The Best of Ecuador - The Galapagos Islands and the Haciendas of Ecuador
A Galapagos Islands cruise provides you with an intimate look at what Darwin called “a little world within itself”, a place where an amazing assortment of wildlife reigns in a peaceable kingdom. The Galapagos Island archipelago is the greatest natural wildlife show on earth! Add to your adventure in Ecuador an exploration of Quito, Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus visits to Ecuador’s highlands and archeological sites, “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, Pasochoa Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park, and the colorful Indian market at Otavalo, while you stay in charming and elegant Andean haciendas - and you’ve got an adventure travel experience that incorporates the BEST of Ecuador.
While you cruise the Galapagos Islands on a chartered and private luxury 16-passenger catamaran, seabirds follow in your wake and dolphins ride the crest of your waves. Snorkel among a dazzling display of brightly colored tropical fish, play tag with sea lions, and watch Galapagos Island penguins frolicking all around.
Where else in the world can you find Antarctic fur seals living right on the equator and birds that swim but don’t fly? Or sunflowers growing to treetop heights? Imagine the Galapagos Islands animals — iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and Galapagos penguins — that aren’t afraid of humans. The photographic opportunities in the Galapagos are simply awesome and unlimited!
Main Attractions
Experience the rare opportunity in the Galapagos Islands to mingle up-close with some of the most unusual creatures in the world — where the photographic opportunities are awesome!
Stay in luxury class accommodations on a privately chartered 16-passenger catamaran yacht in the Galapagos Islands.
Experience Ecuador’s highlands — national parks, the volcano region, world-famous Indian markets, and artisan villages — while staying in Ecuador’s most elegant and charming haciendas.
Explore the Andean city of Quito, Ecuador’s beautiful capital, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Enjoy total package arrangements, which make it very easy for you to experience the adventure without separately added expenses.
Twin-bedded double occupancy rooms in charming and elegant Andean haciendas; on a privately-chartered, luxury class M/C Anahi catamaran in the Galapagos; and at the 5-star, luxurious Swissôtel in Quito.
Dining
All meals are included from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 12.
About Liquor
Available with meals for additional cost.
Rates
$6,795.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Quito, Ecuador Depart from Miami on a late afternoon flight, arriving into Quito, Ecuador mid-evening. Transfer to the 5-star Swissôtel.
Day 2: Quito City Tour and Cochasqui Ruins Take a city tour of Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the second highest capital in South America. Visit interesting government buildings, the historic district, and the Ecuator Monument. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and continue your adventure to the archeological site of Cochasqui, to see “la ruinas of Cochasqui” and learn about the 13th century ancient culture of the area. Stay for two nights in an elegantly restored 17th century Andean hacienda.
Day 3: Visit the Huami Maqui Organization and Otavalo Market Visit a women’s cooperative that supports the education and health of children, and meet with local women to share in their traditions and culture. Then travel to the world renowned indigenous market in Otavalo, where you can find wonderful traditional weavings and handicrafts.
Day 4: Hacienda Zuleta Depart for the Andean cloud forest and your next Ecuadorian hacienda, a historic retreat and family farm owned by the former president of Ecuador. Experience four centuries of Ecuadorian history seeped in Pre-Colombian, Spanish, and Ecuadorian traditions. Learn about the haciendas Condor Huasi project, created to re-introduce captive condors to the wild, and teach the population about conservation and natural resources.
Day 5: Pasochoa to Cotopaxi Drive south for a visit to the temperate rainforest of Pasochoa Reserve, which protects the famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes” cloud forest in Ecuador. Then travel to our third historic and luxurious hacienda, built on the site of an important Inca palace, one of only two major Inca sites in Ecuador. Nestled in the foothills of the Cotopaxi volcano, this hacienda provides the perfect setting for hiking, horseback riding and enjoying its breathtaking natural beauty.
Day 6: Cotopaxi National Park and Return to Quito Visit Cotopaxi National Park, home of the world’s highest active volcano. Travel through interesting small towns on your way back to Quito, for overnight and dinner.
Day 7: Fly to Galapagos Islands, Board the Catamaran, and Sail to Plaza Island Fly from Quito to Baltra to board your home for the next week, the luxury catamaran, M/C Anahi Journey 1.
Sail to your first destination, Plaza Island. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. It is possible to guarantee the observation of land iguanas that often are in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs are swallow-tailed gulls, along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions.
Day 8: San Cristobol Interpretive Center, Tijeretas Hill, and Lobos Island Visit Cristobel Interpretive Center, where you get a good introduction to the marine life, and flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. Then walk to the top of Tijeretas Hill (Frigate Bird Hill). From here it is a spectacular view of white beaches and colonies of frigate birds. It is also a great place to snorkel.
In the afternoon, visit Lobos Island, a small island of tranquility and primitive beauty. It is home to colonies of blue-footed boobies nesting on its rocky shores and sea lions resting and swimming in calm waters.
Day 9: Española Island (Hood) On Hood Island, follow trails to find a unique species of mockingbird and the spectacular waved albatross. See masses of dragon-like marine iguanas, masked boobies, several species of endemic finches, frolicking sea lions, and red-beaked, long-tailed tropic birds. Snorkel and swim with playful sea lions in Gardner Bay.
Day 10: Floreana Island Drop your mail for delivery in a barrel! See a green sand beach and a nesting area for green turtles, stingrays, and white-tipped reef sharks. Visit Devil's Crown, a half-submerged volcanic cone, considered one of the most outstanding marine sites in the islands. See beaches of green sand (olivine crystals in the sand) and the “four sand beach,” made up of coral.
Day 11: Santa Cruz Island and Fly Back to Quito Visit the home of the Darwin Research Station, where international scientists conduct biological research to learn about preserving the Galapagos Islands. Visit the tortoise pens and hike to see tortoises in their natural environment.
In the afternoon, say good-bye to the the Galapagos Islands. Fly back to Quito and transfer to the Swisshôtel for your farewell dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Depart for the U.S.A. Early morning flight out of Quito, Ecuador to Miami, with connecting flights home.
3 nights at the 5-star, luxurious Swissôtel in Quito in twin-bedded double occupancy rooms with private facilities.
City tour of Quito and the Equator Monument.
All transfers from hotels to airports, services and taxes, and all ground transportation throughout the trip.
Tips for porters.
One Ecuadorian English-speaking guide throughout the Andes and Highlands portion.
2 nights at Hacienda Cusin, 1 night at Hacienda Zuleta, and 1 night at Hacienda San Agustin de Callo in twin-bedded double occupancy rooms, with all sightseeing, activities, Indian market visits, guided walks, park fees, and all meals included.
4 nights, 5 days aboard the privately-chartered, luxury class M/C Anahi catamaran - a fully-crewed, 16-passenger motor-yacht, with all meals included.
Boat accommodations in air-conditioned, spacious, twin-bedded double occupancy rooms with private bath in each room.
Snorkeling equipment available (flippers, masks, and snorkels) for a small fee.
Darwin Research Station-trained English-speaking naturalist guide on board our boat and an English-speaking guide in Quito.
One AdventureWomen trip escort throughout the entire trip.
Notes
What Clients Say About AdventureWomen “The trip exceeded my expectations, and that's saying a lot. Both are places I've wanted to visit and experience for almost as long as I can remember.”
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