(*) Extensions available to Ecuadorian Amazon, Cuenca and other wonderful cities or activities in Ecuador!
Day 1 :
Arrive in Quito.
Transfer service to the Casa Gangotena Hotel.
You will be met outside customs by our representative. Baggage handling of two pieces
Of luggage per person at airport and at hotel is
included.
Private Transfer.
Overnight at Casa Gangotena, tax, service
charge & American breakfast included.
Day 2 (B) - Quito & Center of the World (shared):
The capital of Ecuador, Quito, brings the past to life in its museums, monasteries, the carved stone facades and golden altars of its many churches. Enjoy the scenic. Colonial and artistic Quito, then stand with a foot on each hemisphere at the 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, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace.
Visit the *temple of La Compania de Jesus and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great 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 0°, 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.
Day 3 (B/L/D):
Shared transfer service from Casa Gangotena Hotel to the Quito Airport.
In Baltra you will be met by our representative. This representative will collect your luggage claim tickets and you will proceed to one of the buses.
A baggage handler from our representatives will ensure that your luggage is transported to the Vessel.
Please remember that the exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Yacht La Pinta - Eastern Galapagos - 4 Days/3 Nights (Friday to Monday)
Friday:
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)
We arrive by plane at San Cristobal Island and transfer to Yacht La Pinta for cabin assignment, introductory briefing and lunch.
Cerro Colorado Tortoise Centre (San Cristobal Island)
After lunch, we land back at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island's southern shore.
At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre of the highly-endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.
Day 4 : (B/L/D)
Saturday
Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island)
We land at the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island this morning.
The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline and is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together,
as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach.
Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes us to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coraline beach,
great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching with good views of seabirds and shore birds. Also, look out for Galapagos sea lions.
These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835.
Day 5 : (B/L/D)
Sunday
Punta Suarez (Espanola Island)
Our morning outing at Punta Suarez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies,
including the waved albatrosses (April - December), boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous "blowhole".
Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay (Espanola Island)
In the afternoon, we set down at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions,
mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or else there's time to kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Day 6 : (B)
Monday
Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Disembarking in the morning, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the 'rearing in captivity' programme for the giant tortoises.
Here we witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science.
We transfer by bus across Santa Cruz Island and a short ferry ride to Baltra. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Important Note:
-
Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
-
Itineraries and programme are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations,
weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.
Dry landing: Guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Packing Check List
-
1 Small backpack (waterproof)
-
Comfortable walking shoes
-
Sneakers with rubber soles
-
Shorts
-
Long pants
-
T-shirts
-
Long and Short sleeved shirts
-
Wind breaker
-
Bathing suit -wetsuit for snorkelling in cold months
-
Hat or cap
-
Toilette kit (biodegradable shampoo please)
-
Sun block
-
Sunglasses
-
Binoculars
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Camera & camcorder
-
Any medicine you may be taking
-
Book/ Notebook
| Islands |
Icon Species |
Highlight Sites |
- San Cristobal
- Espanola
- Santa Cruz
- Baltra
|
- Galapagos sea lion
- Giant tortoises
- Galapagos land iguana
- Marine iguanas
- Blue-footed boobies
- Nazca boobies
- Red-footed boobies
- Galapagos doves
- Galapagos mockingbirds
- San Cristobal mockingbirds
- San Cristobal lava lizard
- Darwin finches
- Galapagos hawks
- Short-eared owls
- Brown pelicans
- Greater frigates
|
- San Cristobal
- Espanola
- Santa Cruz
- Baltra
|
Arrive in Quito.
Transfer service to the Casa Gangotena Hotel.
You will be met outside customs by our representative. Baggage handling of two pieces
Of luggage per person at airport and at hotel is
included.
Private Transfer.
Overnight at Casa Gangotena, tax, service
charge & American breakfast included.
Day 7: (B)
Transfer service to the Quito Airport. You will be met in the hotel lobby by our representative. Baggage handling of two pieces of luggage per person at Hotel and at Airport is included.
Private Transfer.
End of Services
The Package Includes:
- All services and taxes
- Bilingual guide, driver and transportation.
- Hotel nights. (in the hotels specified in the program)
- Meals specified in the program
- Yatch La Pinta 4 days / 3 nights (Upper twin or double Deck Cabin).
- Fuel surcharge*
- Ingala card and Galapagos National Park*
- Air tickets Quito- Galapagos- Quito*
Not Included:
- Meals not specified
- Beverages and tips
- Personal Expenses
- International departure tax.
*subject to change without previous notice
|
