Western Galápagos on Silver Origin

Begin your holiday in style with included airport lounge access before your daytime flight to Ecuador's capital – Quito. On arrival, transfer to your city-centre hotel. The next day is left free for your to explore, with the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town the undoubted highlight, packed with picturesque plazas, grand old churches and ornate, 17th-century façades. Take the chance to experience Quito's culinary side, where centuries-old indigenous traditions meet influences from across Latin America and beyond. Then, in the evening, we've included a Quito by Night tour, which takes in such architectural gems as the Presidential Palace, Independence Plaza and San Francisco Church, all illuminated atmospherically by the city's twinkling lights. 

Stay: JW Mariott, Quito

Enjoy a transfer to the airport where you'll fly to San Cristobal to begin your Galápagos adventure aboard the Silver Origin. As one of the archipelago's oldest islands, it's a fitting departure point. Its now-dormant volcanic highlands spill down to the coast and a statue of Charles Darwin, who made these islands famous, overlooks the Baquerizo Moreno harbour. It's then a showreel of highlights as you drift past Kicker Rock – something of a geological icon – spotting the likes of swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies and giant frigatebirds in the company of your expedition team. It's all set up perfectly for what is one of the most beautiful sunsets anywhere in the Galápagos.

Stay: Silver Origin

Anchor at Sullivan Bay, within sight of the moonscapes of Isla Bartolomé. It's your first experience of the ship's fleet of eight Zodiacs – the most of any ship in the Galápagos – which will bring you ashore for the chance to spot lava lizards, Galápagos Hawks, and blue-footed boobies amid the volcanic landscapes. Perhaps the highlight of the morning, however, is the view towards Pinnacle Rock with the volcanic cones of Baltra, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor in the distance.

This afternoon, on the western side of Santiago Island, Buccaneer Cove with its tuff red cones and impressive basalt lava dikes emerge from the sea. The cove, first discovered by pirates is shrouded in mystery and the likely hiding spot for treasures never found. Best explored by zodiac, the expedition team will show you the unique geological formations up close and for the keen eye, look out for Nazca Boobies, Blue Footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

Stay: Silver Origin

Sailing right up against the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on the northwest side of Isabela Island, you'll set out on Zodiacs to cruise beneath the imposing volcanic coastline, watching out for flightless cormorants and Galápagos fur seals alongside iconic blue-footed Boobies and marine iguanas. The waters below hold scores of Eastern Pacific green sea turtles and, if conditions allow, you'll have the chance to snorkel with these asa well as eagle rays, Galápagos sea lions, Galápagos penguins, and schools of small tuna. It's then on to the lava-forged coast of Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, where hundreds of marine iguanas rest on lava flows and Galápagos sea lions laze in the sunshine.

Stay: Silver Origin

Today you'll visit Tagus Cove, a sheltered area southwest of Volcán Darwin on Isabela Island. The protected waters are home to sea turtles, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins. In addition, the cove has offered safe anchorage to visiting ships through the ages. Here you can choose to kayak, snorkel or head ashore by Zodiac to discover centuries-old names of vessels, painted or carved onto the rocks near the landing site. Elizabeth Bay is next, flanked as it is by the massive volcanoes of Sierra Negra and Alcedo. It's a superb spot for a Zodiac cruise, not least for the small coves host to the likes of turtles, rays and even sharks. Enjoy the tranquility and peaceful serenity of the place as your guide points out magnificent frigatebirds perched in the trees and Galápagos penguins fishing in the rich waters.

Stay: Silver Origin

Post Office Bay got its name thanks to a post box that was placed here some time before 1813. Ships that were visiting the Galápagos on multi-year voyages would leave letters here to be collected and delivered by vessels on their way home. Today, you can keep the tradition alive by leaving a postcard of your own in the post box (now a barrel) and looking for any you might be able to deliver by hand back at home. And, take the chance to explore local cave systems by kayak or Snorkel Mystery Bay where the waters here are rich in marine life, from rays to blacktip reef sharks. You'll then sail to Isla Champion, a small islet off Floreana Islands' northeast coast, another superb spot for snorkelling, before ending the day at Punta Cormorant, named after the 19th-century British naval vessel HMS Cormorant. From the landing beach, a short track leads to a shallow lagoon, famous for its flamingos.

Stay: Silver Origin

Today you'll head ashore and discover the unique microclimate formed on the island of Santa Cruz by a peak reaching an elevation of 864 metres, this elevated position creates its own microclimate and an abundance of rain. This freshwater allows distinct flora and fauna to thrive on the island which can only be found here and the highlands local growers cultivate small amounts of the land producing a fine cup of java. However, the giant tortoises are what make this island famous and sightings are possible during your guided hike.

The vegetation, microclimate and local conservation efforts headed by the Charles Darwin Foundation and Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre are helping the giant tortoises and land iguanas rebound from previously low populations. Conservationists will guide you through the centre, explaining their important work to the region and how they've successfully reintroduced species to their native habitat.

Stay: Silver Origin

After breakfast the Silver Origin will set sail for a full day of activities as your final day with visits to Cerro Dragon, Isla Guy Fawkes and Bahia Borrero. By foot explore Cerro Dragon, with volcanic rock flowing into brackish lagoon water, inhabited with shorebirds, sally light-footed crabs and the elusive pink flamingo. Afterwards, you'll arrive at a group of four islets situated on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island, where you'll snorkel the satellite cones, rising from the deep water and full of life. The underwater cliffs are covered with colourful marine invertebrates such as sponges, corals, sea stars and urchins. And, if conditions are right, you may even spot sharks and mantas rays rising from the depths below, making Guy Fawkes one of the most exciting places to snorkel.

Today's final stop in the bay of Berrero, with its white coraline beaches and unusual vegetation is an idyllic place to reflect on the landscapes and wildlife of the Galapagos. The arid zone with forests of Palo Santo trees and salty bushes welcomes Yellow Warblers and species of Darwin Finches, such as the Common Cactus Finch and Small Ground Finch. Walk between the sea lions and marine iguanas, before a final dip in the sea. 

Stay: Silver Origin

Tuck into a final breakfast onboard before leaving the ship in San Cristóbal and flying to Guayaquil. If your onward connection departs after 10pm, you'll have access to a day room at Oro Verde Hotel before heading to the airport to catch your flight to the UK, arriving the next day.