The following is a detailed itinerary for the EO Expeditions: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands program.  You may also download a PDF copy of the itinerary.

Friday, 4 June: Arrivals in Guayaquil

Fly from your home city to Guayaquil via Atlanta, Georgia, USA, or Miami, Florida, USA, and arrive in the evening where you will be greeted and driven to your hotel, the Hilton Colon Guayaquil. Stay overnight on the Club Floor where you can meet fellow travelers and enjoy a welcome beverage and snack.

Overnight: Hilton Colon Guayaquil

Saturday, 5 June: Flight from Guayaquil to Galapagos Islands (Baltra)

After breakfast, we will transfer to the Guayaquil airport for your flight to the Galapagos.

You will arrive on Baltra Island, a small island located in the central part of the archipelago. After a 15-minute bus ride from the airport to the Baltra pier and a zodiac ride, you will board the ship and settle into your cabin. Your seagoing home is the M/V Galapagos Explorer II, a 293-foot, first-class ocean-going cruise ship that carries 100 passengers. Comfortable cabins feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms and a small sitting area. Experienced naturalists lead shore expeditions to seek out wildlife and help you learn about the fascinating natural history of these volcanic islands. When you’re not exploring, you can enjoy the ship’s Jacuzzi, solarium and reading room without experiencing the motion of a smaller vessel.

On your first day in Galapagos, you'll visit a bay located at the northwest side of the Santa Cruz Island, known as Dragon Hill, because of the important colonies of land iguanas that live in this area.

Almost year round, you can see flamingos in marshland lakes as well as some migratory birds. You will also have the opportunity to see Darwin finches, hood mockingbirds and lava lizards. The area has arid vegetation where you can find some oppuntia cactus, palo santo (bursera) and other endemic plants.

This place has a wonderful view, as you can see Rabida Island to the west and Santa Cruz Island to the East. Within the beach zone, you can see some endemic coast plants and also some marine iguanas, sea lions, American oystercatchers, pelicans and a colony of small bluefooted boobies.

The visit has a wet landing and a 2 km flat trail (two hours hiking); we suggest comfortable walking shoes, walking sticks (if it is necessary) and binoculars for bird watching at the marshland lakes.

Overnight: Galapagos Explorer II

Sunday, 6 June: Bartolome Island & James (Santiago) Island

Wildlife viewing, hiking, swimming, snorkeling

Morning: Bartolome Island

The first destination is Bartolome, an island of varied volcanic formations with a 350-foot summit and a fabulous 360º view. Depending upon the weather, you may be able to spot five other islands, one of the most spectacular views of the archipelago. You’ll make a wet landing in a cove to see a small colony of Galapagos penguins— the only penguins north of the equator. Sea lions are also found here. Behind the beach red and white mangroves, salt bush, morning glory and prickly pear cactuses can be found.

Afternoon: Puerto Egas, James (Santiago) Island

This afternoon you’ll visit Puerto Egas on James (Santiago) Island. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt-mining enterprise can still be seen and then continues along the coast. Intertidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms. Land iguanas are scattered around feeding on exposed algae while oyster catchers try to capture Sally lightfoot crabs. The trail then leads to the fur seal grottos, one of the only places in the islands where fur seals can be seen. Puerto Egas is a good spot for taking pictures.

Overnight: Galapagos Explorer II

Monday, 7 June: Fernandina Island & Isabela Island

Wildlife viewing, hiking, swimming, snorkeling

Morning: Fernandina Island

On the youngest and westernmost island in Galapagos, you’ll land at Punta Espinoza, a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unusual Galapagos species can be seen. While the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, look for penguins diving off the rocks into the water. Sally lightfoot crabs disperse on the lava near the shore and herons, sandpipers and wimbrels explore the mangrove roots. Marine iguanas congregate in larger groups here than on any other island. They are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed in the lava and blocking the way at the landing dock. This is one of the few places where there is the opportunity, if the water is clear, to watch them feed underwater while snorkeling.

Following a trail inland, two different types of lava flows can be seen and compared. At the tip of one of the small peninsulas, flightless cormorants are found. Without predators on the island, these serpent-necked birds adapted for swimming, and not for flight, another example of evolution at work in “nature’s laboratory.”

Afternoon: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island

Largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is composed of six shield volcanoes merged into a single land mass. Wolf Volcano on Isabela is also the highest point in the archipelago. The Galapagos Explorer II is one of only a few faster, better-equipped boats able to make the long journey from the central islands to the visitor sites on the western side of Isabela. The trip is more than worthwhile, however, for the unique species that occur only in this part of the archipelago, and because the landscape, with massive volcanoes silhouetted against the sky, offers a striking contrast to the lower-lying islands of the east.

Located on the north-western tip of Isabela Island, the visit of Punta Vicente Roca is completely by dinghy. The dinghies are launched on a coastal dinghy ride that skirts 400-500-feet cliff sides. Blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and pelicans can be seen here. Also, many sea turtles feed along this shoreline. Reaching a rocky pile of large basalt, there are colonies of fur-seals and marine iguanas in groups, basking in the sun. Sea lions are also present. Continuing along the sheer cliffs, the dingy will approach a secluded cove where, at its end, dark and yellow rocks are superposed. This is close to the large cave that allows for snorkeling or sightseeing.

Snorkeling in the cave produces a great variety of marine life, especially marine invertebrates. One starts at the intersection between the dark and yellow rock and swims all the way around the small point into the cave, all the way into the cave and then out of the cave until the next point. The water is often murky and very cold, hence its name: the Galapagos Icebox. As such, one must snorkel very close to the rock in order to see anything, but it may produce some of the most exciting snorkeling in Galapagos. Mantarays, sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, dolphins and sunfish have been seen and snorkeled with in this bay. Along the cave, there are Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, brown noddy's, blue footed boobies and breathtaking scenery.

Overnight: Galapagos Explorer II

Tuesday, 8 June: Seymour Norte, Santa Cruz

Wildlife viewing, hiking, swimming, snorkeling

Morning: North Seymour

This is a small flat island with rocks, then a long sandy stretch where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to a surf wave. The interior has a Palo Santo, small Opuntia cactus forest with bluefooted boobies and magnificent Frigate bird colonies. An hour-and-a-half visit. Dry landing.

Afternoon: Highlands & Lava Tunnels

You will board a bus for a 45-minute ride through changing vegetation zones to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Here, about 40 giant tortoises live in the wild. By approaching quietly, you can find and observe a turtle on your own. You can also hike through tunnels made by cooling lava.

Overnight: Galapagos Explorer II

Wednesday, 9 June: San Cristobal Island and Flight to Quito

Morning: San Cristobal Island

Considering possible changes in the flight schedules, weather conditions and National Park Regulations, we have included several alternatives to the visits offered to our passengers the last day of the cruise program.

Some of the options are detailed below:

• La Loberia: Sea lion colony, marine iguanas, warbler, finches, blue-footed boobies.
• Isla Lobos: Situated less than an hour's ride from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Lobos Islet is a seasonal nesting location for the blue-footed booby. Snorkeling.
• El Junco Lake: Fresh water lake and water reservoir located at 700m, great views, miconias, ferns, sedges, clubmoss, tree ferns, white-cheeked pintails, common gallinules.
• Interpretation Center: Donated by the Spanish Government in 1998, this state-of-the-art facility offers both tourists and the inhabitants a complete education on the Islands. Your visit to the Archipelago is taken to a new level, since its inauguration.

Afternoon: Flight to from San Cristobal to Quito

Transfer to the Hilton Colon Quito for check in on the Club Floor.

Private Dinner: Join together for dinner and a presentation by a prominent local official.

Overnight: Hilton Colon Quito

Thursday, 10 June: Full Day Tour of Quito

Drive along the broad avenues of the modern city, and see the Ecuadorian House of Culture, the House of Congress and the Alameda Parka before arriving at the colonial section. Walk along the narrow cobble-stoned streets and feel the charm of 16th century Quito. You will visit the beautiful French styled square, the Independence Plaza and the surrounding Cathedral and Government palace. At the Monastery of San Agustin, you will see halls lined with paintings by Miguel de Santiago. Finally, you will reach El Panecillo Hill for a beautiful and impressive view of the Andean landscape. You can even stand on both hemispheres simultaneously! You can also visit the Situntinan Solar Museum. Lunch in a typical Ecuadorian restaurant.

Dinner at leisure: local hosts will provide suggestions for the best or most colorful restaurants.

Overnight: Hilton Colon Quito

Friday, 11 June: Full Day Tour of Northern Highlands

After breakfast, depart for an overnight stay in the lush Northern Highlands. For this, you will need only a small overnight bag. The rest of your luggage can be left behind in your room at the Hilton.

Along the way, visit some of the best Indian craft villages, such as San Antonio de Ibarra (famous for wood carvings), Peguche,(renown for its weavers), and the small town of Cotacachi that promises great leather shopping.

Lunch at one of the most delightful spots in all of Ecuador, La Mirage Garden Spa, with its lovely gardens and excellent cuisine.

You will spend the night on the 200 year-old grounds of the Hacienda Pinsaqui in one of 30 suites set among the hotel's many ponds, palms, walks, and roaming llamas. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Overnight: Hacienda Pinsaqui

Saturday, 12 June: Otavalo Indian Market, Rose Garden, Farewell Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the famous Otavallo Indian Market. Saturday is the best time to see everything from livestock to handicrafts. Here, sweaters, rugs and blankets can be bought fresh from the loom; as well as pottery, tinware, hats and multiple handicrafts from the local makers. See the locals in the produce section caring for their animals and capture the local flavor of these highland people. Be prepared to haggle for bargains and see as much as you can of this extensive market.

On the way back to Quito and the Hilton, we will have lunch at a local Hacienda followed by a stop at the Rose Plantation, where some of the world’s most beautiful roses are grown because of the special micro-climate.

Farewell Dinner Gala. Enjoy dinner at the well-known Restaurant El Theatrum in the old section of Quito, with entertainment by a famous Ecuadorian ballet troupe. Celebrate the evening with your new friends at the end of an event-filled trip.

Overnight: Hilton Colon Quito

Sunday, 13 June: Departure for Home Cities or Optional Extensions

Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for American flights homeward; if you're flying home on Delta, you can spend the day in Quito and transfer to the airport for an overnight flight home. You can also fly out on Saturday night. Short optional extensions are offered for those who can stay longer in Ecuador.