Andes and Galapagos Tour
Description
Activities
DAY 1: Quito transfer - Hotel
End of the tour back to Quito or Latacunga.
Arrival at Quito Mariscal Airport (UIO), pick up and transfer to the hotel. Activities could be scheduled on this day, but this will depend on the arrival time (and energy levels).
Our hotel in Quito are: You can choose! Or any other that you want. Afternoon free to acclimatised!
DAY 2: Quito City tour - Mitad del Mundo
Following breakfast, we’ll pick you up and take you on an extended tour of one of the most picturesque and colonial cities in South America. We’ll take in the old town of the city, and visit important historical areas such as the Plaza de la Independencia and the Presidential Palace. We’ll also take in a number of imposing gothic churches before working up to the amazing Basillica.
Ecuador is home to the middle of the world! Travel on a guided private tour from Quito to the location where the southern and northern hemispheres meet and view the monument which stands to represent this great divide! You can't visit Ecuador without going to the middle of the world. Back to your hotel in Quito.
DAY 3: Otavalo Market
The market at Otavalo is one of the best known indigenous markets in the whole of Latin America. Although the market is held every day, it is at it’s best on Saturday mornings when people from all over the area come to buy and sell their wares.
We aim to arrive around 11am when the market is in full swing with locals and tourists alike. A great many bargains can be had here, with prices a lot cheaper than found in Quito. We’ll continue on to the Cotacachi leather factories and the San Pablo lake before returning to Quito.
DAY 4: Cotopaxi National Park
The Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the World, the volcano offers climbing experiences for all skill levels. The immense plain that surrounds the volcano offers a wonderful landscape with extraordinary geological conditions and numerous flora and fauna.
You will have a walking around the Limpiopungo Lagoon and the Cotopaxi National Park, this park includes 83,829 acres, and the altitude ranges from 11,152 ft. to 19,347 ft., above sea level. This park is home to deer, pumas, condors, wild horses and llamas. Night at Chilcabamba Lodge.
DAY 5: Quilotoa Tour
We head to Laguna Quilotoa itself today and start with a great photo opportunity at the rim. The Quilotoa Loop is an amazing emerald lagoon inside a volcano crater at the height of 3,800 m. display beautiful views of the Andean mountains.
We then hike down to the water’s edge where we can take a boat out to the middle of the lake and experience the gaseous ejections from the center of the earth. We're then heading towards Zumbahua to take in the market, before carrying on to the slightly larger town of Pujilí - a center for ceramics and pottery crafts. It's then we will go to Baños night at Hotel la Floresta or any hotel in Banos!
DAY 6: Banos Tour
Today we’ll take you on a city tour of Baños, as well as into the local area to marvel at the waterfalls and scenery. There is much to do in Baños, from taking it easy to white water rafting and bungee jumpy
The harmonious sound of nature, lush vegetation and crystal clear water are the characteristics of the Manto de la Novia Waterfall. Located 12 km from Baños, before Green River. It is the ideal place to take a break and get away from the routine of the city. It is the only waterfall in the country located in the urban area and can be seen from anywhere in the city, next to this are the spas of the Virgin.
DAY 7: Banos - Driven back to Quito
After breakfast the guide will take you to your hotel in Quito, afternoon Free.
DAY 8: Transfer Flight to Galapagos - 5 Days Cruise Golondrina Yatch - Monday to Friday
Monday
Baltra Island - Santa Cruz Island - AM
Departing Guayaquil to Galapagos (1½ Hour Flight).
BALTRA ISLAND: Home to Galapagos’ main airport, this will be the starting point of your experience aboard the best tour of the Galapagos Islands. A bilingual guide will meet you at the airport and assist you during the transfer onboard the Golondrina.
PM – After Lunch
TORTUGA BAY BEACH: After a 1½ Hour walk through the most inhabited island in Galapagos you’ll arrive at the white sands and turquoise waters of Tortuga Bay. One of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos, Tortuga Bay has actually two beaches to offer: a wave-pounding surf that’s frequented by locals.
DAY 9: Baltra Island - Santa Cruz
Tuesday
AM – After Breakfast
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (CHARLES DARWIN SCIENTIFIC STATION): Visit the 1959-established Charles Darwin Station to learn about the Giant Tortoises and their reproduction, as well as the origin and formation of the archipelago.
PM – After Lunch
PRIMICIAS RANCH: On the very first stop, you’ll be able to see the staple and namesake of the Islands: the Giant Tortoise, these gentle creatures are easily spotted gracing through the foliage or resting. Harder to spot but equally fascinating, the many birds that reside in the Galapagos are literal descendants of the Andean Plateau species; endemic sub-species of Mockingbirds, Flycatchers, Cattle Egrets and Finches can be seen throughout the Ranch.
DAY 10: Tintoreras - Arnaldo tupiza Breeding Center
Wenesday
AM – After Breakfast
TINTORERAS: Located South of Port Villamil, Tintoreras has a tranquil turquoise-water bay where a variety of marine life can be seen: sea turtles, iguanas, and sea lions are almost a guaranteed spot. The bay is connected to a shallow fissure, when the tide is low the entrance is cut off and sharks and stingrays can be found swimming within. Lunch onboard. PM
ARNALDO TUPIZA BREEDING CENTER: The population of giant tortoises of the island is maintained through their bred-in-captivity program.
DAY 11: Rabida Island - Santa Cruz
Thursday
Santa Cruz Island
AM – After Breakfast
RABIDA ISLAND: One of the more colorful and volcanically active islands of the archipelago, as well as an amazing diving site. We begin at the prominent Brown-Sanded Beach of Rabida, then a light ½ a mile hike to reach a lookout of breath-taking view. A paradise for birdwatchers, Flycatchers, Brown Pelicans, Galapagos Hawks, varieties of Finches and many other of the rarer species flock to Rabida. Wet landing, lunch onboard.
DAY 12: Transfer to Baltra Airport - Quito or Guayaquil
Friday
This center has a captive breeding program for tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela.
Transfer to Baltra - Galapagos - Quito or Guayaquil.
Transfer to your hotel in Quito or Guayaquil
DAY 13: Transfer to the Airport
In the morning transfer to the Airport - End of the tour
How long does the tour take?
5 Day Tour