Itinerary overview
On arrival in Quito on day one, take time to see the top attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site city before resting up in your boutique hotel.
You’ll fly to Santa Cruz on day two to board the beautiful Aqua Mara yacht. Come the afternoon, you’ll sail to Bahia Borrero. This white-sand wonder of northern Santa Cruz is a stunning place to snorkel and spot Darwin’s finches.
Genovesa Island awaits on day three. After taking a tender along El Barranco’s volcanic rocks, you’ll embark on a comfortable 1.5 km lava field hike that offers opportunities to spot red-footed boobies, Galapagos petrels, and great frigate birds.
After a refuelling through an on-board lunch, you’ll head to the marine-life-rich waters of Bahia Darwin to snorkel.
Day four will see you sail to Santiago Island to see the remarkable recent lava flow at Bahía Sullivan. After lunch, you’ll visit Sombrero Chino Island to observe sea lions and penguins, and to snorkel, paddle-board or kayak.
On day five, the yacht will anchor at Bartolomé Island so you can climb the summit of a volcanic cone for spectacular views before offering opportunities to snorkel, and see turtles and Galapagos penguins.
On day six, you can hike Santa Cruz’s Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) and visit the El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve — also a top spot for Darwin’s finches and Galapagos rails.
You’ll explore Punta Suárez on day seven,, which is known for its endemic species, including lava lizards and the waved albatross.
Day eight of your cruise will see you return to Santa Cruz, where you can take a trip to the twin craters of the island’s highlands before flying to Guayaquil on the mainland on day nine.
Next up is a day ten trip to Las Cajas National Park en route to Cuenca. Boasting 200+ interconnected lagoons, you’ll hike around the most prominent before overnighting in Cuenca.
The following morning, you take a tour of UNESCO-designated Cuenca before following an ancient Inca trail to explore the pre-Incan Ingapirca ruins for the remainder of day eleven.
After staying in Riobamba overnight, you’ll venture to Chimborazzo volcano on day twelve before continuing to the Andean town of Baños.
The morning of day thirteen is given over to driving along the awe-inspiring “Avenue of Waterfalls” until you reach El Pailon del Diablo — AKA the Devil’s Cauldron.
After visiting Baños’ thermal pools, you’ll return to Quito to rest up before your departure on day 14.