The Enchanted Galapagos Islands and the colonial wonder of Quito. Discover the beauty, charm, and diversity of the most impressive Andean nation as you travel from the virgin tropical paradise of the Galapagos Islands to the soaring heights of the Andes - the cultural and physical heart of Ecuador.

During this magical weeklong exploration of Ecuador, you'll stroll through the cobblestone streets of Quito, an Andean city equally steeped in colonial charm and urban modernity.

You'll drift blissfully from island to island aboard the First Class cruise in the Enchanted Galapagos Islands. We’ll stop every day to snorkel with Galapagos Penguins, dive with sharks, admire the majesty of the gigantic Galapagos Land Tortoise, and watch eagles and albatrosses in mid-flight.

Join Zenith Travel for a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the charming and diverse country of Ecuador.

Itinerary

1st Day, ARRIVE IN QUITO

Arrive at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Mountains surround this beautiful city; some of them covered by snow. The charming city is a mix of colonial and European Renaissance with the added style and feel of the native Indians who inhabited these lands many centuries ago. UNESCO declared Quito a Cultural Heritage Site in 1978.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. At night, we’ll drive you to the most popular gays bars in Quito, for an unforgettable evening. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel of your choice.

2nd Day, : City + Equatorial Monument

After breakfast, visit the broad avenues of the northern residential section of Quito. We’ll see the impressive Parliament Building, whose stone mural records Ecuador's history. Then continue to Independence Plaza, flanked by the cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace.

We’ll take a stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets of the old quarter. During our walking tour we will visit the churches of San Francisco (the oldest in South America) and La Compania de Jesus, two of the most beautiful religious buildings of the New World. Afterwards we’ll drive to El Panecillo lookout point to enjoy a great panoramic view of the city at the feet of the sacred Virgin.

{mosimage} We’ll then drive out of the city to the Equatorial Monument (about an hour away), which, literally, marks the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit two hemispheres at the same time. Visit the monument and its ethnography museum. Return to Quito. (Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on own but we’ll have excellent suggestions for you, none more expensive than $12 per person per meal).

> 3rd Day, QUITO- GALAPAGOS
> 4th Day, GALAPAGOS CRUISE
> 5th Day, GALAPAGOS CRUISE
> 6th Day, GALAPAGOS CRUISE
> 7th Day, GALAPAGOS CRUISE
> 8th Day, GALAPAGOS CRUISE
> 9th Day, GALAPAGOS CRUISE
> 10th Day, GALAPAGOS - QUITO