1st Day: Arrive in Quito

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

 

2nd Day: Quito City Tour + Equatorial Monument + Teleferiqo

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.

 

3rd Day: Quito - Otavalo Indian Market – Quito

 

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. Overnight

 

4th Day:  Quito - Cotopaxi - Quito

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.

 

 

 

 

5th Day: Quito - Galapagos: Baltra Island - Tortuga Bay

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.

 

6th Day: Galapagos: Sail to Floreana Island

After breakfast we will be picked up from our hotel at 07h30, for our sail to Floreana Is. 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.

 

7th Day: Galapagos: Sail to Santa Fe Island & Garrapatero

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.

8th Day: Galapagos: Charles Darwin Station ferry Isabela

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.

 

9th Day: Isabela Island. Sierra Madre Volcano, Chico Volcano, Tintoreras

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

 

10th Day: Galapagos: Wall of tears & The Seven Paths

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.

 

11th Day: Galapagos: Isabela Island - Baltra - flight - Quito

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 15h00. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight.

 

 

12th Day: Quito - flight Back home

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

 

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