Begin the tour in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Enjoy a full day tour of Colonial Quito including the Equatorial Line. The next day enjoy a day at the Otavalo market, famous for its grand display of colorful local handicrafts. Then, embark on your cruise of the Galapagos islands on a Premium yacht. Situated about 1000km (625 miles) west of the Ecuadorian mainland, the islands are bleak, barren and rocky. Made famous by Charles Darwin’s scientific voyage in the ‘Beagle’ during the 19th century, the islands’ unique wildlife – which includes giant tortoises, lizards and iguanas – remains the most interesting feature for the modern-day visitor. Some 50 per cent of the islands’ species are found nowhere else in the world. In 1978, UNESCO declared the Galápagos to be ‘the universal natural heritage of humanity’. (Cruise is available as a 3-Day, 4-Day or 7-Day option. Exact cruise itinerary will vary depending on date of arrival and specific yacht availability.) NOTE: Due to capacity constraints in Galapagos, there is a $300.00pp non-refundable booking fee as part of the 30% per person deposit. This booking fee is paid to vessel owners to secure reservations.

Quito is Ecuador’s capital and has a setting of great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua. Quito is located at 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level, so some visitors may suffer from altitude sickness during the first hours after arrival. The city has preserved much of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church in South America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Also in the plaza are the Municipal Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Palacio Presidencial. Many of the city’s famous churches and monasteries contain priceless examples of Spanish art and sculpture, particularly the Monasterio de San Francisco and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Most of Quito’s colonial churches are located in the Old Town, parts of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Le Parc is a luxury boutique hotel with a diferent concept, unique in Quito. The hotel has 30 suites, each characterized by its unique design and architecture.

Overnight at Le Parc.

Explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the America's. Visit some of the most important churches such as the Majestic la Compania and iconic San Francisco. Drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan. Finish the morning at Panecillo hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city. North of Quito is the middle of the world city complex. Visit the monument of the equatorial line or parallel 0, latitude 0 (0"0').

Overnight at Le Parc.

Enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery, fascinating Indian cultures and specialized artisan villages as you travel across the northern Andean highlands to the famous market town of Otavalo. Allow yourself to browse, bargain, and enjoy the visual feast of an Indian market in Otavalo. Afternoon, return to Quito.

Overnight at Le Parc.

Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galapagos. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. The Baltra airport was originally constructed by the U.S.military during World War II as a base to protect the Panama Canal from enemy attack. It is linked by bridge to Santa Cruz Island. It is the main airport for arrivals and departures from the Galapagos.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Fly from Quito to San Cristobal via Guayaquil on Tame Airlines. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Upon arrival into San Cristobal, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands.

The $100 entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands Park and the $10 Tourist card are included in your booking. Please note that the itinerary is a guide only -  the route and program vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety precautions and wildlife encounters.

A fuel surcharge is applicable to all vessels cruising in the Galapagos and all flights to/from Galapagos. These surcharges are included in your booking. Please note that fuel surcharges are subject to change without prior notice

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. After this, a guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor and then on board your cruise ship.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you will see the Giant Tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Then take a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora and enjoy a snack or the views across the harbour.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Crossing through threads of hundreds of stunning volcanic islands, the Galapagos Islands promise some of the world's most incredible views and sights from the comfort of First Class Yachts, the Coral I and Coral II. The Coral I offers 18 cabins, while the Coral II offers 11, both providing a very intimate and private atmosphere. Rooms come with air conditioning and private bathrooms. Meals are served in the yacht restaurant or on deck, with a broad range of international, barbecue and South American cuisine. Spend time in the Jacuzzi or at the library. Watch from the deck for whales and dolphins, sea lions, tortoises, iguanas, birds, cacti and unique vegetation.

3N/4D Departs Sundays

4N/5D Departs Wednesdays

7N/8D Departs Sunday/Wednesday

Overnight at Coral I & II.

After a wet landing, enjoy hiking on the Santa Fe Island, to explore the giant opuntia cactus forest, admire the endemic land iguanas, and enjoy the sea lions. Excellent snorkelling opportunity.

Plazas Islands are well known for their rich vegetation and animal life. You'll be welcomed by hoards of sea lions. Short walk from shore, the brilliant green-yellowy-orange land iguanas are close by. They lurk around the cacti, their main food, chewing on the tough spiny flowers. The sea lions maintain a friendly relationship with the Iguanas, so watching them playing is unforgettable experience. Further along the path, awaits a bird-watcher´s paradise. A sheer cliff is filled with nesting swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, pelicans, and Audubon's shearwaters. The island is surrounded by sandy beaches, green shrubs, and cacti with a beautiful blue ocean in the background. Snorkelling in the crystal blue waters is recommended.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at Coral I & II.

Dry landing at the dark red-colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks in all of the Islands. There is a short trail leading to a saltwater lagoon, a feeding ground for small colonies of Flamingos. Brown pelicans nest in the mangroves on the far side of the lagoon. It is also possible to spot boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches. Enjoy a dinghy ride by the reefs where you will have an excellent opportunity for snorkelling.

Disembark at Bachas Beach (wet landing), on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will encounter sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles. You will have the opportunity to swim at this white-sand beach.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at Coral I & II.

Daphne is an eroded tuff cone formation that was created by successive explosion. Opportunity to see blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red billed tropic birds, swallowed tail gulls, brown noddies.

Transfer by bus acrossSanta Cruz Islandand a short ferry ride to Baltra. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Continental Ecuador.

Fly from Galapagos to Quito via Guayaquil on Aerogal. The flight duration is approximately 4 hour.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Le Parc is a luxury boutique hotel with a diferent concept, unique in Quito. The hotel has 30 suites, each characterized by its unique design and architecture.

Overnight at Le Parc.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Departure tax is not included in the tour price ($44.30 per person).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Quito International airport - end of itinerary

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).