This extraordinary journey begins in Quito where you will enjoy a day and evening of cultural exploration and traditional cuisine. The following day, you will travel south through the Avenue of Volcanoes, a spectacular valley flanked by volcanoes and mountain peaks one being over 19,000 feet (Cotopaxi). Cotopaxi is the world's highest active volcano and its crater is covered by perpetual snow with various glacier formations. Many lakes and rivers nearby are ideal sites to observe the local bird fauna. Along the way you will stop in small villages to buy handicrafts and interact with traditional Ecuadorians who live much the same way their ancestors did over the centuries.

You will take one of the most dramatic train rides in South America passing through the world-famous "Devil's Nose" where the train descends almost 1,000 meters or 3,000 feet while crossing steep ravines and taking numerous switchbacks. Your land journey in southern Ecuador will end in Cuenca, declared as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, where you will have time enjoy its old colonial center with lovely churches dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The following magical eight days will be spent on the luxury yacht Lili Marleen exploring the timeless Galapagos Islands. Your English-speaking naturalist guide will make your experience both fun and educational since you will have ample time to learn about the evolutionary and geological significance of the islands while still having the opportunity to relax, enjoy the warm Ecuadorian sun, snorkel and swim in the pristine turquoise waters. During this once-in-a-life-time experience you will have the opportunity to view extraordinary wild life, many of them endemic, including species such as: the marine iguana, 7 species of lava lizards, two species of land iguanas, Galapagos sea lion, giant tortoise, Galapagos fur seal, Pacific green sea turtle, bottlenose dolphin, and over 100 species of birds. Some of the bird species include the blue-footed booby, brown pelican, masked booby, red-footed booby, frigate birds, Galapagos Hawk, lava gull, Galapagos dove and thirteen finch species made famous by Charles Darwin. Marine life is also abundant and those interested in snorkeling can view numerous species of fish and mammals including Galapagos fur seals, tropical fish, and manta rays. Since much of the islands existence has to do with relatively recent volcanic activity, visitors can have the opportunity to witness the slow creation of these islands and visit lava flows as recent as 100 years.

DAY 02
QUITO: CULTURAL EXPLORATION AND TRADITIONAL CUISINE
This day will be dedicated to exploring Quito's cultural heritage. The past and present come to life when you visit Quito's vast array of cultural exhibits. Your local guide will assist you in selecting the most appropriate to match your interests. Some examples include: San Juan de Dios, once the oldest hospital in the Americas and now the colonial art museum; the Fundacion Guayasamin, with a fabulous collection of pre-Hispanic and colonial art; the Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in South America, housing the unique Merz equatorial telescope; the Museum of Natural History, including an exhibit of creatures that once roamed Quito 12,000 years ago; and the Museo del Banco Central, a chronological record of Ecuador's antiquity beautifully exhibited in archaeological treasures and providing clues to the origins of man in the Western Hemisphere.

For dinner enjoy authentic Ecuadorian cooking at a private residence. Your gracious hosts will be interested in learning about you, exchanging ideas, or listening to local music while savoring delicious food and local drinks. Overnight in Quito. B,L,D

DAY 03
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK - RIOBAMBA
Travel south along "the Avenue of the Volcanoes" a long valley flanked on either side by two high mountain ranges, for the most part made up of active and inactive volcanoes. Cotopaxi National Park will be one of your first stops to see Ecuador's second highest peak the cone shaped volcano Cotopaxi (5,897 meters). Along the way you will see some of Ecuador's most dramatic scenery that includes the country's highest peaks and visit small villages where the indigenous people live much the way their ancestors had centuries ago. Heading further south along the route you will visit Guano, famous for handmade rugs. You will arrive at Riobamba in afternoon where you can relax and enjoy the local markets and sites. BLD

DAY 04
ROBAMBA
Full day in Riobamba to enjoy indigenous community interaction and local handcraft centers unknown to most travelers. BLD

DAY 05
ALAUSI, HUIGRA - INGAPIRCA
You will begin the your train ride south from Riobamba and along the way you will experience the most spectacular part of the train ride through the "El Nariz del Diablo" or the "Devil's Nose. In the "Devil's Nose" the train will descend almost 1,000 meters or 3,000 feet between Alausi and Sibambe while crossing steep ravines and taking steep switchbacks making for one of the most dramatic train rides in South America. Once in Huigra you will continue by vehicle to Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important archaeological site, for overnight. BLD

DAY 06
BIBLIAN - CUENCA
Travel to Cuenca, visiting en route the Panama hat weavers of Biblian. Afternoon exploration of its museums, archaeological sites and handcrafts. Cuenca has an old colonial center with lovely churches that date from the 16th and 17th century. The city invites travelers to stroll its cobbled streets and visit its flower markets, plazas and museums. In 1999, UNESCO declared Cuenca's city center to be a World Cultural Heritage Site. BLD

DAY 07
CUENCA - QUITO
You may choose from a variety of options that include interacting with indigenous communities and enjoying a traditional lunch. Afternoon flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. BL

DAY 08
QUITO - GALAPAGOS (BALTRA)
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival at Baltra travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called 'Pangas' will transport you to the Lili Marleen and our crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.

AFTERNOON: NORTH SEYMOUR (SEYMOUR NORTE) ISLAND
North Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found together with marine iguanas. BLD

Note: Each evening your naturalist guide will give a briefing on all aspects of the Galapagos and the next day's activity schedule.

DAY 09
MORNING: SANTIAGO (SAN SALVADOR, JAMES) ISLAND SULLIVAN BAY
Sullivan Bay is a large area of pahoehoe (ropey) lava flows dating from an eruption in 1897. A walk over this glazed black rock gives the impression of still-molten lava, as every ripple, swirl, and bubble in its surface has been preserved. Only the occasional pioneering Mollugo plant gives a clue of the time needed for species to colonize such a landscape.

AFTERNOON: BARTOLOME (BARTHOLOMEW) ISLAND
Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a colony of penguins. Activities will include swimming and snorkeling and a climb to the summit of the island for one of the most breathtaking views in all the Galapagos. From the summit you will have the best view of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock. BLD

DAY 10
MORNING: ISBELA (ALBEMARLE) ISLAND URBINA BAY
Urbina Bay is an easy wet landing on a gentle sloping beach. This area is very interesting in that it is a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. In 1954, over 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the marine reef at the edge of the shore were uplifted by 13 feet (4 meters).

AFTERNOON: FERNANDINA (NARBOROUGH) ISLAND PUNTA ESPINOSA
Fernandina is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and marine iguanas dot the sand. BLD

DAY 11
MORNING: ISABELA (ALBEMARLE) ISLAND ELIZABETH BAY
At Elizabeth Bay enjoy a panga ride through the mangrove area to see the rays, turtles, sea lions, and, circling overhead, Galapagos hawks. A colony of penguins inhabit a rocky islet at the entrance to Elizabeth Bay.

AFTERNOON: ISABELA (ALBEMARLE) ISLAND PUNTA MORENO
Punta Moreno affords visitors the opportunity to see impressive 200 year old lava flows along with a small lagoons with bird life, such as flamingoes, frigates and pelicans. Sometimes a panga ride along the shoreline is possible to observe birds and marine iguanas. BLD

DAY 12
SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE) ISLAND PUERTO AYORA TOWN
Santa Cruz is the only inhabited island to be visited during this Galapagos cruise. Puerto Ayora, with a population of about 10,000 people is the location of the Charles Darwin Research Station, world famous for its tortoise breeding programs. After touring the Station, journey by bus into the highlands to Los Gemelos the two deep pit craters situated in the Scalesia forest with lots of interesting bird life. Go for a walk through the giant lava tubes, visit the Tortoise Reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. There will be some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora on your own. BLD

DAY 13
MORNING: FLOREANA (SANTA MARIA, CHARLES) ISLAND PUNTA CORMORANT
Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of very fine white sand, formed by the erosion of coral skeletons; it is a nesting site for green sea turtles. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds. An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil's Crown is a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigates and it is not uncommon to see red-billed tropicbirds in rocky crevices. The center of the crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot full of sea lions and colorful fish.

AFTERNOON: FLOREANA (SANTA MARIA, CHARLES) ISLAND POST OFFICE BAY
Besides Santa Cruz, Floreana, with its population of about 30 people, is the only other inhabited island to be visited on this Galapagos itinerary. Floreana has a colorful history of buccaneers, pirates, whalers, convicts, and colonists. In 1793 British whalers set up the Post Office barrel to send letters to and from England, and this tradition has continued over the years. BLD

DAY 14
MORNING: HOOD (ESPA OLA) ISLAND GARDNER BAY
One of the oldest of the islands, Hood is small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population of this species.

AFTERNOON: HOOD (ESPA OLA) ISLAND PUNTA SUAREZ
Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. BLD

DAY 15
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - BLACK TURTLE COVE - BALTRA - QUITO
The panga will take you into a tidal lagoon to see three kinds of mangrove plants, red, white and black. White-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays and Pacific marine turtles frequent the waters here.

Return to Baltra for flight out to Quito. Overnight in Quito. B,L,D

DAY 16
QUITO - USA
Morning transfer to the airport for flight out. End of services. B

Cost per person
High Season - $4,372
Low Season - $4,127
Call for pricing for suites and deluxe cabins on the Lili Marleen.

High Season
Jan 01-May 04
June 16-Aug 31
Nov 01-Nov 30
Dec 16-Dec 31

Low Season
May 05-June 15
Sept 01-Oct 31
Dec 01-Dec 15

TRIP DIFFICULTY: Journey requires moderate walking along trails and sufficient mobility to board small boats in variable land and sea conditions. In the Galapagos several islands require "wet landings" meaning passengers must step out of a small zodiac in shallow water in order to reach the beach. Passengers are not required to go out on every outing and have the option to remain on board the large boat to relax.

INCLUDES: All hotel accommodations based on double occupancy. Meals as specified in the itinerary, entrance fees, transfers, flight Cuenca/Quito, and English speaking guides. B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner.

NOT INCLUDED: Does not include International airfares, airfare to Galapagos (approx. $390), Galapagos park fee ($100) airport departure taxes or visa fees, meals not specified, tips and gratuities, excess baggage charges, alcoholic beverages, insurance of any kind.

INSURANCE: ARE highly recommends that our travelers take out insurance. We offer travel insurance to our clients.