GTMT-108C – QUITO & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Four Days Quito – Hotel Casa Gangotena – Quito City Tour. Full Day Otavalo with lunch
Seven Day Galapagos Cruise – M/V Santa Cruz – Eastern Islands Itinerary – Friday to Thursday
Ten Days / Nine Nights Tour Program
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Tuesday: Arrival in Quito
Assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel in Quito
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury Room
DAY 2: Wednesday: 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: Friday – Quito / Galapagos
Private transfer hotel to airport and check in assistance for flight to Galapagos Islands
Arrival in Galapagos Islands
Baltra Island
We arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II where we receive our welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
Mosquera Islet
Only four nautical miles from Baltra, the island is a long and narrow sand bank surrounded by lava reefs. Our groups will approach the island from its western shore, a long shallow reef, the perfect rookery for young sea lions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5: Saturday – Galapagos Islands
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)
After breakfast, we disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island’s capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre for highly endangered giant tortoises.
Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island)
In the afternoon, we disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6: Sunday – Galapagos Islands
Santa Fe Island
After breakfast, we take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions and land iguanas
South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a rest, we disembark (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7: Monday – Galapagos Islands
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
In the morning, we disembark for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation and conservation.
Santa Cruz Island
We have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8: Tuesday – Galapagos Islands
Punta Suarez (Española Island)
An exciting walk awaits at this site, where we enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including Galapagos albatross (April-December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.
Gardner Bay – Osborn Islet (Española Island)
In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay and the nearby islet of Osborn provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as we relax.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9: Wednesday – Galapagos Islands
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, a small islet located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather condition permits, ride in the glass-bottom boat and kayak.
North Seymour Island
North Seymour was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10: Thursday – Depart Galapagos Islands
Baltra Island
On our last day, we disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil and to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
