Wet & Dry Landings?
Throughout our itineraries we refer to wet and dry landings.
A "wet landing" means that you will jump into the water at about calf-height and walk onto shore.
A "dry landing" means that you will disembark at a pier or other natural jetty, keeping your shoes on.
Day 1 Arrive Quito Throughout our itineraries we refer to wet and dry landings.
A "wet landing" means that you will jump into the water at about calf-height and walk onto shore.
A "dry landing" means that you will disembark at a pier or other natural jetty, keeping your shoes on.
Fly to Quito where you will be met and transferred to the Marriott Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Marriott Hotel
Day 2 Quito | Meals: B
Welcome to the capital of Ecuador! The charm and grace of Quito is found in the old part of the city and we begin our day at the Plaza de la Independencia. We?ll pass the Government Palace before stopping at La Compañia, considered by many to be Latin America?s most beautiful church. Its ornate paintings and gold leaf covered altars are some of the finest examples of baroque and Quiteño colonial art. We move on to the Monasterio de San Francisco, built in 1534 and considered the continent's oldest church. After time to view the fine artwork we take a short ride north of Quito to La Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial Line Monument). Standing at 0 degrees, you have the distinction of having a foot in each hemisphere! Travel back into the heart of Quito where the afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own.
Marriott Hotel
Day 3 Quito
Our drive this morning takes us north to Otavalo for a day of bargaining! The impressive markets in the Poncho Plaza form a sea of vibrant colors glistening off the array of cloth, blankets and woolen tapesties on display. Sharpen your bargaining skills, as these merchants size up their customers quickly and are tough negotiators! We'll stop for lunch at one of the nearby haciendas before visiting one or two of the local workshops to get a first-hand look at the craftsmen at work. You might visit Carabuela for a look at how ponchos and fajas (belts) are made; or Cotacachi, Ecuador?s leather center. Return to Quito late this afternoon.
Marriott Hotel
Day 4 Quito-Galápagos-Embark M/V Isabella II-
Quito-Galápagos-Embark M/V Isabella II-Seymour | Meals: BLD
A morning flight takes us to the island of Baltra where we embark on the Yacht Isabella II. After lunch, a dry landing at North Seymour Island affords time to walk along the coast, finding blue footed boobies, frigate birds and sea lions. Seymour Island is considered one of the best breeding grounds for sea birds - keep a look out for blue footed booby nests along the trail!
Yacht Isabella II
Day 5 Hood Island | Meals: BLD
Hood Island (Española) is the southernmost of the Galápagos islands. A wet landing at Gardner Bay reveals an exquisite white coral beach. Snorkeling is great in this area or you might enjoy a glass-bottom boat trip around the islets. Later this afternoon a dry landing on Punta Suarez for a nature walk on the lava terrain in search of its most famous residents: the Waved Albatross. Their mating ritual is one to see, as they dance around and appear to fence with their beaks. (The best time to witness this is from May to December).
Yacht Isabella II
Day 6 Floreana Island | Meals: BLD
Our first landing at Floreana Island is wet at Point Cormorant for a chance to see the flamingoes that nest around the lagoon. After lunch, we have another wet landing at Post Office Bay. By tradition, whalers used to leave their mail here and any visitors who came along would look through the mail, take any that were destined for their home town, and post it when they returned home.
Yacht Isabella II
Day 7 Santa Cruz Island | Meals: BLD
Santa Cruz is the second largest island not only in size, but in human inhabitants as well. Our dry landing at Puerto Ayora takes us to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where the focus is the saving and breeding of the giant tortoise. We have time to stroll along the streets of Puerto Ayora and have lunch before visiting the Scalesia forest.
Yacht Isabella II
Day 8 Tower Island | Meals: BLD
Tiny Tower Island (also known as Genovesa) sits in the northern part of the archipelago and is known for its population of red-footed boobies, finches and mockingbirds. After a wet landing at Darwin Bay you can participate in a stroll or enjoy time at the beach. Our afternoon begins with a panga ride along the cliffs near Prince Phillip's Steps. A dry landing on rocks is the beginning of a steep climb (90 feet) to a leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of the island, observing the frigate birds, storm petrels and the short-eared owl.
Yacht Isabella II
Day 9 Punta Espinoza | Meals: BLD
Rise early this morning as the Isabella II cruises in front of Ecuador Volcano - with half completely collapsed and now underwater. A dry landing at Punta Espinoza puts us on the youngest island, Fernandina. There are no introduced mammals on the island and its shores boast hundreds of marine iguanas along with sea lions, penguins and the flightless cormorant.
Yacht Isabella II
Day 10 Puerto Egas-Bartolomé Island | Meals: BLD
A morning wet landing at Puerto Egas on James Island gives us one of the best opportunities to view marine iguanas as they sun themselves on the black volcanic rocks. An afternoon dry landing at the small island of Bartolome gives us a chance to make the steep climb up Cerro Bartolomé for breathtaking views. Later, enjoy a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock and take time to swim or snorkel on the beach.
Yacht Isabella II
Day 11 Disembark-Quito | Meals: B
After breakfast disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight back to the mainland where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Marriott Hotel
Day 12 Quito Depart
Depart for Miami today.
