AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel).
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-karanki
Day 1 – Welcome to Quito AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel). 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 […]
Day 1 - Welcome to Quito
Day 2 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World
AM: Colonial Quito.
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.
PM: The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 3 - Quito – Otavalo – Magdalena
AM: Colonial Quito.
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.
PM: The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 4 - Magdalena – Ibarra – Quito
AM: Colonial Quito.
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.
PM: The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 5 - Welcome to Galapagos & San Cristobal Island
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✈ 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 10-minute bus ride to the pier, where they will board the Galapagos Legend. PM: Interpretation Center & Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal Island) The interpretation center is full of interesting information and offers the perfect overview of the formation of the Galapagos. Following a hike to Frigate bird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas), we will have a great look at both species of frigate birds, with the bonus of a beautiful view of the bay below. |
Day 6 - Española Island
| AM: Gardner Bay (Española Island) One of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos. The long, white, sandy beach, lapped by turquoise waters, is home to a colony of Galapagos sea lions. Hood mockingbirds are endemic to this particular island. We can also snorkel here from the beach, in the shallows of the bay. PM: Punta Suarez (Española Island) is a naturalist’s paradise. The oldest 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 7 - Floreana Island
| AM: Post Office (Floreana Island) 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: Cormoran & Devil´s Crown (Floreana Island) 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 8 - Santa Cruz Island
| AM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) Arriving at a small lava dock, our first encounter is with marine iguanas that blend in perfectly with the dark rock. Walking 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 flamingos frequently come to feed. PM: Punta Bowditch (Santa Cruz Island) 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 9 - 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: Highlands (Santa Cruz Island) In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600 lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially many species of the famed finches. |
Day 10 - Genovesa Island
AM: El Barranco (Genovesa Island) Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropic birds 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 entire of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies. PM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island) 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. On the trail, we can see nesting red-footed boobies and great frigate birds. |
Day 11 - South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Island
| AM: South Plaza Island 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 frigate birds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropic birds. PM: Santa Fe Island 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 12 - Santa Cruz Island
| AM: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island) 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, often leaving tractor-like tracks in the sand. ✈Baltra Island Airport After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. |
Day 13 - Back to Quito
AM: Transfer to Quito airport.
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
