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Gems of Ecuador: Quito, Center of the World, Galapagos, Guayaquil
  • filterDay 1 : Arrival to Quito. Welcome and Airport A ...
    Arrival to Quito. Welcome and Airport Assistance Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Quito Hotel Accommodation Superior Category. Day Free.
  • filterDay 2 :Breakfast Included Departure for Tour ...
    Breakfast Included Departure for Tour "Quito and Center of the World" A 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 stroll starts at the Independence Plaza. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World. 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. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator. Return to Hotel Lunch not included Free afternoon At night departure for tour Panoramic Quito by Night with Dinner Enjoy a leisurely dinner at one of the finest selected restaurants of the city.
  • filterDay 3 : Breakfast Included Hotel Check Out and ...
    Breakfast Included Hotel Check Out and transfer to Airport to get flight to Galapagos Island (Flight not Included) Flight from Quito to Baltra to Board Cruise M/V Santa Cruz Arrival by plane to Baltra Island and immediate transfer by bus (5 minutes) to the dock to board the MV SANTA CRUZ. Cabin assignment and introductory welcome talk. Later, lunch, and ship’s boat drill. All activities on board will be announced via our P.A. system. Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island) After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the barges beach, a name that morphed to “Bachas”. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach (wet landing), with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkelling gear and techniques. Welcome Cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner.
  • filterDay 4 : Buccaneer Cove (James Island) After bre ...
    Buccaneer Cove (James Island) After breakfast, enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. Learn about the history of Santiago Island, its relevance for the whalers, pirates and early researchers, including Darwin’s epic voyage in 1835, and the conservation projects aimed at eradicating feral species (a fence stretched along the rocky outcrop is visible to save native plants from the once existing enormous goat population). Today the island is free of feral goats, and the cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkelling too! Lunch on board. Puerto Egas (James Island) Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Expedition plan for Wednesday and dinner.
  • filterDay 5 : Rábida Island (Jervis) Disembark at Ráb ...
    Rábida Island (Jervis) Disembark at Rábida Island (wet landing) on a red-coloured 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. 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. Non-snorkelers will enjoy a ride on the glass bottom boat. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. Lunch on board. Bartolomé Island Disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase resting platforms and handrails; the view from the top is worth the effort. Dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, then time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and some snorkelling, possibly with Galápagos penguins, or else a ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Expedition plan for Thursday and dinner.
  • filterDay 6 : Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Is ...
    Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island) The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Lunch on board. Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island) In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour, or join us in a Glass Bottom boat ride. Farewell Cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.
  • filterDay 7 :After breakfast, optional departure to s ...
    After breakfast, optional departure to see the breeding programme of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado. Learn about his endangered species, and its promising recovery. This site is 45 minutes by bus, on the south shore of San Cristóbal Island. Return to town and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. (Flight not included) Flight to Guayaquil Arrival to Guayaquil. Welcome and Assistance at the Airport Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel Hotel Accommodation Superior Category.
  • filterDay 8 : Breakfast Included Departure for Guayaq ...
    Breakfast Included Departure for Guayaquil Museum Tour and Lunch This tour takes guests through Guayaquil's history - from the beginning of the ceramic period, the early inhabitants, the Spanish colonization and its very rich legacy of Colonial Art, the Independence struggles and the modern art. Guests can choose to visit two or three of the following museums, according to their interests: The Municipal Museum, Museum Nahim Isaias Barquet, Museum of Anthropology and Contemporary Art (MAAC) at Guayaquil's waterfront Malecon 2000, is a beautiful construction. Museum of Gold of the House of Culture Then, enjoy lunch at a restaurant with Ecuadorian specialties. Wear light clothes for warm weather, good walking shoes, hat or cap. Altitude: sea level. Return to Hotel and rest of night free
  • filterDay 9 : Breakfast Transfer from Hotel to Airpo ...
    Breakfast Transfer from Hotel to Airport to catch your flight returning home