Morning departure from London Heathrow by Iberia to Madrid (2 hours 20 minutes). At Madrid, change aircraft and continue by Iberia non-stop flight to Quito (11 hours). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Swissotel. Stay here for 3 nights.

Morning sightseeing of Quito and the Equatorial Monument. Quito’s colonial quarter is one of the largest and best preserved of South America, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walk starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Afterwards continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 kilometres north of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Next to the monument is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and gift shops. We then continue to Pakakuna Gardens for lunch, before returning to Quito in the afternoon.

After breakfast, we head north on the Panamerican Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, one of the most famous Indian Fairs in the Americas. The Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains at the stalls offering ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Stops will also be made at local villages renowned for their handicrafts. Lunch today is included at La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa, a Relais & Chateau property.

Fly to the Galapagos Islands (3 hours with stop at Guayaquil en route) and embark on La Pinta. Yacht La Pinta is a stylish 63 metre long luxurious expedition vessel, which after an extensive renovation will start sailing in the waters of the Galapagos archipelago in March 2008. Her capacity of just 48 passengers will be comfortably accommodated in 24 cabins, situated on the Upper Deck. The air-conditioned cabins will all offer panoramic views. The window-lined Dining Room will be situated on the Main Deck. Spacious public areas on the Boat Deck will include a large Observation Lounge which can also be used for outdoor dining. Also on the Boat Deck will be an outside Sky Bar, exercise room, Jacuzzi and a well stocked natural history library. With a modern design, La Pinta is assured to bring new levels of comfort and service to Galapagos cruising.

In the Galapagos, we will be met by our Naturalist Leader, Mr Greg Estes. Greg Estes was born in the United States. He first visited the Galapagos in 1982 leading the Cambridge Darwin Centenary Galapagos Expedition to conduct research on the feeding ecology of marine iguanas. With a degree in Biology from the University of London, Greg stayed in the islands to assist with several other ecological projects, including studies on the endangered Galapagos petrel. Greg has lectured extensively on Darwin’s voyage and is currently writing a book about Darwin in the Galapagos. Greg, who now lives in the Galapagos, has served as a licensed naturalist guide of the Galapagos National Park Service since 1982 and continues to work as a naturalist and expedition leader in the islands. He is in high demand by university and natural history organisations alike. Through his work with film, Greg actively promotes the protection of the Galapagos marine environment.

The exact itinerary will be confirmed shortly, but it is expected to include the following islands: Bartolome (Bartholomew): A small island with beautiful white sandy beaches, green mangroves and a colony of penguins. Also view the striking Pinnacle Rock. Fernandina (Narborough): The youngest and most westerly of the islands, Fernandina is a pristine landscape of unusual volcanic lava flows. It is home to dense colonies of marine iguanas as well as penguins, sea lions and the flightless cormorant. Isabela (Albermarle): The largest of the islands boasting the highest point of the archipelago. Apart from great views, you will see nesting colonies of land iguanas and giant tortoises. Floreana (Charles or Santa Maria): An island in the south of the archipelago dotted with parasitic cones. Wildlife highlights include include lagon birds, sea turtles, rays and Galapagos flycatchers. Espanola (Hood): The cliffs on this island present the visitor with large colonies of sea lions and lava lizards. It is also home to the largest nesting colony of blue-footed boobies on the archipelago and is the only nesting site in the islands of the waved albatross (sighted from April to December). Gardner Bay is excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Santa Cruz (Indefegatible): This is the second largest island and you can find 7 types of vegetation here. You will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the famous giant tortoises that are bred at the station and it may also be possible to visit the highlands. San Salvador (James or Santiago): This island is good for spotting finches, doves and hawks and also seeing fur seals. There are black sand beaches at Puerto Egas and Buccaneer Cave. North Seymour: One of the most attractive islands, there are excellent locations to observe frigate birds, sea lions, marine and land iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Rabida (Jervis): This island is noted for its reddish beaches. A wet landing is made here and you can walk to a lagoon to see flamingoes and pelicans.

As above

As above

As above

As above

Disembark in the morning and return by air to Guayaquil (1 hour 30 minutes). On arrival, you will be transferred to the Hilton Colon Hotel, where rooms will be provided for you.In the early evening, you will be transferred back to the airport. Depart from Guayaquil in the evening by Iberia non-stop flight to Madrid (10 hours 45 minutes).

Arrive at Madrid in the early afternoon. Change aircraft, and continue on Iberia to London Heathrow.