Ecuador, with 4-Day Galapagos Islands Cruise

January 3 - 13, 2004

Join Sam Chafetz & Dr. Richard Schmitt to Explore Exotic Ecuador, with a 4-Day Galapagos Islands Cruise

Download PDF Itinerary

Our Daily Itinerary (subject to change):

Jan 3: USA – Ecuador
We depart today from Boston’s Logan Airport. Meals and snacks served on board. Upon arrival this evening in Quito we check into our hotel.
Mercure Accor Hotel or similar

Jan 4: Quito – Mitad del Mundo – Maquipucuna
After breakfast we depart for a place of great beauty and serenity—the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest. En route we stop at Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), where one may stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. We continue to the heart of Ecuador’s cloud forest to arrive at the pristine Maquipucuna Reserve, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Here we have the unique opportunity to see exotic species of birds, moths, butterflies, blooming orchids and bromeliads. We check into nearby Bellavista Lodge for a two-night stay.
(B, L, D) Bellavista Lodge or similar

Jan 5: Maquipucuna
After breakfast we return to enjoy the beauty of Maquipucuna. There are many self-guided nature trails and walks that provide the opportunity to explore the fascinating plant life. We return to Bellavista for dinner.
(B, L, D) Bellavista Lodge or similar

Jan 6: Bellavista – Otavalo – Quito
We depart Bellavista today for Quito, pausing en route at Otavalo, a small town justly famous for its friendly people and their Saturday Market. We arrive in Quito for overnight.
(B, L) Mercure Accor Hotel or similar

Jan 7: Tour of Quito
Ecuador’s capital city of Quito is divided into “Colonial Quito” (Old City) and modern Quito. The Old City remains much the same as it did at the end of the colonial period, while new Quito, with its gleaming office buildings and bustling crowds of business people, is leading Ecuador into the twenty-first century. The best way to see Colonial Quito is to walk its narrow streets. Important sights are Calle Morales, the main street of La Ronda district; Parque Almeda with the oldest astronomical observatory in South America, and the Plaza San Francisco containing the great church and monastery of the patron saint of Quito, San Francisco. The area around Avenida Amazonas comprises most of Quito’s modern business and tourist area, including excellent restaurants. (B) Mercure Accor Hotel or similar

Jan 8: Excursion to Papallacta and Paramo
Our excursion today takes us to Papallacta, a small village high up in the Eastern Cordilleras. It boasts the best hot springs of Ecuador and a beautiful landscape set off by the majestic glacier of Antisana. We travel through a high altitude ‘paramo’ region whose distinct flora and fauna is only found in the Andes. Its ecosystem is devoid of trees, with dark peat soils that support hardy grasses, small shrubs or bushes, and flowers that grow close to the ground. The climate is harsh with cold winds, foggy conditions, and occasional frosts at night. Situated so high and close to the equator, it receives high levels of ultraviolet light. We return to Quito for overnight. (B, L) Mercure Accor Hotel or similar

Jan 9: Quito - Galapagos Islands
Today we fly to the unique Galapagos Islands: an archipelago of thirteen volcanic islands that lies 620 miles to the west of mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. Here Charles Darwin recorded the observations that later formed his theory of natural selection. Present day visitors can observe the complex variations in the islands' varied wildlife species and how they differ from the mainland and from one island to another. After our flight to the islands, we board our chartered yacht for a four-day tour of various islands. All meals included while on board this luxury first class accommodation. Today we explore Baltra-Bachas.
(B, L, D) Overnight aboard Yacht

Jan 10: Galapagos Islands
Our Galapagos Island cruise and exploration today covers Rabida-Bartolome. (B, L, D) Overnight aboard Yacht

Jan 11: Galapagos Islands
Today we explore the Tower (Prince Phillips Steps and El Barranco). (B, L, D) Overnight aboard Yacht

Jan 12: Galapagos - Guayaquil
Our final day in the islands includes the Plaza South—Baltra. Then we depart on our flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and its economic center, for a relaxing final evening in Ecuador.
(B) Grand Hotel Guayquil or similar

Jan 13: Return to USA
We transfer to the airport for our return flight home to the U.S. A. (B)

11-Day Tour Includes

• Roundtrip Airfare
• 10 Night's Accomodation
• Multilingual Tour Guide
• Flight to and from Galapagos
• 4-Day Galapagos Cruise
• 22 Meals
• Sightseeing per Itinerary

$2999 p/p dbl. occ.
Single Supplement $500

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