Early morning departure from London Heathrow by Iberia to Madrid (2 hours 20 minutes) continuing by non-stop flight to Quito (11 hours). On arrival in the evening, you will be met and transferred to the Hacienda La Carriona, in Los Chillos, just outside Quito. Stay here for 1 night.

This morning is a spectacular day trip to the Antisana volcano, the fourth in altitude in Ecuador, covered with glaciers and snow, and the surrounding Ecological Reserve. The climb and spectacular scenery on Antisana begins with close-up views of a massive glacial moraine, dating back to 11,000 year ago. After lunch drive to Quito and enjoy a visit to Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll 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. The tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. Please note: This is a walking tour at an altitude of 2,800 metres and involves climbing stairs. Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz.

Afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) at North Seymour Island for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available. Welcome Cocktail offered by the Captain. Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities and dinner. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport. Fly to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands (1½ hours). Transfer to the dock to board the Isabela II. Welcome introductory briefing, and lunch.

After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach at Gardner Bay (Hood Island) where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), or take the glass-bottom boat. Afternoon dry landing at Punta Suárez (Hood Island) for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

After breakfast, wet landing at Point Cormorant (Floreana Island) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers etc. Return to the beach with a possibility to swim; there is great snorkeling at this site or kayak from the beach. Lunch on board. Possibility to snorkel from the pangas around Champion Islet or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Return on board and navigate to Post Office Bay (Floreana Island). Wet landing at the historic barrel that served as a post office, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the Isabela II. Evening naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Morning wet landing at Darwin Bay (Tower Island) for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or ride sea kayaks. Lunch on board. The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (Prince Philip's Steps, Tower Island) and then a leveled walk to the other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Naturalist's briefing and dinner. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on the weather conditions).

Early risers will enjoy cruising right in front of famous Ecuador Volcano, which rises off the water line with one of its halves completely collapsed, and now resting underwater, while crossing the Equator line. On the northwest of Isabela Island, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in the wet season. An uphill hike takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. Possibility to swim, snorket or ride kayaks. There is no beach in the area, so these activities ae done from the pangas. Lunch on board. The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a short walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.

Wet landing at Puerto Egas (James Island) for a walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board. Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins before or after the walk. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.

After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight to Guayaquil. Stay 1 night at the Hilton Colon Hotel.

Day at leisure. Evening transfer to the airport. Depart by Iberia non-stop flight to Madrid (11 hours).

Arrive at Madrid, continuing by Iberia flight to London Heathrow (2 hours 20 minutes).