Volcanic Wonders – Helicopter & Luxury Galapagos Cruise (11 Days)

Introduction

Giant Galapagos Tortoise - Santa Cruz Island

Galapagos Land Iguana - Galápagos Islands

Cotapaxi National Park - Ecuador

Brown Pelican - Galapagos Islands

Blue Footed Boobies - Galapagos

Black Lava on Red Volcanic Ash - Santiago Island

Yellow Warbler - Isabela Island

Sally Lightfoot Crab - Galapagos

Frigate Bird Genovesa Island

Luxury Galapagos Cruise Origin Yacht

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Sun Deck

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Lounge

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Dining Room

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Deck

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Double Cabin

Luxury Galapagos Cruise Origin Yacht

Cotapaxi by Helicopter Ride

Cotapaxi by Helicopter

Plaza Grande - Quito, Ecuador

Iglesia de San Francisco - Quito, Ecuador

Giant Galapagos Tortoise - Santa Cruz Island

Galapagos Land Iguana - Galápagos Islands

Cotapaxi National Park - Ecuador

Brown Pelican - Galapagos Islands

Blue Footed Boobies - Galapagos

Black Lava on Red Volcanic Ash - Santiago Island

Yellow Warbler - Isabela Island

Sally Lightfoot Crab - Galapagos

Frigate Bird Genovesa Island

Luxury Galapagos Cruise Origin Yacht

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Sun Deck

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Lounge

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Dining Room

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Deck

Luxury Cruise Origin Yacht - Double Cabin

Luxury Galapagos Cruise Origin Yacht

Cotapaxi by Helicopter Ride

Cotapaxi by Helicopter

Plaza Grande - Quito, Ecuador

Iglesia de San Francisco - Quito, Ecuador

• 1

  Day 1

  International Arrival Quito

  Arrive to Quito International Airport. Our driver and representative will escort you to your downtown hotel.

• 2

  Day 2

  Private Tour of Colonial Quito

  We begin with a visit to the colonial heart of Quito founded in 1534 by Diego de Almagro. The city was made a UNESCO World Culture Site in 1978, denoting its exemplary preservation of some of the finest buildings in all of the Americas. The finest churches are included on our tour of La Compania, the Monastery of San Francisco and we follow with an insight to working life in Quito at La Ronda. To encompass the panorama of the city we will venture up Panecillo Hill where we will be able to admire the famous Virgin of Panecillo. Followed by lunch in the heart of the old city. In the afternoon we conclude our Quito visit at Republica del Cacao to enjoy and learn the secrets that have driven this brand to represent the ultimate Ecuadorian chocolate experience.

• 3

  Day 3

  Helicopter Overflight Avenue of the Volcanoes (204KM)

  Alexander von Humboldt in 1802 befittingly christened a region south of Ecuador as the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Today, we depart here from Tambillo by helicopter to explore this awe-inspiring landscape. This is an exhilarating and comprehensive flight lasting almost 90 minutes and covering 204 kms. The flight will carry you to the majestic high Andes Mountains where imposing volcanoes lord over these rarefied lands. A route such as this by road usually takes multiple days, so enjoy your all-encompassing action packed flight. We include the famed active volcano of Cotopaxi Mountain (19,345 feet) where you will see wild horses, alpaca and llama roaming the in their secluded natural pastoral setting.

  As von Humboldt wrote in his book Views of Nature; “The entire plateau of Quito is a single volcanic hearth. The subterranean fire breaks forth from one of these opening, now from another….”. Come prepared to be amazed.

  Destinations – Helicopter Overflight Valley of The Volcanoes:

  1. Pasochoa Park
  2. Machachi
  3. La Viudita Mountain
  4. Aloag
  5. Corazon Volcano (11132 ft.)
  6. Tucuso
  7. Ilinizas (15459 ft.)
  8. Cotopaxi Forests
  9. Cotopaxi Volcano (18697 ft.)
  10. Rumiñahui (12589 ft.)
  11. Sincholagua Volcano (15276 ft.)
  12. La Micacocha Lagoon
  13. La Seca Lagoon
  14. Condor Route
  15. Antisana Volcano (18573 ft.)
  16. Papallacta Lagoon
  17. Sucus Lagoons / bear
  18. Cangahua – Oyacachi
  19. Sarahurco
  20. Lagunas de Mojanda
  21. Centre of the World Monument

• 4

  Day 4

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Volcanic Wonders Cruise -San Cristobal Island

  There are two route options with these ships, Southern and Central and the one which we include here the Northern and Western Route. These can be combined to an all-encompassing 15-day itinerary. However, this tour focuses on the Western & Northern 8- day/ 7-night luxury Galapagos Volcanic Wonders Cruise which is one of our favourite routes from across the Galapagos Isles. It is a geographically and biologically diverse itinerary as the islands of the East are older than those in the West. This can be witnessed by the fresh volcanic activity of islands such as Isabela and Fernandina. As comparison Fernandina is 700 million years old whereas South Plaza Island (an Eastern Isle) is 4.2 billion years old.This morning you will be escorted on a private transfer from your Quito hotel to the airport. Take a flight from Quito to Galapagos (San Cristobal) and transfer by road and zodiac boat to your cruise vessel. You are welcomed aboard, have lunch, then an evening visit to Cerro Colorado to visit the tortoise breeding centre of Crianza Jacinto Gordillo (Galapaguera) located in north-eastern San Cristobal Island. Among the myriad tortoises, be sure to watch the birds too which include mockingbirds, finches and warblers. By evening we set sail for Genovesa Island.

• 5

  Day 5

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise – Genovesa Island

  We disembark and come ashore onto Genovesa Island at Prince Philip’s Steps. This haven of avian rarities showcases some of the best birding in all of the Galapagos. Once ashore you can enjoy sightings including Red Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies and Storm Petrels. After a fun barbecue lunch, you can enjoy some kayaking or snorkeling from the zodiac boat under the cliffs. We also venture up to Darwin Bay and its pristine sandy beach, home to Lava and Swallow-Tailed Gulls, a good spot too for swimming with Sea Lions. In the nearby mangroves the colorful Frigatebirds can be found with their puffed up vibrant red chests. Round off the evening relaxing at dinner on your vessel neath the starry dark skies of Genovesa Island.

• 6

  Day 6

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise – Santa Cruz Island

  This morning, we discover the white sandy beach of Las Bachas at northern Santa Cruz Island. Your guides will lead you to a flamboyance of Pink Flamingos along the shore, and an abundance of flora on a delightful nature trail. After lunch, a spot of snorkeling amid turquoise waters with tropical fish in abundance, sea turtles and occasional shark visitors. Next, climb Dragon Hill for a splendid view overlooking the truly inspiring bay and island topography. This hike has a great diversity of plant life such as Palo Santo and Muyuyo Trees and Opuntia Cacti. The fauna includes Yellow Land Iguanas basking in the sun, Darwin Finches, Yellow Warblers, and the Petrel family Audubon’s Shearwater.

• 7

  Day 7

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise – Isabela Island

  At Isabela Island we begin our day with a zodiac to Punta Vicente Roca. Journey through the ocean caves and witness colonies of vibrant Sally Lightfoot Crabs on the volcanic tuff walls. Snorkeling here is a must do amid the playful Galapagos Penguins and Sea Turtles. As we navigate the Bolivar Channel in the months of June to December be sure to look out for some of the twenty-four species of whales and dolphins that migrate via these waters. The mighty Blue Whales can be 110 feet long and weigh 200 tons, being the largest mammals on Earth.Next stop, Urbina Bay on the large volcanic island of Isabela. This island has had volcanic activity as recently as 2018 on Sierra Negra in the southern part of the island. The landscapes of Isabela are more arid and primitive than the isles where your trips began such as San Cristobal. Wildlife here includes Iguanas both land and marine, Giant Tortoise, Darwin Finches, Brown Pelicans and Flightless Cormorants.

• 8

  Day 8

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise – Fernandina & Isabela Island

  Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island is our inaugural stop. This fascinating island is the youngest in the Galapagos, and so is active volcanically. It is a delicate new eco-system and home to colonies of Sea Lions, Blue Footed Booby, countless Marine Iguanas and Flightless Cormorants. Take time for a fascinating snorkeling opportunity in the rich waters at Espinosa Point. You may even spot a whale passing! After lunch, we visit the sheltered deepwater Tagus Cove, a former haunt of ocean-going pirates with names etched to the cliffs from hundred of years of a bygone era. A short hike leads to the saltwater caldera of Darwin’s Lake along a route through volcanic lava fields. The final view is well worth the prior effort in climbing. Later, while gliding along the shore by kayak stay watchful for passing Blue Footed Boobies, Pelicans, Brown Noddy Tern and Galapagos Penguins.

• 9

  Day 9

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise – Rabida & Santiago Island

  After breakfast, we alight to Rabida Island and its oxidized red hued volcanic beach. You can enjoy snorkeling amid the Sea Turtles, Sharks, Golden Rays and Sea Lions or follow a trail to a saltwater lagoon habituated by Pink Flamingos. Encounters this morning on the trail include Penguins, Mockingbirds, Yellow Warblers, Marine Iguanas and Darwin Finches. Today, there are some different options dependent whether you are on an Origin or Theory cruise. Theory vessel clients venture to Puerto Egas on Santiago Island with a great shoreline excursion in search of Starfish, crabs and octopus in the rocky pools. These pools attract birds such as Blue Herons and Marine Iguanas and along the shoreside you can snorkel with Sea Lions and Dolphins. Origin Cruise travelers will take a different route to travel by zodiac to Black Turtle Cove. As the name suggests this is a great spot to Sea Turtles but also White Tipped Reef Sharks, Pelicans, Lava Herons, Mustard Rays and Blue Footed Boobies.

• 10

  Day 10

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise – Santa Cruz Island

  We disembark at the town of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and travel to both the Giant Tortoise breeding centres of Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena. Here you will learn of the lifecycle of these ancient creatures and how their species is being preserved, renewed and repatriated in their natural Galapagos habitat. Puerto Ayora is the largest town of the Galapagos and we learn of the intriguing inhabitants on a guided tour of the town. You will have time to discover the local handicrafts which make ideal souvenirs of your visit. After lunch we visit a nearby lava tunnel and journey through an underground labyrinth of these fascinating volcanic wonders. Onward to the craters of Los Gemolos where on the trek you will become aware of the native Scalesia plants. This species is being protected by the Galapagos National Park Service due to threats of extinction. To conclude our tour, we visit a local hacienda ranch visit to see Giant Tortoises roaming freely. The later evening is a relaxed affair, and you have an option to dine at Puerto Ayora. (This optional meal is not included ashore). Zodiac boat transfers are provided throughout the evening as required.

• 11

  Day 11

  Galapagos Origin/ Theory Luxury Cruise. San Cristobal Island & Depart

  Your final day will see a journey by bus to Frigatebird Hill. Here we can trek along the coast and view two varieties of Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds. They can be seen soaring down to the ocean to skim the surface for discarded carrion of other hunters. The trail takes about two hours with some wonderful coastal scenery. En route find Lava Lizards, Mockingbirds, Brown Pelicans and Marine Iguanas.To conclude your evolutionary voyage of discovery take our shuttle to the airport at San Cristobal and fly home via Guayaquil or Quito.