ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS GAY PACKAGE

(EXTENSION TO MACHU PICHU & NAZCA LINES)

September 7^th - 18^th / 2012

 

THE ITINERARY

DATE	DAY	ITINERARY	HOTEL Standard	HOTEL Superior	HOTEL
7th	Fri	Arrive in Quito	Vieja Cuba	Nu House	JW Marriott
8th	Sat	Quito – Otavalo Indian market – Otavalo	Vieja Cuba	Nu House	JW Marriott
9th	Sun	Quito City Tour + Equatorial Monument + Teleferiqo	Vieja Cuba	Nu House	JW Marriott
10th	Mon	Quito - Cotopaxi  Volcano - Quito	Vieja Cuba	Nu House	JW Marriott
11th	Tue	Quito – GALAPAGOS: Baltra Island - Tortuga Bay	Pelican bay	Lobo de Mar	SolyMar
12th	Wed	GALAPAGOS: Sail to Floreana Island	Pelican Bay	Lobo de Mar	SolyMar
13th	Thu	GALAPAGOS: Sail to Santa Fe Island & Garrapatero	Pelican Bay	Lobo de Mar	SolyMar
14th	Fri	GALAPAGOS: Charles Darwin Station ferry Isabela Island	San Vicente	La Laguna	Albermarle
15th	Sat	GALAPAGOS: Isabela Island: Volcanoes & Concha y Perla	San Vicente	La Laguna	Albermarle
16th	Sun	GALAPAGOS: The Wall of Tears, Giant Tortoise Breeding Center & Tintoreras	San Vicente	La Laguna	Albermarle
17th	Mon	GALAPAGOS: Isabela Island - Baltra - flight - Quito	Vieja Cuba	Nu House	JW Marriott
18th	Tue	Quito – flight back home

PERUVIAN EXTENSION

DATE	DAY	ITINERARY	HOTEL Standard	HOTEL Superior	HOTEL First Class
17th	Tue	Isabela Is - Baltra Is - flight -Guayaquil - flight –Lima	Faraona	Casa Andina	Conquistadores
18th	Wed	Lima - Nazca	Majoro	Casa Andina	Cantayo
19th	Thu	Nazca – Lima	Faraona	Casa Andina	Conquistadores
20th	Fri	Lima – Cusco	Royal Inca	Casa Andina	Novotel
21st	Sat	Cusco - Machu Pichu - Cusco	Royal Inca	Casa Andina	Novotel
22nd	Sun	Cusco - Lima City Tour	Faraona	Casa Andina	Conquistadores
23rd	Mon	Lima - flight back home

Prices

	STANDARD	STANDARD	SUPERIOR	SUPERIOR	FIRST CLASS	FIRST CLASS
	Double	Single	Double	Single	Double	Single
Ecuador & Galapagos + Air Tickets	2100	2210	2300	2640	3115	4060
Peruvian Extension.	980	1280	1080	1460	1265	1805
TOTAL	3080	3490	3380	4100	4380	5865

 

ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS

 

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• All transfers Airport - Hotel – Airport
• Accommodation in Quito. Include American or Buffet Breakfast.
• Quito City Tour + Equatorial Monument + Teleferiqo + Entrances
• Optional Gay Night Tour in Quito
• Otavalo Indian Market tour
• Cotopaxi Volcano tour. Include Entrances
• Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito
• All transfers in Galapagos
• Accommodation in Puerto Ayora and Isabela Islands
• All Meals (Breakfast, lunch & dinner) Except the last breakfast in Isabela Is.
• Tour of Tortuga Bay and Charles Darwin Station
• Sail to Floreana Island
• Sail to Santa Fe Island
• Snorkeling gear for sail tours to Floreana & Santa Fe islands
• Transfer to Puerto Ayora (Sta. Cruz Island) – Puerto Villamil (Isabela Is.)
• Tour to Sierra Madre Volcano, Chico Volcano and Concha y Perla
• Horseback riding in Sierra Madre Volcano & Snorkeling gear
• Visit to the Wall of Tears, Giant Tortoise Breeding Center & Snorkeling at Tintoreras

 

THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE: 

• Meals according Itinerary. Last breakfast in Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park fee US $ 100.00 (To be paid in cash in Galapagos)
• Ingala Immigration card of US $ 10.00 (To be paid in cash in the airport in Quito)
• Isabela Dock Tax of US $5.00
• Tips
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Special service not described above.

 

PERUVIAN EXTENSION:

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES: 

• All transfers Airport - Hotel – Airport
• Tourist Bus Lima - Nazca-Lima
• 1 Hotel night in Nazca, including breakfast
• Over flight the Nazca lines
• 2 hotel nights in Cusco, including breakfast
• 2 Hotel night in Lima, including breakfast
• City tour in Cusco, including entrances fee
• Tour to Macchu Picchu, including: entrances fees, bus to the ruins, Backpacker train tickets, lunch, guide and transfers.

THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International Airfare Guayaquil – Lima  (We are in charge of the flight booking and to issue the air tickets) Aprox. US $ 550.00
• Domestic flight Lima - Cusco - Lima Of US $220.00
• Meals not specified on the above itinerary
• Peruvian International Airport departure of US $ 30.00
• Peruvian domestic Airport departure of US $ 5.00
• Tips
• Alcoholic drinks

(*) For Vistadome train, please add US $45.00

 

DETAILED ITINERARY ECUADOR MAINLAND & GALAPAGOS

7^th Sep:          Arrive in Quito

You will be met at Quito’s airport ‘Mariscal Sucre” and transferred to your hotel. Optional Gay night tour. Overnight.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner at you own)

8^th Sep: Quito - Otavalo Indian Market – Quito

Pick up: 08h00

After breakfast, drive to the North east branch of the Panamericana. We visit the town of  Calderon, know for the figurines made of bread dough and glue. Then the road descends into the spectacular arid Guayllabamba gorge and climbs out again to the fertile oasis of Guayllabamba village, noted for its avocados and deliciously chirimoyas or custard apples.  Then we continue to Cayambe, known for it snow capped volcano and for the countryside of dairy farms and many flowers plantation. Then we will visit the Plaza del Poncho in Otavalo. The Otavalos Indians are the most ambitious and prosperous craftsmen/merchants of Ecuador. Its market is one of the South America’s most important centers of ethno-tourism and its enormous market, featuring a dazzling array of textiles and crafts. Ponchos wooden goods and Indian Jeweler are sold here.  Then we visit Peguche, famous for its beautiful tapestries and the nice waterfall. Then we return to Quito. Optional Gay night tour. Overnight

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at you own)

9^th Sep: Quito City Tour + Equatorial Monument + Teleferiqo

Pick up: 09h00

After breakfast, we start our visit to the Guapulo Church and the fantastic view of the valleys. Then we continue to the historic center of Quito. Here we visit La Plaza Grande, El Palacio Presidencial, La Catedral Metropolitana, El Sagrario, La Companía and San Francisco churches. Then we continue to the statue El Pancecillo, where we will have a gorgeous panoramic view of all Quito.

A few miles north of Quito is the Equatorial Monument at latitude 0 00' 00'' which marks the place where an 18th century expedition established the geodesic position of the Equator. This is a wonderful opportunity to be in two hemispheres at the same time. But five minutes away, is the real equator as measured by the Global Positioning System, or so they say at the rustic, open-air Inti Nan Museum." Several experiments and demonstrations at the Inti Nan site are fun like you get to balance eggs on the end of nails, and watch water spiral down plugholes in different directions either side of the equator!. In the afternoon we’ll be transferred  to the Teleferiqo at 4.050 meters of height, to enjoy the beauty of the city of Quito, the valleys, the snow-capped mountains and all it natural and ecological environment. Transfer to your hotel.  Overnight.

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at you own)

 

10^th Sep: Quito - Cotopaxi - Quito

Pick up: 08h00

You will be picked up from your hotel at 08h00. We drive South via the Avenue of the Volcanoes to reach the Cotopaxi National Park, to the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. Cotopaxi was established as an ecological sanctuary with unusual opportunities for nature lovers. We visit the interpretation center and Limpiopungo lakes (paramo grasslands / Ecuadorian equivalent of the arctic tundra), drive up to 15.000 ft and trek up to Padre Rivas mountain climbing refuge (1 1/2 hrs). You will have to opportunity to touch and lay on the volcanic snow. Stop for optional lunch at the colonial hacienda La Ciénega. Then return to Quito.

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at you own)

 

11^th Sep:       Quito - Galapagos: Baltra Island - Tortuga Bay

Pick up: 06h00

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in order to take our flight with destination to The Enchanted Galapagos Islands. We depart at 07h50 and arrive in Baltra Island at 09h50. Upon disembarking from the airplane, we will go to the Galapagos immigration area.  (Here we need to present our passport and pay your US$100.00  Galapagos National Park fee in cash which is a requirement for all foreign visitors) Once the Afterwards, we will take an excursion to the most beautiful beach in Galapagos, Tortuga Bay. A 30 minutes walk (two km) west from Puerto Ayora on a marked and cobbled path. The path is good for bird watching, it is easy to spot several species of finches as we walk along the path. The sunsets here are excellent. There is a swimming area and a nice spot for relaxing. The white sand beach is considered by many the nicest of the archipelago. It name comes from the sea turtles that go there to lay their eggs. Other species can be found, including pelicans, flamingos and marine iguanas. Return to the Hotel. Diner and overnight.

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included)

 

 

12^th Sep: Galapagos: Sail to Floreana Island

Pick up: 07h30

This is one of the islands with the most interesting human history and one of the earliest to be inhabited. Pink flamingos and green sea turtles nest from December to May on this island. The "joint footed" petrel is found here, a nocturnal sea bird which spends most of its life away from land. We will visit Champion Bay and Endervy, both great places for snorkeling. Then we continue to “Devil's Crown”, an underwater volcanic cone, coral formations are found. After Lunch we continue to Puerto Velasco Ibarra, were we will have an historic introduction of this Island. We will take a “Chiva” to see the Galapagos turtles in their natural habitat. Here we will see: penguins, sharks, sea lions, foot blue boobies,  gulls forked line, frigates, marine iguanas. In the afternoon we return to the Hotel. Diner and overnight.

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included)

 

13^th Sep: Galapagos: Sail to Santa Fe Island & Garrapatero

Pick up: 08h00

After breakfast we will be picked up from our hotel at 08h00, for our sail to Santa Fe Island. Home to one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galapagos, Santa Fe is located in the south-eastern part of Galapagos, 2 1/2 hours from Santa Cruz Island. Santa Fe was formed from an uplift (rather than a volcano) giving the island a relatively flat surface rather than the typical conical shape of the other islands. Here we will enjoy a great snorkeling activity also we will also be able to see a great variety of birds.  In the afternoon we will visit  Garrapatero beach to have lunch in a relaxed environment. We will have approximately 3 hours here to eat, swim, relax on the beach and snorkeling. El Garrapatero is a wide bay with multiple sandy beaches. Behind the beach is an area with a fresh water lake where you can come across pink flamingos, herons, grebes, stilts and other shore birds. In the afternoon return to Puerto Ayora. Diner. Overnight.

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included)

14th Sep:              Galapagos: Charles Darwin Station ferry Isabela Island

Pick up: 08h30

After breakfast we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is a primarily a center for evolutionary and ecological research and works with the Galapagos National Park Service protecting the Galapagos Islands and Galapagos Marine Reserve.  Here, we will visit the Station's Tortoise Rearing. This is the best place to see land tortoises, including the “Lonesome George” which  is the most famous reptile in the world. He is believed to be the last surviving giant tortoise of its specie. The research station has tried repeatedly to mate George with female tortoises from another island, but thus far he has ungallantly spurned all advances. The Lonesome George has been called by several "the world's oldest living gay turtle. After lunch we will take the ferry to Isabela Island. With three and half hours of sailing we arrive at Isabela Islands. Our guide will wait for us in the pier and will take us to our hotel for a short rest.  We will then visit the Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in Galapagos and a principal breeding ground for the Flamingos. Dinner and Overnight.

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included)

 

15^th Sep: Isabela Island. Sierra Madre Volcano, Chico Volcano, Concha y Perla.

Pick up: 08h00

Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago and is over 100 kms long and extremely narrow. Six volcanoes are found on Isabella, of which two are over 1,700 meters. Early in the morning after breakfast, we will begin our full day tour to the Sierra Negra Volcano, located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil.  Boasting the world’s second largest volcanic crater measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will ride horses up to this magnificent site to visit La Bocanilla and Volcano Chico. In the afternoon . Later we will have the opportunity to do  snorkeling in Concha Perla. Dinner and accommodations

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included)

 

16^th Sep: The Wall of Tears, Giant Tortoise Breeding Center & Tintoreras

Pick up: 08h00

After breakfast we will visit the famous “Muro de las Lágrimas” ("The Wall of Tears"), where from 1946 to 1959, Isabella Island was designated as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government. Prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labor and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as “El Muro de las Lagrimas”. Then we will visit the Orchidia Viewpoint, el “estero de Isabela”. After lunch, we will visit the highlands of Isabella, specifically Campo Duro, a place where we will meet 60 giant Galapagos turtles in their semi-natural habitat. In the afternoon we will sail to “Islote Tintoreras,” a large crevice with very clear, calm water in which white-tip sharks (“tintoreras”) rest daily on the bottom. We can also see Penguins, Sea Lions, marine Iguanas and snorkel with sharks and colorful tropical fishes while enjoying the beaches of Isabela. Dinner and accommodations.

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included)

 

17^th Sep: Galapagos: Isabela Island - Baltra - flight – Quito

Pick up: 05h45

Early in the morning, we will return by speed boat to Puerto Ayora. Once here we take a transportation with direction to Baltra. Once in the Pier of Santa Cruz Island we take the ferry to pass the Itabaca Chanel and then  the bus to the Airport. Our flight depart at 10h45 and arrives in Quito at 16h00. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight.

 

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner at your own)

 

18^th Sep: Quito - flight Back home

Pick up: 2 ½ hours before your flight departure.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in order to take you flight back home

 

 

PERUVIAN EXTENSION (MACHU PICCHU & NAZCA LINES)

17^th Sep: GALAPAGOS – FLIGHT – GUAYAQUIL – FLIGHT – LIMA  

Pick up: 05h40

Our guide will pick us up from our hotel at 05h40 and will take us to the pier of Isabela Island in order to take our boat to Puerto Ayora. Then we drive to Baltra Island in order to take our flight to Guayaquil. It departs at 10h45 and arrives in Guayaquil at 15h00. Then we go to the International departures in order to take our International flight to Lima. Departure from Guayaquil at 20h00. Arrive in Lima at 22h00. We will be met at the airport Jose Chavez and transferred to our hotel.  Overnight.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner at your own)

 

18^th Sep: LIMA – NAZCA  

Pick up: 04h10

Earlier in the morning we will be transfer to the bus station in order to take our Bus to Nazca. Leaving 04.15 arriving around 11.30. Then transfer to the hotel. Nazca is a city founded in 1951. It is an above the Southern Coast of Peru, its climate is dry and warm. It was the origin of one of the greatest culture of the Pre-Inca period. The mysterious markings on the desert called “The plains of Nazca “are known all over the word. These drawings design by unknown and ancient people only make sense from the air. At present the origin and meaning are unknown. Overnight in Nazca.

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at your own)

 

19^th Sep:          NAZCA – LIMA  

Breakfast. Today early morning flight over the Nazca lines. The world of Nazca is associated all over the world with the huge geometrical figures that hundreds of years ago were etched on the extensive plains of the Peruvian coastal desert. The mysteries of the Nazca lines remain unsolved. Why they were made, by whom they were constructed and how they were built have attracted the attention of thousands of people, from eager travelers to well know scientists.

The Nazca Lines and figures hold many secrets and mysteries, still without explanation, even for the numerous scholars from all over the world that have invested much of their time and effort  Overnight,

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at your own)

 

20^th Sept:         LIMA – FLIGTH – CUSCO

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in order to take our flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception, assistance and transfer to our hotel. We should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude. Cusco was the site of the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. In the afternoon we will take a tour of the city visiting the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral. We continue to the surrounding ruins: the fortress Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay ruins.  Overnight in Cuzco.

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at your own)

 

21^st Sep:          CUSCO – MACHU PICHU – CUSCO 

After breakfast, transfer to the train station in order to catch the morning train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu the "Lost City of the Incas". The citadel of Machu Picchu is the most important tourist attraction of Cusco. Today We will take a group tour of Machu Picchu.  Rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham, this citadel is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. The citadel is situated over 2,300 meters above sea level in the province of Urubamba on a remote mountain top. From the ruins, there is a magnificent view of the deep gorge of the Urubamba River, surrounded by the steep mountain sides covered in tropical jungle.  Lunch. In the afternoon return to Cuzco, transfer to our hotel. Overnight.

(Breakfast and lunch Included. Dinner at your own)

09th Dec:           CUSCO – LIMA CITY TOUR

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in order to take our flight to Lima. Once in Lima, we will be transferred to our hotel. Then we take a City tour where we will have the opportunity to visit one of the most important architectural constructions of the 17^th century, Convent of Saint Francis. This complex has a small square, the convent and church. Its cloisters have beautiful tiles and one can visit the catacombs which are more than 300 years old. Main Plaza housing the three most important buildings from the colonial time: Plaza Mayor, Plaza San Martin, Palacio de Gobierno (known as the house of Pizarro), and the Municipality, preserving their original architecture. This three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of colonial and modern Lima. Included are Lima's most imposing colonial churches and mansions such as the Government Palace, the Plaza Mayor, including 17th century San Francisco Monastery. The tour ends with a visit to the modern suburbs of San Isidro, and Miraflores, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Overnight.

(Breakfast Included. Lunch and dinner at your own)

 

10th Dec:           LIMA – FLIGHT BACK HOME

After breakfast transfer to the airport in order to take our flight back home.