Luxury Galapagos cruise and Ecuador mainland highlights

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador’s vibrant Andean capital. On arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, your private driver will greet you and transfer you to your boutique hotel in the historic center. Take time to settle in before stepping out to explore.

Begin your Ecuador travel with a relaxed stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Visit Plaza Grande, admire the intricate beauty of La Compañía and the grandeur of La Basílica, then wander the atmospheric streets of La Ronda.

In the evening, enjoy a refined welcome dinner at your hotel, where Ecuadorian flavors are thoughtfully presented.

Your private driver will meet you at your hotel in Quito and transfer you comfortably to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos.

On arrival, step aboard Aqua Mare, the Galapagos Islands’ first 50-meter luxury superyacht, and settle into life at sea with your dedicated crew. Enjoy a Nikkei-inspired lunch designed by consultant chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, then get fitted with your personal snorkeling gear and receive your welcome amenities.

In the afternoon, head out to the pristine white sands of Bahía Borrero in northern Santa Cruz. Walk along the shoreline, watching for Darwin’s finches and sea turtles, before returning to the yacht for a memorable evening in the archipelago.

Begin your day with a special equator crossing certificate, a memorable keepsake for travelers of all ages. Set out by tender along the dramatic volcanic cliffs of El Barranco, where fur seals rest along the shoreline, before hiking across lava fields to observe red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and Galapagos storm petrels.

Continue with a snorkeling experience in rich marine waters, where you may encounter bottlenose dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and colorful reef fish.

In the afternoon, arrive at Bahía Darwin’s coralline beach, where you can choose between hiking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking. As the day winds down, relax at the Beach Club with a private film screening or enjoy stargazing under the clear Galapagos sky.

Begin your day with sunrise movement or guided meditation on the upper deck, followed by a fresh breakfast as you take in the surrounding seascapes. Continue to Bahía Sullivan on Santiago Island, one of the best places to visit in Ecuador for its striking volcanic scenery. Step ashore for a dry landing and walk across smooth pahoehoe lava flows shaped by recent eruptions.

After a gourmet lunch and an engaging geology talk from your expert guide, cruise to Sombrero Chino. Swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters alongside sea lions and penguins, or explore by paddleboard and kayak. As evening falls, enjoy sunset cocktails followed by a barbecue dinner under the stars.

Awaken on Bartolomé Island and set out on a gentle hike up a volcanic spatter cone, where sweeping views reveal the iconic Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding coastline. Afterwards, cool off with a snorkeling experience alongside sea turtles and playful Galapagos penguins.

Return on board and relax as you cruise toward Santa Cruz Island. In the afternoon, visit Cerro Dragón, once a key refuge for land iguanas. From a wet landing, walk to a tranquil flamingo lagoon, then choose to swim and snorkel from the beach or explore the surrounding mangroves and dunes.

End the day with an al fresco dinner inspired by Pacific coast flavors and Nikkei cuisine.

Continue your journey with a visit to El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve, where you can observe wild giant tortoises roaming freely in the lush highlands. Along the way, look out for Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, flycatchers, cattle egrets, and, with luck, the elusive Galapagos rail.

After lunch, enjoy an engaging talk on the evolution of Darwin’s finches in the panoramic lounge. Later, travel by tender to the Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where you can witness conservation efforts firsthand, from tiny hatchlings to fully grown tortoises.

End the day with free time in Puerto Ayora, or return to the Beach Club to take in sunset views and enjoy fresh superfruit juices.

Begin your day with sunrise meditation on the upper deck, setting a calm tone before heading ashore at Punta Suárez. This remarkable site is home to Española mockingbirds, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and the iconic waved albatross, offering one of the richest wildlife experiences in the Galapagos.

In the afternoon, explore the surrounding waters by tender at Osborn Islet, where you can snorkel alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, and vibrant fish. Continue to Bahía Gardner, a pristine coralline sand beach known for its large sea lion colony and tranquil setting.

Return to the yacht for a relaxed Happy Hour and signature Aqua Bloody Mary as you sail toward your next destination.

Arrive at Santa Fé Island and begin the day exploring its unique landscape of ancient palo santo trees and towering Opuntia cacti. As you walk, look for land iguanas, lava lizards, Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds, and Galapagos hawks that thrive in this distinct ecosystem, a memorable part of your Ecuador itinerary.

Spend the afternoon enjoying the surrounding waters, with time for snorkeling, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding in clear turquoise seas. Over lunch on board, savor Galapagueña lobster lettuce wraps with Acevichado dressing.

Later, continue to Plaza Sur for a guided coastal walk, where dramatic cliffs and vibrant vegetation create a striking contrast. Return to the yacht in the evening to relax and enjoy the rhythm of life at sea.

Travel into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, stopping at Los Gemelos twin craters, where lush vegetation surrounds these striking formations. Explore with your naturalist guide, watching for short-eared owls and, with luck, the vivid vermilion flycatcher.

Continue to Baltra for your flight to Guayaquil. On arrival, your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, whether strolling the waterfront, sampling coastal cuisine, or simply relaxing as your journey continues.

After breakfast in Guayaquil, your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel. Take a moment for any last-minute souvenirs before leaving the coast behind.

Journey into the high Andes to explore Cajas National Park, a striking landscape of more than 200 high altitude lagoons that feed rivers flowing to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Set out on a scenic hike of up to three hours, surrounded by open páramo and ever-changing mountain views.

Later, continue to the colonial city of Cuenca, where you can unwind and settle in for the evening.

This morning, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of Cuenca, exploring its UNESCO-listed historic center. Admire elegant colonial architecture, wander lively streets, and experience the city’s relaxed rhythm before continuing to Turi for sweeping views over red tiled roofs and surrounding mountains.

From here, travel across the high Andean páramo, following sections of the ancient Inca Trail to Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important archaeological site. Visit the Temple of the Sun and walk to the Inca’s Face while learning about the site’s history and significance.

If conditions allow, pause at the striking Palmira dunes before continuing to Riobamba, where you settle in for the night.

After breakfast in Riobamba, travel toward the towering Chimborazo volcano, its snowcapped peak rising above the surrounding landscape. As you approach, take in the vast open scenery of the high Andes.

If you feel comfortable at altitude, set out on a hike to the Carrel Refuge, where sweeping views reveal dramatic valleys and rugged mountain terrain.

Continue your journey to Baños, a lively Andean town known for its waterfalls, hot springs, and outdoor adventures. On arrival, settle in and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Begin your day along the Avenue of Waterfalls, following the Pastaza River through a lush, dramatic valley as you travel south from Baños. Stop in Río Verde to walk scenic trails and experience the power of El Pailón del Diablo, where cascading water thunders through a narrow gorge.

Return to Baños with time to unwind in the thermal pools or visit the iconic Casa del Árbol for sweeping views across the valley.

Later, travel back to Quito, bringing your journey through the Andes to a close.

After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel for a tailored walking tour through Quito’s colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in history and atmosphere. Explore Plaza Grande, admire the intricate beauty of La Compañía, take in views from La Basílica, and stroll along La Ronda, the city’s oldest and most characterful street.

Later, continue to the Mitad del Mundo monument, where French scientists first identified the equatorial line, marking a memorable moment at the center of the world.

Today takes you into the Andean highlands to explore Cuicocha Lagoon, a serene volcanic crater lake framed by vivid páramo vegetation and deep blue waters. Walk along quiet trails, taking in sweeping views and the stillness of this remarkable landscape.

Continue to your elegant hacienda near Otavalo, where the afternoon is yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Unwind in refined surroundings, explore the grounds, or simply take in the atmosphere of the highlands.

Dive into the vibrant Otavalo Market, where stalls brim with colorful textiles, alpaca ponchos, hand-carved instruments, and unique handicrafts. Take time to browse, chat, and bargain with local vendors as you experience one of the Andes’ most iconic markets.

Continue to the stunning Cuicocha volcanic crater lake for a scenic walk along the shore or an optional boat ride to its forested islands. Enjoy lunch with sweeping views across the water.

In the afternoon, visit Cotacachi, known as “Pueblo Mágico,” where you can explore boutique leather workshops offering finely crafted bags, belts, shoes, and saddles before returning to Quito.

At the agreed time, your private driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you comfortably to Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

As your journey comes to an end, take a final look at the Andean skyline and reflect on the landscapes, wildlife, and cultural encounters that have shaped your experience. Ecuador leaves a lasting impression, inviting you to return and discover even more.