Luxury Galapagos Discovery

¡Bienvenido a casa! Today you'll be met at the arrivals gate of José Joaquil de Olmedo International Airport in the city of Guayaquil and escorted an hour outside of the city to a family home and hacienda nestled into the countryside. 

Hacienda La Danesa is a lowland cacao, dairy and teak farm in Ecuador's tropics. Stay immersed in daily activities of a 500-hectare working farm and relax after travel with delicious three-course farm-to-table meals. This is a truly special place to arrive as you'll be welcomed with open arms by the third generation of the Olsen family, who've owned this gorgeous land for years. Rest up and prepare yourself for a day of wholesome activities tomorrow. 

This morning you'll rise in your heritage bedroom, and open your door to fresh juice and coffee waiting for you just outside. La Danesa is a rural idyll, a perfect introduction to authentic mainland Ecuador and a place to recuperate and relax before your onward journey. 

Today you're free to choose any of the following activities of this fantastic lodge. From cycling around the verdant grounds, or milking cows and making your own chocolate from the cacao grown in the fertile land to tubing down the lazy river or horseback riding. This hacienda is multi-award winning for its milk and delicious chocolate as well as it's incredible location amongst trees and winding rivers. Enjoy a truly unique farm-to-table gastronomic experience from the resident chef who will showcase the colourful array of food produced here for you to sample in experimental forms. Spend the day feeding your soul and making the most of this spectacular lodge with once in a lifetime opportunities unique to Ecuador before nestling in for a cozy evening in accompaniment of a delicious local beverage. 

Today you'll bid farewell to La Danesa. You'll be picked up from the hacienda by your driver and fly from Guayaquil Airport to Baltra in the Galápagos. This journey only takes 2hrs, and the plane journey is an experience in itself. As you descend into the Galápagos Islands you'll overlook sublime and powerful volcanic settings welcoming you into this all-encompassing land. 

Upon arrival, you'll transfer from the airport to your luxury catamaran awaiting you. The M/C Endemic only hosts 16 guests, so your experience of the oceans surrounding the Galápagos will be intimate. After making yourself at home aboard the vessel, enjoy a scenic journey on calm waters to Dragon Hill. Upon arrival on Santa Cruz, trek over the north-western area of the island dotted with land iguanas basking in the sun. Here you'll see a flamingos' lagoon, frequented by pintail ducks and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. 

Cool off in crystal clear waters around the Endemic, before jumping back on board for sundowners and perhaps a sunset hot-tub. 

This morning rise after a restful night in your cabin and be the first to spot Kicker Rock from your balcony. This is the nesting place of thousands of sea birds, and the water below is inundated with sea-lions, turtles, sharks and rays. This is the perfect spot for a morning spent underwater or taking photos of gorgeous geological formations above the surface - so dive in or just take in the scenes surrounding. 

The boat will then set sail for Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill south-west of San Cristóbal where a smaller boat will escort you to tour fantastic rock formations along the inland shore. Beaches with white sands and crystal-clear waters are all part of this enchanted location. This afternoon, you'll be taken to Lobos Island where blue-footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds reside and nest. Snokelling with sea lions in this calm bay is simply spectacular.

Today you'll be exploring the oldest and southernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago. Española is home to endemic wildlife such as the hood-mockingbird, masked and blue-footed boobies. 

Following breakfast this morning, jump into the azul waters of Gardener Bay. Snorkel around the small islets nearby, and keep your eyes peeled for colonies of sea lions, turtles and sharks. Following lunch on board, you'll visit Punta Suarez to experience one of the most spectacular walks in the Galápagos where you'll have the chance to see the waved albatross, an extremely rare species that makes its home on Española. 

This morning, following a hearty breakfast out on deck, you'll pay a visit to Santa Fe Island. This island is just east of Santa Cruz and offers more unique volcanic scenery to appreciate and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. Follow a trail towards the tallest and most iconic Opuntia cactus towards the highlands where land iguanas bathe. After a long walk relax in calm waters and swim amongst dozens of sea lions. 

This afternoon, you'll visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre - otherwise known as the Charles Darwin Research Station. The breeding centre is a once in a lifetime opportunity to encounter tortoises of different subspecies who are being reintroduced into their natural habitats. Get involved with the important conservation projects taking place, and interact with the species that are protected and supported here. 

This morning after a trek around South Plazas island, dotted with sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses before disembarking the Endemic catamaran at the dock. Here you'll be met by our Wayfairer driver and escorted to Pikaia Lodge on Santa Cruz. 

Experiencing land based accommodation as well as a Galápagos cruise is the best way to get to know these incredible islands well. Enjoy privacy and personalised itineraries on a central location on the island, perched on the edge of an extinct volcano crater providing one of the most remarkable viewpoints in the Galápagos. The 31 hectares of property has its own microclimate which is warm and sunny with a fresh breeze throughout the year. Enjoy lunch at the Evolution Restaurant or Pool Terrace and explore the private tortoise reserve surrounding. 

This morning wake for a briefing and discuss various options for your day's explorations with Pikaia's resident naturalist guides. Today is yours to choose whether you visit various beaches by speedboat, volcanic craters or lava tunnels, visit organic coffee farms in the highlands or enjoy the multitude of different water-sports activities on offer. All food will be sorted for you throughout the day, from a buffet breakfast with eggs cooked to request, a picnic and an organic three-course dinner. 

Today, rise early as it's your last full day in the Galápagos so you'll want to make the most of it.

You'll be transferred early in the morning down to the port where the Pikaia I yacht will depart for your day's excursion out at sea. Your day will be filled with hiking, kayaking or snorkelling all tailored to what wildlife you want to view. Two hours before sunset, the yacht will set sail for home and whilst sailing, soak in the jacuzzi or join a discussion with guides whist watching out for pods of dolphins dancing in the warm evening light. 

Wind down with a post-excursion massage and this evening, enjoy a delicious dinner with phenomenal views over the island. Share stories and sightings, and settle in for a cozy evening in a truly spectacular setting amongst uninterrupted nature. 

Today marks the day of your departure from Ecuador. Our Wayfairer driver will escort you to the airport for your return flight home via Guayaquil or Quito... Leave wide-eyed, but never weary as this has been an invigorating adventure.