imagine yourself at the dawning of existence. Visit a noisy colony of sea lions and hike into the interior to observe many species of land birds, including finches, doves, yellow warblers and mockingbirds. Snorkeling along the rocks allow observation of many reef fish common to this area. The following morning, visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island where penguins are often spotted. Hike 30 minutes up to the summit of the once active volcano for expansive views. Keep an eye out for pelicans and Galapagos hawks. In the afternoon we head to North Seymour Island, and follow the trail amongst swallow tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, you can find marine iguanas and sea lions surfing on the northern swells. Overnights on the Grace.

Accommodations: Grace

Southern Islands - Days 10: Quito / Departure

Disembark in the morning after a short visit to Mosqueria, a sandy coral beach and prime habitat for sea turtles and sea lions. Your guide will accompany you to the Galapagos airport for your afternoon flight to the mainland, where you will remain at the airport for international connections this evening. Depending on your departure time, we can arrange a hotel room or extend your trip. We encourage our travelers to add time to explore the rich diversity of the Ecuadorian mainland, be it the cultural treasures of the Andean highland villages or colonial Cuenca, the incredible wildlife of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve or the avian haven of Mindo-Tandayapa cloud forest. Ask your program director for details.

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Ecuador and Galapagos. Galapagos Adventure Cruise - Grace

Southern Islands - Overview

Southern Islands - Days 1 - 2: Quito

Southern Islands - Days 3 - 5: Espanola / Floreana

Southern Islands - Days 6 - 7: Santa Cruz / Santiago

Southern Islands - Days 8 - 9: Rabida / Bartolome / North Seymour

Southern Islands - Days 10: Quito / Departure

Scheduled Departure Dates