Ecuador Special Programs

Ecuador and Galapagos Trip

Suggested Itinerary:
Day 01 Monday: Arrive Quito. Arrival transfer to the Swissotel
Arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, at an altitude of 2.850 m. We pick you up from the airport and bring you to the Swissotel, which is in a central and nice location. Time for acclimatization to the altitude. -/-/-

Day 02 Tuesday: City tour and Teleferico
After a very good breakfast you get to explore this big city and learn something about its turbulent history. You will get to experience the new section of the city in the North with its many parks and tall modern buildings, the Avenida Rio Amazonas, the Plazas Santo Domingo, Independencia and San Francisco which are in the colonial sector in the South of the city. Due to its many historical architectural monuments the UNESCO declared the old part of town a world heritage site in 1978. From the Panecillo hill in the South of the old part of town, where the high monument of the Virgen of Quito stands at 43m, you have an impressive view over the red clay tile roofs of the old part of town, the skyline of Quito in the North, as well as the surrounding Andean cordilleras range with its outstanding snow-covered mountain giants. Afterwards you will go to the Teleferico, a cable car, that goes up to the Pichincha to an altitude of 4.100 m. From here you have a fantastic view of Quito and the surrounding mountains. Over a cocktail at the hotel bar in the evening, you will go with your guide over the plans for the journey. B/L/-

Day 03 Wednesday: Quito-Cotopaxi National Park-Riobamba
Heading South on the “Avenue of the volcanoes" will bring you to the Cotopaxi National Park and here you continue to the lagoon Limpiopungo from where you can have a spectacular view of the gigantic volcanic cone of Cotopaxi. Finally you drive up the volcanoes slopes and reach the parking lot (4.600m). From here you hike to the refuge of Cotopaxi (4.800 m) taking about 1 hour. After hiking and driving down again you will have lunch in the rustic mountain refuge Tambopaxi on the high plateau with great views of the mountain. In the afternoon you continue your travel heading south on a 3 hour journey with many superb views through the “Avenida de los Volcanoes”. Finally you reach Riobamba, the capital of Chimborazo Province, where we will stay overnight at the Hosteria Abraspungo. B/L/D

Ecuador and Galapagos Trip

Day 04 Thursday: Riobamba-Ingapirca-Cuenca
After a good breakfast you start the journey through the Andean mountains south to the beautiful city of Cuenca. You leave your hotel very early in the morning to start your journey to Cuenca by car. On the way you stop at the famous ‘Ingapirca’ ruins (Quechua for “wall rocks of the Inca”) the most important and well preserved of Ecuador’s Inca ruins situated to the North of Cuenca. There you can wander around the beautiful site and imagine the scenes prior to the Spanish conquest. A visit to the museum will reveal further details of life there at the end of the 15th Century. After the visit you will have lunch and in the afternoon The last stage to Cuenca takes 2 hours. Overnight accommodation at the Hotel Mansion Alcazar. B/L/-

Day 05 Friday: Cuenca-Gauyaquil - Evening city tour
In the morning you will do a short sightseeing tour through the colonial part of Cuenca with its beautiful churches, handicraft stalls and the well-known flower market. Cuenca is the culture metropolis as well as the arts and crafts centre of Ecuador. Its cozy atmosphere is underlined by the many cobbled stone pavements and the many noble façades with the stilted balustrades and wrought-iron balconies. Afterwards you continue by automobile and drive down the Andean Mountains and through the Pacific lowlands to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, which is also the financial, commercial and industrial centre of the country. As temperatures rise fast during the day you will start today’s city tour early in the late afternoon in the centre of the city. First you visit the Seminario park, which is a very popular meeting point for young people in love. Furthermore this little park is well known for its land iguanas that are resting in the trees. Then you visit the Cathedral, built in the classic gothic style. Afterwards the tour leads you to Guayaquils famous wide, tree-lined waterfront Riverfront Avenue „el Malecon“ that runs alongside the river Guayas. You visit the municipality, the “Palacio Municipal” and the “Palacio de Gobernacion” (the Government Palace). Right in front of the Palace is the Moorish clock tower La Torre Morisca, which was constructed in the year 1843. The sights from the top make it worth the effort to climb its steep stairs. La Rotonda is a statue that marks the meeting between Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin in 1822. Overnight accommodation in Guayaquil at the Hotel Oro Verde. B/L/-

Day 06 Saturday: Guayaquil - Baltra-Galapagos Explorer – Cerro Dragon
Transfer to the airport and fly to Baltra - after arrival by plane to Baltra Island and transfer to the cruise ship Galapagos Explorer (5 minutes drive). Cabin assignment, introductory welcome talk, lunch and boat briefing. Afterwards drive to Isla Santa Cruz to visit Cerro Dragon, which is located on the northern coast of the Island. A panga drive between small islands allows you the observation of the beautiful coastal landscape. Here you can see different types of birds, for example boobies, frigate birds and pelicans. Sometimes, you can even see marine iguanas. The drive in the shallow and turquoise water offers the possibility to watch marine turtles, different types of rays and also sharks. In the afternoon dry landing and walk to a lagoon, which is frequented by flamingos and other sea and costal birds. We will walk to Cerro Dragon, from where you will have a wonderful view of the bay and of the western part of the archipelago. Here you can find a large amount of land iguanas, which have been re-introduced to the area by the Charles Darwin Foundation. Vegetation offers an excellent opportunity for observation of birds and other animals. B/L/D

Day 07 Sunday: Bartolomé Island-Puerto Egas/James Island
Dry landing at Bartolomé Island for a hike to the summit, a wonderful way to start the day. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Return to the cruise ship Galapagos Explorer II for breakfast. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkelling. Chance to snorkel next to the adorable Galapagos penguins. There is also the possibility to disembark at Bartolomé (dry landing) for a later walk to the summit or a ride on the glass bottom boat. Scenic navigation to Puerto Egas. Lunch on board. Afternoon mid-length walk at Puerto Egas (wet landing). This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds and to observe a fur-sea lion colony. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. Outstanding snorkelling or swimming from the beach after the walk. Recaps and briefing before dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck. B/L/D

Day 08 Monday: Fernandina Island, Punta Espinoza – Elizabeth Bay
Early risers will enjoy the dramatic landscape of the youngest volcanoes in Galapagos, like volcano Ecuador, whose collapsed crater is partly under water, while crossing the Equator line. It is here where the coolest waters are found, with great chances to observe whales and dolphins. The morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. The landscape of Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness accompanied by lots of wildlife. With no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment and the highest density of marine iguanas; sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Lunch on board.
You will continue your cruise to the west and reach the Isle of Isabela, the archipel's biggest Island. First, you will visit Elizabeth Bay, a mangrove bay with small enchanting islands and the home of manta rays, penguins and sea turtles. Next stop will be Urbina Bay, where, after an eruption of Volcanoe Alcedo in 1954, parts of the coast have been pushed up, so that you can explore coral reefs on the beach. Furthermore, you can watch iguanas, flightless cormorants and mangrove finches from near. B/L/D

Day 09 Tuesday: Nord Seymour Island – Highlands from Santa Cruz
North Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found together with marine iguanas.
The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renowned for its approximate 300 fern species and the many sunflowers. B/L/D

Day 10 Wednesday: La Galapaguera – San Cristobel – return flight to Guayaquil
Today you will visit La Galapaguera situated on San Cristobel, where giant turtles can be observed. This is the end of the tour and you will fly back to the mainland in the afternoon. Arrival in Guayaquil and transfer to the Hilton Colon Guayaquil. B/-/-

Day 11 Thursday: international flight
According to your flight time you will be taken to the international airport in Guayaquil. B

B= breakfast; L= Lunch; D= Dinner

Price 2008/2010:
With 2 participants USD 4,335. - per person

Prices includes:
All transfers in private transportation, excursions and overland tours as mentioned above, Accommodation based on double rooms at first class hotels and haciendas in the country site, flights Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil, meals according to the itinerary description (B: breakfast, L: Lunch; D: Dinner), National Park entrance fees (Galapagos excluded). English speaking guide and native guide in the jungle, rubber boots, rain poncho. 5 days cruise on the Galapagos Explorer or a similar cruise ship with accommodation in double cabins with private bathroom, English speaking naturalist guide on Galapagos.

Not included in the price:
International flight, beverages, extra charge for single rooms/single cabin, Galapagos National Park fee (100 USD), migration card USD 10.- international airport tax from Guayaquil (26.- USD), personal items, tips, travel insurance and luggage.

NB The itinerary can change due to security reasons or due to regulations of the national park authorities. The security and the interest of the clients are always considered in these decisions.

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