Quito and Galapagos Cruise Vacation
Explore Ecuador starting with Independence Square, Hill of
Panecillo, and the Equator with a visit to the Intinan Museum. Travel to the
North Highlands of Quito to the province of Imbabura and see the Quitsato
Sundial. Experience the Otavalo Community, pre-dating the Spanish conquest. See
the town of Peguche and see how the villagers live. Nature and wildlife
enthusiasts will love a visit to the Galapagos Islands, El Chato Tortoise
Reserve and Black Turtle Cove. Enjoy views of Sullivan Bay and the red beachs
of Rabida. On Isabela Island, visit Urbina Bay, Tagus cove – a favorite port
for pirates and whalers – Darwin Lake and Vicente Roca Point.
CRUISE PROGRAM - Scheduled departures - 9-day/8-night package visiting Quito & the Galapagos Islands. Includes 4 nights accommodation at a first class hotel in Quito with breakfast daily, arrival & departure transfers, a 4-night Galapagos Islands cruise with all meals on board, and guided sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary. The flights between Quito and the Galapagos Islands are excluded.
Includes
- Accommodations as per itinerary
- Meals as per itinerary; breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D)
- Sightseeing: per itinerary
- Shore excursions as per itinerary
- Travel funds escrow protection program
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
Excludes
- Items of a personal nature
- All other items not mentioned as included
- Select local taxes where applicable
- Select alcoholic drinks as per itinerary
Itinerary
Day
1
Quito – Arrival
First Class: Dann Carlton or similar accommodations
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day
2
Explore Quito
First Class: Dann Carlton or similar accommodations
Explore Quito with its rich cultural legacy, ornate facades, and dazzling gilt altars. Your first stop will be Independence Square to have a view of the Archbishop’s Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as other buildings that are representative of colonial art and architecture. Drive to the hill of Panecillo for a panoramic view of the city. Then take a short trip to the north of Quito and arrive at Latitude 0´0´0´´ where the Intinan Museum will guide you through the wonderful world of the Andean Cosmo vision, culture and traditions. This is the place where you can stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and with the other one in the southern hemisphere. (B,L)
Day
3
Quito – Northern Highlands
First Class: Dann Carlton or similar accommodations
An early start will take you north on a beautiful scenic drive to the province of Imbabura, a magic land of lakes and mountains and outstanding beauty. Your first stop will be the Quitsato Sundial, built on an area of 170 ft in diameter, this is a great stone mosaic, in which different lines mark the solstice, the time of the day and the influence of the Center of the World on daily life. The Northern Highlands are the home of the Otavalo Community, well known around the world for their weaving patterns and textiles which pre-date the Spanish conquest. Close by is the town of Peguche. Along with the weaving industry, the community of Peguche is also known for the manufacture of wind instruments: sikus, kenas and charangos. You will have the opportunity to visit a typical house of this region. (B,L)
Day
4
Quito – Baltra Island – Santa Cruz Island
Cruise Line: Galapagos Legend or similar cruises
You will be transferred to the Quito airport to catch your flight to Baltra Island (not included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the MV Galapagos Legend. In the afternoon, visit Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island with your guide. (B,L,D)
Day
5
Santiago Island – Rabida Island
Cruise Line: Galapagos Legend or similar cruises
This morning, visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. In the afternoon, land on Rabida Island’s red-colored beach, caused by the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. There, you will find a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond hosts migrating greater flamingos at certain times of year. (B,L,D)
Day
6
Isabela Island
Cruise Line: Galapagos Legend or similar cruises
After breakfast, disembark at Urbina Bay, the result of an uplifting of the ocean in 1954. Here, you can find corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas, and occasionally to giant tortoises. Along the shoreline, you may encounter flightless cormorants. In the afternoon, continue to Tagus Cove which provided a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes guests to the rim of a crater, Darwin Lake, filled with salt water. (B,L,D)
Day
7
Fernandina Island – Isabela Island
Cruise Line: Galapagos Legend or similar cruises
This morning, visit Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island. Fernandina which, having no introduced mammals, boasts a very unique environment with a very high density of marine iguanas who share their space with sea lions, Sally light-foot crabs, hawks, penguins, and the flightless cormorants. In the afternoon, return to Isabela Island to visit Vicente Roca Point. (B,L,D)
Day
8
Santa Cruz Island – Quito
First Class: Dann Carlton or similar accommodations
Tour the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the morning before transferring to Baltra airport to board your flight back to Quito (not included). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, consider joining an optional Quito by Night tour with dinner. (B)
Day
9
Quito – Return
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Quito airport for your return flight home. (B)
Dates & Prices
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