THE BEST OF ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (8 Days)

1st day: ../Quito

Reception at the airport and transfer to the selected Hotel.

Overnight at the selected hotel.

2nd day: Quito

SCENIC TOUR AND MIDDLE OF THE WORLD:

A 4 hours visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the greatest religious buildings of the New World; its impressive facade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 Kms. (16 miles) North of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator.

Overnight at the selected hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

3rd day: Quito/Galapagos Islands

Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

Flight from Quito to Galapagos.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND:

Arrival by plane to Baltra Island and immediately transfer by bus (5 minutes) to the dock to board Santa Cruz Cruise. Cabins assignment and an introductory welcome talk. Later, lunch and ship’s boat drill. The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates, pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. The navigation in shallow turquoise colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks. Dry landing and a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, including stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings, and more. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a natural nesting site for land iguanas, which is constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation can be a rewarding location for birdwatching, where Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher, and yellow warblers are regular sightings. Return aboard, for our ECO Moment, will let us understand more about the islands, and our expedition plan will reveal the interesting sites of the day ahead.

Overnight at Santa’s Cruz Galapagos Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

4th day: Galapagos Islands

ISLA BARTOLOMÉ & PUERTO EGAS:

Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkeling. Chance to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins. There is also the possibility to ride on the glass bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Lunch on board. Afternoon outing at Puerto Egas (wet landing). This is a great location to see particularly shore birds, while land birds can be observed a little more inland. The pitch black shores are great places for watching sea birds and their foraging duties. The trail brings us to a colony of the endemic Galapagos fur-sea lions. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon emerald green algae beds. Outstanding snorkeling and swimming from the beach before the walk. ECO Moment and briefing.

Overnight at Santa’s Cruz Galapagos Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

5th day: Galapagos Islands

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION & AYORA PORT:

Disembark at Rabida Island (wet landing) on a red-colored beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s Finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times Greater Flamingos migrate to; these spectacular birds feed exclusively on the brine shrimp found in this saline pond. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to our next island, we will keep our eyes open for dolphins. In the afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the giant tortoises. Here we witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science. Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora will allow you to see how Galapagueños live in this magical paradise. Return aboard the SANTA CRUZ cruise for tonight’s ECO Moment, and expedition plan for next day’s adventure.

Overnight at Santa’s Cruz Galapagos Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

6th day: Galapagos Islands

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & SEYMOUR ISLAND:

A morning bus ride will take guests to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special breakfast at a selected property. Then, guests have the opportunity to view the islands most famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest (an endemic giant daisy tree) and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher will delight everyone with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch. Back on board the SANTA CRUZ cruise. Today's afternoon starts with a dry landing for a view of the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, one of the few uplifted islands in Galápagos Archipelago. The trail leads guests to explore colonies of blue footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, and swallow-tail gulls. The sandy shore teems with Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Vegetation is made up of cacti, Palo Santo trees and Salt Bushes. ECO Moment, and expedition plan for tomorrow’s outings.

Overnight at Santa’s Cruz Galapagos Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

7th day: Galapagos Islands/Quito

PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO, SAN CRISTOBAL INTERPRETATION CENTER:

Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. It was this very same island that Charles Darwin first visited, back in September 1835. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting, where it allows visitors to obtain information that will help them understand more the natural history of the Galapagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. Afterwards, you can stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where souvenir shops and Internet cafes welcome world travelers who are willing to catch up with the world, and share the many wonders witnessed, before heading back to the mainland. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.

Flight from Galapagos to Quito.

Reception at the airport and transfer to the Hotel selected

Overnight at selected hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.

8th Quito/...

Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast.