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Ecuador's 4 Worlds: The Andes, Amazon, Lowlands, Galapagos Islands
offered by supplier M17988 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 14
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Ecuador
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: Yes
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 5595 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 9615 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Miami - Quito. Flight from Miami to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Colonial City Tour and/or the Middle of the World (5 hours). The tour begins with a great view of Orellana’s way and Guapulo Sanctuary (XVII Century). We will continue towards the downtown, where we will take a walk visiting the Independence Square, surrounded by historically important buildings, such us the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century).
Afterwards visit the Panecillo Hill where the Virgin of Quito, (the only winged virgin) is located. From this perspective you will be delighted by the spectacular view of Colonial Quito mainly. Then we will drive 15 Km. north of Quito, towards the Middle of the World. Here you will have two options, either to visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument, which shows a display of the main cultures of Ecuador. Or, visit the Inti Nan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum, located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses. You will be shown with different scientific experiments that you are truly stand on the 0° Meridian. Return to your hotel.
Day 3: Quito - Amazon Rainforest. Drive the same route taken by Francisco de Orellana on the way to explore the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, towards the Paramo at the Eastern Cordillera. During this trip you will appreciate the radical change of the landscape due to the altitude variation. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape at 3,300 meters above sea level you will find Papallacta Hot Springs. Here you will enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural, heated waters. Afterwards it is possible to take a short walk to observe the Paramo flora. Afternoon, we arrive to find canoes and paddlers to take us to the lodge.
Day 4: Amazon. For people interested in birds, wake up early (around 5 am) for bird-watching. If you prefer to sleep in, then your day will begin at 8 am, after breakfast we visit the Amazoonico Rescue Center. Here you will see some species of animals that live in this area. Later on, visit a local community that will teach you about their culture and life-style. Have a walk in the rainforest. Overnight in the lodge.
Day 5: Amazon. Choose from today’s morning and afternoon activities at the lodge. Overnight in the lodge.
Day 6: Amazon - Baños. Early in the morning, we continue towards Baños, taking the route Tena – Puyo. On the way it is possible to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Pastaza Canyon. Visit “El Pailón del Diablo” waterfall. Afternoon arrival in Baños, transfer to your hotel.
Day 7: Baños - Cuenca. After breakfast drive to Chimborazo Reserve where you will enjoy a nice trip passing through rural areas. At the Chimborazo Reserve you can see Llamas and Vicuñas on the road. Drive up to 4,800 meters above the sea level and hike up to the Refuge at 5,000 meters or just take your time to enjoy the impressive landscape at this altitude. Later we drive to Ingapirca Ruins where a walk through this place will take you back to the past and you’ll feel as though you belonged to this culture. In the afternoon drive to Cuenca, arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Day 8: Cuenca - Guayaquil. After breakfast enjoy a tour of Cuenca, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage of Mankind. After lunch drive to Guayaquil through the spectacular Cajas roads. After four hours of driving you will be delighted with the change of altitude and landscape. The road reaches 4,000 meters of altitude and is surrounded by a beautiful Paramo landscape, full of lakes. This adventure ends at sea level, where the agriculture of the coast plays an important role in the landscape. Arrive in Guayaquil and overnight.
Day 9: Galapagos. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra airport in the Galapagos. You will be received at the airport by our guides and then taken to the pier to join the M/V Galapagos Legend. Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors available to enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see large colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, bushes, and various cacti. Visitors will also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here it is possible to see the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance.
Day 10: Urbina Bay (Isabela). After a wet landing, passengers will go towards the fossil beach and then to the coral area. On the way and depending of the season it will be possible to observe many endemic organisms such as: giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs. They will also enjoy the flightless cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will note brachycereus cactus, and two kinds of lava formations "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA". Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.
Day 11: Santiago (Egas Port). Visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port during a wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is good for spotting and observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers, and the yellow crowned night heron. Passengers enjoy the sight of marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called "grottos". In this beach you can swim and snorkel in search of octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life.
Wet landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin which is frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands. A short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where you will occasionally find flamingos. July thru September is a good time of the year to observe how brown pelicans nest in the salty bushes found at the far side of the salty lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin's finches. Dingy ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.
Day 12: Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Station). Travelers will have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Travelers can also admire the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station takes around 40 minutes. After this visit, passengers will have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs. Across the highlands of Santa Cruz. Passengers will visit Cerro Chato. In this visit, you'll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Additionally, travelers can literally get into the Galapagos by walking in the dormant lava tubes.
Day 13: Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach). Wet landing at Bachas beach, located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will be encountered by different sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and passengers would have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in this white sand beach. Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 14: Guayaquil - Miami. Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Air transportation from Miami to Quito, Quito to Coca r/t, Guayaquil to Galapagos r/t, Guayaquil to Miami, coach class;
- Private transportation with English speaking guide including entrance fees to sites (tours in the Amazon are not private);
- Hotel accommodation including breakfast daily;
- 3 nights accommodation at the Sacha Lodge including all meals and activities;
- 4 nights cruise on the Galapagos Legend, superior outside cabin, Galapagos Park Entrance fee is included; all meals and shore excursions;
- Guided tours in English including all entrance fees.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Cultural Journey
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, ext: 17988
