Itinerary

DAY 1: WELCOME TO QUITO

DAY 2: COLONIAL QUITO CITY TOURS

DAY 3: QUITO - GALAPAGOS

DAY 4 -5-6-7-8-9: GALAPAGOS

DAY 10: GALAPAGOS - QUITO

DAY 11: OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET

DAY 12: QUITO

DAY 1: WELCOME TO QUITO

Airport hotel(aprox. 15 min. ride depending on traffic and time of day).
Our guide/representative will be waiting at the airport with a sign with the our logo and passenger names listed, he or she will greet you and guide you to our vehicle and will accompany you to the hotel of your choice

DAY 2: COLONIAL QUITO CITY TOURS

3 hours
A legitimate return to the past to visit the 5 centuries of Quito’s history that, for its architecture and colonial art, was the first city of the world to be declared a World heritage site. Traveling through the streets and plazas of the historical center and visiting some of its most important churches, which preserve incomparable treasures of Latin America. We will visit La Catedral, La
Compania, and La Iglesia de San Francisco, built during the XVI and XVII centuries. Finally, from the top of the hill “El Panecillo”, You can observe a splendid panoramic view of the old
and modern city that is surrounded by the beautiful Ecuadorian Andes.
Cultural Altitude : 2810 m / 9217 ft
Departure: 9 am
It includes:
- Private or semi private transportation
- Bilingual tour guides
- Entrance fees paid to places listed above
Optional: lunch- traditional Ecuadorian cuisine
B

DAY 3: QUITO - GALAPAGOS

Thursday
We meet at the airport for our 2 hour flight to Baltra(Galapagos).

We are received at the airport by our cruise leader and naturalist guides. It is a 20 minute transfer to our Expedition ship, the Galapagos Legend.
After a short safety briefing and lunch by the pool, we will begin our first Island excursion. We head for Bartolome Island (dry landing). Exploring this island seems as if you were walking on the moon. The volcanic formations on this island include lava bombs, spatter cones, and cinder cones. There is a steep hike to the summit aided by wooden steps, from where you will have an impressive view of the Islands including Pinnacle rock an eroded tuff cone. On your way to the top you have the possibility of admiring a colony of marine iguanas and lava lizards. Among the flora you may find Red mangroves, tiquilla, cacti.
Later on we enjoy the pleasure of swimming at one the best snorkeling sites of the Islands. We will share these cool waters with Galapagos penguins, marine tortoises, sea lions, manta rays, white-tipped reef sharks and many other friendly hosts.
This evening after dinner the following conferences and events are scheduled:

“Briefing on next days visits”. 15 min.

DAY 4: GALAPAGOS

Friday: Wake up call. Buffet Breakfast.
We disembark to visit Espinoza point in Fernandina Island. Dry Landing. Catch the sight of largest colony of Marine iguanas sharing space with sally-light foot crabs, also to be found are the flightless Cormorants nesting grounds, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks and Sea lions where resident bulls are present. Among the Flora and volcanic formations there is, Brachycereus cactus, pa hoe hoe & aa lava formations, and mangroves extending into the sea. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano are also evident.
After lunch we visit Tagus Cove in Isabela Island (dry Landing). Isabela is the largest Island in the Galapagos, it was created by the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together. Graffiti dating back to 1800's is written on the rocky cliff, believed to be done by pirates and buccaneers. Think you can find Sir Francis Drake’s?
The trail leads to Darwin's salt water lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. A zodiac cruise will allow us to see marine life, Galapagos Penguins and flightless cormorants.
Isabela is also home to the largest population of giant tortoises (about 4000 very difficult to spot), Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks and frigate birds.
This evening after dinner the following conferences are scheduled:

“Briefing on next days visits”.

DAY 5: GALAPAGOS

Saturday:
Wake up call. Buffet Breakfast.
We start our day by cruising through the Bolívar channel for a possible observation of whales and dolphins, we take a zodiac ride and disembark to visit Moreno point in Isabela island (dry landing). We take a medium-length walk in search of giant tortoises and land iguanas orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs as well as Flamingos and Oystercatchers. Great possibilities for swimming and snorkelling.
After lunch we head towards Urbina Bay in Isabela Island (Wet landing). We head in with our guide search of Iguanas and tortoises in the wild. Great possibilities for swimming and snorkeling where you can spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks, Galapagos sharks, eels, groupers, and snappers.
This evening after dinner the following conferences are scheduled:

“Briefing on next days visits”.

DAY 6: GALAPAGOS

Sunday:
Wake up call. Buffet Breakfast.
Disembark at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. We start exploring this Island by visiting the Charles Darwin Station, staffed with international scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises and their one year old offspring, the second being a miniature version of the first and are part of the breeding program. We will also find the famous “lonesome George”. The station is surrounded by an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. The visit to the station lasts around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs or can mail postcards.
We hop into a small bus and cross the highlands of Santa Cruz in search of the twin pit craters, Los Gemelos. Surrounded by a cloud forest, here we will find many different species of finches. Next comes our visit to Cerro Chato where we will have the opportunity to admire the famous Giant Tortoises that gave the name to these islands. They graze in the wild and are not to difficult to spot.
Lunch at Ranch, we will enjoy a hearty meal Galapagos style at one of the highland haciendas.
Before we return to Puerto Ayora, we will immerse ourselves into the heart of this Island by entering its lava tubes. We will be able to admire stalactites and will have an in-situ briefing on the geological phenomena of a volcanic eruption.
Free time in Puerto Ayora before boarding the Galapagos Legend. Tonight our chef will prepare us a special Ecuadorian dinner, displaying all his art and talent by recreating all the animals you have seen, using butter, ice and vegetables.

DAY 7: GALAPAGOS

Monday: Wake up call and buffet breakfast.
Disembarkation at Baltra Beach, here after a wet landing we will be greeted by sea lions that will be found bodysurfing, marine iguanas feeding on algae and the opportunity to swim at the beach and snorkel.
After lunch we visit Dragon Hill, after a dry landing at a dock, we hike to a hypersalinic(saltier than the sea) lagoon behind the beach often frequented by flamingos. We then start on a winding trail to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay, This area is a nesting site of a big number of land iguanas re-introduced by the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a Scalesia tree forest. As you admire these dragon like creatures, your guide will explain the life of the land iguana.
After our excursion we are welcomed back on board with snacks prepared by our chef. This evening after dinner the following conferences are scheduled:

“Briefing on next days visits”.

For those who just want to relax, you have many choices, you can enjoy a cocktail by the pool, take salsa lessons at the lounge or enjoy one of our movie features at your own private in room television.

DAY 8: GALAPAGOS

Tuesday: All Galapagos mornings start very early, 6h00 AM. Our chef treats us to a delicious breakfast with a variety of fresh fruit, ommellettes, pan cakes, a variety of cheeses, juices and cereals. Today we start our visit at Prince Phillips Steps, also called “El Barranco” in Genovesa Island, dry & wet landing. Walk in lava terrain. On the sides of the steps passengers will observe red footed boobies and frigate birds perched on Palo Santo trees.
As you return on board, the crew will welcome you with canapés. You will have lunch, and some free time to relax and enjoy your ships facilities before your afternoon excursion.
Visit to Darwin Bay, wet landing. Observation of red-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, lava gulls and night herons, fiddler crabs. Opportunity to go snorkeling in the bay and observe Galapagos under water magic.

This evening after dinner the following conferences are scheduled:
“Briefing on next days visits”.

DAY 9: GALAPAGOS

Wednesday:

Wake up call. Buffet Breakfast.
We disembark at Punta Suarez (Española Island), dry landing and walk on lava terrain. Aside from the sea lion colonies this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. Here as soon as we disembark many species can be spotted up close, among these the hood mocking bird, red billed tropic birds.
We will also spot large marine iguanas with traces of green and red along with lava lizards and colorful sally light foot crabs.
After a short trek we will run into colonies of masked and blue footed boobies and their nesting grounds sometimes overlapped over the trail. We will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds we will reach the world colony of waved albatross (15000 aprox.), they all come to the Galapagos for their mating rituals.
Finally we will visit the blowhole where water shoots into the air at almost 23 m. (75 ft.). After a 3 hour trek you will want to stay longer.
Lunch
In the afternoon dry landing at Baquerizo Moreno port in San Cristobal Island. We will visit the Interpretation Center, where we will learn a little more about the natural and human history of the islands enhanced by our guides presentations, this visit lasts more or less one hour. There is some time to shop in town for souvenirs or mail postcards.
This evening after dinner the following conferences are scheduled:

“Briefing on next days visits”.

DAY 10: GALAPAGOS - QUITO

Thursday:

Wake up call. Buffet Breakfast
We embark our zodiacs for a cruise of exploration into Black Turtle Cove, named after the black sea turtles who inhabit its calm mangrove surrounded waters. We row through a channel of salt water mangroves in the hope of spotting mating sea turtles, white tipped reef sharks, golden eagle rays, and many species sea birds, pelicans, swallow tailed gulls, frigate birds.
Return to Quito
B

DAY 11: OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET

8 hours
After a couple of hours enjoying the constantly changing Andean scenery of Ecuador, we will arrive at the province of Imbabura, well-known as the region of lakes. We will visit Otavalo and its famous Indigenous Market, whose multicoloured square offers beautiful textile handycrafts made of wool and cotton, native paintings, straw hats, handmade imitation jewelry and other countless curiosities that display the creativity of Ecuador. After shopping we will eat lunch (NOT INCLUDED) in an Hosteria or in a traditional Colonial Hacienda. In the afternoon we will go to Cotacahi, here you can buy excellent leather goods for very low prices and see the beautiful Lake Cuicocha.
B

DAY 12: QUITO

Transfer out international
B

INCLUDED

All transfers
Colonial Quito City Tour
Otavalo Traditional Market Tour
4 hotel night stay at selected hotel in Quito
8days/7night Galapagos cruise on board at selected yacht
Meals as listed (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

NOT INCLUDED

airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito USD 400 per person
International airport tax USD 44 per person
not listed meals
gratuities & tips
Personal expenses
anything not specified

PICTURES - QUITO - OTAVALO - GALAPAGOS

BASILICA CHURCH IN QUITO

PANECILLO IN QUITO

GALAPAGOS - TURTLE

OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET

MAP OF QUITO - OTAVALO - GALAPAGOS