Explore Quito & Galapagos 8 Days from US

Welcome to Quito! Transfer in Quito from the airport to the hotel.

Overnigh at select Hotel in Quito (Standard Room)

Included: transportation, English speaking guide, accommodation

Day 2: Quito

SHARED CITY TOUR OF QUITO + NORTHERN AND SOUTH HEMISPHERE EXPERIENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD (9 hours )

We begin in the northern part of the city with a tour along the most important commercial areas, where most of the hotels in Quito are located. Then we head to the historic center to visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional, where we will make a brief stop and explanation to later reach the Plaza de la Independencia, where through a walking route you will see the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the La Compañia Church, recognized for its adornments and gold altars. Tour will continue towards the Church of San Francisco, built in the seventeenth century. (Entrance to churches are not included). Then headed to the Mirador del Panecillo, a place renowned for its beauty, where you can admire a beautiful landscape of colonial and modern Quito. We will stop at the “Zona Rosa” of the city, approximately an hour and a half to have free time for lunch (not included), and then continue to the northem part of the city, heading up to the “Middle of the World City”(entrance is included) where the monument that divides the Northern from the Southern Hemisphere will be observed. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line. Includes entrance to Middle of the World where you can enjoy the cultural experience of the attractions of this privileged place.

NOTE: On Sunday, this tour operates in an inverted way, first you visit Middle of the World and then the city tour.

Overnigh at select Hotel in Quito (Standard Room)

Included: breakfast, transportation, local english speaking guide, excursion, accommodation

Day 3: Surroundings of Quito

Today you can enjoy one of the following share options: (reserved in advance)

OPTION 1: SHARED TOUR SUMERGE INTO ANCESTRAL OTAVALO CULTURE

SIB: Tuesday, Saturday -Pick-up time approx: 7h45m

Depart from Quito through the Pan-American North Highway until arriving to Cayambe, where the passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious “Bizcochos de Cayambe”, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven (greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce). Afterwards, we will make a brief stop at “Miralago”, to admire a wonderful view of Lago San Pablo, amazing views. The tour then continues to Otavalo where Otavaleños (natives) set up a market in which a bartering manner of shopping is taken place. The market hosts a variety of different handcrafted items. Passengers may choose between staying longer in Otavalo or go to visit to the leather shops at Cotacachi. On the way to Cotacachi, we will visit a traditional workshop of Andean instruments "Ñanda Mañachi" located in Peguche. In Cotacachi you have enough time to visit the village, the shops of leather goods and free time for lunch, (not included). Return to Quito picking up passengers in Otavalo (spot determined by the Guide).

** Bus will wait for 10 minutes in Otavalo to pick up passangers that stayed there, after that will return to Quito with passengers that are on board.

OPTION 2: SHARED TOUR FEEL THE ANDES VOLCANOES ADVENTURE (COTOPAXI & QUILOTOA VOLCANOES) (12 hours)

SIB: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - Pick-up time approx: 07h00

Departure by bus from through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route, as a clear sign of the majesty of the Andes. We continue to the Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foot of the impressive active volcano. Visit the Museum Park, the Limpiopungo Lagoon and and through an interesting hike will reach the forest of chuquirahuas to 4200 meters. (if the weather permits). We reach the Quilotoa Volcano, which has in its crater a stunning turquoise lagoon, making it one of the most beautiful landscapes of Ecuador. We take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if weather conditions allow). Free time for lunch (not included).

OPTION 3: SAHRED FULL DAY MINDO

SIB: Monday and Friday - Pick-up time: 07h43

We will leave from Quito and take the road to the Coast and in only two hours, we will arrive to Mindo, located in the middle of a humid forest. This is a considered one of the most biodiverse areas in Ecuador and home to some of the most amazing hummingbirds and butterflies. Once in Mindo, if you choose the option without tickets, you are free to enjoy Mindo at your own pace. For those who purchase the option with tickets, we will start our day before the sun goes away with the famous Butterfly Farm where thousands of butterfly grow (there are more than 100 species here), you will certainly be greeted by some of them! We will then go up the hill where people who want to enjoy some of the most adrenalineintensive experiences can zip line in 20 lines across the forest. The rest will still get the chance to admire this forest in its full splendor by crossing it in a cable car. On the other side of the river, you can hike (beginner level) to Mindo's best waterfalls. Feel free to bring your swimsuit and go in, the water is fresh and very enjoyable! We will have lunch (not included) in town where many options are available to choose (from vegan to oven-baked pizzas). However, resist from dessert as we will take you to a full chocolate experience, where you will learn how cocoa is planted and then used for chocolate making! This experience is hosted by a socially-responsible and women-only local business.

We will finalize this around 4 PM and arrive approximately at 6:30 PM.

Overnigh at select Hotel in Quito (Standard Room)

Included: breakfast, transportation, local english speaking guide, excursion, accommodation

Transfer out Quito from hotel to airport.

Local flight Quito - Galapagos

Arrival and meet by our guide.

Visit to La Loberia in San Cristobal

The beach is a coral sand beach with sea lions just 10 minutes away from the San Cristobal airport. La Lobería is a piece of coast which owes its name to the large amount of sea lions (lobos marinos) resting on its rocks and beach. In spite of the fact that La Lobería is beyond the boundaries of the National Park, due to its importance the Park staff took over its maintenance and care. Along the trail one will find button mangrove, white mangrove, chala, palo santo, Galapagos cotton, Tiquilia, mañana gloriosa and other species of the coastal area, such as cacho de chivo.

We will walk 2 minutes to reach the white sand. We must be careful because the sea lion colony is all over the beach. Also we can enjoy of snorkel activity and swim with the marine fauna.

Night at select hotel in San Cristobal (Standard Room)

Included: breakfast, transportation, English speaking guide, Arrival transfer with local english speaking guide, excursion, accommodation

Day 5: San Cristobal Island

Highland San Cristobal In the morning we will visit Cerro Colorado Reserve. From the entrance of the Reserve we will walk slightly more than a kilometer to Puerto Chino beach. This is a spectacular beach where you can find endemic plant species and colonies of seals and other animals, and where we will have time to snorkel. After an enjoyable box lunch in the Reserve, we will drive to the highest part of the island where we will visit and take a relaxed walk around El Junco lagoon. This body of water is the largest source of fresh water on the island.

Night at select hotel in San Cristobal (Standard Room)

Included: English speaking guide, transportation, equipment rental, accommodation and breakfast

Transfer out San Cristobal

Public transportation. Speed Boat. San Cristobal to Santa Cruz

SHARED EXCURSION HIGHLANDS PUERTO AYORA

The guide will pick you at the port in order to start the visit to the highlands. You will visit shelters for the giant tortoises, lava tunnels and the twins that are geological formations formedby collapse over time. One of our visit is El Chato that provides the opportunity to marvel at the celebrated Giant Galapagos Tortoise roaming in its natural habitat. You will have the option to visit geological formations like a natural lava tunnel or twin pit craters "The Gemelos" or both, depending on your energy level! The "Gemelos" or Twin Pit Craters, located in the Scalezia zone of the island, are a great place for bird watching. Look out for Darwin Finches, Galapagos Doves and Cattle egret.

CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

The Charles Darwin Research Center is the matrix of all the scientific researches in the Galapagos Islands. It is from these headquarters from where all the most sensitive conservation projects are being directed. The conservation and preservation of giant tortoises, marine iguanas among others are some of the examples of the Center labor. We can walk along the core of the Research Center where we can find the corrals where the giant tortoises are being breed as well as the corrals where the land iguanas are being studied. The Research Center offers a brand new Interpretation Center with some of the most important

samples of the Center Collection.

Overnight at select category hotel in Santa Cruz (Standard Room)

Included: breakfast, transportation, local English speaking guide, excursion, entrance fees, accommodation

Day 7: Santa Cruz Island

SHARED HALF DAY ACADEMY BAY TOUR

Transfer to the Pier to take a boat tour of Academy Bay of Santa Cruz. Visit the Loberia, a small island where you can swim and snorkel with sea lions. Navigations at Love Canal, Canal Sharks, Cracks and Playa Los Perros are included. Enjoy watching sharks, sea lions, bluefooted boobies, iguanas and stingrays and other species.

Overnight at select category hotel in Santa Cruz (Standard Room)

Included: transportation, excursion, local guide, accommodation and breakfast.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island

Time to say good bye to the Enchanted Island!!

At the proper time, private transfer to Baltra airport in order to take your flight back to mainland.

Flight to Baltra to Quito

Included: breakfast, transportation