14 Day – Galapagos, Eastern Islands and Ecuador Andes
Tour through the wonderful Ecuador
INCLUDED:
- Flight from Quito Galapagos Quito
- Quito Santiago de Chile to Eastern Island to Santiago round trip.
- Inter Island flights Galapagos
- Private ground transportation and airport assistance
- Great Hotels for all nights.
- Meals as indicated (B)reakfast, (L)unch and (D)iner.
- English Speaking Guides.
- Entrance fees to Eastern Island, Galapagos and all sites in Ecuador and Chile.
- Bottle drinking water every day
- Hikes
- Explorations daily with Guide
- Boat for Galapagos
FLIGHT FROM U.S. TO QUITO, ECUADOR
Usually, you will arrive late at night, In Quito airport our driver and guide will transfer you to your comfortable hotel and we will assist you with anything. We will give you short explanation about the next day and Quito’s Old Town. Enjoy your rest.
OLD QUITO, LATITUDE ZERO ON VOLCAN PULULAHUA
After a great breakfast our guide will walk you in the bohemian old part of the colonial city of Quito that was founded in the 15 century, great and amazing activities on the streets, like art and other local festivities and music. You will see the Plaza de la Independency (plaza Grande), The Vasilica with its unique architect, one of the unesco heritage buldings. After adventure starts heading north out of Quito. After a quick stop at the equatorial monument that is consider the center of the world where we will enjoy and incredible lunch of local cuisine, after travel to the most amazing sierra of Ecuador to enjoy the night (B, L)
CUICOCHA CRATER LAKE
After a great breakfast this morning, we drive by unique natural areas and communities to Cuicocha, a crater lake collected in a secondary caldera of the extinct Cotacachi Volcano. Cuicocha translates as “Lake of the Guinea Pigs,” named for the shape of its two central islets. The lake and surrounding slopes are protected as a nature reserve. At around 3,000 meters, Cuicocha’s ecosystem is a combination of paramo and Andean forest. We will find many unique plant species in this rare combination of two ecosystems. Our path circumvents the crater rim, revealing stunning views of the lake and the volcanoes Cotacachi, Mojanda, and Imbabura. We keep our eyes open for native wildlife, we have the opportunity to see llamas and if we are lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of the rare Andean Condor. After a great lunch, we stop to visit Cotacachi’s leather market; you can get some great gifts here to take back and Otavalo’s famous indigenous handicraft market. In the late afternoon we will visit the Cascada de Peluche which is 18 meters high, we head back to Hacienda Pinsaqui for another gourmet dinner and relaxing evening. (B, L)
ECUADOR – GALAPAGOS INTERPRETATION CENTER, HIKE AND SNORKEL TIJERETAS
After breakfast, pick up at the hotel to drive to the airport to connect to Galapagos for a morning flight from the mainland to San Cristobal Island, we continue to our hotel for an energizing lunch, introductions, and a short overview of our trip. Our Galapagos adventure starts with a visit to the local Interpretation Center where we learn about the unique wildlife, geology, natural history, and social dynamics of the Galapagos. Now that we know a little more about the islands we make our way to our first stop, Frigate Hill, where we might spot many of the unique avian species of the Galapagos. As we hike over natural lava rock trails our guides tell us all about the Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti surrounding us, as well as blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds and finches that we spot in the vegetation and sea cliffs. In addition to the diverse wildlife, this walking tour provides marvelous views of the rugged coastline and the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno below us. During the return trip we stop at beautiful Carola Beach for a dip, where we snorkel and swim with sea turtles and sea lions while enjoying a lovely sunset on the beach. We return to the hotel for a gourmet seafood dinner after which you can set out to explore the friendly, laid-back town and visit the colony of endemic Galapagos sea lions next door. (L, D)
SNORKEL THE NORTHERN COAST OF SAN CRISTOBAL
Today we explore the northern coast. We either visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), Punta Pitt or Cerro Brujo. The visiting site depends on the week day and the Galapagos National Park regulations. On our exploration trip we make sure to search the nearby coves and cliffs for sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and nazca boobies. Here we have the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions in their favorite playground. As we snorkel, we might see eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and thousands of tropical fish. If we’re lucky, we may even come across hammerhead sharks. As the sun sets on our day under the waves, we return to the hotel to for a relaxed evening. (B, L, D).
DISCOVER ISABELA’S BEACHES, LAGOONS, AND ISLETS – SNORKEL
Our journey continues to Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. It´s constantly changing and evolving due to the six shield volcanoes, rendering it one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet. After a short small aircraft flight we settle into our hotel. We then set out on a one-of-a-kind hike that will take us through an incredible variety of coastal ecosystems, along the way we spot giant tortoises, flamingos, and other wildlife as we pass through white sand beaches, the alluring poison apple forest, a gaping lava tube, dark mangroves and brackish lagoons. After a nourishing lunch we set out to explore Tintoreras, a group of small islets filled with hidden coves and isolated beaches. Here we find the endemic Galapagos penguin, as well as reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions. At the end of the day, we retire to our hotel. We finish the evening with a delicious dinner and an optional stroll down the expansive beach and the sand streets of idyllic Puerto Villamil. (B, L, D).
EXPLORE THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
An invigorating speedboat ride takes us to our next destination: Santa Cruz Island. Along the way we keep an eye out for whales and dolphins in the ocean around us. After checking in we head to El Chato nature reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the Galapagos giant tortoise. It is an honor to hike among these fascinating, gentle giants, who on average live to be over 175 years old. El Chato is also home to many pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets and the beautiful vermillion flycatcher. Our hike continues through some incredible lava tunnels created by flowing magma. Legend has it that the buccaneers who once frequented the Galapagos used these deep caves to hide Inca gold plundered from Spanish ships! After some pirate stories from our guides we head up to Los Gemelos, a pair of deep volcanic sinkholes at the high point of Santa Cruz. The path takes us through a forest of endemic Scalesia trees covered in ferns and epiphytes where we’ll keep a lookout for the resident short-eared owl. If there is enough time we may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where local scientists rear endemic plants and animals for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes. We’ll learn about the ongoing conservation efforts to protect the future of the Galapagos. In the late afternoon we return to the hotel and get ready to celebrate our once-in-a-lifetime trip with a delicious farewell dinner. We soak up the ambiance of our last night in the Galapagos with magnificent views of the brightly-lit ships in the bay and the town beyond. (B, L, D).
TRANSFER OUT TO QUITO AND TO SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Finally, it’s time bid a fond farewell as we transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland to connect to the international airport for your connection to the capital of Chile. ABOUT THIS JOURNEY (Galapagos) This journey is the result of a decade of exploration, research, trailblazing, and planning. Although many of the areas we visit are remote and previously uncharted, our adventure guides assure safe navigation through these secluded natural areas with the expert use of satellite imaging, topographic maps, and GPS technology.
SANTIAGO – CHILE – VISIT VIÑA SANTA RITA – EASTERN ISLAND
After pickup from your hotel in the morning or afternoon in an air-conditioned minivan, a pleasant 40-minute drive to the south of the city begins. During the trip, the guide will give you an introduction to the Maipo Valley and the vineyard that you are going to visit. It is the ideal time to ask any questions you have about the lifestyle of Chileans and their traditions. Near the vineyard there is a town called Alto Jahuel. This is where the people of Santiago come to escape the noises of the city. Upon arrival at the vineyard, marvel at the imposing scenery and magnificent house before the tour begins. The guided tour of the vineyards begins, starting with the wineries and ending with the wine bottling process. Visit the historic “Bodega 1” made of lime and stone and the famous national treasure: “Bodega de los 120 patriotas”. The tour concludes with a wonderful tasting of some of the best vintage wines. After this, you will have time to buy some souvenirs of your visit or bottles of wine from the region. We will transfer you to the Airport for your flight to Eastern Island, where you will be met by Magical Tours Peru staff who will bring you to the hotel for your evening accommodation. Once here, the rest of the day and night is to walk at the town and also yours to explore on your own. (B, L)
EASTER ISLAND
After breakfast at your hotel, your tour of Easter Island begins with a visit to see the Manutara bird paintings of Ana Kai Tangata cave, sacred to the warriors of Easter Island. Hiking is the best and see the huge lagoon crater of Ranu Kau volcano and visit the ceremonial city of Orongo at its base. Here, admire the island’s greatest concentration of petroglyphs, depictions of the Tangata manu birdman creator god. In the afternoon, visit the Ahu Akivi archaeological site in the island’s heart, and hear the legends of Ahu’s seven moai (head statues). On the way back to your hotel, visit the small town of Hanga Roa, where the statues’ signature red stone hats, or topknots, were quarried and sculpted. (B, L)
EASTER ISLAND
Breakfast at your hotel is followed by a full-day excursion to the ruins of the temple of Akahanga, where you’ll see the moais’ topknots lying tumbled on the ground. Next, visit the Rano Raraku volcano, whose rock was used to carve the island’s moai statues. If you climb to the edge of the crater and peer within, you’ll see the volcano’s lake and see moai in various stages of construction scattered around. Continuing to Ahu Tongariki, you’ll see where many moai were toppled by a large sea quake in 1960. In the afternoon, go for a swim at Anakena beach before revisiting the town of Hanga Roa and returning to your hotel. (B, L)
EASTER ISLAND
After breakfast at your hotel, you will have time on your own with amazing walks on the Town seeing the native Rapanua Families and visiting their colorful markets and their coast for the most amazing photos of the Moais and the Ocean. After in the night you will take to a show about how the ancient people use to cook their underground food with unique ways, that the family in charge will explain and you will test the delicious food on your choice, there will be dancers representing the ancient ways of the Rapanui Families culture and spiritual rituals. (B, D)
EASTERN ISLAND – HOME
On the last day of your vacation, your pickup will be scheduled according to your flight’s departure. Our staff will transfer you to the airport and assist you with what you need; this flight will be first to Santiago de Chile for connecting to Home. You might have free time for you to explore Santiago further. Late evening back to the Airport for your flight home. (B,) This marks the end of the service.
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
HOTELES: Are listed in each day, you can get more information by entering to their Web page, all of them have good internet Access and they are the best.
*Please note that exact pick up times and tour start times will be reconfirmed daily with your local guides.
*For more extended tours, it will be our pleasure to help you, just contact us and we will give you the best option.
*Hotel upgrades are available; please contact us to discuss your best options.
- Comfortable and suitable clothing for walking and exploring.
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses).
- Swimwear and towel.
- Camera or device for taking photos.
- Cash and credit/debit cards.
- Personal medications and special medical needs.
- Small backpack or bag.
- International air from the US to Quito and Santiago to US.
- Meals and services not mentioned in the program
- Personal expenses
- Laundry, phone bills, or any extra expenses
- Tips
- Extras
