Family holiday to the Galápagos and Panama

Day 2 | Quito

Quito, situated at an altitude of around 2,800 metres in the Andes valley, is a charming city with a rich history and a beautiful colonial centre. From almost anywhere in the city, you can see one of the many volcanoes that surround it. The old colonial part of the city centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colourful, picturesque streets, the bustling squares and the authentic local atmosphere make it well worth a visit. In the newer part of the city centre, you’ll find charming little shops and markets. Your guide will collect you from your hotel and take you past the old town’s main attractions, including the historic colonial centre with its beautiful squares, Plaza de la Independencia and Plaza San Francisco. You’ll also cross the equator, where you’ll visit the ‘Mitad del Mundo’ monument. Today, together with your private guide, you’ll visit all the highlights in and around the city.
Overnight stay: Illa Experience Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Quito – Galápagos Islands

In the morning, you will be taken back to the airport and fly to Baltra in the Galapagos Archipelago. On arrival, you will be taken straight to the Aqua Mare, the cruise ship on which you will be staying for the next few days. The Aqua Mare is the ideal superyacht for travellers seeking a luxurious and relaxing experience. The ship offers excellent service, a high level of comfort and delicious food. The Galápagos Archipelago is situated approximately 1,000 kilometres west of mainland Ecuador. This group of islands has never been connected to the mainland. As a result, the flora and fauna have developed in a unique way. The wildlife has no natural predators and is therefore unafraid of humans! Your first stop is the beautiful white sandy beach of Bahía Borrero on the northern side of Santa Cruz. Here you’ll find Darwin’s finches, cactus finches and small ground finches, often hidden amongst the coastal vegetation. You’ll also have the chance to go snorkelling from the beach, one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles. With a bit of luck, you might spot them underwater whilst snorkelling! You’ll return to the boat, where a delicious dinner will be served.
Overnight stay: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 4 | Galápagos Islands

Today you’ll wake up on the other side of the equator. Your first stop will be the coral beach at Darwin Bay. Darwin Bay itself is a stunning tidal cave, with numerous seabird nests providing the backdrop. There is also a path leading to the rookery cliffs, offering views of the bay and colonies of tropical birds, gulls and frigatebirds. You’ll also have the opportunity to go snorkelling here. During lunch, you’ll sail towards Genovesa Island. This island covers an area of 14 km² and has a highest point of 76 metres. The island is also known as ‘Tower Island’. It is fascinating from both a geological and biological perspective. What is remarkable is that the chemical composition of the lava found here is identical to that found along the mid-ocean ridges, known as ‘mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)’. Genovesa, just like the island of Española, is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Many birds build their nests here. What the albatross is to Española, the red-footed gannet is to Genovesa. The red-footed gannet also lives on other islands, but the largest colony is found here. As well as the many sea lions, the Galápagos fur seal can also be found here. In the early 20th century, the fur seal was almost extinct here due to hunting. Fortunately, the population is recovering. You will also visit El Barranco, situated in the southern part of Darwin Bay, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. Here, you will climb to a plateau that forms part of the stretch of land surrounding Darwin Bay on the eastern side. You’ll see two species of petrels, which nest here in hollows and crevices in the lava. One of the main predators here is the short-eared owl. The Nazca gannet can also be seen here.
This evening, you can enjoy a documentary or film in the yacht’s ‘Beach Club’ or admire the stunning starry sky from the sun deck.
Overnight stay: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 5 | Galapagos Islands

After breakfast, your day begins with a visit to Sullivan Bay on the island of Santiago. This is home to one of the most striking volcanic sites in the Galapagos. It is almost 100 years since the Sullivan Bay Flow took place; only a few plants have managed to continue growing here. After exploring the lava flow, you will return to the boat for lunch. You will then sail to the island known as ‘Sombrero Chino’, or the Chinese Hat. This island lies to the south of Santiago and is easily recognisable by the distinctive shape from which it takes its name. The landing site is a pearly-white sandy beach home to sea lions. Inland, there is a path leading through lava tunnels to a rocky coastline home to marine iguanas and numerous Sally Lightfoot crabs. The snorkelling here is superb; you’ll encounter sea lions and penguins, and with a bit of luck, mating eagle rays too.
Accommodation: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 6 | Galápagos Islands

During the night, you sailed to Bartolomé Island. On this island, famous for Pinnacle Rock, you can see Galapagos penguins and sea lions. You’ll hike to the top of the island, where you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of Pinnacle Rock and the beach with its azure-blue sea. Here, you’ll also have the chance to snorkel amongst the sea lions and penguins. In the afternoon, the ship sets course for the island of Santa Cruz, where you will visit Dragon Hill or Cerro Dragon. This island is named after its impressive population of land iguanas. It is a rocky hill, situated in the north-west of Santa Cruz Island, and one of the few sites directly linked to the conservation programme run by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos authorities. Conservation efforts were desperately needed here after the local iguana population was decimated by wild dogs in 1975. As well as iguanas, you’ll find a path leading to the top of the hill, from where you’ll have a beautiful view of the surrounding area. You can spot flamingos at the nearby salt lagoon. Other birds that can be spotted here include Darwin’s finches, mangrove warblers, tyrant flycatchers and mockingbirds. As well as wildlife, you’ll also find Palo Santo trees and Galápagos cotton plants here.
Accommodation: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 7 | Galápagos Islands

Today you will spend the whole day on the island of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galápagos. It is also home to Puerto Ayora, the capital of the archipelago. In the morning, you’ll visit the Tortoise Reserve, where you’ll have the chance to see giant tortoises in the wild whilst walking through the lava tubes and two collapsed craters. After lunch, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you’ll learn about the giant tortoise and land iguana breeding programme.
Many activities are carried out here aimed at the conservation and restoration of the archipelago’s flora and fauna. The research station is managed by the Charles Darwin Foundation, which was established in 1958. The Fausto Llerena Centre is part of the Charles Darwin Research Station. This station receives around 7,800 visitors per month and currently houses 925 young and 70 adult tortoises originating from various islands in the archipelago. They are part of the captive breeding programme and are then returned to repopulate the areas where their populations have been depleted.
Accommodation: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 8 | Galápagos Islands

You’ll wake up this morning in yet another part of the Galápagos; you’ve arrived on the island of Española. It is one of the most popular islands due to the breathtaking variety and abundant wildlife to be found there. In the morning, you’ll visit Punta Suárez, home to the greatest variety of marine iguanas in the Galápagos, as well as masked gannets and blue-footed boobies nesting along the cliff edge – and you may even catch a glimpse of the famous albatross when it makes an appearance. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful long white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, sea turtles swim off the coast and curious mockingbirds boldly investigate the newcomers. Depending on the weather, you’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling and/or kayaking here. This afternoon, you’ll once again have the chance to snorkel alongside playful sea lions and various species of reef fish.
Overnight stay: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 9 | Galápagos Islands

After breakfast, you’ll visit the small, arid islet of Santa Fe, situated between the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. It has a path that winds its way through a forest of tall, spiky cacti. Cacti are the favourite food of the growing population of native land iguanas that live here. The Santa Fe land iguana is found nowhere else in the world; with a bit of luck, you might spot one here. The Santa Fe land iguana belongs to a different species from the land iguanas found on the other islands. In the highlands, both the Galápagos pigeon and the Galápagos hawk are a common sight. The Santa Fe rice rat, one of the few native mammals on the islands, is also found here, although this elusive rodent is rarely spotted by visitors. Unfortunately, the native population of giant tortoises on Santa Fe was wiped out by whalers over a century ago; however, in 2015, a few Española tortoises were released onto the island. Santa Fe is also a great island for snorkelling or kayaking, as the water in the small, sheltered bays is a beautiful light blue thanks to the white coral sand on the seabed. At lunchtime, the boat sails on to South Plaza, where the flora and fauna will amaze you. This island is best known for the many land iguanas that live there. Once you’re a little further from the shore, it feels as though you’ve stepped into the film *Jurassic Park*, as you find yourself face to face with the stunning green, yellow and orange land iguanas. All this is set against a backdrop of sandy beaches, beautiful disc cacti, red sesuvium bushes and the blue sea in the distance. Off the coast, you’ll also spot sea lions. It’s fascinating to see how the sea lions and iguanas interact. They play together as if they were true companions. This island also has something to offer birdwatchers. Here, you’ll find what is known as a ‘birdwatcher’s paradise’ , a very steep cliff teeming with swallow-tailed gulls, masked gannets, blue-footed gannets, tropical red-billed birds, frigatebirds, pelicans and Audubon’s shearwaters. The gulls, lifelong mates, are always cuddling and nesting together here.
Accommodation: Aqua Mare | full board

Day 10 | Galápagos Islands – Guayaquil

Before you bid farewell to this special place, you’ll visit the Twin Craters on the island of Santa Cruz in the morning. Near the village of Santa Rosa lie Los Gemelos, the twins. This name refers to two craters situated right by the roadside. The walk there takes you through woodland and, once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view. After this visit, you’ll say goodbye to the crew and fly to Guayaquil, where you’ll be taken to your hotel in the city. The Malecón 2000 is the most pleasant spot in Guayaquil. Here you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along a lovely, wide promenade on the western bank of the broad Río Guayas. It’s always busy in this part of the city, but as it’s car-free, you won’t be bothered by the crowds. Because the Malecón connects some of Guayaquil’s best-known monuments, locals generally regard it as their favourite part of the city. Right in the heart of Guayaquil city centre lies Parque Histórico. This park showcases what Guayaquil looked like in the 19th and 20th centuries. The buildings have been constructed using materials from that era, and the main activities of the time are re-enacted, such as cocoa and tobacco production. All this takes place in a beautiful tropical botanical garden featuring the unique flora and fauna of the Equatorial region. Here you’ll see spider monkeys, iguanas, tropical macaws, hummingbirds and even crocodiles.
Overnight stay: Hotel del Parque | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Guayaquil – Panama City

Upon arrival at Panama City airport, one of our local staff members will be on hand to take you to your hotel. You will be staying in a beautiful colonial hotel, situated in the heart of Panama City’s old town.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Panama City – Bocas del Toro

You will then travel on to your next destination: Bocas del Toro. You will be taken to the local airport in Panama City, from where you will board your flight to Bocas del Toro. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel. The Bocas del Toro archipelago is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Panama and boasts many lovely bars and restaurants on the main island, Isla Colón. You’ll feel as though you’re in a true paradise, with many stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue water, palm trees, a protected nature reserve, dolphins and a diverse underwater world with colourful coral. You’ll stay in a beautiful overwater villa situated on a stunning green island.
Accommodation: Bocas Bali | full board

Days 13 & 14 | Bocas del Toro

Days to spend at your leisure. Make the most of these days to enjoy the exotic sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, the jungle, the Caribbean atmosphere and, above all, the colourful reefs! Bocas del Toro offers plenty of water sports, such as surfing and kayaking, and you can even spot dolphins here! We highly recommend a boat trip to the dolphin lagoon and snorkelling at Coral Cay and Zapatilla Island, a real Bounty-style beach. You can also take a trip to one of the various nature reserves or to Salt Creek, where you’ll learn more about and see the Ngöbe Bugle community, an indigenous people who still live here.
Accommodation: Bocas Bali | full board

Day 15 | Bocas del Toro – Panama City

It’s time once again to leave this paradise archipelago behind. Today you’ll take a short flight back to Panama City. On arrival in Panama City, you’ll be met and taken to your accommodation for the final night of your wonderful trip.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Panama City – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your Unique Journey comes to an end today. One of our local staff will collect you from your hotel for
a visit to the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, where you’ll see large ships passing through. At the visitor centre, you’ll learn about the history of the Panama Canal. You’ll be amazed by this masterpiece of human ingenuity. You’ll then be taken to Panama City airport, where you’ll board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam. You’ll arrive there the following day.

Day 17 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.