Arrive in the beautiful city of Quito, the world’s first city to be declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Standing at an altitude of 2,850m, Quito is the second-highest capital in the world after La Paz in Bolivia. 

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to a heritage boutique hotel in La Ronda, a traditional neighborhood within the historic colonial quarter, offering a glimpse into the city's vibrant history and creativity.

Quito, affectionately dubbed "La Carita de Dios" (The Little Face of God), is a treasure trove of culture and colonial architecture. Its identity is etched in the exquisitely adorned colonial churches and monasteries, contributing to its South American architectural splendor. The city's vibrant essence is mirrored in cobblestone squares, narrow lanes, and meticulously restored neoclassical mansions that line the streets.

Explore the colonial quarter, a charming maze of cobbled paths, picturesque squares, and remarkable colonial edifices. Noteworthy sites include Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, San Francisco church, and La Compañia de Jesus church—celebrated as Quito's pinnacle and one of Ecuador's most opulent religious structures.

Amidst your journey, relish the chance to savour authentic Andean bites, supporting local traditions and economies. Indulge in Ecuadorian tamales, hearty corn pies with tender chicken or beef, embraced by achira leaves. Delight in quimbolitos, delicate corn cakes cocooned in achira leaves, and humitas, corn cakes wrapped in corn husks. Pair these delights with a steaming cup of coffee. For a refreshing option, consider the cherished "helado de paila." This frozen treat, an Ecuadorian favorite, is crafted in a traditional manner using a large metal pan, a "paila," preserving a heritage distinct from modern ice cream production. 

Concluding your Quito journey is an ascent to the 3,016m-high hill, offering breathtaking panoramas of the city and surrounding volcanoes. Crowning the summit is a 41m steel replica of Quito’s Winged Virgin, an awe-inspiring emblem of Quito's spirit. (B)(S)

The Galápagos Islands, renowned for their ecological significance, house diverse and endemic species. Conservation initiatives and sustainable practices safeguard fragile ecosystems, allowing remarkable wildlife like giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies to thrive undisturbed. This delicate balance between nature and human impact preserves the islands' allure for future generations. [EG1] [KM2] 

Fly to San Cristobal Island airport. Upon arrival you will be met by your naturalist guide and transferred to Treasure. 

Treasure recognises environmental preservation as a moral obligation, not a luxury, allocating a portion of their earnings to the Charles Darwin Station & Galápagos Conservation Trust supporting initiatives dedicated to conserving and rejuvenating Galápagos ecosystems. 

In the afternoon, a visit to the Colorado Hill Tortoises Protection and Growing Center awaits, a 40-minute bus ride southeast of the island. This center aims to enhance the island’s tortoise population. It features a spacious corral, a Visitors Center, a breeding hub, and an interpretative trail. Along this trail, native plants, and endemic birds like the San Cristobal Mockingbird, Yellow Warblers, various finch species, and the Galápagos flycatcher can be observed.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you will visit Gardner Bay. On the north-eastern coast of the island of Española, Gardner Bay offers a wonderful place to swim in the turquoise sea and admire the colourful reef fish. You will also have the opportunity to snorkel side by side with green sea turtles, or to enjoy the proximity of playful Galapagos sea lions. The white sand beach is also an important breeding ground for the green sea turtles. Sometimes whales can be sighted in the crystal-clear ocean.

Spend the afternoon at Suarez Point. Huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs of Suarez Point, forming a spectacular blowhole, where the water sprays metres high into the air (depending on the season, the tide and how strongly the sea breeze pushes the waves). This rocky area is home to the most impressive and diverse seabirds of the archipelago. Depending on the season, you can admire the endangered Galapagos albatross, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and more. Along the southern coast, high cliffs allow spectacular views of ascending birds and the seawater shot through blow holes. (B)(L)(D)

Explore the iconic Post Office Bay. Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. The letters found inside the barrel would be picked up and delivered by sailors returning home. There was no postage fee, and, surprisingly, this mailbox and its honor system are still in use today. Although the

letters are no longer important messages from sailors to their loved ones, thousands of them are left by tourists nowadays and many of them still make it to their destination. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30m) are the ruins of what is known as her house.

Continue to Punta Cormorant. The Point reveals dual personalities with its twin beaches and a flamingo-dotted lagoon; strangely, it's void of its namesake cormorants, abundant in the west on Fernandina and Isabela islands. It's akin to having two sites in one: the verdant sandy landing beach is a favorite among sea lions, while a brief stroll unveils a stunning white sand counterpart. Caution is wise, for while wading is safe up to your ankles, the waters teem with stingrays, often visible just offshore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

In the southeastern Galápagos lies an uplift-formed island, rendering it largely flat. Some theories suggest it might be the archipelago's oldest. Santa Fe hosts endemic species, Galápagos Hawk, snake, mockingbird, rice rats, and a unique land iguana species. Disembarking, you'll encounter a vibrant sea lion colony in crystalline waters. The trail unveils salt bushes, giant Prickly Pear cacti, exemplifying oceanic island gigantism—a hallmark of this remarkable destination. 

Santa Cruz island offers remarkable chances to encounter wild tortoises. They wander pastures in the agricultural zone and thrive in the Tortoise Reserve, accessible via Santa Rosa or Salasaca. Farms offer sustenance while enabling tortoise spotting. The transition from introduced farmland to native vegetation marks the descent into the Transition Zone. El Chato's pond, surrounded by forest, hosts short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, Vermilion flycatchers, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails, and Paint-billed Crakes. In the forest adorned with lichens and ferns, listen for the deliberate footsteps of tortoises making their way through the undergrowth.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Twin Craters flank the road to Puerto Ayora. These formations, not true volcanic craters, resulted from magma domes. External hardening and internal lava flow led to colossal empty chambers that later collapsed, forming two vast cavities. Amid a verdant scalesia cloud forest, unique to Galapagos, you'll find these craters. Carpenter finches, adept at using tools for food, inhabit the area. Look out for the vermillion flycatcher, a small red-breasted bird, enhancing the experience.

Concluding the visit, you'll be transferred to Baltra airport for your flight to Guayaquil, bidding farewell to this natural wonder. 

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, situated just steps from La Peña historic neighbourhood, renowned for its charming cobblestone streets, colourful colonial-style houses, and vibrant cultural atmosphere. Perched on a hill overlooking the city and the Guayas River, it holds significant historical importance as one of the oldest neighborhoods in Guayaquil. 

Meals: Breakfast

Explore La Peñas narrow alleys, adorned with artistic murals and quaint boutiques. The area also hosts art galleries, cafes, and restaurants, offering a blend of creativity and traditional Ecuadorian flavors. Las Peñas is not only a picturesque destination but also a testament to Guayaquil's cultural heritage, making it a must-visit for those seeking history and authenticity.  At an agreed time, you will be transferred to Guayaquil’s airport for your onward arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast