Galapagos Encounter (Itinerary D)

The adventure starts in Quito, aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients – check the Joining Instructions for more information. A local guide will welcome you to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days. Stay: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar).

Today is free to relax, recover from the flight and explore the fascinating city of Quito, the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Because of the altitude, visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first. Stay: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar) (B).

Morning: Fly to Galapagos Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands.

Upon arrival, you pass through the airport inspection point to make sure no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the island, and to pay the national park entrance fee. Your guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour where a dinghy will take you to the yacht. Afternoon: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz) On a tour of the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans – an excellent chance to capture a photo for your wall back home. Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: Cormorant Point You have the chance to spot Galapagos penguins from the dinghy or a flamingo lagoon against the backdrop of extinct tuff cones and scented palo santo bushes. Don't expect to see flightless cormorants here, though, they live exclusively in west Galapagos. Afternoon: Post Office Bay Bring your postcards and drop them in the traditional barrel at this historic site. They might arrive home quicker than you! Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: Gardner Bay One of the jewels of the Galapagos, Española provides the exclusive opportunity to become an eyewitness of evolution. Afternoon: Suarez Point The west tip of Española is a dream for birdwatchers and photographers. Feel as though you're within an exciting nature documentary and hike a short distance from colourful marine iguanas. Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: Pitt Point Two wind-sculpted tuff cones at Pitt Point constitute the easternmost end of the Galapagos and were the first sight of land for the crew of Darwin's HMS Beagle. Afternoon: Witch Hill Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Witch Hill's crescent-shaped beach of soft powdery sand. Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: Lobos Islet The Asylum of Peace hike goes past a mesmerising cave and visits a freshwater spring. La Loberia beach is an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean and see the cute sea lions that live there. Afternoon: Interpretation Centre The Interpretation Centre provides a perfect explanation of this unique archipelago – the exhibition reveals what makes it so unique. Information panels, pictures, documents, maquettes and dioramas delve into the background and conservation stories of the islands. Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: South Plaza Popular South Plaza is not to be missed! This Jurassic islet is the best place to see the emblematic Galapagos dragons, which crawl across it. Afternoon: Sante Fe Sante Fe is another jewel of the Galapagos, where the pale Barrington land iguana and practically every other creature is unique to the archipelago or this island alone. Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: North Seymour North Seymour is another cruise highlight. It's home to the most extensive seabird breeding colony in the archipelago and you can walk just a short distance from frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Afternoon: Chinese Hat Though recently born out of the fire, the volcanic islet of Chinese Hat does not appear to be any more inhospitable than Bartolomé and Sullivan Bay. Stay: Archipel I (B/L/D).

Morning: El Chato Reserve – Twin Craters El Chato Reserve is a protected area and part of the Galapagos National Park. It extends from Cerro El Chato as far down as the southwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Afternoon: Transfer to Baltra Airport Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to San Cristóbal, where we take the airport shuttle. From here, we fly to Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights from 6pm onwards (B).