Is it the right vacation for you? Many of the twice-daily shore excursions require wading through shallow water as there are often not piers for the boats to tie off on. Walking on the islands is often across rugged terrain without smooth paths. Snorkeling is available on many days, but is optional.

Testimonials about our trips: "This was our first trip with Alyson Adventures and it was the best vacation we've ever had!!"— Eric Britten, Anchorage, Alaska

"Far and away the best vacation I've ever had. Well planned with just the right balance of sightseeing, physical activity, great food, and most of all, fun people."— Susan Eaton, San Diego, Calif.

1-2: Quito, Ecuador

We arrive in Quito to begin our adventure. Depending on your arrival time on the first day you may want to explore a bit on your own. We will meet informally at our hotel the first evening, but there are no official activities scheduled on arrival day, since many flights arrive in the evening.

After a good night's sleep, we explore Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial mansions, tiny cobblestoned streets and historic cathedrals. We will visit many famous sites including the Middle of the World monument at the equator, and the Old City where we'll enjoy the colorful and friendly locals while checking out some great shopping or just relaxing at a cafe.

3-7: All aboard for the Wildlife Express!

After a flight from Quito, we begin our voyage among the islands. Our exact routing will depend on the Galapagos National Park Service, but the following is an example of the islands we may visit. Our naturalist guides will lead us ashore on one island in the morning and another in the afternoon to view the variety of plant-life and marine and land animals, including flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins, marine iguanas and giant tortoises. We are scheduled to visit Santa Cruz Island our first afternoon to get a taste of our adventures ahead.

A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates, pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. Navigating through shallow turquoise colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks.

We make a dry landing and take a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore / lagoon birds.

Further along the trail, we head to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a natural nesting site for a fairly large number of land iguanas.

During our first night aboard our ship, we sail to Bartholomew Island and arrive early the following morning. We embark on Zodiacs (inflatable boats for going ashore on islands with no pier) for an optional 375 foot climb on a wooden staircase to the summit, to enjoy a panoramic view of the landmark Pinnacle Rock. A tiny colony of Galapagos penguins resides at the foot of the rock. Take a Panga ride around this colossal-sized rock and relax on the sand beach here to swim and snorkel, perhaps with penguins. After lunch we make a wet landing at Puerto Egas on James Island to see land and marine birds.

Tower Island (Genovesa Island), a collapsed volcano, is our destination the next morning. Ships can sail right into a boiler-like bay and anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. This island attracts pelagic seabirds that come to nest and breed. You may see frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. After lunch, depending on local conditions, we will either explore more of Tower Island and its coastline, or visit the uplifted island of North Seymour to see blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

On Thursday morning, we have a pre-breakfast visit to Santa Fe (Barrington) Island. This island, according to the latest geological studies, shows the islands' oldest rocks. The small bay on Santa Fe's northern coast provides one of the most picturesque harbors within the archipelago. A large sea lion colony inhabits most of the surrounding landing site. Follow the trail among a very tall forest of opuntia cacti, with land iquanas darting amongst the cacti and a variety of finches fly overhead. We return to the ship for breakfast, as we sail to Santa Cruz Island.

After breakfast, we go ashore on the island of Santa Cruz, the second largest island of the Archipelago and home to the Darwin Research Station with its giant tortoise pens. The headquarters of the Galapagos National Park is also located on Santa Cruz.

Once ashore, we will have time to stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora and see how Galapagos residents live in this magical paradise, before we have lunch at beautiful Finch Bay Hotel. In the afternoon we will drive up to the lush highlands, including the Scalesia (an endemic giant daisy tree) forest and twin pit craters. The trip to the highlands includes the islands' most-famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment. We will return to the MV SANTA CRUZ for dinner and a final night on the ship.

Please note that along with the regular program described above, the day spent at Santa Cruz Island offers some multisport activities such as scuba diving, sea kayaking, hiking to Tortuga Bay, and beach combing at Finch Bay Hotel. There is an additional cost for some of these options, which can be booked and paid for onsite.

On Friday morning, we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. It was this very same island that Charles Darwin first visited in September, 1835. From here we fly back to Quito and enjoy a Farewell Dinner and perhaps some nightlife.

8: Departure Day

We fly home today with memories of sealions dancing in our heads. Those with flights late in the day may wish to explore more of Quito and the surrounding mountains. Have a safe journey and we hope to see you again soon.