Day 1 & 2 - Quito, Ecuador

Quito, (pronounced 'kito) is the capital city of Equador, and at an elevation of 9350 feet (2.800 meters) above sea level, is the highest official capital city in the world. Quito is home to a well-preserved colonial center, the café lined streets of "New Town", and stunning views of the Andes Mountains - all yours to discover.

The JW Marriott is located in the heart of the capital city and about 25 miles from Quito International Airport. From the comfortable and safe "La Mariscal District", the hotel is a quick cab ride or about a 20 minute walk to the central area. Here you'll find plenty of dining options offering delicious Ecuadorian food.

The hotel also has a well equipped Fitness Center, a beautiful outdoor pool and several wonderful dining options plus comfortable, well appointed guest rooms.

During a guided tour of the capital of Ecuador, situated at an altitude of 9,350 feet, you'll stand on the equatorial line at the Middle of the World Park and Museum, and marvel at the monastery of San Francisco and La Compaia Church. Your Tour Director will escort you throughout your Quito stay and serve as your personal concierge. Lunch with a spectacular view of the city, and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local gourmet restaurant.

Day 3 - Isla Baltra & Daphne Island

The flight from mainland Ecuador lands on the island of Baltra. As you approach by air, you'll observe the rocky plateau of Baltra emerging from the blue waters of the Pacific. The terrain is flat and arid, specked with red volcanic rock and sparse growth of cactus.

During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region's main airport and where you will be greeted by park guides and Celebrity staff. After just a short bus and zodiac ride you will be aboard the ship. Your luggage will be delivered straight to your stateroom, giving you the opportunity to explore the ship and your home for the week.

Daphne Island (Isla Daphne) is a satellite volcanic cone located north of Santa Cruz island. The crater floor is an important breeding site for the blue-footed boobies. The presence of these sea birds makes this an exceptional island to visit. The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies and tropic birds. In addition, large schools of fish can be observed from the zodiac rides.

Nearing the crater rim red-billed tropicbirds nest in the cliffs. These elegant birds with long white tail feathers and a coral-red bill, nest in the over hanging ledges and crevices of the steep slopes. Magnificent frigate birds build their nests in the little vegetation that occurs on the island's slopes and near the crater rim. Finches, masked boobies, short eared owls and Galapagos Martins are also visible.

Day 4 - Puerto Egas & Rabida

Puerto Egas, Santiago With its sandy beach, black rocks, and blue-water grottos, Puerto Egas offers a taste of Galapagos geology, great snorkeling, and an opportunity to see shorebirds and Galapagos fur seals.

The wet landing on the dark sands here leads to one of the more rewarding visits in the Galapagos, the Fur Seal Grotto. Here one can get very close views of both fur seals and sea lions in a series of rocky pools. For many, this is the only opportunity to see the Galapagos fur seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. In addition to the fur seals. This site also offers the best opportunity for tide-pooling in the Galapagos.

Rabida Island (Isla Rabida) Also known as Jervis Island, is a small island south of Santiago, and best known for its red sand and eroded volcanic landscape. The high amount of iron contained in the lava at Rabida give a distinctive red color to the sand of its beach. Flamingos and white-cheeked pintail ducks live in a salt water lagoon close to the beach, where brown pelicans and boobies have built their nests. Nine species of finches have been reported in this island.

A nesting colony of pelicans makes its home here, along with sea lions and some seabirds. Snorkeling along the rocks at the east end of the beach may reveal many of the reef fish common to these waters, and the ever-present sea lions.

Excursion options include a zodiac ride and short walk, swimming and snorkeling from the beach, and a deepwater snorkel for more experienced snorkelers. This is a wet landing.

Day 5 - Isabela & Fernandina

Caleta Tagus, Isabela Historically an anchorage for pirates and whalers was named for the British naval vessel that moored here in 1814. The names of those old ships are carved into the rock above the landing. Tagus Point offers a breathtaking view of Isabela, its volcanoes, and a saltwater lagoon

The coves quiet waters make for an ideal zodiac ride beneath its sheltered cliffs, where blue-fitted boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy terns make their nests, and flightless cormorants and penguins inhabit the lava ledges. Along the shore seabirds, penguins, sea lions, sea turtles and nesting flightless cormorants can often be found Excursion options include a scenic zodiac ride for wildlife viewing, a long, faster-paced walk, and optional snorkeling. This is a dry landing.

Mangle Point (Isla Fernandina) This is a small inlet on Fernandina's coast where sea lions, penguins, and flightless cormorants reside. Our excursion here is a zodiac ride to view wildlife and enjoy the beauty of the coastline. If conditions allow, we will enter the inlet for closer viewing.

Day 6 - Sullivan Bay, Santiago & Bartolome

Santiago Island (Isla Santiago), also known as James Island or Isla San Salvador, actually consists of two coalesced volcanos: a typical shield volcano on the northwest end and a low, linear fissure volcano on the southeast end. Subtle differences in lava chemistry confirm that there are two volcanos here, and indicate that each has its own plumbing system and each taps a different melting zone in the mantle.

Sullivan Bay During a volcanic eruption in the early 1900's, this area of Santiago was covered with flowing lava. Today, the hardened fields of black rock create a geologic wonderland. The glazed black rock gives the impression of the 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 colonise such an expanse.

Sullivan Bay is especially fascinating for those who are interested in geology and volcanology. You can take a spectacular walk over the uneroded, black lava flow covered with lava bubbles and tree-trunks mold in the surface. There are two small beaches where turtles come for nesting.

Bartolome Island (Isla Bartolome) is a small island that offers beautiful white sand beaches fringed by luxuriant green mangroves. A recently volcanically active island, Bartolome Island has a moon-like landscape and volcanic cones. The tall, leaning spike known as Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of an old tuff cone. The view from the top of Pinnacle Rock is perhaps the most famous in the Galapagos, with the opportunity to see up to 28 islands if visibility allows.

On the beach, watch for the endemic Galapagos penguins, the only penguins in the world found north of the equator. As you walk along the white sand beach, you might catch a glimpse of them swimming alongside marine turtles, a variety of brightly colored tropical fish and white-tipped reef sharks, while the Galapagos Hawk flies overhead. Marine turtles come ashore to nest here between January and March.

Excursion options include a hike, swim, beach and snorkel. This is a dry landing, except for the optional beach swim and snorkel, which is a wet landing.

Day 7 - Las Bachas, Santa Cruz & North Seymour

Located on Isla Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Galapagos. Behind it are two small ponds that often have flamingos feeding in the shallows. A floating pier, one of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, can be seen here. It is also one of the largest nesting areas for the Pacific green sea turtle.

Excursion options include a short beach walk to look for flamingos, followed by an optional opportunity to swim, snorkel, or relax on the shore. It is also possible to simply go to the beach to swim, snorkel, and relax. This is a wet landing.

North Seymour (Isla Seymour) is a small island just north of Baltra. It is home to the largest colony of frigate birds in the Galapagos. While keeping an eye out for male frigates trying to impress potential mates with an inflated red neck pouch, you may also see blue-footed boobies dancing in a timeless courtship ritual. Sea lions and large land iguanas also roam about this rocky terrain.

Excursion options include a guided long, rocky walk, zodiac ride and short easy walk, or simply just a scenic zodiac tour along the coast to view wildlife and the geology of the area. Experienced snorkelers will also have an option to do a deep water snorkel at this site. This is a dry landing.

Day 8 - San Cristobal Island & Kicker Rock

San Cristobal Island (Isla San Cristobal), also known as Chatham Island, is the fifth largest of the Galapagos Islands in terms of size, and has the second largest human settlement, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It is the second most popular island after Isla Santa Cruz.

Located on one of the four islands that Charles Darwin visited aboard the HMS Beagle, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is the administrative capital of the Galapagos, It originated as a penal colony more than a hundred years ago. Now a sleepy town overlooking the harbor known for its relaxed attitude, it features cobblestone streets and a pleasant waterfront park. It also has a variety of restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities and one of the Island's two airports.

Excursion options include a tour of the Interpretation Center and time for shopping, or a fast-paced long walk to scenic vistas, followed by a visit to the Interpretation Center. This is a dry landing.

Warlock Hill (Cerro Brujo) Warlock Hill is named for its distinctive shaped mountain that resembles a witches hat. White sand juxtaposed with black volcanic rocks makes this beach another of the Galapagos' most spectacular. Brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and marine iguanas are all found here.

Excursion options include a beach walk, swimming, or snorkeling. This is a wet landing.

Afterwards, just in time for a sunset cocktail, the ship will navigate the steep, richly colored walls of Kicker Rock, also known as Leon Dormido, for its supposed shape as a sleeping sea lion. Kicker Rock is the spectacular remains of a satellite volcanic cone eroded by the sea. The two vertical rocks rise 500 feet from the ocean.

Day 9 - Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island This is the main population center of the islands, home to the National Park Tortoise Breeding Center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. After Darwin's studies and surveys, the Galapagos Archipelago remained untouched except for occasional landings for water and meager supplies mustered from the uninhabited islands. Many tortoises were taken for food and oil.

Unknowingly, these ships left behind non-indigenous animals like rats and cats. This, along with human settlement and the further introduction of non-indigenous animals like goats, pigs, and dogs, had a devastating effect on many native species. Once-domesticated animals escaped and became feral, and the islands suddenly were overrun with predators never seen before. They competed for available food, eating tortoise eggs, baby iguanas, and the plant base, which led to massive erosion. The Galapagos tortoises are still in danger of extinction. Famous Lonesome George, a Pinta Island tortoise, was considered the "rarest creature on earth" before his death in 2012.

In 1930, an expedition from the US arrived to create a wildlife sanctuary for the entire archipelago, and finally, in 1935, the first laws were passed to protect these islands. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared the Galapagos a national park, the catalyst needed to promote scientific research, restoration, and preservation of the ecosystem. That year saw the creation of the Charles Darwin Foundation, which funds the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. Eradication of all invading species, capping or reduction of human population, and perhaps even stronger limits on tourism may be the future of the Galapagos Archipelago as scientists work to save this spectacular place and return it to its pristine, natural beauty.

Excursions include a visit to the Tortoise Breeding Center as well as walk through the Charles Darwin Station. You will also have the opportunity to take a bus ride to the Highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. There will also be free time available for shopping.

Day 10, 11 & 12 - Quito, Ecuador

Upon debarking from your Galapagos cruise, you'll fly to Quito International Airport where you'll be transferred to the JW Marriott. Your luggage will be transferred from the ship directly to the hotel.

In the afternoon, join an optional excursion to the local craft market, or art gallery. Or, if you prefer, relax by the beautiful hotel pool. A Farewell Dinner is served this evening in the hotel restaurant.

On Monday, enjoy a continental breakfast at the hotel and then spend a day at leisure - enjoying the hotel facilities or shopping in the nearby Old Town area.

On Tuesday, after a continental breakfast, your Celebrity representative will once again escort you to the airport for your return flight home. Departure time is based on fight schedules.

11-Night Quito and Galapagos Islands Tour #1