• Guided city tour through the colonial center of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage Site), among others, including visits to these sites: the Parliament of Ecuador, the Independence Square, Cathedral (16th century), Presidential Palace, the Baroque La Compañía de Jesus Church, the church of San Francisco (16th century), Panecillo Hill

• Excursion to Mitad del Mundo (“Center of the Earth”) including visit to Solar Museum (“Museo Intiñan”)

• 5-day cruise on the Yacht Encantada (Tourist Superior Class) around the Galápagos Islands, one of the major natural treasures worldwide

 

 

Day 1: Arrival at Quito
Welcome to the capital of Ecuador. Your English speaking guide meets you at the airport and takes you to the ***Boutique Hotel Casa Foch*** (or similar). (-/-/-)

 

Day 2: City Tour & Mitad del Mundo
After breakfast, you will enjoy a city tour (in private vehicle), introducing you to the metropolis’ colonial neighborhoods. Quito’s historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, is considered the location with the largest accumulation of art treasures in South America. You will visit Plaza de la Independencia, view the unique Jesuit Church La Compañía de Jesús and the Cathedral. and those among us unafraid of heights have the opportunity to climb ladders to scale the basilica’s tower – a braveness rewarded with a legendary view over the entire city Quito! You meander through the colorful Mercado Central market and will also get a chance to buy delicious tropical fruit there. The tour continues to Quito’s landmark, the Panecillo Hill, with its panoramic view over the city. You then ride to Mitad del Mundo, a monument denoting the location of the equator a few kilometers north of Quito. There you will also pay the near-by Museo Intiñan a visit and then return to Quito. Overnight in same hotel as previous day. (B/-/-)

 

Day 3: Beginning of 5-Day Galapagos Cruise – Flight to Baltra
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Baltra. Let your Galapagos adventure begin! Your 5-day cruise is aboard the Yacht Encantada (Tourist Superior Class). Baltra Island is probably the best known and usually the first island visitors to Galapagos enter, since the domestic airport is located there. However, the island does not have any landmarks nor accommodation. You will head to Charles Darwin Station, on Santa Cruz Island. The research center was founded in 1959 for the purpose of protecting the Galapagos Islands’ flora and fauna. There, you will learn many interesting details of the islands’ history and other things worthwhile to know, and visit the tortoise breeding station. This is where “Lonely George” lives – the last living tortoise of his subspecies. Overnight onboard the yacht. (B/L/D)

 

Day 4: Point Cormorant, Post Office Bay (Floreana)
Floreana Island has become notorious for its legends. Among others, Margaret Wittmer, a German writer, lived there. There you may watch giant tortoises. From Punta Cormorant, you see a salt water lagoon and its inhabitants, flamingos. Right there, on the white sandy beach is Post Office Bay, where you may deposit your post cards, trading them, hoyouver, for those of other Galapagos travelers, which you will then mail from the continent. (B/L/D)

 

Day 5: Gardner Bay, Suarez Point (Española)
Today you continue to Española Island. Gardner Bay is an excellent site to watch sea lions in their natural habitat, sometimes you may even spot turtles. Mockingbirds swirl around the visitors‘ heads. This beach is the perfect place to relax – and an ideal place for snorkeling … together with peaceful sharks! Suarez Point is the home of many blue-footed boobies. (B/L/D)

 

Day 6: Sleeping Lion, Lobos Island (San Cristobal), Santa Fe
Today you visit Leon Dormido, where you will meet many tropical bird species and blue-footed boobies. The crystal clear water allows you to spot many different fish species, even from the land. On Lobos Island, blue-footed boobies breed. It is also an ideal site for snorkeling. After that, you head on to Santa Fe Island, also called Barrington Island. It is one of the oldest Galapagos Islands – examination of the lava have shown that its age is around 3 million years. The island is home to some special animal species, such as iguanas and the slightly poisonous Galapagos snakes. (B/L/D)

 

Day 7: North Seymyour, Baltra Airport – Flight to Quito
The last island you will visit is North Seymyour, which is populated by a large number of blue-footed boobies. Also sea lions can be seen there. Then you ride back to Baltra, where your airline is already waiting for you to take you back to Quito. Your tour guide meets you at the airport again, to take you to the hotel in Quito, where you will spend your last night of this trip. (B/-/-)

 

Day 8: Departure
The time has come to say good-bye to a wonderful country and great experiences. Transfer to the airport, where your guide will still assist you. (B/-/-)

 

 

Services Included

 

• English-speaking guides in Quito and during your cruise

• All flights, rides, transfers, excursions as stated in tour description

• Accommodation and Meals as stated in tour description

Not Included

 

• Meals not listed and all drinks

• Entrance fees: Citytour (ca. 13 USD), Galápagos Nationalpark (ca. 110 USD)

• International exit and airport tax (approx. 45 USD)

• Tips, Personal expenses and optional activities

• Snorkeling equipment and wetsuit (approx. 40 USD)

 

 

Please note

• Participants must have a valid international health insurance.
• We reserve the right to change the tour program due to force majeure, weather or organizational reasons.