As of May 1st, 2018, all guests visiting Ecuador are required to have medical travel insurance. Proof of insurance is required upon entry to Ecuador, and your insurance policy must be valid for the duration of your stay in the country. Medical insurance can be purchased through Kensington Tours or independently. Please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.

Upon arrival, an English-speaking guide will greet you outside of Customs holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting private driver and vehicle, and will also accompany you to your accommodation to assist with check-in.

Share a lively family evening in Quito with activities tailored to all ages. Wander the colorful streets of Calle La Ronda, stroll through illuminated plazas and colonial streets, and sample local sweets or hot chocolate. Admire city views from El Panecillo, join local families in Parque La Carolina, or add interactive discoveries at Mitad del Mundo and the Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila.

Quito’s Old Town offers memorable dining amid its colonial landmarks. Casa Gangotena presents inventive Ecuadorian cuisine inspired by ancestral techniques, while Vista Hermosa pairs regional dishes with sweeping historic-center views. La PurÍsima adds a modern touch to local favorites, Cafe Plaza Grande serves traditional fare in an elegant setting, and Hasta la Vuelta, SeÑor features balcony dining overlooking Plaza Grande.

A city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and home to many spectacular historic churches; Quito has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all of South America. The integrity of this fascinating historic city was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site. Join your private guide and walk through the city's Main Plaza to see the Government Palace, the spectacular gilded church of La CompaÑÍa, and some of the most important churches built through the 16th and 17th centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery. Visit La Ronda, the city’s famous colonial street to learn about traditional jobs in colonial Quito. Your final stop will be Panecillo, a hill that divides Quito between north and south. Here you will be able to admire the famous statue Our Lady of the Panecillo, built by Bernardo de Legarda, while taking in spectacular views of the city. After a break for lunch in the emblematic neighborhood of La Ronda, enjoy a chocolate sampling experience, starting with a guided tour that explains the history of cocoa in Ecuador. Cocoa has been revered in Latin America for over 5,000 years, and Spanish explorers treasured it so much they dubbed it the ‘Food of the Gods’. Learn about Republica del Cacao, an ambitious company that aims to produce the most authentic chocolate while developing sustainable fine cocoa production practices. This day of discovery concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.

Accompanied by your professional driver and private guide, depart Quito to visit an Andean hacienda. Surrounded by a spectacular landscape that climbs in altitude, make a stop at Los Fallones del Isco, a wall of rocks where Andean Condors live and are regularly spotted. Here you'll find endemic flora, including the chuquiragua, or the flower of the climbers. This place is home of many kinds of birds include guarros, blackbirds, partridges, turtledoves, curiquingues, and sparrow hawks. Witness rivers of petrified lava rising from the gorge which have resulted in the formation of lakes replete with trout. Spend the remainder of your day in and around an Andean hacienda where you will enjoy a three-course lunch before having the opportunity to explore the beautiful landscape. This full-day adventure concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.

Transfer to Quito Airport with your private driver and an English-speaking guide.

Board a flight in Quito with service to San Cristobal Island, connecting via Guayaquil (no change of plane required). Approximate flight duration is three hours and 30 minutes. Please note: Flight rates and availability are subject to change until booking.

All visitors to the Galapagos Islands must complete the “Declaration of Goods” form online as part of the Galapagos National Park’s ongoing control measures to protect the islands’ unique ecosystem. Please speak to your Destination Expert who can share with you the online form and assist in the completion of it if needed.

The mandatory Galapagos tourist transit card is included in your itinerary.

The mandatory Galapagos National Park entrance fee is included in your itinerary. Please Note: All Galapagos excursions are to be referenced as a guideline only - the route and program are subject to change according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety precautions and estimated wildlife encounters, etc. A fuel surcharge is applicable to all vessels cruising in the Galapagos and all flights to and from the Galapagos. These surcharges have been included in your trip price. Fuel Surcharges are subject to change without notice and additional fees may be applicable at time of travel.

Upon arrival to San Cristobal, you will be greeted by representatives of the M/V Legend who will direct you to an awaiting coach which will transfer you and other guests to the ship.

After boarding the vessel, take some time to get settled in to your stateroom and to explore the ship. Soon, the M/V Legend will depart.

The adventure begins with a visit to San Cristobal's Interpretation Center. The site is full of interesting information and offers an excellent overview of how the Galapagos Islands were formed and their significance to the world. After visiting the interpretation center, enjoy time to explore Cerro Tijeretas, known as Frigatebird Hill, where in addition to spotting both types of frigatebirds, you will be rewarded with a remarkable view overlooking the bay below.

This morning, make a wet landing at Gardner Bay, one of the most highly regarded beaches in the archipelago. This lengthy white sand stretch is surrounded by turquoise waters and home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions that are happy to share the beach with visitors. Hood mockingbirds, endemic to the island, are eager to inspect guests in order to satisfy their natural curiosity while Darwin’s finches are commonly spotted, as well as the reclusive warbler finch. After taking the time to explore the beaches, enjoy some light snorkeling in the shallows of the beach.

In the afternoon, make a dry landing at one of the Galapagos’ top locations, Suarez Point. A naturalist’s paradise, a slew of marine iguanas and sea lions await at the landing site from where you will set out on a challenging hike that is all but sure to include close encounters with boobies, endemic lizards, and gulls. A particular highlight is a dramatic blow hole that is found mid-way through the expedition. The oldest extant island in the archipelago, Suarez Point is your only chance to commune with the endemic waved albatross. During their breeding season, between April and December, lucky guests can witness their complex courtship display.

After a wet landing on Floreana Island, you’ll set out on a short walk from the beach to the famed Post Office Barrel. Alleged to have been set up by Captain James Colnett in 1792, it is the oldest functioning post office in the Pacific. Historically, whalers and fur sealers left addressed letters in the barrel, which were delivered by mariners on return voyages back home. In the spirit of this time-honored tradition, many visitors to this day take letters and hand-deliver them to loved ones in their country of origin.

In the afternoon, set out through island-endemic Scalesia plants to reach a shallow lagoon that is often frequented by a flamboyance of flamingos. Continuing onward through a forest of palo santo trees, you’ll reach a white powder sand beach were green turtles nest and where a small colony of penguins is sometimes found. Next, you’ll visit one of the top snorkeling sites in all of the archipelago, Devil’s Crown. An eroded volcanic cone, it is home to a wide range of marine animals including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas, eagle rays, parrotfish and even hammerhead sharks.

Upon arrival at a small lava dock on Santa Cruz Island, you'll be greeted by marine iguanas that seamlessly blend in with the dark rocks. The journey continues through a landscape adorned with large prickly pear cacti, leading to one end of a long, crescent-shaped beach, with Dragon Hill looming in the distance. The walk follows a circular path, taking you past a shallow lake frequented by feeding flamingos. Along the muddy edges, you'll spot wading birds such as stilts, turnstones, and sandpipers, diligently searching for food. Continuing inland, you'll explore a dry, forested habitat where land iguanas nest and burrow.

In the afternoon, unwind on a pristine powdery beach, explore the vibrant turquoise waters around islets, and embark on a hike alongside salt pools and dazzling white coral formations.

In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kind of birds, such as: tree and ground finches, vermillion, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises' shell). The journey to the reserve offer great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forest. Often, Galapagos giant tortoise are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a birdwatcher's haven, since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

Today you'll disembark from the ship and bid a fond farewell to the crew.

A shared coach will transfer you to the airport ahead of your outbound flight.

Board a flight on Baltra Island with service to Quito, connecting in Guayaquil (no change of plane required). Approximate flight duration is four hours total. Please note: Flight rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Swissotel Quito is one of the city's top five-star luxury hotels, conveniently located in the Floresta neighborhood of Quito, both a commercial and residential area, only 25 minutes from Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Each of Swissotel Quito's elegant guest rooms and 43 executive apartments are air-conditioned and feature modern design. Luxurious amenities include state-of-the-art technology and a free internet connection. Executive rooms and the Swiss Executive Club lounge provide additional luxury and exclusivity.

Sail aboard the M/V Galapagos Legend, an expedition vessel designed for an immersive journey through the Galapagos Islands. With 57 cabins for up to 100 passengers, the ship offers ocean-view staterooms and spacious suites with boutique touches. Enjoy local flavors, curated island experiences, a library, fitness center, pool, hot tub, bar, and a panoramic lounge, while younger travelers have their own space at the kids’ corner. Evenings bring folkloric music, tropical dance lessons, and lively onboard gatherings.