We will travel to the Galapagos Islands when the water is at its warmest and clearest, and spend 8 days on a new, beautiful, luxurious vessel, the M/C Monique. We will cruise the Western Islands, each day snorkling and hiking to see the unique wildlife that Charles Darwin made so famous.

You will be met at the international airport and transported to our 4 star hotel in central Quito.

Day 1 - April 20, 2027 – Arrival in Quito and transfer.

Transfer from Quito Airport to the Hotel with English speaking assistant.

Private transfer from Quito Mariscal Sucre airport to your hotel.

Overnight at Illa Experience Hotel(1 Night): Luxury Room. Breakfast.

Check in: 14h00

Check out: 12h00

Overnight at Illa Experience Hotel(1 Night): Suite Room. Breakfast.

Check in: 14h00

Check out: 12h00

Overnight at Illa Experience Hotel(1 Night): Master Suite. Breakfast.

Check in: 14h00

Check out: 12h00

Day 2 - April 21, 2027 – Quito City Tour

Private | Half Day Quito Colonial, Chocolate and lunch. Duration: 6 hrs

The place to start is Colonial Quito, a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city ́s many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all South America, and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage site.

During the morning we will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace, the spectacular gilded church of La Compañía, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery, which was begun 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. Then we will visit ‘La Ronda’, the city’s most famous colonial street, where we will learn about the traditional jobs of Colonial Quito.

The final stop of our colonial visit will be the ‘Panecillo’, the hill that divides Quito in North & South, and where we will be able to admire the famous statue of Our Lady of the Panecillo, built by Bernardo de Legarda where we will have the chance to enjoy spectacular views of Quito.

Lunch included in old town.

We will have the chance to enjoy a chocolate experience, which starts with a guided tour explaining the history of cocoa in Ecuador, followed by a chocolate tasting.

Ecuador’s unique equatorial climate provides the perfect environment for growing the world’s finest cocoa - Cacao Arriba. Cocoa has been revered in Latin America for over 5,000 years. Spanish explorers loved it so much they called it the ‘Food of the Gods’.

Day 3 - April 22, 2027 – Galapagos Cruise

Transfer from Hotel to Quito Airport with English speaking assistant.

Private transfer from your Hotel to Quito Mariscal Sucre airport in order to take the flight to Baltra.

English-speaking assistant.

Includes:

• Transit Control Card

• Galapagos entrance fee

• Flight Quito – Baltra

M/C Monique - 8D/7N - Golden Suite - Itinerary A.

AM – Baltra Airport

Upon landing, guests will be welcomed and assisted at the airport before being transferred to the M/C

Monique.

PM – Las Bachas Beach

In the afternoon, you'll explore Las Bachas, a stunning white-sand beach along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. It’s a great spot for a relaxing walk or gentle snorkeling. This beach is a nesting site for sea turtles, and you may spot a rusted pontoon—an old World War II remnant. The name "Bachas" is derived from a mispronunciation of "barges," referring to the two partially sunken vessels in the area.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Easy

PM – Daphne Major Islet

After visiting Las Bachas, the vessel will circumnavigate Daphne Major Islet, a treeless volcanic cone formed

from compacted ash. This small yet significant islet serves as an important nesting site for Nazca boobies,

red-billed tropicbirds, and blue-footed boobies. As you navigate its rugged perimeter, you’ll witness a

landscape that has inspired remarkable studies on natural selection and evolution.

Activities and Excursions: Circumnavigation

Difficulty: Easy

(-, L, D)

Day 4 - April 23, 2027

AM – Rabida Island

This morning's visit takes you to Rabida Island, which is renowned for its unique red sand beach. The island is home to striking cactus groves and dramatic rocky landscapes, along with native dry-zone vegetation and endemic species. A walk along the beach might reveal brown pelican nests and occasionally flamingos in a

nearby saltwater lagoon.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Moderate

PM – Chinese Hat (Santiago Island)

In the morning, after breakfast you will visit Chinese Hat, which is a small islet off the south coast of Santiago, with a maximum elevation of 160 feet (52 meters). Though within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Kayaking/Stand-up paddleboarding, Dinghy ride.

Difficulty: Easy

(B, L, D)

Day 5 - April 24, 2027

AM – Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island)

Only accessible by dinghy, this expansive bay on Isabela’s northwest coast features two coves that attract a variety of nesting birds, including blue-footed and Nazca boobies, storm petrels, and Brown Noddies. The nutrient-rich waters make this a premier snorkeling spot, where whales, dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds

can often be seen feeding.

Activities and Excursions: Snorkeling, Dinghy ride

Difficulty: Moderate

PM – Espinoza Point (Fernandina Island)

As one of the most pristine islands in the archipelago, Fernandina has never had a foreign species invade. It is also the most active island and farthest west. Espinoza point is the only visitor site on the entire island. Here you can see marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks and enjoy a walking and snorkeling activity at one of the most natural, unspoiled sites in the entire world.

Activities: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

(B, L, D)

AM – Moreno Point (Isabela Island)

Moreno point is located on the west coast of Isabela Island and although it appears a barren lava flow at first, a walk along one of the trails soon reveals a multitude of beautiful green lagoons and mangroves and is a fantastic place to see penguins, blue herons and flamingos.

Meanwhile, a dinghy ride or snorkel along the rocky shoreline is a wonderful way to spot green sea turtles and white-tip sharks.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride

Difficulty: Moderate

PM – Elizabeth Bay (Isabela Island)

This visitor site is visited by dinghy only as the park authorities have no authorized landing in order to protect the island. While in the dinghy you can appreciate a large abundance of marine life that can be seen in the clear waters.

Activities and Excursions: Dinghy Ride

Difficulty: Easy

Day 7 - April 26, 2027

AM – Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

Millions of years ago, Urbina Bay was once laying on the ocean floor. Volcanic uplifts caused it to rise and now it is occupied by sea lions, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. It is a great place to enjoy some free time on the beach or the guide may suggest a walk.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

PM – Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

If you like historic remnants, then you will enjoy finding what was left behind by pirates and sailors in the 1800s. This site was one of their preferred pit stops while traveling the seas. The walking here will provide incredible views of the cove and on the other side the mangrove forest where the last 35 pairs of Mangrove finches thrive.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Kayaking/Stand-up paddleboarding, Dinghy ride

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

(B, L, D)

Day 8 - April 27, 2027

AM – Espumilla Beach (Santiago Island)

Espumilla beach, located on the northern coast of Santiago Island, is an exquisite white sand beach, whose name refers to the meringue-like trails of foam left by the lapping of the waves. Sally Lightfoot crabs are in abundance here and as a result, it is common to see predatory birds such as hawks, herons and pelicans.

This idyllic location is perfect for snorkeling or kayaking/paddleboarding amongst a raft of marine life, including species of octopus, eels and sharks. Buccaneer Cove has an interesting history as it is where sailors, buccaneers and whalers frequently anchored their vessels in search for food and water. In more recent times it has become an important nesting site for turtles and is also popular with sea lions.

A dinghy ride along the eroded shoreline provides views of intriguing rock formations that provide excellent ledges for boobies, pelicans and gulls.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Kayaking/Stand-up paddleboarding, Dinghy ride

Difficulty: Moderate

PM – Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island)

Once a haven for pirates and whalers, Buccaneer Cove now attracts wildlife rather than ships. It's a key nesting area for sea turtles and frequented by sea lions. A dinghy ride reveals stunning eroded cliffs that host nesting boobies, pelicans, and gulls.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride, Kayaking / paddleboarding

Difficulty: Moderate

(B, L, D)

Day 9 - April 28, 2027

AM – North Seymour Island

Named after British naval officer Lord Hugh Seymour, this small island is covered in low-lying vegetation and teems with birdlife. You’ll encounter blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and a substantial colony of magnificent frigatebirds, with males displaying their vibrant red throat pouches to attract mates.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling, Dinghy Ride

Difficulty: Easy

PM – Mosquera Islet

Positioned between Baltra and North Seymour, Mosquera is a flat, sandy islet without a designated trail, allowing for free exploration. It’s known for its thriving sea lion colony, shorebirds, and colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs. The surrounding reefs make for excellent snorkeling, with chances to spot rays, turtles, and reef sharks.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, Snorkeling

Difficulty: Moderate

(B, L, D)

Day 10 - April 29, 2027

AM - Charles Darwin Research Station

Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, also known as the Charles Darwin Research Station. The center hosts an interpretation center, museum, library, and tortoise breeding facility, home to various tortoise subspecies being prepared for reintroduction.

Activities and Excursions: Walking

Difficulty: Easy

(B, -, - )

After your last visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.

Assistance and farewell at the airport.

***End of cruise***

* Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, emergencies on board or any unforeseen circumstances.

Flight Baltra - Quito