General

DAY 01: TRANSFER IN QUITO

Our guide will meet you at the airport to welcome you and take to your hotel for check in.

Accommodation at first class Hotel

DAY 02: CITY COLONIAL & EQUATORIAL MONUMENT

A wonderful stat at our arrival on the best well preserved Colonial downtown in South America. You will never get tired of exploring the gold-gilded La Compañia de Jesus Church and the neo-gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional. On the heart of the downtown, we will admire the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Building. Continue to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535), which is the oldest church in Ecuador. Besides, you will go back in centuries visiting the oldest colonial street of Quito “LA RONDA” where a typical drink called “canelazo” will be tasted. Inmediately will drive to one of the highest viewpoints of the city “Panecillo Hill”. Here you will have a spectacular view of the city.

From there we will drive to the Middle of the world. The Equatorial line marking latitude 0° 0′ 0″ is a unique place, where you can stand up in two hemisphere at the same time. We will learn about the French-Spanish expedition that came to determine the position of the Equator. We will visit the ethnographical museum, and the complex with its plazas and streets.

Return to Quito.

Accommodation at first class Hotel

DAY 03: MINDO VALLEY & CLOUD FOREST

Mindo is a Hidden paradise in a subtropical forest. Mindo is one of the last existing havens of this kind in the world. Bird life International has declared Mindo an IBA (Important Bird Area) It is a home of more than 450 species of birds. In addition, 120 species of mammals, 60 reptiles, 45 amphibians, and thousands of insects and flora of more than 4,000 species of superior plants coexists in this valley.

Excursions to the waterfalls, hikes, regattas and bird watching are some of the activities that you can participate in within the marvelous forest. Relax while admiring the grandeur of nature listening to the birds, insects and restless butterflies during your hike. Accommodation at first class Hotel

DAY 04: OTAVALO FULL DAY

Early this morning, we will be driven to the North of Quito, along the Pan-American Highway , with an overall view of the dramatic Andean scenery. Our first stop is Cayambe just to taste the local specialty, “Bizcochos”,. “. We will continue to Otavalo to visit this Indian market, the most famous indigenous market and the largest in South America. Arrive just in time to bargain for beautiful and colorful tapestries, native paintings, hand-knitted wool sweaters, wood carvings, silver jewelry, woolen and straw hats

After a delicious lunch in one of the local haciendas, we will go to visit Cotocachi, a town famous for its handmade leather clothing. If time allows, a quick visit to Cuicocha Lake (An ancient eroded volcanic crater famous for the deep lake found within.) Time for shopping and come back to Quito.

Accommodation at first class Hotel

DAY 05-09 GALAPAGOS LAND PROGRAM ISLAND HOPPING

On these days, you will have the opportunity to visit and live an awe-insipiring experience in the Galapagos Islands starting with the visit of a Tortoise in Santa Cruz Islands, in the next 03 days you will visit North Seymour, Bartolome Santa Fe and / or Plazas Islands according the availability of space confirmed when we know your dates prior to you travel.

Each these islands are a natural jewel to discover and enjoy. Here in a brief and short description of what you can find.

NORTH SEYMOUR: 

North Seymour is a small island close to Baltra. It is an extraordinary place for breeding birds, and is home to one of the largest populations of nesting blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds.

BARTOLOME ISLAND

This island without doubt is one of the most known in Galapagos for the spectacular and perfect panoramic view you can have from the highest point of the famous Pinnacle Rock..

SANTA FE

Santa Fe is home of a great population of terrestrial iguanas including the Santa Fe yellow iguana, as well as the inky-black marine iguanas. During a hike forest you will easily observe giant cactus and the endemic land iguanas close to them, sometimes looking for their fruit food. You can also observe crabs, night herons , sea iguanas , mockingbirds and ground doves.

PLAZAS

South Plazas is a small island off the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. It is home of red-billed tropicbirds and swallow tailed gulls. Depending on the season, the ground vegetation changes its color from green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season.

Overnight and accommodation at Hotel in Puerto Ayora

DAY 10: TORTUGA BAY

Tortuga Bay is located on the Santa Cruz Island; a nice walking of about 25-minute walk is waiting for you. The walking path is 1.55 miles. Tortuga Bay has a wonderful beach view, it is perfectly preserved beach that is forbidden to swimmers and is preserved for the wildlife where many marine iguana, galapagos crabs and birds are seen dotted along the volcanic rocks. Walking along this spectacular beach you will find a separate cove where you can swim and see a white tip reef sharks swimming in groups, there is also a large variety of small fish, birds, a wonderful place that will stay in your mind forever

Overnight and accommodation at Hotel in Puerto Ayora

DAY 11: TRANSFER OUT GALAPAGOS

Our staff will pick you up to Baltra airport to take your flight back to mainland Quito or Guayaquil

Arrive in Mainland

Transfer to your hotel

DAY 12: TRANSFER OUT QUITO or GUAYAQUIL

Our guide will pick you up from Hotel to take you at airport for you flight back home.

DURATION: 12 Days

PERIOD: Daily

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • Bilingual speaking guide
  • Private transportation in Quito
  • Accommodation at First class Hotels in Quito & Tourist Superior in Galapagos
  • Entrance to churches and museum
  • Lunch in Quito
  • Daily breakfast
  • Lunch in full day tours
  • Meals as detailed
  • All the activities and visits to the sites detailed in the itinerary
  • Transfer airport/hotel/airport in Quito & Galapagos
  • Air ticket to/from Galapagos

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Galapagos entrance fee ( 100 Usd per person)
  • Galapagos transit card (20 usd per person).
  • Meals not detailed
  • Beverage, tips and personal expenses

Activities

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Quito colonial downtown
  • Museum & Churches
  • Equatorial monument
  • Cloud Forest
  • Indian market
  • Landscapes
  • Galapagos unique flora & fauna
  • Snorkeling
  • Beaches

Available departures

Unfortunately, no places are available on this tour at the moment

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