 | Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in. Accommodation: In the 5-Star Go Quito Hotel / Premium Room |
Itinerary D+A
Day 1 – Welcome to Quito Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in. Accommodation: In the 5-Star Go Quito Hotel / Premium Room Day 2 – Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World […]
Day 1 - Welcome to Quito
Day 2 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World
| Stroll through the busy streets and squares of the most significant historic center of the Americas: a multi- ethnic, artistic, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0. Return to the hotel for the night. Accommodation: In the 5-Star Go Quito Hotel / Premium Room |
Day 3 - Welcome to Galapagos & San Cristobal Island
| AM: Departure from either Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island is a 2 1⁄2 hour flight. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are greeted at the airport by our knowledgeable guides who will accompany them on a short ten- minute bus ride to the pier where they will board the Galapagos Legend. PM: The interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview of the formation of the Galapagos. Following a hike to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) we will have a great look at both species of frigatebirds, with the bonus of a beautiful view of the bay below. |
Day 4 - Española Island
| AM: One of the most stunning beaches in all of the Galapagos. The long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters, home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions. Hood mockingbirds, endemic to this particular island. We can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay. PM: Punta Suarez is a naturalist ́s paradise. The oldes extant island in the archipelago is our only opportunity to commune with the endemic wave albatross during their breeding season between April and December. With luck, we can watch their complex courtship display. |
Day 5 - Floreana Island
| AM: The famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been first set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett. The system involved whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. Actually visitors often take letters and hand- deliver them to their home countries. PM: Our walk takes us to a large, shallow lagoon, often inhabited by a variable number of shockingly pink greater flamingos. We arrive at a powdery white beach, a nesting area for green turtles. Devil’s Crown is one of the favorite snorkeling sites on the islands. |
Day 6 - Santa Cruz Island
| AM: Arriving at a small lava dock, our first encounter is with marine iguanas that blend-in perfectly with the dark rock. As we walk past a large prickly pear cacti, we arrive at one end of a long, sickle-shaped beach with Dragon Hill standing in the distance. Our walk takes us on a circular path, past a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed. PM: Feel the indescribable feeling of being where no one else has. Relax on a powdery beach. Snorkel around turquoise water islets and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals. Be one of the first humans –to visit Punta Bowditch at Galapagos Legend. |
Day 7 - Santa Cruz Island
| AM: Highlands Tortoise Reserve – We have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species. of the famed finches. Charles Darwin Research Station – We visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes places as part of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. PM: On the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea, four species of mangrove crowd and form an internal lagoon, turtles visit the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface while fish, rays circle below. White-tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, plus sea birds, including pelicans, herons and egrets. This cove has been declared as a “turtle sanctuary”. |
Day 8 - Genovesa Island
AM: Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropicbirds fly overhead, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site. You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony full of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies. PM: From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island, we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow- tailed gulls often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. In the trail we can see at nesting red- footed boobies and great frigatebirds. |
Day 9 - South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Island
| AM: Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds like frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds. PM: After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Landing on a sandy beach, we spend time watching the abundant sea lions there with us and . We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti and we can watch the Santa Fe land Iguana. |
Day 10 - Santa Cruz Island
| AM: Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers great swimming, a lovely walk along the shore, and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand. After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. |
Day 11 - Back to Quito
| Transfer to Quito airport, or guests can also extend their stay in Ecuador with other land tours we offer. Accommodation: In the 5-Star Go Quito Hotel / Premium Room |
