Compare Ecuador in 9 days - Galapagos Discovery - Charm by Exoticca vs 8 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos Cruise by Gate 1 Travel

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Ecuador
Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, capital of Ecuador, founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city; transfer to your hotel. The Quito airport is approximately an hour drive from the city. Balance of the day is at leisure to get acquainted with this lively city's priceless historical treasures of art and architecture
Overnight: Quito ▲

DAY 2, Sunday - Quito City Tour & Visit to the Middle of the World
The morning's tour begins with a visit to the colonial section of Quito to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th-century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting La Compañia de Jesus Church, with its beautiful gilded interior or the Church and Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World with its impressive facade and atrium. Afterward, visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3, Monday - Flight to Baltra, Embarkation, Las Bachas - Santa Cruz Island
Embark this morning on a journey to the "beginning of time" as you transfer to the airport for the flight to the astonishing Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands, five million years in the making. Arrive at Baltra Airport, meet your naturalist guides and transfer to the pier to board the M/V Santa Cruz II. Lunch on board with time to settle in before this afternoon's excursion to Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island's north shore. Here, enjoy the delightful white sand beach with briny lagoons just a few steps from the sea, a feeding ground for various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Tonight, a welcome cocktail on board with a briefing by a naturalist guide on tomorrow's exciting activities followed by dinner
Overnight: Galapagos Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Tuesday - Buccaneer Cove, Puerto Egas (James Bay) - Santiago Island
Awake early and get ready for the thrilling explorations that lie ahead on Santiago Island. Discover the extraordinary cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, once an important site for 17th and 18th-century sailors, now home to large numbers of marine birds, sea lions, and adorable Galapagos fur seals. View the amazing natural formations including Elephant Rock, the Bishop, and a remarkable natural cave. Swim along the rocky shoreline or, snorkel in the company of friendly marine turtles. Later, on the trails at Puerto Egas, you view land and marine birds in this landscape of tuff-stone layers with Sally Lightfoot crabs roaming the lava rocks. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds next to colonies of fur sea lions. Enjoy dinner and evening at leisure
Overnight: Galapagos Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Wednesday - Rábida and Bartolomé Island
A morning panga ride takes you along the jagged shores to Rábida Island with its volcanic rocks surrounding a striking red sand beach. Your walk brings you close to a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas and several species of Darwin's famous finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond seasonally hosts migrating flamingos. Try snorkeling at this beach, a perfect place to learn! Experienced snorkelers will appreciate the exceptional combination of underwater marine life and submarine landscapes. After lunch, travel to the golden beaches of Bartolomé Island, dominated by the iconic Pinnacle Rock, an impressive towering lava structure that rises from the ocean's edge. After snorkeling and swimming, a chance to ride on a glass bottom boat with incredible views of the underwater life. Later, option for a steep hike to the summit of this diminutive island with fantastic panoramic views of the archipelago. In the evening after dinner, attend a briefing by a naturalist guide
Overnight: Galapagos Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Prince Philip's Steps, Darwin Bay - Genovesa Island
Start the day with a steep hike (90 feet) up Prince Philip's Steps, named in recognition of Prince Philip's visit to the Galapagos in 1964. Atop the flat rocky plateau, observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Alternatively, panga rides are available along the cliffs (conditions permitting). After relaxing on board, afternoon visit to Darwin Bay, a coral beach that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted along with tidal pools where sea lions swim. An easy stroll takes you to an observation area to view hundreds of birds, including gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. Tonight, bid a fond farewell to the crew and naturalist guides on this last night on board your Galapagos cruise
Overnight: Galapagos Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Friday - Disembarkation, Flight to Guayaquil, City Tour & Parque Historico
Disembarkation at Baltra Island. Then, proceed to the airport for the flight to Guayaquil. Your discovery of this historic city in the high Andes begins at the main square, with its stirring memorial to the Heroes of the Independence, symbolizing the triumph of the Republic against the Spanish. Continue to Seminario Park (Parque de las Iguanas), a favorite place for bird watchers and home to arboreal Iguanas. Next, experience the many ethnological influences present in Ecuadorian culture by viewing the contrasting architecture of a Neo-Gothic Cathedral, a Moorish clock tower, and La Rotonda Monument. Continue to the lovely riverside Garden of Malecon and Santa Ana Hill where the city was founded in the 16th century. Continue to Parque Historico and learn about the history & culture of the region. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure
Overnight: Guayaquil
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Saturday - Depart Ecuador
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 10 and will require a transfer on Day 9. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time
Meals: Breakfast