GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR SAMPLER ITINERARY

DAY 1, SATURDAY: ARRIVE ECUADOR

As you clear customs at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito, Ecuador your private driver and guide will meet you and assist you with your luggage. They will transfer you to your hotel. En route you will receive a brief overview of Quito and answer any questions you may have.
(Hotel)

DAY 2, SUNDAY: VISIT THE OTAVALO VALLEY & CRAFT VILLAGES OF ECUADOR'S HIGHLANDS

Heading north along the Pan-American highway you will visit some of the best craft villages in South America. The local villagers have been practicing these handicraft techniques for hundreds of years and along the way you'll be invited into their workshops.  If you do choose to venture out be sure to visit the weaving village of Peguche where master weavers demonstrate the skills passed down for generations. You can also enjoy a short walk to a local waterfall.

After lunch you may wish to enjoy a stroll along the historic shores of Lake San Pablo, the site of one of the great battles between the Inca's and the local people. Here you can observe the beautiful scenery created by this lake, which sits inside a volcanic crater. The afternoon can be topped off with a visit to the Village of Cotacachi famous for its leather goods before settling into your historic Hacienda for the night for the night.

DAY 3, MONDAY: VISIT THE FAMOUS OTAVALO MARKET & TRAVEL TROPICAL RAINFOREST

You'll begin your day with a visit to the famous Otavalo Market one of the most spectacular markets in Latin America and home to a variety of handicraft items including textiles, leather goods, wood carvings, jewelry, musical instruments, dolls and much more.

From Otavalo you head west to one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world, the resort itself it set upon 130 acres of tropical plant, flowers and fruit trees. Home to a plethora of tropical birds it's a true sanctuary unto itself. Upon arrival at the Spa, settle in and perhaps indulge yourselves on one of the many spa treatments available or perhaps a tempting visit the to see how chocolate is made.
(B, L, D...Hotel)

DAY 4, TUESDAY: EXPLORE THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST & EVENING RETURN TO QUITO

The choice is yours today to choose between a series of tours, from discovering the primary forest, learning the medicinal values of native plants from a local shaman or attending a workshop to learn local secrets for creating jewelry or tropical floral arrangements - the day is your to delight and explore the local scenery & culture. In the early evening your driver will take you back to Quito.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 5, WEDNESDAY: TRAVEL TO GALAPAGOS, CHARLES DARWIN INTERPRETATION CENTER, FRIGATEBIRD HILL & KAYAKING TOUR

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in the Galapagos your guide will be waiting to meet you and transfer with you to your hotel.  You will have time to relax and unpack before lunch and your afternoon tour of the Charles Darwin Interpretation Center, an excellent introduction to the Galapagos Islands.

Leaving the Interpretation Center a short hike takes us to Frigatebird Hill where we can view the nesting place of both Magnificent Frigatebirds and Great Frigatebirds as well as a variety of other sea birds including the renowned blue footed boobies.  Finishing our hike we board our kayaks where we can discover the wildlife up close in our secluded bay.
(B, L...Hotel)

DAY 6, THURSDAY: VISIT ISLA LOBOS, KICKER ROCK & MANGLECITO

Our full day excursion heads up the coast from San Cristobal we stop first at Isla Lobos where we are able to snorkel with the friendliest sea lions in all of Galapagos.  Then a short ride takes us to Kicker Rock a basalt monolith rising out of the sea. 

Kicker Rock is interesting both for the wildlife above and below the water level.  Above the water there are flocks of birds nesting along the crags of the rock on each living on a different level almost as if they are floors of an apartment building.  Below the water school of fish, rays, sea turtles and sharks are waiting to be discovered.  Our final visit is to the beautiful beach at Mangelicto where we can enjoy a walk discovering the mangrove environment.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 7, FRIDAY: SEE TORTOISES IN THE WILD, EL JUNCO LAKE & COFFEE PLANTATION

Today we head into the highlands, we begin with a visit to the Tortoise preserve where we can observe these gentle giants roaming free in the natural environment.  Here we can also observe yellow warblers, Darwin finch and a number of endemic plant species.

Continuing in the highlands we visit El Junco one of the few fresh water lakes in Galapagos.  This is a favorite site for birders.  We continue to the Galapagos Coffee Plantation where we have a glimpse of life in the Galapagos and enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to town.
(B, D...Hotel)

DAY 8, SATURDAY: VISIT LA LOBERIA & RETURN TO QUITO

Our final morning in Galapagos we begin with a visit to La Loberia where we can see Marine Iguana and Sea Lions up close.  From La Loberia we return to the airport for our flight back to the continent.

Arriving in Quito we will transfer back to our hotel and the rest of the evening is free for us to enjoy some last minute shopping.

(B, D...Hotel)

DAY 9, SUNDAY: ECUADOR DEPARTURE

In the morning you will be met and transferred to your international flight three hours prior to departure. Bon Voyage!
(B...Hotel)

*Please note the itinerary may vary due to changes in air schedules, weather, national park regulations, local conditions, safety or unforeseen emergencies.

TOUR DATES

This tour is available year round upon individual request - a minimum of 2 people is necessary
Please note Christmas and New Years departures are subject to higher rates.

DETAILED ITINERARY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST