GTMT-105C – QUITO & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Four Days Quito – Hotel Casa Gangotena – Private Quito City Tour & Full Day Otavalo with lunch
Seven Day Galapagos Cruise – M/Y Isabela II – Northern Islands Itinerary – Tuesday to Monday
Ten Days / Nine Nights Tour Program
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Wednesday – Arrival in Quito
Assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel in Quito
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury Room
DAY 2: Thursday- 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: Thursday – Quito
Northern Highlands Cultural – Otavalo Full Day with lunch
This tour includes visits to: Mira Lago – A warm and inviting touristic rest stop that offers unparalleled views of the San Pablo Lake and the imposing Imbabura Volcano. Otavalo Market (Plaza De Los Ponchos) – The history of the Otavalo Market, also known as the Plaza de los Ponchos (Poncho Plaza), goes all the way back to the 16th century, when the indigenous merchants played a crucial role as traders and travelling salesmen. Vegetable Market – The city of Otavalo is known for its myriad markets that fill it with life and movement. Miguel Andrango’s Workshop – The traditional waistband loom dates back to the XVII century, to the times of the Spanish colonization. Visit artisan Miguel Andrango’s workshop for a closer look into the process of producing these intricate textiles that the master weaves with apparent ease. Ñanda Mañachi Andean Instruments Workshop – While in the small community of Peguche, known for its healing waterfalls and long musical tradition, visitors will have the chance to visit the Ñanda Mañachi Andean Instruments Workshop.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury room
DAY 4: Tuesday – Quito / Galapagos Islands
Private transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to Galapagos.
Tuesday – Arrival Galapagos Islands
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)
We land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno’s airport and transfer to the dock. We check in, receive an introductory briefing and have lunch on board.
PM: Galapaguera Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island)
At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding center of the highly-endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
DAY 5: Wednesday – Galapagos Islands
Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island): Overnight, we navigate northbound to the incredible bird island, Genovesa. The morning starts with an inflatable dinghy ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island, followed by landing with a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat plateau. We can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer inflatable dinghy ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Snorkeling and kayaking.
Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island): We land at the beach for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6: Thursday – Galapagos Islands
Buccaneer Cove (James/Santiago Island)
After breakfast, we enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer’s Cove. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkeling too or ride in our glass-bottom boat.
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island): This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and we can also observe a colony of fur seals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7: Friday – Galapagos Islands
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
We visit the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
Across the narrow Bolívar Channel, we anchor at this cove on the northwest of Isabela. It provided a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes guests to the rim of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water and to a dramatic viewpoint. After our walk, swimming, kayaking or snorkeling.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8: Saturday – Galapagos Islands
Urbina Bay (Isabela Island): After breakfast we disembark at Urbina Bay. 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. Along the shoreline, after the hike, guests may encounter flightless cormorants and see penguins while snorkeling.
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy. There is abundant wildlife and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we’ll be able to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9: Sunday – Galapagos Islands
Rabida Island (Jervis Island)
We disembark at Rabida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll allows us to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, take an inflatable dinghy ride, kayak or ride in our glass-bottom boat.
Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island)
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon. Our walk includes circling a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10: Monday – Depart Galapagos
Baltra Island
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland – Quito or Guayaquil or to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
