Galápagos Family Adventure

Upon a late-evening arrival in Quito, transfer to our hotel.

After a welcome orientation at our hotel, walk the streets of colonial Quito, stopping at Independence Plaza, the Presidential Palace and the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the most impressive religious buildings in the New World. Stand with one foot on each side of the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel.

Transfer to the airport early this morning to board our flight to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. Embark our ship and set off for our first excursion, on North Seymour Island. This is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigate bird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering and flapping their wings, all while showing off their inflated, bright red gular pouch. We will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while 'dancing' to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.

Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago, the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. Our subsequent snorkel might put us face to face with Galápagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions. In the afternoon, go ashore on Santiago Island to walk on the solidified lava among reddish-yellow tuff cones.

Sea lions may greet us as we land on the beach at Punta Pitt and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we may see all three of the booby species in the same place. Frigate birds will be all around, and the views are breathtaking. Following lunch and a rest, head out on a dinghy ride to Cerro Brujo, during which we take in the immensity of the stunning cliffs of “Sorcerer's Hill.” Simply share the beach with the sea lions, snorkel from shore or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where we look for black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails.

In the moist highlands of San Cristóbal, we visit the giant tortoise breeding center, La Galapaguera, to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat which lends itself to prime photographic opportunities. The reserve aims to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristóbal tortoise back into the wild. In town, peruse shops for local handicrafts and souvenirs. Following lunch, a visit to the interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview to the formation of Galápagos, its significance in the world, threats and conservation efforts.

One of the most stunning beaches in the Galápagos is located at Gardner Bay. The long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters, is home to a colony of Galápagos sea lions, indifferent to the humans that walk among them. The Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this island, are eager to inspect visitors. Darwin's finches may also join the throng. We can snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay. This afternoon, visit Punta Suarez, a naturalist's paradise. The oldest extant island in the archipelago, it provides our only opportunity to commune with the endemic waved albatross. With luck, we can watch their complex courtship display.

After a visit to the famous Post Office Barrel, the oldest functioning “post office” in the Pacific, venture to Punta Cormoran. Walk past island-endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow lagoon that is often inhabited by shockingly pink greater flamingoes. Continue to a powdery white beach to paddle barefoot in the shallow water, looking for diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks. We may also spot a small colony of penguins that resides on Floreana. Later, snorkel at Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic cone that is home to an abundance of fish and marine animals. Swim with big schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas and creole fish and, with luck, spot turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish and even hammerhead sharks! In addition, the jagged ‘crown’ is a roosting area for boobies, noddies, tropicbirds and frigates.

Disembark on Santa Cruz Island where we walk past sea lions, basking marine iguanas and mangrove areas rife with herons and turtles. Pass a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed. Waders such as stilts, turnstones and sandpipers work the muddy edges frenetically looking for food as we continue inland to a dry, forested habitat where land iguanas nest and burrow. Later this afternoon, relax on a powdery white beach, go kayaking or snorkel in the crystal-clear water. Expect to see lots of fish species including king angelfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, damsels, rays and sharks.

This morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and its giant tortoise pens, located in an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest that’s home to many land birds. The research station is the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration in the Galápagos. In the afternoon, return to Baltra Island to disembark our ship and transfer to the airport for our flight back to Quito. Once there, transfer to the nearby airport hotel and have time to relax and refresh before returning this evening to the airport for departing flights, arriving back in the U.S. on July 4th.