Enjoy this fascinating adventure touring this wonderful country, full of culture, history, flora and fauna. These 11 days will only be to relax and enjoy your vacation, especially in the part of the Galapagos Islands, where you will enjoy the most of this wonderful archipelago of Columbus. The Galapagos Islands were declared a World Heritage Site in 1978 by Unesco. The Galapagos are known for their numerous endemic species and for the studies of Charles Darwin that led him to establish his theory of evolution by natural selection.
Arrival in Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation
Explore the streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas, visiting some its most important churches such as the impressive Cathedral, Compañía and San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. We begin the tour the quirky Guapulo quarter; take in the Congress building, before heading to the Old Town. We finish the day at the “Panecillo” hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city surrounded by the rolling Andes Mountains. As an addition to the Quito Colonial City Tour, we travel to “La Mitad del Mundo” complex. Its monument is located at latitude 0º 0´0", and provides for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to straddle both hemispheres, or hop between the two in the blink of an eye. The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants.
Departure from Quito through the famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” Around midday we will arrive in the National Park, which is located 60km away from the city of Quito. Lush endemic flora and fauna of the area can be observed, including: one of the most representative species is the Chuquiragua, wild horses, deers, llamas, and more. Whilst in the National Park you can also visit Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui volcano (4757 meters), or go hiking to observe birds.
Later heading to the town of Riobamba. Here you will have an evening at leisure to enjoy as you please.
Accommodation
B/L/-
After breakfast the second day of the tour begins departing Riobamba to the south, as we head for Alausi where we will board the train to the “Devil’s Nose”. En-route we will make several stops, visiting the Balbanera Church, Colta Lake, and the indigenous town of Guamote (Note, Thursday is market day). Mid-morning we will arrival at the town of Alausi where we will begin our adventure on Ecuador’s famous“Devil’s Nose” train. About a four hour ride, we will return to Alausi in the early afternoon. Our bus will be waiting to take us to Ingapirca, and tour members are more than welcome to pack a box lunch to enjoy along the journey.
Continuing on, we will pay a visit the Ingapirca fortress, located at 3100m above sea level. These ancient ruins are the most important in the country. Their true history is still a mystery, as studies state they could have been a fortress, an observatory or a temple.
After visiting the ruins we will finish our trip on the road to Cuenca, arriving in the early evening for an optional dinner and free evening.
Accommodation.
B/-/-
Today we will enjoy a city tour to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This is a walking tour in the colonial downtown area of Cuenca, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of its people, the colourful parks and plazas, religious monuments and handcraft shops, plus an explanation of Cuenca's history. We will also visit a workshop where Panama straw hats of the best quality are made and then you will be transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation
B/-/-
Just after breakfast, the tour will depart, heading northwest towards Cajas National Park. After a short drive, arrival in Cajas National Park will allow us to take part in different activities such as hiking, fishing, bird-watching, viewing flora and fauna, and so on. We can visit the Interpretation Center placed in La Toreadora Lake (the biggest and the most important in the whole complex). In the afternoon we will make the journey to Guayaquil. On the road we will find mountain scenery and a delightful change of vegetation as we encounter the glorious Ecuadorian coastline.
Accommodation
B/-/-
Todays is our flight from Guayaquil to Baltra´s airport where a naturalist guide would transfer you to Puerto Ayora. On the way, we will stop by in order to visit the highlands. Then, you will have lunch at the harbor, and eventually, we continue with the transfer to the hotel.
After a short break is made, we will visit the Charles Darwin Station. At the station, we will be able see a variety of species of Giant Tortoises in captivity.
We will listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole.
Then, return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Note: To execute this itinerary, it is important to choose an early flight that arrives maximum at 10am to Baltra
Accommodation
B/L/D
NAVIGATION (Bartolome or North Seymour or Plazas or Santa Fe)
After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hotel´s lobby in order to take them to the dock, and start the tour. Lunch will be included onboard the small yacht. In the afternoon, you would return to the port.
Only one of the islands you will visit this day
After breakfast, the guide will take you to enjoy Tortuga Bay. Here, you walk for 45 minutes approximately, through a cactus trail on to the first beach, which is called Playa Brava due to its strong currents. On this beach you would see a lot of marine iguanas, marine birds and pelicans.
After visiting Playa Brava, we continue with an additional 15min walk in order to reach Playa Mansa. This second beach is a natural lagoon visited by blue footed boobies and pelicans. It is also a beautiful place for swimming and taking sun. Afterwards, we will have lunch at the port.
After lunch, you will go to the port in order to embark on a public speedboat that will take you to Isabela Island (approximately 2-2.5 hour navigation). On your arrival, a person will take you to the hotel for check in. Afterwards, we visit the Lake of the Flamingos.
Dinner would be provided at port.
Then, you would return to the hotel.
Accommodation.
B/L/D
Today you will have the opportunity to choose a full day tour from the next two options (only one): Please advise which one you would like to do:
FULL DAY ISABELA (Option 1)
Approximately at 7:30 am, the trip to Sierra Negra Volcano will start. The passengers will be transported by bus or other transportation for about 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park control site in order to record the visit. Then, we will begin a trek to the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano. During the trek (about 3-4 hours) a box lunch would be provided. In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel. After a short break, we will be transferred to the Concha Perla for snorkeling.
Then, you would return to the hotel for Dinner and Accommodation.
FULL DAY ISABELA (Option 2)
Breakfast. Prepare to go to Tintoreras Islet. Go to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats. After a short ride (approx. 20 min.), we arrive at Tintoreras. After the hike through the islet, we will snorkel. We can see starfish, multicolor fish, sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions that may swim with us close up. Return to hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of
Isabela, where we will be able to see a variety of species of giant tortoises in captivity. Visit the Wall of Tears. The wall has a length of 100m and a height of 7m. The name is derived from the difficult and painful nature of the conditions in which the prisoners were forced to work. Visit a Lava Tunnel near the Wall, as well as visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor.
Then, you would return to the hotel for Dinner and Accommodation.
We recommend option 2 for older people, who cannot make a trekking tour of several hours.
Note: Please note that all tours on Isabela Island are shared with other persons (except for the first class hotel category, the Sierra Negra tour is private – Tintoreras is always shared).
B/L/D
At around 05:30 am, you will be transferred to the Port for embarkation. At your arrival at Santa Cruz around 08:30, a guide will be waiting for the transfer to the airport in Baltra, so you can take your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. On the way, we will make a brief stop in order to visit two sunken “holes”, similar to craters, known as “Los Gemelos”.
Note: To execute this itinerary, it is important to choose a late flight that departs not before 11am from Baltra.
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Prices in American Dollars per person
