Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure Escorted Vacation

You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.

You will start your journey with a morning visit to colonial Quito, with one of the best preserved colonial centers in all South America and its integrity was assured in 1978 when Quito was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will walk through the Main Plaza where you will see the Government Palace, La Compania and some of the most important churches built around the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, including the monastery of San Francisco, the building of which commenced just 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. You will then visit La Ronda Street where you will learn of the jobs by residents in colonial times. At the end of the tour you will visit the Panecillo hill where you will be able to admire the famous Panecillo’s virgin and the best views of Quito Later in the evening you will have the chance to try some of Ecuador’s finest chocolate confections with a guided journey through the history of Ecuadorian cacao cultivation. (B)

You will begin your day with a short flight from Quito to Galapagos (ticket not included) following breakfast. You will arrive on Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galapagos. This tiny island was a military base during WWII and hosts the Islands’ principal airport; the first ecological airport in the world. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the exclusive giant tortoise reserve perched high on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Magic Galapagos Tented Camp, your accommodation for the next two nights, will enchant you with the gentle lullaby of nature and the Milky Way as the perfect night light. Watching the colorful sunset from Magic’s western perch is the perfect segue into the evening. Dinners are sumptuous three course affairs, prepared by expert chefs in an open-air kitchen in the main lodge. A favorite post-dinner activity is a short walk to the natural lava tubes on the reserve for a night cap in the one-of-a-kind Lava Lounge! Relax by the fire and share stores from the day’s adventures. (B,D)

Following breakfast you will embark on your yacht cruise tour, complete with a welcoming crew and knowledgeable naturalist guide, to experience the remote islands in comfort and style. Your excursion will take you to Santa Fe Island, a small island in the center of the archipelago and just south east of Santa Cruz Island. Later you will drive to Puerto Ayora for the night. (B,L)

Today you will enjoy a day at leisure to explore the island or you may wish to join an optional half-day bay exploration excursion. You will leave from Puerto Ayora dock for a short 10 minute journey to La Loberia Island, named after the colony of sea lions that inhabit the area. This small island is a great place to go snorkeling amongst the sea turtles and the seemingly endless variety of tropical fish and for playing with the ever-friendly and inquisitive sea lions. Your next stop will be a hike to the Tunel del Amor, or lover’s tunel, with a great viewpoint to possibly witness, with luck, a resting white-tipped shark. On the way back, you will visit Punta Estrada’s dock where you’ll enjoy a walk to witness the unique marine iguanas. (B)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the continent (ticket not included). Upon arrival in Guayaquil you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city. (B)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. (B)