Day 6 Santiago Island
The next two days will be spent circumnavigating Santiago Island and visiting neighbouring Rabida and Bartolome Islands. First stop is Santiago where you will explore the coastline beneath the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. This cove is testament to the fact that the island was once a refuge for pirates who would anchor in its protected waters to repair their ships and stock up on food and children will love hearing the somewhat embellished stories from these times. It is a particularly impressive site with hundreds of marine birds and sea lions all lined up in front of the dark red sandy beach and there are a number of fantastic natural rock formations such as ‘The Bishop’ and ‘Elephant Rock’. Its protected waters offer great snorkelling opportunities in a safe environment and you can also enjoy a panga (dingy) ride along the coast. 

You will then re-board the Santa Cruz II and continue along the coast of Santiago to the beach at Puerto Egas. Here you can enjoy a swim or snorkel along the rocky shoreline – maybe even in the company of a group of marine turtles! You will then head inland on a ‘walking safari’ which is a great opportunity to observe both land and marine birds amidst a dramatic landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide you can see marine iguanas grazing and Galapagos fur seals wallowing on the algae beds.

Return to the Santa Cruz II for a well-earned dinner and briefing about the next day’s islands.

Day 7 Rabida Island and Bartolome Island
A top Galapagos day combining a hike, a swim, a beach and coastal exploration! After breakfast, you land on Rabida Island’s unusually coloured beach, reddened by the high content of iron in the volcanic material. A walking tour brings you to a large colony of sea lions and marine iguanas. The beach here is a great place to snorkel due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Non-snorkelers can enjoy a cruise on a glass bottom boat or a panga ride.

Later set sail for Bartolome Island, keeping your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins that are often spotted in this area. On arrival it is time to stretch your legs on a hike to the central summit for wide-sweeping views of the Galapagos archipelago. Although this is a reasonably steep climb there is a wooden staircase and rest platforms so even little legs should be able to manage it – and the view is worth the effort we promise! Then it is back down to the pangas or glass-bottom boat for a trip around the enormous Pinnacle Rock before heading back to the beach for some more swimming and snorkeling – this time perhaps in the company of Galapagos penguins….

Return to the Santa Cruz II for supper and a further briefing whilst the ship sails northeast to Genovesa Island.

Day 8 Genovesa Island
The sunken crater of Genovesa Island is a wild place that is home to thousands of marine birds and feels like a world a million miles from anywhere. The morning starts with an exciting panga ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island. You will then disembark and ascend Prince Philip’s Steps on a steep climb (90 feet) to reach a flat plateau. As a useful distraction from the climb you can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. After the walk, snorkel along the dramatic cliffs where there are chances of spotting a huge variety of fish, and possibly Galapagos fur seals.

After lunch there’s more swimming and/or snorkeling from the beautiful beach at Darwin Bay and an optional walk over sharp lava for dramatic views of this volcanic island. Alternatively you can enjoy a panga ride along the coast.

Return for one last evening meal on board as the Santa Cruz II sets sail south for San Cristobal

Day 9 San Cristobal Island – Quito
After breakfast docked in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, say farewell to your wonderful guides and crew. There is a highly recommend optional trip to see the giant tortoise breeding programme at Cerro Colorado. Here, you will learn about this endangered species and its promising future. Following the visit, you will return to town and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. On arrival at Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 10 Quito – Papallacta – Quito
Enjoy a leisurely morning driving up the Eastern Cordillera where you will go over a 4,000 metre pass offering breathtaking (literally) views of the Antisana volcano and lush surrounding paramo wetlands. From here you will travel to the Papallacta hot springs in a spectacular location amongst the mountain forests of the Andes. Here the entire family can enjoy a healthy dip in the thermal waters (parents, you will feel years younger!) or various spa treatments as well as a guided walk around the grounds before returning to Quito.

Day 11 Quito – Cotopaxi – Pedregal
Begin with a stunning early morning drive along the Panamericana Highway, appropriately known as ‘The Avenue of the Volcanoes’. Your destination is none other than the world’s highest active volcano: Cotopaxi, standing loftily at 5,897 metres with a picture perfect snow-capped cone.

Here you will hike through the pine forest to the Limpiopungo Lagoon, located on the slopes of the volcano. The pace will be extremely gentle as you are at significant altitude here.

After exploring Cotopaxi National Park continue to your traditional hacienda located high in the mountains. Here you can experience genuine Ecuadorian country life in the Andes. Finish your day in the mountains with an exciting two hour horseback ride around the hotel grounds.

Day 12 Pedregal – Quilotoa – Pedregal
This morning head to one of the most spectacular spots in the Ecuadorian Sierra – the Quilotoa Crater Lake. This is a beautiful lagoon at the top of the Quilotoa volcano and the mineral water of the lagoon is a dramatic emerald green colour, which can vary to blue or yellow, according to the season.

Hike down to the lagoon and then climb (or rent a donkey for tired legs) back up to the top of the crater. Afterwards, visit the small village of Tigua, famous for its painted craft; here you will find coloured paintings made on sheepskin and symbolic masks. After some fun last minute bartering it is back to your hacienda hotel. This afternoon it’s time for some fun in the kitchen learning how to prepare empanadas (small dough packages that can be filled with virtually everything: chicken, cheese, meat and more…). We tend to find that the children’s favourites are empanadas filled with cheese and topped with sugar! After all the hard work comes the best part where you sit down and enjoy all the wonderful things you have prepared.

Day 13 Pedregal – Quito
Enjoy a free morning at the hacienda. You could take one of the optional excursions available such as a mountain bike ride, high ropes course, milking cows or walks around the hotel’s estate. You will then return to Quito for a final evening.

Day 14 Quito – Airport
Today after breakfast your guide will collect you from your hotel and will drive you to the airport for your flight back home.