The Galapagos by Luxury Catamaran

Depart the UK on an overnight flight, beginning your Galapagos holiday on day two.

Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Perhaps spend the next day exploring the old colonial quarter.

Stay: Patio Andaluz

Fly to the Galapagos Islands and board the Cormorant, a new luxury catamaran complete with sun deck, jacuzzi, kayaks for guests and private balconies for each of the eight staterooms. Guests are ferried ashore to explore the islands; landings are either 'dry' (at a dock) or 'wet' (stepping ashore through the surf). Start with a visit to Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz, where you may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, whimbrels and sea turtles.

Climb to the summit of an extinct volcano to see the famous view of Pinnacle Rock, then grab a mask and snorkel for the chance to spot penguins, rays and reef sharks. Explore the black lava flows of Sullivan Bay in the afternoon.

Highlights of todays cruising and island visits include sea lions, land iguanas and great hiking opportunities.

Spend these days among turtles, rays, sea lions, finches, frigate birds and the iconic blue footed boobies.

See Nazca and blue-footed boobies, waved albatross, a magnificent blowhole, sunbathing sea lions, a green-coloured beach and wading flamingos. Plus stop by the barrel at Post Office Bay, left here by whalers in the 18^th century for use as an unofficial post box. Today it's tourists who continue the tradition, leaving postcards for others and picking up any they find addressed to their home towns or cities.

Visit the Highlands to see giant Galapagos Tortoises in a free-range environment, before heading back to the airport to fly home via Guayaquil.

Arrive back in the UK after your overnight flight from Guayaquil and continue your journey home.