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 today where you will be met and transferred to the Four Points Sheraton. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Four Points Sheraton
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.
Four Points Sheraton
Day 3 Galápagos-Embark M/V Santa Cruz | Meals: BD
A short flight takes you to Baltra Island where we stop for a brief snack. Travel by road and ferry through the highlands of Santa Cruz for a short visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. After a chance to see the giant tortoise pens and the impressive prickly-pear cactus forest, embark on the M/V Santa Cruz during the afternoon.
M/V Santa Cruz
Day 4 Isabela Island-Fernandina Island | Meals: BLD
Early morning finds us cruising into the Bolivara channel, where if lucky, you might observe dolphins or whales. Disembark at Tagus Cove and walk uphill for magnificent views of Darwin?s salt-water crater lake. After lunch on board, continue to Fernandina Island, the youngest of the Galápagos islands. A dry landing gives us the opportunity for a one-mile walk to enjoy the unique environment on Fernandina Island (Punta Espinoza).
M/V Santa Cruz
Day 5 Isabela Island | Meals: BLD
We spend the morning cruising Bolivara Channel in hopes of observing whales or dolphins. Then, a wet landing at Urbina Bay for a walk in search of giant tortoises and land iguanas. Volcanic activity in 1954 left giant marine skeletons which makes our walk even more interesting. Lunch is on board before a dry landing at Punta Moreno for a walk in search of birdlife near the lagoons. Or, you might choose to take a panga ride along the shoreline.
M/V Santa Cruz
Day 6 Hood Island | Meals: BLD
Today's wet landing at Gardener Bay reveals one of the most beautiful white coral beaches you will ever see. Choose from a variety of available activities, including a glass-bottom boat around the islets. This afternoon, we have a dry landing at Punta Suarez in search of blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses and sea lions.
M/V Santa Cruz
Day 7 San Cristobal Island- Quito | Meals: B
All too quickly our cruise comes to an end when we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where we have time to visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center before our flight back to the mainland.
Four Points Sheraton
Day 8 Quito-Depart
Depart Quito for Miami today.
