Complete Galapagos aboard the Yolita (17 days from £6136)

For those looking to spend more time in the Galápagos, this 17-day itinerary includes visits to several islands and loads of opportunities to observe unique wildlife. From colonies of marine iguanas, to blue-footed boobie nesting sites and the coolest acting giant tortoises in the Western Hemisphere, the Galápagos are so much more than a collection of islands; they're a lesson in evolution itself (and a fun one, at that!).

Itinerary

Day 1Quito

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

Day 2 Mariscal Sucre International Airport/Seymour Airport

Take an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. Head to Bachas Beach to see Sally Lightfoot crabs, flamingos and marine iguanas.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3 Genovesa Island

Visit Darwin Bay and marvel at the sheer number of birds along the many trails. Head to El Barranco in the afternoon to see the many types of boobies, including red-footed boobies.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4 Bartolomé Island/Sullivan Bay

Visit Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the island's dramatic volcanic features. Continue to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral-sand beach.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5 Isabela Island

Early landing in the small town of Puerto Villamil before beginning the hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. In the afternoon, explore the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6 Elizabeth Bay/Urbina Bay

Pay a morning visit to Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins. Visit Urbina Bay, located at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. Hike the trail for a chance to see land tortoises in the wild, watching for land iguanas along the way.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7 Tagus Cove/Punta Espinoza

Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8 Rábida Island/Santiago Island

Enjoy a morning panga ride in Buccaneer Cove, watch for sea lions, shorebirds, and interesting lava formations. Take an afternoon excursion to the red sand beaches of Rábida to see a lagoon and sea lion colony. Enjoy snorkelling nearby with schools of tropical fish and sea lions.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9 Islas Daphne/North Seymour

Sail around Daphne Island, a tiny conical island home to nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, Darwin's finches, and other wonderful wildlife. In the afternoon, visit North Seymour Island to look out for Blue-footed Boobies.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 10 Cerro Brujo/Kicker Rock

Travel to the dramatic Kicker Rock in the morning to witness the steep vertical stone walls rising from the ocean. Continue to Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach. In the afternoon, head to Isla Lobos known for its friendly sea lions.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 11 Bahía Gardner/Punta Suárez

Sail in to Gardner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkelling site. Head to Punta Suarez on Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including nazca and blue-footed boobies. A hike to the top of the cliff makes for spectacular photo opportunities.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 12 Santa Fé Island/South Plaza

Visit Santa Fe island for a chance to mingle with the iguanas. Continue to South Plaza for some great bird watching opportunities.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 13 Santa Cruz Island

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises and go on an excursion to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Free time for shopping or exploration of Puerto Ayora.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 14 Punta Cormorant/Floreana Island

This morning, snorkel at Devil's Crown, a coral reef surrounded by an eroded volcanic crater, the perfect home for marine life. Look out for small sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, make sure you have a postcard to leave behind on a visit to Post Office Bay.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 15 Chinese Hat/Cerro Dragón

Visit the white sand beach at Chinese Hat in the morning, before an afternoon at Cerro Dragón for an opportunity to break out the binoculars and do some excellent birdwatching.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 16 Black Turtle Cove/Quito

In the early morning, explore the mangrove lagoon at Black Turtle Cove before transferring to the airport for a flight back to Quito. Enjoy a final night out on the town.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 17 Quito

Depart at any time.

At a glance

Group size maximum: 16

Join/End: Quito

Meals: 15x breakfasts, 14x lunches, 14x dinners

Accommodation: 2x hotel, 14x ship (twin-share cabins)

Included: airport transfers, snorkelling equipment & wetsuits, activities as mentioned in the itinerary, internal flights, national park guide

Not included: international flights, meals not specified in the itinerary, Ecuadorian transit control card $20, Galapagos Islands Park entry fee of $100