Day 1 Quito:
Transfer In Quito – hotel accommodation.
Day 2-5 Galapagos: “a living museum and sample of evolution.”
Cruise all-inclusive aboard M/Y CORAL I or CORAL II. Departing Quito or Guayaquil, local round-trip airfare to Galápagos. Transfer from hotel to airport (shuttle service) and to and from the dock included.
Just like Darwin in 1835 you will tour the “Enchanted Islands,” history’s greatest show on earth and we will be providing you with the best seats on board. Only the special few have the chance to travel through this paradise, sailing on a charming casual ship, with nautical interior decoration of wood and brass especially made for the islands, with wide outer decks. Enjoy the Jacuzzi or swimming pool, the sun deck, the bar, sea view cabins with private facilities and air conditioning.
Interactive experience with the wildlife, which seems to have been bewitched, because it has no fear of man Witness spectacular sunsets, swim and snorkel at any time of the year in the warm clear waters of the beaches among tropical fish, manta rays, sea lions, swordfish, sea turtles and other marine wildlife.
Our nature guides lead shore excursions twice a day. Attend lectures explaining the geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna of the islands are provided in several languages. Our fine array of meals will amaze you, from the buffet breakfast to gourmet dinners, ice cream festivals, and night barbecues.
Day 2: Sunday
Santa Cruz (Highlands): Observe the twin pit craters and visit Cerro Chato. Observe the famous giant tortoises. Additionally, travelers can walk inside the dormant lava tubes.
Day 3: Monday
Española (Suarez Point): Dry landing. Learn about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Aside from its sea lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. Many species, like the hooded mockingbird and red-billed tropic bird, can be spotted and observed closely. Past the nesting grounds there’s the world’s largest colony of waved albatrosses. From May to December their mating rituals are a highlight of the visit. Afterwards there’s the famous blowhole, where water shoots 23 m (75 ft) up into the air.
Española (Gardner Bay): Wet landing on a white coral beach amidst a large colony of sea lions. This site has no trails, so hiking is not possible. It’s an open area where you can spot Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, hooded mockingbirds, three species of Darwin finches, yellow warblers, lava lizards, and marine iguanas. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling, and you can see many Galapagos marine species like king angelfish, creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Day 4: Tuesday
Floreana (Cormorant Point): Wet landing on a greenish-colored beach. Hike from black mangrove beds to a large brackish pond, which holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island is best known for its endemic plant life like the Galapagos milkwort, passion flower, and button mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice on the main beach with playful sea lions.
Champions: One-hour tour in a dinghy along the coast to observe: blue footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, and swallow-tailed gulls. Deep-water snorkeling, this unforgettable activity lasts about an hour and it will be like swimming in an aquarium with colorful fish, tame sharks, and rays.
Floreana (Post Office): Located on the northern side of Floreana Island, the bay was also called Post Office because, in 1793, Captain James Colnett installed an empty barrel to serve as an informal mailbox for sailors who passed by the Galapagos, taking with them the letters to their destinations. Today, our visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel which reach their destinations free of charge. It can take weeks or months, or sometimes the cards never arrive at all!
A short walk away from the famous barrel, there’s a tunnel formed by lava flows. Down a path you can observe the mocking bird of Galapagos, some species of Darwin’s finches, yellow warbler and lava lizards. After a short trip in the panga, you’ll make a dry landing at Lookout Point where you can enjoy a great view among marine birds.
Day 5: Wednesday
North Seymour: Dry landing. Guests will see swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. See iguana species, the marine iguanas and land iguanas, and then hike around the nesting sites.
Disembark at the docks (Baltra); passengers will take a bus to the airport for their flight back to the mainland to Quito. For 7 nights passengers remain on board.
Galapagos to Quito. Transfer in– hotel accommodation
Day 6 Quito – Otavalo:
The tour includes Calderon, a village known for its decorative bread dough figurines, the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, landscapes of towering volcanoes with amazing opportunities for taking pictures, the crater lagoon of Cuicocha, and finally the leather-making village of Cotacachi. Overnight at a hacienda.
Day 7 Otavalo – “Chaski Antawa” Train:
The “Chaski Antawa” train (messenger train) runs on the railway built at the beginning of the 20th century connecting the northern highlands to the tropical coast. From Ibarra, the train climbs down to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui, through sugarcane plantations, magical landscapes, and tunnels and crossing bridges that span deep canyons and gullies. The 26-km ride to Salinas plunges from 2,200 down to 1,500 meters above sea level (7,216 to 4,920 feet) in only about two hours. Other sites include Otavalo and its famous indigenous arts and crafts market, the largest in South America. Back to Quito and hotel accommodation
Day 8 Quito:
Colonial city tour: Explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía (Society of Jesus Church) and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. Drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan. Finish the day at the "Panecillo" hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city. Hotel accommodation
Day 9 Quito - Baños:
Towards the south, visit Ecuador’s first National Park Cotopaxi, home to the highest active volcano on Earth. You can explore the Andean moorlands with numerous species of highland birds, or hike up to the snow line 15,800 feet (4,800 meters). Accommodation at hosteria in Baños – Gateway to the Amazon. Hotel accommodation
Day 10 Baños-Ingapirca-Cuenca:
Start your day with a drive through some of the most picturesque indigenous areas of the country. Continuing south we visit Ingapirca ruins before arrive to Cuenca for overnight.Hotel accommodation
Day 11 Cuenca – El Cajas-Guayaquil:
Visit the prettiest colonial city in the country. After breakfast let its cobblestone streets, graceful wrought-iron balconies, and flowered plazas captivate you. Its market places and handicrafts are living testimony to the region s rich indigenous and artisan heritage. City panoramic overview, head to the Turi viewpoint. After enjoying this outstanding view, later visit a Panama hat factory.
Departure to the coast, passing through El Cajas National Park. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes with at least 200 lagoons, like the famous La Toreadora, this path takes you from 4000 mts. to the sea level in 3 hours, making it possible to observe the different habitats in Ecuador, the moorlands, the Andean forest, the subtropical forest, and the rainforest. After lunch in Cajas, drive to Guayaquil. Hotel accommodation
Day 12 Guayaquil: Transfer out. End of services.
