Andes and Galapagos Tour - 13 days
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Day 1: Quito
Transfer in Quito with English speaking assistance. Night at hotel in Quito Day 2: Quito - Colonial City Walking Tour (3 hours)Ecuador has history, fascinating indigenous cultures, slow winding rivers and lush tropical forests, spectacular snowcapped volcanoes and some of the most exciting wildlife on earth. The place to start is Colonial Quito: a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city´s many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best preserved colonial centers in all South America and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage site. We will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the La Compañía, and the San Francisco Monastery which was begun 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. We will also visit the city’s most famous colonial street, La Ronda, where we will learn about traditional work in Colonial Quito. Night at hotel in Quito Day 3: Quito - Quilotoa Lagoon - Baños Cotopaxi National Park - On route, pass through the Cotopaxi National Park on a panoramic tour, where you can see a wonderful panoramic view of the active volcano Cotopaxi. Weather permitting, you will be able to see the snowcapped summits of the Cotopaxi and Antisana volcanoes. Quilotoa Lake - We will then visit the Quilotoa volcano crater, where we will be able to appreciate the crater’s serenely mysterious green lake. We’ll have the option of a short walk of about 1.7 km along the crater's rim. On the way back, we will stop to visit the art galleries in the community of Tigua, where we will be able appreciate the paintings representative of the folklore of this special part of the Andes. The brightly coloured naïve style of the area’s painters, currently the third generation, has transcended local boundaries and is now internationally renowned. These days there are a lot of painters in Tigua, but Julio Toaquiza was the first, and is still number one. We will visit Julio in his studio, and you will be able to see why his work is appreciated for the bright colours, the meticulous detail, and the stories his paintings tell of life in the high Andes: the volcanoes, the condors, and the indigenous communities with their legends. Overnight in Baños Day 4: Baños This tour begin with a tour around the city, then the chiva (a traditional bus from Ecuador & Colombia) continues up to the hill for 30 minutes till get to Bellavista viewpoint. From here you will have a stunning view of Baños city, and Tungurahua volcano. Baños de Agua Santa is the most popular tourist town in the province of Tungurahua, after Ambato, the capital, and is a major tourist center. He is known as the "Gateway to the Amazon", as it is located in the Pastaza River in the Amazon River basin, and has a newly paved road to Puyo. Overnight in Baños Day 5: Baños - Riobamba Excursion Chimborazo Land of Llamas - No picture of the Andes is complete without the graceful figures of the native llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. Their natural habitats are the “paramos” or high grasslands. From Riobamba we will join the local community of Palacio Real in their effort to preserve their “paramos” and honor their llamas by highlight their importance at the Llama Museum and the handicraft shop of the community and the llama trail. Overnight in Riobamba Day 6: Riobamba - Alausi - Ingapirca - CuencaVisit Alausi - This town nestles half-way down a steep hillside in a spectacular and vertiginous landscape where the western ridge of the Andes falls away to reveal a series of cloud-coated valleys and a road dropping away towards the coast. Excursion Ingapirca ruins - We now drive South to Ingapirca, an Inca observatory and fortress. This is the most important Inca site in Ecuador, where the Emperor and his entourage would rest during trips to this northern segment of the Empire. Ingapirca Ruins, is the largest and best preserved archaeological complex in Ecuador. It was built with stones perfectly carved and joined with natural mortar, this Temple served for ceremonies and rituals of the Cañari-Inca culture, also had strategic-military purposes. Overnight in Cuenca Day 7: Cuenca - Guayaquil Today, we will depart to Guayaquil and on the way we will visit El Cajas, a 70,000 ha. National Park that contains everything from cloud forest to rocky lunar landscapes. However, it is the lakes (more than 200 of them) scattered among jagged peaks that best characterize the reserve. Stop at a local cocoa community to discover how chocolate is made from the humble cacao tree, the process from the cacao tree to the chocolate bar, and then taste the chocolate. We will now head to Guayaquil to spend the night. Day 8: Guayaquil - Galapagos Transfer out Guayaquil with English Speaking Assistance Local flight to Galapagos (not included) Excursion Highlands Pto Ayora - The guide will pick you at the airport in order to start the visit to the highlands. You will visit shelters for the giant tortoises, lava tunnels and the twins that are geological formations formed by collapse over time. One of our visit is El Chato that provides the opportunity to marvel at the celebrated Giant Galapagos Tortoise roaming in its natural habitat. You will have the option to visit geological formations like a natural lava tunnel or twin pit craters "The Gemelos" or both, depending on your energy level! The "Gemelos" or Twin Pit Craters, located in the Scalezia zone of the island, are a great place for bird watching. Look out for Darwin Finches, Galapagos Doves and Cattle egret. Overnight in Puerto Ayora Day 9: Santa Cruz Island Leisure day to explore the town or you can enjoy one of our optional tours (extra cost): 1. Navigable Tour to neighbor islands (sharing services) Extra cost - Embark our motor yacht and enjoy of a daily excursion with a welcoming crew members and knowledgeable naturalist guide as you experience the remote islands in comfort and style. Our daily excursions will take you to experience the Galapagos Islands in a safe and comfortable manner. We can visit North Seymour, South Plazas, Santa Fe or Bartolome Island. Along the way, we might see leaping rays or other sea life, while enjoying the vastness of the Pacific. The yacht tour lets you see the Islands and their wildlife in their most pristine state. Island visited may vary according to National Park regulations Overnight in Puerto Ayora Day 10: Santa Cruz Island - San Cristóbal IslandEnjoy the morning by exploring the beautiful island of Santa Cruz at your leisure. In the afternoon take the public speedboat to the island of San Cristobal, passing the island of Santa Fe on the way and taking approximately 2-3 hours. Arrive on the island of San Cristobal, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay. Overnight in San Cristobal Day 11: San Cristóbal Island Leisure day to explore the town or you can enjoy one of our optional tours (extra cost): Underwater Life (share service) extra cost - Today we leave early from Baquerizo Moreno Port and head to the impressive Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock, but before getting there we will try out our snorkeling gear in a small protected bay with calm water and playful sea lions. Leon Dormido, made of two rocks in the form of an obelisk jutting dramatically out of the sea, is considered one of the top snorkel and dive sites in the Galapagos, and here we use our snorkeling equipment to explore a channel between the rocks. Stingrays, white-tipped reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, turtles, tropical fish and eagle rays all live in the waters around Leon Dormido and if you are lucky you may even get to spot dolphins and whales! Overnight in San Cristobal Day 12: San Cristóbal Island - Quito Transfer out San Cristobal. Local flight to Quito (no included)Transfer in Quito with English speaking assistance Overnight in Quito Day 13: Quito Transfer out Quito with English speaking assistance |
2024 Prices per person, double occupancy in tourist superior hotels in US$ (can quote with higher categories): with 1 person = $5541 with 2 people = $3276 with 3 people = $2424 with 4-6 people = $2340 single supplement = $422 Includes:
Accommodation, Meals as per itinerary, English speaking guide, Transfers & ground transportation, Activities and visits detailed in the itinerary Not Included: Flights to/from Galapagos US$570.00 net per person (subject to change), Galapagos National Park entrance fee US$100 per adult / US$50 per child under 12 (subject to change), Tourist transit card US$20 per person (subject to change), Beverages, Laundry service, Insurance (prior to your journey please ensure your travel insurance is valid in your country of origin), Gratuities Sample hotels Reina Isabel, Quito, Ecuador Reina Isabel Hotel & Suites, offers design and sophistication to your life. Each of our 100 rooms and suites, offer eclectic style and extraordinary comfort. Bedding made especially for us, original artwork, imported marble baths and more, combined with our hospitality characteristic for an unforgettable stay in one of the best hotels in Quito. Selina Baños Facing the Tungurahua Volcano, surrounded by thermal hot springs, icy waterfalls, and natural spas, it’s easy to embrace the town’s geothermal energy at Selina Banos. Aside from a rooftop restaurant with cultural events, features include a co-work area, rooftop terrace, bar, and locally curated art murals. Plus, with the main town square on our doorstep, visit prized landmarks with local guides including the Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water and The Tree House’s thrilling “Swing at the End of the World!” Casa Real Riobamba- Guano, Ecuador Casa Real is a 4 star hotel that offers excellent amenities to make our guests feel really comfortable. It was created with a futuristic vision and based on elegance and distinction offered by the royal houses of Spain, with an exotic interior garden. Hotel Ramada Guayaquil, Ecuador We are a traditional hotel in Guayaquil with the best service, gastronomy and strategic location in the city center and with a personal commitment to hospitality and good service. Whether for pleasure or business, our commitment is to make your stay an unforgettable experience. We have 75 rooms in Single, Double, Triple occupations, functionally equipped with everything you need to make your visit pleasant. Enjoy our services with a swimming pool, sauna, exercise center with elliptical machines and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Deja Vu Puerto Ayora, galapagos, Deja Vu Galapagos offers a place of peace and comfort, located in the neighborhood resindecial "Eden" in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, a ten minute walk to the Tortoise Breeding Center Terrestrial "Fausto Llerena" and Charles Darwin Research Station and 100 meters from the sea. It has 10 rooms including single, double and triple, conditioned and equipped with private bathroom, hot water, cable TV, air conditioning, private lockers, to provide the best stay while enjoying this beautiful paradise like the Galapagos Islands. The care they provide their owners has been characterized by having a cordial and friendly, making you feel truly like I was at home Pimampiro Isla San Cristobal, Ecuador Pimampiro inn is the ideal starting point to have a holiday full of comfort and sophistication in the Galapagos game. It located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island is the perfect place for those nature lovers and for those seeking a relaxing atmosphere. The inn offers the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable atmosphere adorned with beautiful views of the bay and restaurant services, swimming pool, wireless internet, laundry and drying clothes, etc. Accommodation: Pimampiro inn has 5 cabins and 3 VIP suites each with two rooms, which have been perfectly designed to provide everything you need for a relaxing holiday. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, safe, coffee maker, refrigerator, cable TV, private bathroom and hot water. 
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