GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
and

Ecuadorian Highlands

Sample Group Itinerary  -  2011/2012

13 Days / 12 Nights

Appropriate for Any Time of the Year

Day 1  -  Tuesday.  U.S. to Quito.
We depart the U.S. today, and fly to Quito, Ecuador’s capital city.  Late night arrival in Quito, and transfer to our hotel for overnight.  Hotel Dann Carlton (or similar).

Day 2  -  Wednesday.  Quito.
The morning is free rest up, or to begin exploring Quito on your own.  The afternoon will be spent visiting some of Quito’s many points of interest including the old town, La Compania Church, the San Francisco Monastery, Independence Plaza, and the Legislative Palace,  among others.  A special welcome dinner is planned for tonight at a local restaurant.  Hotel Dann Carlton (or similar).  (B,D)

Day 3  -  Thursday.  Quito – San Cristobal Island (Galapagos).
After breakfast, we transfer back to the airport and board a flight to the Galapagos Islands.  We arrive at San Cristobal Island, which is where Charles Darwin started his visit to the islands.  We visit the island this afternoon, and see some of its varied wildlife, including blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, herons, sea lions, dolphins, and marine iguanas.  We may also see a unique species of lava lizard or mockingbird, found only on this island.  We board the Superior First Class Motor Yacht – the M/Y Monserrat, for a 7-night trip through the islands.  The Monserrat is a beautiful yacht, featuring 8 cabins, along with a crew of 8 and a naturalist.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,D)

Day 4  -  Friday.  Espanola Island.
Today we visit Espanola, the oldest of these islands.  Among the wildlife highlights are marine iguanas, Espanola lava lizards, boobies (Nazca, red-footed, and blue-footed), and birds such as the Waved Albatross, Swallow-Tailed Gulls, Hood Mockingbirds, and Galapagos Hawks.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,L,D)

Day 5  -  Saturday.   Santa Fe Island – Plazas Islands
Our first stop today is Santa Fe Island.  Red-billed tropic birds, shear-water petrels, swallow-tailed gulls, lava lizards, and land iguanas are common here.  The island is also home to the Opuntia Cactus, which is the largest cactus variety found in the Galapagos.  Later we visit the South Plaza Island, with land and marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, tropical birds, sesuvium plants and cactus.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,L,D)

Day 6  -  Sunday.  Santa Cruz Island.
Today is spent on Santa Cruz Island.  The village of Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the islands.  Here we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station with its tortoise center, as well as the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, notable for its flora.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,L,D)

Day 7  -  Monday.   Tower (Genovesa) Island.
Red-footed boobies, the world’s only species of nocturnal gulls, swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds, finches, terns, and petrels are among the bird-life here.  And the island’s bay (created by a volcanic crater), features a variety of marine life, including manta rays.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,L,D) 

 Day 8  -  Tuesday.  Bartolome  -  Sullivan Bay.
Galapagos Penguins, herons, and lava cacti are features of Bartolomé, our first stop.  This volcanic island also offers green turtles nesting seasonally, and a wide variety of marine life near its shore, such as tropical fish, marine turtles, penguins, and white-tipped reef sharks.  Then we visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island.  Sally Lightfoot Crabs and marine iguanas are popular here.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,L,D)

 Day 9  -  Wednesday.  Bachas Beach  -  North Seymour Island.
Bachas Beach, on Santa Cruz Island, is our first visit of the day.  Sally Lightfoot Crabs, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and cacti are abundant.  On North Seymour Island, birds are everywhere, including pelicans, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and frigate birds.  Sea lions and marine iguanas are also found on North Seymour.  M/Y Monserrat.  (B,L,D)

Day 10  -  Thursday.  Kicker Rock – San Cristobal – Quito.
We’ll pass Kicker Rock, with lots of birds and marine life, before returning to San Cristobal Island this morning.  The disembark, and transfer to the airport for our flight back to Quite.  On arrival in Quito, we drive to our hotel.  Evening at leisure.  Dann Carlton Hotel.  (B)

Day 11  -  Friday.  Quito  -  Otavalo.
This morning we’ll travel north from Quito to reach the Otavalo area.  We’ll visit several points of interest, including the village of San Antonio de Ibarra, which is famous for its wood-carved handicrafts.  We’ll also visit the town of Cotacachi, specializing in leather goods, and visit Lake Cuicocha.  Lunch served enroute.  In the afternoon we arrive at our “hacienda” near the town of Otavalo, where we’ll have dinner and overnight.  Hacienda Pinsaqui (or similar).  (B,L,D)

Day 12  -  Saturday.  Otavalo  -  Quito.
This morning we’ll visit the famous Otavalo Market.  Saturday is the principal market day here.  The market actually consists of three different markets – animals, produce, and handicrafts.  We’ll have ample time to visit the market, particularly the handicraft area.  We’ll have lunch before returning to Quito.  Dann Carlton Hotel.  (B,L)

Day 13  -  Sunday.  Quito – U.S.
Early this morning we depart our hotel and transfer back to the airport for our flight back to the U.S.  We arrive back home this afternoon or evening, full of memories of the Galapagos Islands and the history and culture of the Ecuadorean Highlands.

Included Meal Codes:
  B  -  Breakfast
  L  -  Lunch
  D  -  Dinner

Included Features:
  -  Transfers between all airports and hotels/yacht
  -  5 Nights Accommodations at quality First-Class and Deluxe hotels, with private facilities
  -  7-Night Cruise of the Galapagos Islands on the M/Y Monserrat
  -  Meals as indicated
  -  Land transportation for tours and included features
  -  Services of a professional English speaking guides while in the Highlands area, as well as naturalist while cruising the Galapagos Islands
  -  Admission fees to all included attractions
  -  Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation.

Price Does Not Include:
  -  Airfare, airport taxes and security related fees
  -  Meals not described in the itinerary
  -  Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, and naturalist
  -  Travel Insurance
  -  Items of a personal nature, such as telephone/internet usage, laundry, bottled water and other alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, etc.
  -  Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary.