Galapagos Express - Central & West Islands aboard the Archipel I

Arrive in Puembo, a quiet rural neighbourhood of Quito located around 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the downtown city centre.

Ecuador's mountain capital is, at 2,850m, the second highest capital in Latin America, lying in a narrow valley at the foot of the Pichincha Volcano. Arriving into the city by plane is quite spectacular as you approach over snow-capped mountains and extinct volcanoes - a window seat is recommended! You will be met on arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) by a driver to take you to this evening's hotel, where more information will be given to you about tomorrow's schedule.

The hotel is a tranquil, colonial-style property with a large garden and swimming pool. It's located in the countryside suburbs of Quito, near the airport; perfect for an early start tomorrow. The hotel can help organise a taxi for you into downtown Quito if you arrive early in the day and wish to visit the city. Stay: Hotel Rincon de Puembo (Comfortable)

Today transfer to the airport early for your flight to the Galapagos Islands via Guayaquil (refueling stop only, you will not disembark the plane).

Lying on the Equator, 970km west of the Ecuadorean coast, the Galapagos National Park is a unique collection of islands, formed by volcanoes over hundreds of thousands of years and consisting of six main islands, 12 smaller islands, and over 40 small islets, each one supporting a distinct and unique flora and fauna, including prehistoric creatures found nowhere else on earth. This desolate and fantastic habitat was discovered in 1535 by Fray Tomas de Berlanga. Charles Darwin visited the islands on the Beagle exactly three hundred years later, in 1835. He observed the total isolation of the giant reptiles and other creatures, and this played a substantial part in his theory of evolution.

Of the extraordinary animals to be found in the Galapagos many are reptiles, such as the great tortoise, large land iguanas, numerous lizards and three species of non-poisonous snakes. There are also several species of turtle, which come ashore to mate. Up to three quarters of a million seabirds flock to the islands, including a third of the world's blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, cormorants, albatross and petrels. Only 35cm tall, the Galapagos penguin can be seen swimming among tropical mangroves, whilst offshore it is common to see dolphins, sea lions and fur seals playing in the water. Fearless though not tame, the extraordinary wildlife is often inquisitive and the opportunities for photography are superb.

The Galapagos National Park charges a visitor fee of $100 USD (subject to change), payable in cash on arrival, which funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other national parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the national park system are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.

At Baltra Airport, a guide will meet us to help us collect our luggage and accompany us on a short bus and a taxi boat ride across to Santa Cruz Island. This afternoon we visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, where we can observe tortoises that come from various islands of the archipelago - at Fausto Llerena they are breeding tortoises only to repopulate areas where their populations have been affected by non-native wildlife (predominantly feral dogs). One of the main attractions here is the embalmed Lonesome George - estimated to have died at between 93 and 109 years of age, Lonesome George is recognised as the last of its kind, and as a symbol of the efforts invested into conserving endangered species.

After a visit to the centre, we continue to the port of Puerto Ayora, where we board our stylish vessel for the next week - the Archipel I. Stay: Archipel I (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

We land on Isabela Island today, and walk to Moreno Point this morning. Located on the north coast between the volcanos of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, the trail runs along a solidified lava flow into a complex of coastal lagoons, where we'll find an abundance of birdlife around the lakes and mangroves. In the afternoon we'll Visit Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano. Hike the trail to get a view of the caldera. Walk among a massive marine reef that was raised out of the water in 1950 during an uplift, and see sculptures of dried coral and other ocean formations while touring the area on foot. Urbina Bay also offers great opportunities to see land iguanas that have astonishingly yellow skin, flightless cormorants and land tortoises as well as marine turtles and rays. Stay: Archipel I (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

This morning's excursion takes us to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life, including the unique flightless cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfect its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds is to witness evolution happening right in front of you. We'll tour a number of different trails and follow the path along the beach and across lava flows, for a unique opportunity to explore one of the least-visited areas of the Galapagos.

While having lunch we sail to Vicente Roca point back on Isabela Island, just at the mouth of Isabela's seahorse-shape. From small panga boats we'll enter a dark cave below a spectacular arch, accompanied by roaring echoes of the waves. Just around the corner the collapsed amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are fairly cold, but a great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and seahorses. Stay: Archipel I (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

In the morning, we will travel to the black-sand beach of Egas Port on Santiago Island to witness the striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to its harsh environment and relatively new lava flow.

Take an afternoon excursion to the red sand beaches of Rabida to see a lagoon and the famous bachelor sea lion colony. This area is known for its birdlife, including pelicans, white-cheeked pintails and boobies. Explore the trails of Rabida; a short path leads to a saltwater lagoon, while another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes. Grab a snorkel and discover many species of fish and other marine life. Keep an eye out for white-tip sharks and sea lions. Stay: Archipel I (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Explore the mangrove lagoon at Black Turtle Cove by a small panga. In the afternoon, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito. On arrival back on the mainland, drive to your hotel for your final night in Ecuador. Stay: Hotel Rincon de Puembo (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at the hotel in Puembo, Quito.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. Pick-up times for your airport transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) will be re-confirmed locally. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the hotel. If you would like to book additional nights in Quito at the end of your stay, these can be arranged either at the hotel in Puembo, or in a hotel in downtown Quito.

We recommend spending extra time in Quito, or adding to your nature-based holiday by booking our four-night Amazon extension package (trip code: AE). (B)