Ecuador and the Galapagos
Day 1 Depart Chicago Thursday Late arrival TRANSFER AIRPORT/HOTEL IN GUAYAQUIL-
TO HOTEL HAMPTON INN
Day 2 Friday Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
Arrival by plane to Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the Itabaca Channel connecting the Islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz. Cross the channel by ferry and then take a bus through the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to Puerto Ayora. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then visit the town of Puerto Ayora and board the ISABELA II in the evening.
Day 3 Saturday Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can look for Hammerhead sharks, snorkeling along the cliffs. Lunch on board.
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island)
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) and then a leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and the short-eared owl. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
Day 4 Sunday Isabela Island
Early morning cruise (6h00) around Roca Redonda, optional wake-up call. After breakfast, panga ride along the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca to observe boobies, gulls and sea lions. Snorkeling is possible (water will be very cool). The ISABELA II then continues navigating along Bolívar Channel for whale and dolphin spotting. Special Ecuadorian lunch.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks and the flightless cormorant. We have a dry landing for a one mile walk. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Briefing and dinner.
Day 5 Monday Puerto Egas (James Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Good snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Lunch on board.
Bartolome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, to enjoy the beach (wet landing), snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.
Day 6 Tuesday Guayaquil
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the continent.
Transfer to Dann Carlton Hotel.
Day 7 Wednesday Guayaquil
This morning you will be picked up from the lobby of the Dann Carlton at 08:30am for your day of sightseeing.Drive along the northern residential section and see the Parliament Building, whose stone mural registers the history of Ecuador. Then stroll downtown and visit the colonial templesand monasteries of this urban jewel, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Visit St. Augustine Convent, it colonial patio, cloisters, coffered ceilings and the vast collection of paintings depicting the life of St. Augustine. Then explore Independence Square, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Continue to the Church of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and the atrium lead to its gilt interior, a Baroque influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, located 25 Kilometers (16 miles) north of Quito, marks the exact Middle of the World latitude 0 degrees, where you can stand with a foot on each side of the hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the great diversity of Ecuador’s native groups. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town complete with Main Square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops that sell postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator. Lunch at a local restaurant. This evening you will get to experience the cultural side. You will be picked up at 6:20pm
Visiting the ECUADOREAN FOLKLORE BALLET JACCHIGUA .
The Quichua term Jacchigua means the infinite joy of the harvest, and this is how the Ecuadorian
Folklore ballet Jacchigua gathers the richness of the Ecuadorian Culture, showing the world the
ancestral traditions and customs of Ecuador, a pluricultural, multiethnic and plurilingual country.
Ninety dancers, musicians, technicians and social investigators put their knowledge and artistic
sensitivity on the stage, creating these choreographies to show the past and present splendor of
the people of Ecuador. This ballet represents most of the ancient cultures of Ecuador. The ballet
includes several dances that represent the different communities that lived in Ecuador’s past.
Day 8 Thursday, On the road to Quito
You will be picked up at the hotel at 08:10am for a the OTAVALO MARKET TOUR
Otavalo is South America’s most famous Indian fair. Here, Otavalenos barter in silence, in
marked contrast to the raucous noise of the other markets. An early departure from Quito
takes you through dramatic mountain scenery. You will have ample time to visit the famous
markets and stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets filled with Otavalo Indians wearing blue
ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or
haciendas. Private tour includes additional visit to the wood carving town of San Antonio de
Ibarra or the leather shops in Cotacachi.
Day 9 Friday Quito
Pick-up from hotel is at 08:30. The westbound road from Baeza continues climbing steadily for
some 40 km. Until the village of Papallacta. “Papallacta pass". East of Quito via the Cumbaya
Valley is an area of breath taking scenery which offers excellent paramo zone birding.
This road leads down the Eastern slope of the Andes, toward the Oriente, Ecuador's Amazon basin.
Within an hour new and interesting species can be seen. About 1½ km beyond the village,
on the right as you head to Quito, are the Aguas Temales or natural hot spings of Papallacta.
There is a pool but the springs are not overly developed and their setting is grand; on a clear
day you can se the snow capped Antisana (5704 metres) about 15 km to the south.
The hottest spring is very hot, and there’s a refreshing cold plunge pool.
The setting is beautiful, the pools are clean, and there are very few visitors midweek,
although a few Quiteños may arrive at weekends. Papallacta is a nice place to relax and
soak away the aches and pains of a jungle expedition. Quito is only 60 km away, but the drive
is difficult and spectacular. The road climbs over the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes via a pass
which is nearly 4100 metres in height and sometimes snow covered. This pass a rim literally on
the Amazon basin. If you are driving up from the Oriente, be prepared for the cold.
Beyond the pass is the valley of Quito. This tour is provided only in private basis, departure
early in the morning, in order to enjoy all wonderful landscapes of this tour. At noon you will have
lunch at one of the country inn restaurants
Day 10 Saturday Quito - Home
Transfer to airport and fly home
For information and cost call 1 800 853 6736
or Contact Us
Galapagos Islands Diving
DIVING CHARTERS AVAILABLE - ESTRELLA DEL MAR I:
Full Live Aboard Galapagos Island Diving Cruise - Darwin and Wolf
Please find below information about diving in the Galapagos.
Estrella del Mar
First Class Yacht:
Specifications:
Category: First Class Yacht
Length 80 feet
Beam 21,3 feet
Speed 9 knots
Electricity: 110 Volts
A large Staging area, air compressor, tanks, weights and diving equipment
8 double cabins with private bathroom, air conditioner and hot water.
Fully Air Conditioned Social Areas. TV – DVD
7 crew members plus a SCUBA DIVE MASTER.
All safety equipment complies with international coast guard and Dan regulations.
What is Included in the Galapagos Diving Cruise?
Accommodations on Board
All the meals
Purified Drinking Water, Coffee, Tea
Naturalistic Bilingual Guide Level 3
All the transfers in Galapagos
What is not Included?
National Park Tax Fee: $ 100 USD (subject to change anytime)
Flight Ticket to Galapagos : From Quito : $ 419 USD (RT) , (subject to change anytime)
Personal Diving Equipment: Wet Suit, Regulators, BCD, fins, mask, etc..
Live aboard including Darwin and Wolf islands are recommended for intermediate and
advanced divers with experience in strong currents and 7
mm. wet suit.
Galapagos Diving Itinerary:
- Day 1, Monday: Baltra Airport, Caleta Tortuga Negra, Punta Carrion, Check out Dive.
- Day 2, Tuesday: North Seymour
- Day 3, Wednesday: Darwin (El Arco).
- Day 4, Thrusday: Darwin (El Arco)
- Day 5, Friday: Wolf Island
- Day 6, Saturday: Marshall Cape
- Day 7, Sunday: Cousin`s Rock - Puerto Ayora : Highlands
Day 8, Monday: Black Turttle Cove - Baltra (Airport)
For other adventure travel