M.S. Alta






Indulge in fresh fruits
and vegetables while on
board the M.S. Alta






Marine iguanas range
from different sizes
depending which island
they are from in
the Galapagos






There are three types
of giant tortoises
found in the
Galapagos Island;
saddle- backed,
dome-shaped
and intermediate






The Galapagos
penguin is the only
type of penguin
that can survive on
the equator due to
cool temperatures
from currents


World Explorer Expedition to
Ecuador &
The Islands of the Galapagos

Explore the enchanted isles of the Galapagos, the land that Charles Darwin visited as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle. His zoological and geological discoveries on the voyage formed the basis of his theories on evolution and will form the basis of a wildlife adventure unlike any you've ever experienced. Your motorized yacht drops anchor at different islands every day to hike, snorkel and swim in the midst of some of our planet's most captivating wildlife who are not intimidated by your presence.

Day 1 - Miami/Quito
 Board your American Airlines flight in Miami and fly to Quito, where you are escorted to your luxury hotel. SWISSOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Day 2/3 - Otavalo Country
Depart for one of South America's most famous Indian fairs, the Otavalo Market. All day long, the whir of cotton candy machines, Andean pipe music, and Quechua, the native tongue derived from the Incan language, drift across the square. As you stroll the streets you'll find everything from jumpers to armadillo shell guitars, wall hangings to ceramic fried eggs, fresh produce to intricate jewelry. Visit the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for woodcarvings, and artisans at their homes. La Mirage, your home for two days, is a contemporary resort built on the grounds of a 200-year-old hacienda. Located in rolling countryside and set on five acres of landscaped gardens, it offers activities such as horseback riding, tennis and mountain bike rides. Take a scenic cruise on San Pablo Lake and birdwatch around the countryside and in the beautiful gardens of the hacienda. LA MIRAGE. (All Meals Daily)

Day 4 - Quito
 Return to Quito, stopping en route at Calderon, a small town where dolls and handicrafts are made out of bread dough. SWISSOTEL.

Day 5 - Quito/Galapagos Islands/San Cristobal
 Fly to San Cristobal and board your yacht, the M.Y. Alta. A 16-passenger motorsailer with all the modern amenities, this 3-masted schooner combines authentic shipboard elegance with any ocean, all weather passage-making ability. The Alta has a crew of 8 plus a knowledgeable naturalist guide. Each guest stateroom features air-conditioning with private bathroom facilities and shower. After a brief orientation of life on board, return by panga (small boats) to San Cristobal to visit the Interpretation Center. Tonight, enjoy dinner on board as you set sail on your adventure. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Galapagos Islands: Tower Island
 Enjoy a full day at the most spectacular bird island in the Galapagos - Tower. Numerous Masked and Red-Footed Boobies can be seen at Prince Philip's Steps. After a wet landing on Darwin Bay, follow a trail past tide pools where male Frigatebirds indicate their readiness for mating with a brilliant red-throated display. The once endangered Galapagos Doves grace the sky as you snorkel and swim in their shadow. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Galapagos Islands: Fernandina/Isabela Islands
 Bottle-nosed dolphins may lead you to Fernandina, where marine iguanas crowd the beach. Visit Punta Espinoza rimmed with a green mangrove forest and a broad stretch of black lava. Continue to the largest island in the Galapagos - Isabela, with its five volcanic mountains. Look for the ever-friendly booby birds and the elusive Woodpecker Finch above, as well as the colony of Penguins below. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Galapagos Islands: Isabela Island
 Visit Urbina Bay where the sea became land during volcanic eruptions in the 1950s. Massive marine iguanas wander along with Flightless Cormorants. View the steep cliffs of Tagus Cove as they reveal a harbor where whalers painted the names of their ships on the most inaccessible rocks. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Galapagos Islands: James/Bartolome Islands
 Stroll along the cliff-lined shore of James Island, looking for octopus, starfish and marine iguanas. Swim in the fur sea grottos in pools of clear water among curious sea lions and fur seals. Sail to Bartolome's lunar-like landscape, where you may encounter the Galapagos Penguin. Climb to the summit of a once active volcano with its panoramic view including the famous "Pinnacle Rock. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Galapagos Islands: Santa Cruz Island
 Enjoy the local color of the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the social center of the islands, as well as the research. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Galapagos Islands: Hood Island
 Explore Bahia Gardner, a white sand beach at the eastern end of Hood Island, and Punta Suarez, home to most of the island's inhabitants, from sun-bathing sea lions, to airborne Masked Boobies, to red and green-trimmed marine iguanas. Visit the only nesting grounds of the Waved Albatross, where if lucky, you may see their entertaining mating dance. Visit Gardner Bay's magnificent beach, frequented by sea lions - a major nesting site for marine turtles. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Galapagos Islands: Isla Lobos/Kicker Rock/San Cristobal/Guayaquil
 Isla Lobos means Sea Lion Island, an appropriate name due to the abundance of sea lions, as well as Blue-footed Boobies. Continue to Kicker Rock, a magnificent rock rising 500 feet from the sea. On the cliffs, you will spot Blue-footed Boobies, Masked Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Disembark on San Cristobal Island and fly to Guayaquil where you are escorted to your deluxe hotel. HILTON COLON GUAYAQUIL. (B)

Day 12 - Guayaquil/Miami
 Transfer to the airport for your return flights home. (B)

Optional Extension To Peru
Exlore the archeological splendor of Peru. Visit the remains of Ollantaytambo where you can see the best surviving example of Inca city planning. Shop for colorful handicrafts at Pisac Market. Take a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas." Explore its temples, houses, terraces, gardens and sacrificial altar. Return to beautiful Cusco and visit nearby Inca sights including the Temples of the Sun & the Moon, the gigantic Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Tambo Machay. Fly back to Lima for one last day of exploration before returning home

Your Journey Includes:

  • Roundtrip flights from Miami. Plus, roundtrip flights to the Galapagos and on the Peru extension.
  • Superior and best available accommodations at hotels and cruiseship in Ecuador.
  • All meals as specified.
  • 8-Days/7-Nights Cruise to the Galapagos Islands on the M.Y. ALTA . Naturalist guide provided aboard the ship. Accommodations are in double, air-conditioned cabins, outside with private facilities.
  • Gratuities for baggage handling, hotel tips and taxes.
  • All entrance fees to places specified.
  • Complimentary travel bag, passport wallet, and baggage tags.

Call Today to begin planning your journey of
a lifetime (800) 627-1244