Itinerary

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is a city with a wealth of character and well-preserved colonial architecture. With restored mansions, horse-drawn carriages and Old World-style plazas, it is a perfect walking city.

With our local guide, we will enjoy a walking tour of the historic walled old town as we discover the hidden history of this colonial city. See Puerta Del Reloj (Clock tower entrance), a symbol of Cartagena, the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning church, and Plaza Bolivar.

After lunch our tour continues with a drive to visit the impressive Castillo San Felipe. Built in the 17th century to protect the city from marauding invaders, it is the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas. Next, see the 17th century Convent of La Popa, a beautiful convent building that sits atop the highest point in the city, commanding spectacular views of the bay, old town, and Caribbean Sea beyond.

Today we will fly via commercial airline (ticket not included but will be organized by Air Journey) to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands.

Upon arrival, we will clear immigration and transfer oboard the M/C Elite luxury catamaran, our home for the next few days as we explore the Galapagos Islands. 

This afternoon, we will explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, that provides an unmissable opportunity to find out about the vital work that is being carried out to preserve the archipelago's ecosystems. 

One element of this is a significant breeding program for Galapagos tortoises, whose numbers have been in decline since the 1970's. 

Our day begins with a trail to Espumilla Beach, located on the northern coast of Santiago Island; an exquisite white sand beach, whose name refers to the meringue-like trails of foam left by the lapping waves. Sally lightfoot crabs are in abundance here and as a result, it is common to see predatory birds such as hawks, herons and pelicans. 

This idyllic location is perfect for snorkeling or kayaking/paddleboarding amongst a raft of marine life, including species of octupus, eels and sharks. Buccaneer Cove has an interesting history as it is where sailors, buccaneers and whalers frequently anchored their vessels in search of food and water. In more recent times, it has become an important nesting site for turtles and is also popular with sea lions. 

In the afternoon, we will head to Egas Port, once the site of a salt mine, but now is an impressive black sand beach that provides the perfect location for snorkeling and observing shorebirds, Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas. 

A stroll along the wide trails inland leads you past tidal pools and rocky volcanic formations known as grottos where it is possible to spot fur seals enjoying a spot of shade.

Our final morning on ship, we will cruise to Lobos Island, given its name from the herds of sea lions that have made their home here. Snorkeling in the calm clear water provides the unique opportunity to see these inquisitive and playful animals up close and it is also common to be accompanied by green turtles and rays as well. 

At the end of this tour, we will disembark and head to the airport for our commercial flight to Guayaquil. 

Once we have landed back in Guayaquil, we will transfer back to the Hotel Del Parque for an overnight stay. 

Today we will set out on a half day boat tour and cruise around the Gulf of Papagayo. Enjoy an adventurous and relaxing ride with a picnic style lunch. There will be time for snorkeling and swimming. 
 
The rest of the day is at leisure. 
 
This evening, before dinner, we will meet for a pilot's briefing to review the details of tomorrow's flight.