Voyage Summary
Embark on an unforgettable adventure starting with a flight from London to Quito, Ecuador, where you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Spend a leisurely day in this charming city before diving into its colonial history with a guided city tour, including visits to churches, a chocolate tasting, and an artist-led gold leaf workshop.
The journey continues to Mashpi Lodge, nestled in nature’s embrace, where you’ll explore the Equator at the Middle of the World Monument and enjoy guided walks through a pristine reserve. Experience the magic of the forest via a Dragonfly cable ride, Sky Bike, and hikes, while learning about the rich biodiversity of this area.
Next, journey to the serene Hacienda Zuleta, where history meets nature. Explore the rose farm, visit a condor project, and enjoy horseback riding and hikes through the Andean landscape. Later, travel to the Galapagos Islands, where you’ll snorkel with sea lions, swim with sharks, and observe nesting turtles and blue-footed boobies.
Explore the diverse islands, from the rugged cliffs of Genovesa to the sandy shores of Santiago, encountering unique wildlife at every turn. Your journey ends with a visit to Lobos Island before returning to Quito and flying back to London, carrying unforgettable memories of Ecuador’s extraordinary landscapes and wildlife.
Voyage Itinerary
Day 1 - Adventure Begins
Start your exciting journey with a flight from London to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred privately to your hotel. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Meals Not Included
Day 2 - Quito City Tour
Discover Quito’s colonial treasures with visits to San Diego Monastery, San Francisco, and La Compañía churches, Independence Square, and a chocolate tasting. After lunch, explore Teatro Bolivar and join a private gold leaf workshop led by a local artist. Finish your day with a craft beer tasting and Ecuadorian snacks.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3 - Quito to Mashpi
Depart Quito early for the Middle of the World Monument, marking the Equator. Explore the colonial-style village before continuing to Mashpi Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk in the reserve. Dinner at the lodge, with optional night walks available after your meal.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Mashpi
Start your day with early morning forest activities before breakfast. Explore Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve with hikes, the Dragonfly cable ride, Sky Bike, Life Centre, Observation Tower, and hummingbird viewing. After lunch and a rest, continue discovering the reserve. Optional specialist tours, night walks, and photography experiences are available at additional cost.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 - Mashpi to Hacienda Zuleta
Journey across the Andes to Hacienda Zuleta, with an optional stop at Quitsato Sundial Museum on the Equator. Visit historic Hacienda La Compañía for lunch, a house tour, and a rose farm visit. Learn about Ecuador’s famous roses before continuing to Hacienda Zuleta for an overnight stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 - Hacienda Zuleta
Enjoy a full day at Hacienda Zuleta with guided hikes, horse riding, visits to the condor project, dairy farm, cheese factory, organic garden, and embroidery workshops. Optional activities at extra cost include longer rides, biking, carriage rides, and lessons. Lunch and dinner are served at the hacienda.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Hacienda Zuleta to Galapagos
Depart Hacienda Zuleta early for your flight to the Galapagos. On arrival, transfer to your vessel and enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island, home to nesting turtles, colourful crabs, and flamingos. Return to the ship for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Galapagos
In the morning, climb Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island to encounter seabirds and explore lava fields. Enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkeling among fur seals and sharks. After lunch on board, visit Darwin Bay for more water activities and a scenic walk through mangroves to a stunning viewpoint.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 - Galapagos
In the morning, visit Santiago Island’s Espumilla Beach and Buccaneer Cove for snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife spotting. After lunch on board, explore Egas Port’s black sand beach, tidal pools, and volcanic grottoes, home to fur seals, marine iguanas, and colourful crabs. End the day with dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10 - Galapagos
Explore Santa Cruz’s Black Turtle Cove by dinghy, drifting through mangroves and spotting turtles, rays, sharks, and waterbirds. After lunch on board, visit the highlands to see wild giant tortoises, followed by the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation efforts and the famous tortoise breeding programme. Dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 - Galapagos to Quito
Visit Lobos Island to snorkel with playful sea lions, green turtles, and rays in calm waters. Explore the trail to see blue-footed boobies and frigates nesting. Afterward, transfer to San Cristobal airport for your flight back to Quito, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12 - Return flight to London
Enjoy a private transfer to the airport for your flight back to London.
Meals Included: Breakfast