Monday, 02 March 2026: Evening Arrivals Quito, Ecuador; Welcome Dinner (D)

Schedule your flight into Quito, Ecuador, to arrive no later than 2:00pm. Several staggered timed group transfers from the airport to the hotel will be provided. The tour begins at 5:00pm in the lobby of the hotel where we will gather for our Welcome Meeting. We'll make introductions and then enjoy our Welcome Dinner together to get better acquainted and discuss our upcoming adventures of the week. Overnight Quito - 3 nights

Tuesday, 03 March 2026: Full Day City Tour of Quito; Middle of the World (B)

We're up early today as we depart for a tour through the streets and squares of the historic center of Quito, the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO as a "World Cultural Heritage Site" in recognition of its architectural and artistic value. Narrow and sometimes steep streets are surrounded by a great exhibition of classic architecture. Though the equator runs through many cities around the world, Quito has become famous for it. We will stop at the Equatorial Monument which marks the "Middle of the World" and proceed to the true equator at latitude 0º 0º 0º, where one can stand with a foot in each hemisphere. The Inti Nan Museum, built on the true equator, has a signpost that indicates when you are standing in the center of the earth.

Wednesday, 04 March 2026: Day Trip to Otavalo Market (B)

Nestled in the Andean highlands and surrounded by volcanoes, Otavalo is the site of the largest market in South America. Here Ecuador's numerous indigenous groups come to barter for both crafts and staples. On the way, we visit the village of Cayambe to taste classic "biscochos" (biscuits). After visiting the market, we'll stop in Cotacachi, known for its hand-crafted leather products, and in Peguche, known for its weaving. We return to Quito late this afternoon.

Thursday, 05 March 2026: Fly to Galápagos; Board the Ship; Cruise to San Cristobal Island; Hiking (B,L,D)

We have an early start today with a morning flight to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival we transfer to our boat, the Galapagos Legend. We'll get settled and have lunch onboard. This afternoon, we make a dry landing for our first stop, the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. The center provides an overview of how the Galapagos Islands were formed and their significance in the world. We learn about continued conservation efforts to protect the islands and its vast wildlife. We'll hike for about one hour along an uphill path to Tijeretas Hill to enjoy the views overlooking Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock. Be on the lookout for the San Cristobal mocking bird! We return to the boat this afternoon to relax and enjoy dinner together. Overnight onboard Galapagos Legend - 4 nights

Friday, 06 March 2026: Española Island - Gardner Bay & Suarez Point (B,L,D)

Today, our destination is Española, the oldest island in the Galapagos. Known as a "true jewel" of the Galapagos, the island is home to a high number of endemic species such as the waved albatross. We begin with a wet landing at Gardner Bay, an area known for it's stunning white sandy beaches and a popular nesting site for sea turtles. We walk leisurely along the beaches observing colonies of sea lions and more. There is a snorkeling opportunity from the beach to see wildlife from a different angle. Enjoy lunch back on board while we travel onto Suarez Point. Here we are greeted by marine iguanas as we set off to enjoy a 2-hour walk along mildly rocky terrain. This moderate walk is well worth it as we continue with close encounters of the famous blue-footed boobies, endemic lizards, gulls and more. Along the island's dramatic setting of volcanic cliffs and rocky coastlines, we find a picturesque blowhole shooting water 75 feet into the air. We return to the boat this evening to relax and enjoy dinner on board.

Saturday, 07 March 2026: Floreana Island - Post Office Bay & Cormorant Point (B,L,D)

Floreana Island is home to the oldest functioning post office system in the Pacific. In 1793, Captain James Colnett set up this unique, stampless postal arrangement. Whalers and fur sealers could leave addressed letters in a barrel that were then picked up by homeward bound colleagues and delivered locally. In the spirit of maintaining this tradition, visitors still take letters and hand deliver them in their home countries. We'll take a short walk to see the post office barrel and explore the island. After lunch on board, we make our way on foot to Cormorant Point. We'll find the typical white sand beaches but also a green sand beach. It's green hue is due to olivine crystals that have eroded from nearby volcanic rocks. Our walk begins here and follows along flat, sandy terrain to a large, shallow lagoon often visited by pink flamingos! We continue our walk along the beaches. In the shallow water you may spot diamond stingrays and perhaps even a white-tipped reef shark. We'll have the opportunity to snorkel at Devil's Crown, once a volcanic crater that is now a ring of rocks just off of the shore which is home to creole fish, parrotfish and more. We return to the boat late this afternoon.

Sunday, 08 March 2026: Santa Cruz Island - Dragon Hill & Mosquera Islet (B,L,D)

Today, we're off to Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the Galapagos. We arrive at a small lava dock where iguanas can be seen blending in perfectly with the island's dark rock. We walk along the island observing large prickly pear cacti where we find a sickle-shaped beach with views of Dragon Hill. In the 1970s almost all of the island's iguanas were wiped out, the Charles Darwin Research Center stepped in to assist in conservation efforts that led to successful breeding that continues today. We will spend a relaxing afternoon on Monsquera Islet where we can lie on the powdery beach, snorkel in the turquoise water or walk beside salt pools and dried white coral. We return to the boat late this afternoon.

Monday, 09 March 2026: Highlands Tortoise Reserve; Fly to Quito; Farewell Dinner (B,D)

We leave the coast today and head to the humid forest to visit the Highlands Tortoise Reserve. The journey to the reserve offers excellent opportunities to see the contrasts the island offers in its variety of ecosystems. This is often a birdwatchers' treat as almost every land bird on the island calls this home or migrates here. Giant tortoises are often found along the way too. After our visit, we make our way to Baltra Island's Seymour Airport and return to Quito this afternoon, where we'll stay near the airport for the sake of convenience. Tonight, we gather for our Farewell Dinner together and recount our adventures of the week. Overnight Quito - 1 night

Tuesday, 10 March 2026: Return Home from Quito (B)

Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Schedule your return flight to depart at your convenience. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with coordination of ride-sharing to the airport.

The Galapagos Legend is a standard accommodations vessel with twin berths and private facilities in each cabin.
This vessel is not private to WTT. 
Itinerary subject to change based on sea conditions or at the discretion of the captain.