Volcanic Wonders of the Galápagos

High atop El Panecillo hill, a tall statue of the Virgin Mary smiles over Quito’s gleaming baroque churches and huddled roofs. Between cobbled squares and steep hillsides, Ecuador’s traditional mountain culture still thrives here: pre-Columbian treasures fill the city’s museums, chefs put modern spins on ancient ingredients and venerable market traders are always ready with the perfect, sage-scented remedy.

Step into the beautiful, beating heart of Quito on a guided tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this grid of bustling, steep streets, see some of its most iconic sights, including the opulent Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus), its walls groaning with over seven tons of gold. This evening, head to the Mindalae Museum to explore Ecuador’s Indigenous cultures and take in a traditional music performance. Cap off your night with dinner at a scenic rooftop restaurant.

Catch your charter flight to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galápagos Islands and San Cristóbal’s main port. Although merely a few hundred miles from the mainland, the Galápagos Islands may feel even further away in reality; modern life has largely skirted this group of volcanic, windswept pearls, still every bit as wild and wondrous as when Charles Darwin set foot here in the 1830s. The wildlife he observed so carefully is still the main draw of any adventure here. Colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs and lumbering iguanas, curious boobies and famous finches: many of them are found nowhere else, highly adapted to life on these lonely, elemental islands. Board a Zodiac for the ride to your yacht anchored in the bay. Then, sail to León Dormido (Kicker Rock), a remnant of a tuff cone formation rising some 500 feet from the ocean. Blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and frigatebirds are a common sight along these cliffs.

Arrive in Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach where lava gulls gather by tide pools. Wade out to swim or snorkel these warmer northern-route waters frequented by playful sea lions. Then, visit one of the islands’ premier birdwatching destinations, Prince Philip’s Steps. Explore the cliffs by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or on a deep-water snorkeling excursion from the Zodiac.

Embark on a Zodiac excursion into the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove to encounter sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and other incredible species. Step ashore at Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) and climb its slopes to take in magnificent views of the bay.

Keep watch for sea lion colonies and other diverse species off Fernandina Island’s Punta Espinoza. Here, the resident bulls carefully guard their harems and keep lookout for sharks that threaten the colony’s pups. Glimpse some of the hundreds of marine iguanas that share this rocky domain, the largest colony in the Galápagos, as they warm themselves along the rugged shoreline. Then, sail through the Bolivar Channel to watch for whales and dolphins. Disembark at Isabela Island’s Urbina Bay, home to four miles of dry seabed exposed by a volcanic eruption. After a wet landing on the beach, explore the remnants of coral skeletons, some of them waist-high. Keep watch for the Galápagos land iguana, marine iguana, giant tortoise and other distinctive species that call this island home.

Cruise the mangroves of Elizabeth Bay by Zodiac in search of penguins, spotted eagle rays, sea lions and sea turtles. Next, land at Isabela Island’s Tagus Cove, a former anchorage of pirates and whalers. Explore by Zodiac or kayak in search of Galápagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. As night falls, go topside to take in the sparkling night sky as you cross the Equator for the final time on your Galápagos voyage.

Stroll the shoreline of Santiago Island’s Puerto Egas to observe octopus, starfish and other inhabitants of the tide pools. Keep an eye out for herons, oystercatchers, and marine iguanas feeding on algae. Then, snorkel from the beach before returning to the ship. Next, the dark red sands of Rábida Island welcome you ashore. Considered the geographic center of the Galápagos, Rábida’s volcanic rocks are the most diverse in the archipelago. Hike a trail beside the shore, keeping watch for marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finch. Continue to a saltwater lagoon where migrating greater flamingos tend to flock. Then, snorkel waters frequented by inquisitive sea lions.

Awake in Santa Cruz’s lively harbor of Academy Bay. Go ashore to encounter giant tortoises at a private farm in the highlands. Next, head to Ayora Point and ascend through the seven vegetation zones of the Galápagos to learn about ongoing conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Research Station and visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, a vital resource harboring various species of giant tortoise. Back on board, set out to see “the tunnels” — the largest lava tubes found in the Galápagos. Cap things off with a lavish farewell dinner.

Bid your Captain and crew farewell as you disembark your yacht for a final time on San Cristóbal. Visit the local Interpretation Center to learn more about the island’s anthropology and natural history. Afterward, take some free time to walk a nearby trail or snap some lastminute photos. Later today, catch your charter flight to Guayaquil or Quito to connect with your homeward departure.