GTMT-103B – QUITO & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Three Days Quito – Luxury Boutique Casa Gangotena – Private Quito City Tour & Middle of the World
Five Day Galapagos Cruise – M/Y Isabela II – Central Islands Itinerary – Monday to Friday
Seven Days / Six Nights Tour Program
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Saturday– Arrival in Quito
Assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel in Quito
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury Room
DAY 2: Sunday- Quito
Quito and Surroundings Cultural: Private Day Tour Quito & Middle of the World
Visits to: San Francisco Church & Convent – Recognized as one of the largest architectural structures within a historic center in the Americas, the San Francisco Church and Convent earned the nickname of “El Escorial” of the New World. La Compañia de Jesus Church – A lustre of gold hits visitors well before they’ve even crossed the doorstep of the La Compañia Church, known also as South America’s Temple of Solomon. It’s the crown jewel of Quito’s historic center and one of the most important manifestations of baroque architecture in the world. Independence Square (Main Square) – Located in the Historic Centre, Independence Square – also known as the Main Square – was the starting point for the planning and development of the city. It consists of four structures that serve as the corners of Quito society: the Presidential Palace (Carondelet), the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and the Municipal Palace. San Francisco Plaza – Located in the Historic Centre, Independence Square – also known as the Main Square – was the starting point for the planning and development of the city. It consists of four structures that serve as the corners of Quito society: the Presidential Palace (Carondelet), the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and the Municipal Palace. Middle of the World including the ethnographic Museum – A trip to Ecuador wouldn’t be complete without a photo depicting one foot in the northern hemisphere and another in the southern hemisphere. Middle of the World City, located just 13.5 km (8.3 mi) north of Quito, stands to honor the Geodesic Mission that established latitude 0 in the 18th century. The central monument delineates the imaginary equatorial line and houses the Ethnographic Museum, which is filled with ethnographic and interactive exhibits about Ecuador.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury Room
DAY 3: Monday – Quito / Galapagos Islands
Private transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to Galapagos.
Baltra Island
We arrive at Baltra Airport and then we take you to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us to a restaurant in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island to enjoy lunch, and then continue to Puerto Ayora.
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island): After driving down from the highlands, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise. The campus houses the islands’ headquarters of scientific investigation and conservation. Late afternoon we stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking. Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4: Tuesday – Galapagos Islands
Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands
Santa Fe Island: A stunning anchorage provides our jumping-off point for our visit to this sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the walk. Snorkeling and swimming from the beach, kayaking or a ride in our glass-bottom boat.
South Plaza Island: The turquoise waters of the channel here contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline, while a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus beyond, populated by yellow-gray land iguanas.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5: Wednesday – Galapagos Islands
North Seymour and Santa Cruz Islands
North Seymour Island: The morning starts with an enjoyable walk along the coast and the interior of this island, observing numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. There are opportunities for snorkeling, coastal exploration or glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island): After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. We can swim and/or snorkel from the beach.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6: Thursday – Galapagos Islands
Bartolome and Santiago Islands
This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits for us: Bartolome Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we take the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock.
Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island): After lunch, we get on board the inflatable dinghies to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach great for swimming, and with a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7: Friday – Depart Galapagos Islands
Baltra Island: After breakfast, we leave for the airport to take the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil and your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
