OPTIONAL OR EXTENSION
ECUADOR INCLUDING GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
7 DAYS AND 6 NIGHTS

ECUADOR

One of the most magnificent countries in Latin America….Ecuador has everything, history, culture, archaeological sites, nature, native market, The Andean Mountains, the mighty Amazon rainforest, plus some of the most beautiful and preserved colonial cities in Latin America and to top all this…you will find the amazing Galapagos Islands, 600 miles due west of mainland. It is a seafaring safari to a world where nature reigns supreme…!!  

ITINERARY

DAY 01 ARRIVE QUITO.

Arrive Quito and private transfer to your hotel.

DAY 02 QUITO- City tour

Morning drive along the northern residential section and see the impressive Parliament Building. Then stroll downtown to visit the colonial temple and monasteries designated by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Visit San Augustine Convent with its colonial cloisters, coffered ceilings and vast collection of paintings. Continue to the Independence Plaza flanked by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building and Archbishop’s Palace. Next, visit the great church and Monastery of San Francisco with the Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Your scenic tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. (Breakfast)

DAY 03 QUITO – GALAPAGOS.

Transfer to airport.  

Arrive Baltra and transfer by car/ferry to Puerto Ayora and to your hotel for 4 nights. (Breakfast)

DAY 04 GALAPAGOS. Full day excursion by boat.

Bartolomé Island: Bartolomé Island is a volcanic islet in the Galápagos Islands group. It is a volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island. It is one of the “younger” islands in the Galápagos archipelago. With a total land area of just 1.2 km², this island offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations. Bartolomé has a volcanic cone that is easy to climb and provides great views of the other islands. Bartolomé is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island, and the most representative landmark of the Galápagos. It has two visitor sites. At the first one, 

you may swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock; the underwater world there is impressive. You can snorkel with the penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other tropical fish. (Breakfast, lunch).

NOTE: Your visit to the island depends on what day of the week you arrive, either way you will have 2 full days by boat and 1 land excursion. Excursion are subject to confirmation from the National Park.

DAY 05 GALAPAGOS. Full day excursion by boat.

North Seymour Island: North Seymour is a small island near to Baltra Island in the Galapagos Islands. It was formed by uplift of a submarine lava formation. The whole island is covered with low, bushy vegetation.

This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts one of the largest populations of frigatebirds in Galapagos. North Seymour has a visitor trail approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) in length crossing the inland of the island and exploring the rocky coast. North Seymour is an extraordinary place for breeding birds, and is home to one of the largest populations of nesting blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Pairs of blue-footed boobies can be seen conducting their mating ritual as they offer each other gifts, whistle, and honk, stretch their necks towards the sky, spread their wings, and dance -showing off their bright blue feet. (Breakfast, lunch)

DAY 06 GALAPAGOS. Full day Tortuga Bay & Darwin Research Station

Full Day Tortuga Bay/Darwin Tortuga Bay is located to the southwest of Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Its name means “turtle”, and the island received this moniker because it is sea turtles favorite place to lay their eggs. The stunning white sand beach is considered by many the most beautiful in the Galapagos archipelago.

The beach is reached via a marked and cobbled two-kilometer path that starts at the west end of Charles Binford Street; guests must sign in and out at the National Park control point at the beginning of the path- it is open from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily. There is excellent bird-watching along the path, with plenty of Darwin’s finches and other sea birds. And for active visitors, it is a great place to kayak, snorkel and surf!

The headquarters of the Galapagos National Park Service and The Charles Darwin Research Station are located side by side on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. There is an interpretation center open to the public and also one may view the tortoise rearing program. Those guests who do not have the opportunity to explore the highlands of Santa Cruz and see tortoises in their natural habitat will have the chance to see tortoises here. And for those who have already seen them in the wild, a visit to the Centre will expand their knowledge of this unique, iconic Galapagos animal. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

DAY 07 GALAPAGOS – GUAYAQUIL OR QUITO-LIMA

Assistance & shared transfer to local airport.

Arrive Guayaquil or Quito and connect with your international flight to Lima, Peru. (Breakfast)