Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito, reception and transfer
to your hotel.
Day 2:
Quito
After breakfast, a half day visit of colonial Quito, declared by
UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1978. A visit to the middle of the
world monument concludes the day. Return to your hotel.
Day 3:
Quito
– Otalvo
A visit to the colourful Indian market of Otavalo; with its many
impressive arts and crafts of the local people including weaving
products. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products
from the east were traded with highland products.
Day 4:
Quito
– Cotopaxi
After breakfast, we head south through the avenue of the volcanoes
and on towards Cotopaxi National Park. During the drive, we shall see
several dormant and active volcanoes, including Pasochoa, Ruminahui and
Corazon volcanoes along this spectacular journey. We shall make a visit
to the fabulous San Agustin de Callo Hacienda, at the very foot of
Cotopaxi Volcano and site of an Inca temple or palace built around 1440
AD. After lunch, return to Quito.
Day 5:
Quito
/Guyaquil - Baltra - Charles Darwin
After breakfast, flight to Baltra in the Galapagos. Check in to your
hotel and lunch before a visit to the Charles Darwin Centre for an
important orientation of the Galapagos Islands. The station is also a
tortoise breeding centre.
Day 6: Chata – Los Gemelos
After breakfast, visit to El Chato, a giant
tortoise wild reserve, where you can see free-roaming giant tortoises
placidly grazing in the lush vegetation. A visit to the lava tubes in the
area which together with the tunnels of Northwest of Australia is amongst
the largest in the world. Continue to Los Gemelos (the twins), twin volcanic
sink holes, formed when surface magma chambers collapsed, causing the upper
crust to sink, following circumferential fissures. Return to your hotel and
dinner.
Day 7: North Seymour Island
A visit to the beautiful island of North Seymour, with its abundance of
tame wildlife, ranging from sea lions, numerous seabirds, basking marine
iguanas along with witnessing the courtship displays of the magnificent
frigate bird.
Day 8: Puerto Ayora –
Puerto Villamil
After breakfast, transfer to the port for the motor boat trip to the
island of Isabela, some two hours west of Santa Cruz. After lunch, we shall
take a boat ride out to Las Tintoreras, where we shall see fascinating lava
formations and enjoy a visit to the colony of marine iguanas and sea lions.
There will also be an opportunity for snorkeling with sea turtles and the "Tintoreras"
(white tipped shark).
Day 9: Puerto Villamil– Sierra Negra– Small Volcano
After breakfast, head towards the highlands, where we
will collect our horses, saddle up and start our horseback riding tour to
Sierra Negra and to the Chico Volcano, both of which are still active. The
Sierra Negra is the second largest crater in the world after the Ngorongoro
crater in Africa. Return to your lodge.
Day 10: The Tunnels – Puerto Villamil – Santa Cruz
After breakfast, we will have a boat ride out to the
Lava Tunnels of Isabela (two hours), an incredible natural aquarium of
channels, black lava tunnels and bridges rarely visited and a fabulous site
for snorkeling. Return to Santa Cruz.
Day 11: Santa Cruz–
Quito
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight
to Quito and your onward connecting flight home.
Prices are available on request. This tour requires a
minimum of four people. Optional
add on tours in Lima as well as extra accommodation.
