Day 01: Arrive Quito

This afternoon, arrive at Quito airport, where we will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Quito is surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is known for its treasures of colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and carvings the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture is one of the reasons why the city was declared “Patrimony of Mankind” in 1978 by UNESCO. Altogether the city offers 86 churches and monasteries from the 16th and 17th century. Quito is known as the “Convent of America”. This attractive city is located only 22km away from the “Middle of the World”, the Equatorial Line.

Overnight: Hotel Mercure Alameda (Standard - 4-star)/Hotel Swissotel (Superior - 5-star), Quito (2 nights)

Day 02: Quito

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city of Quito (altitude of approx. 2.850m / 9.350ft.) to give you a first impression of the variety there is regarding religious and cultural sites. During your visit in the old part of the city, you can still breathe the colonial history of Ecuador. Your guide will take you for a walk through the culturally diverse history of Quito. Have a closer look at the heart of the city of Quito: The Independence Square with the Government and the Bishops Palace, as well as the Cathedral. On the way to San Francisco Square, you will visit the church of La Compañia, which has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior.

As part of this walking tour, immerse yourself into the world of Ecuadorian chocolate. Learn about cacao’s history, how to grow it, and the processes to make great chocolate. End your visit by awakening your taste buds as you try different grades and Flavors of chocolate.

The tour goes on to the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World”. Here you get a truly special experience to stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition led by Charles Marie de la Condamine established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and the Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador. (B)

** Please Note: On Sundays, the visits of the churches might be restricted due to religious services.

Day 03: Quito/Baltra/Santa Cruz (Flight)

Early in the morning, transfer to the Quito´s airport in order to take the flight to the Galapagos Islands (not included).

Galapagos - the Enchanted Islands - doubtlessly are the highlight of every Ecuador trip and you also should not miss a visit, as it is the most unique living museum of evolutionary changes and a place where you get to know a variety of exotic endemic species! Galapagos is the perfect setting to experience the evolutionary changes, which have led to a new understanding of life on earth. Animals unafraid of man and so different from any others found elsewhere, make visitors wonder about their existence on our planet. Among the animals found are the different species of giant “Galapagos” tortoises that gave the islands their name, a variety of birds and marine animals such as iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti -to mention only some of them!

Then, take a short bus ride to the Itabaca Channel and a ferry to the Santa Cruz Island.

With a surface of 986 km2, Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Archipelago. Colonized since the 1920’s, Puerto Ayora, the populated part of the island, is the most important harbour of the Archipelago. With altitudes reaching 864 m this island comprises all plant zones, ranging from coast to pampas. The headquarters of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Station are also located in Santa Cruz.

Later, drive through the highlands and observe the change in vegetation: from arid landscapes filled with cacti to the lush rainforest. Take a short stop and observe the twin craters. These sinkholes were created by the collapse of a volcanic roof caused by tectonic movements and erosion. Then, take an underground journey through a lava tunnel, formed by molten lava and understand more about the Galápagos Islands and their lava layering formation process.

Afterwards, you will visit a Giant Tortoise Reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, one of the few places where you can see these giants in their natural habitat. The large, pre-historic looking animals can be seen as you walk along the trails during their migration from the coast to the highlands. The Giant Tortoise Reserve is also one of the best sites to observe the short-eared owl, another endemic specie from the Galapagos Islands.

Lunch will be served at a local ranch. Then continue to Puerto Ayora for overnight.

Overnight: Hotel Flamingo (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Ikala (Superior - 4-star), Santa Cruz (1 night) (B, L)

Day 04: Santa Cruz Island/Isabela Island (Drive)

From Puerto Ayora, walk about 3.2km (2mi.) to Tortuga Bay, one of the longest white sandy beaches in the archipelago. Along its shores, keep an eye out for marine iguanas, sharks, sea turtles, and migratory birds. On the west, a rocky edge divides the beach and creates a calm cove ideal to swim around the bay.

In the afternoon, transfer to the pier to take the public speedboat to Isabela Island. The ride takes about 2 hours. Transfer to hotel.

Isabela Island is the archipelago’s biggest island and occupies about 60% of the land area. About 1 million years ago, the merger of 6 volcanoes formed the island: Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra (Santa Tomás), Alcedo, Ecuador, Darwin, and Wolf. Today, all except the Ecuador volcano are active, making it a very active place on Earth. The most recent volcanic activity was on June 26th 2018, when the Sierra Negra volcano erupted. Isabela’s unique landscape, lava fields, beautiful beaches, and relaxing atmosphere offer travellers a matchless experience in nature.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Cally(Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Albemarle (Superior - 3-star), Isabela Island (2 nights) (B)

Day 05: Isabela

After breakfast, from Puerto Villamil, take a short boat ride to a small rocky islet known as “Las Tintoreras”, one of the island’s most beautiful sites. Here, sharks can be seen resting in the lava canals. Observe marine iguanas and playful sea lions on the sandy beach. Put your mask and snorkel on to explore the underwater world filled with colourful fish, sea turtles, and much more.

Later on, visit the Flamingos’ pools, or “Pozo de los Flamingos”, and get up close and personal with these beautiful, bright pink birds that adorn the lagoon’s shores.

The trail ends at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Here, learn about these endemic creatures and their different life phases: reproduction, breeding, and development. Get up close and personal with giant tortoises and understand how the centre is helping to protect and recover the species.

Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 06: Isabela/Santa Cruz (Drive)

Take a 50-minute drive towards the Sierra Negra volcano. On a clear day, enjoy the breathtaking views of Sierra Negra's immense crater along the way.

The sulphur mines are located on the slopes of the volcano's collapsed crater. Begin your descent into the interior of the caldera, covering approximately 2 kilometres each way (4 kilometres in total, taking approximately 2 hours). As you enter the crater, you will encounter a variety of environments and microclimates. The sulphur mines, with their striking bright green colour contrasting with the dark lava rocks, create a unique Jurassic landscape that will captivate both your eyes and your camera lens

In the afternoon, transfer to the pier to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island. The ride takes about 2,5 hours. Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in Puerto Ayora.

Overnight: Hotel Flamingo (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Ikala (Superior - 4-star), Santa Cruz (3 nights) (B, BL, D)

Day 07: Santa Cruz

In the morning, you will enjoy a half-day boat tour along the coast of Santa Cruz Island. You visit 5 different spots: La Loberia, which is a small island about 10 minutes into the bay where there is a large colony of sea lions. Shark Channel and Lovers Channel are both nice snorkelling sites and also beautiful places to take in the blue footed boobies who are regularly seen resting on the cliffs close by. Dog’s beach gives you opportunity to get off the boat and walk through cactus forests to a remote beach where you will almost definitely encounter a marine iguana or many, and turtles are often seen feeding just off the shore. The last site is Las Grietas, a water filled crevice in the rocks.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Puerto Ayora.

In 1964, the Charles Darwin Research Centre was inaugurated in Puerto Ayora. Over 200 scientists and volunteers are active in the conservation and research projects for the most famous resident of the Galápagos: the Giant Tortoise. Stroll around the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest or visit the baby turtles that are affectionately cared for until they can be repatriated. Learn about the tortoises’ different life stages: from incubation, hatching, and growth periods. (B, L)

Day 08: Santa Cruz

Day at leisure. You can book an optional boat trip:

Optional: Full day boat tour, incl. Lunch (on shared basis)
During a full day boat excursion you’ll visit one of the islands Seymour North, South Plazas, Bartholomew. Each of the islands has its own significant beauties to offer and regardless which you’ll visit, you’ll definitely enjoy your stay. Lunch on board.

North Seymour is a flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity.  Located North of Baltra, it is one of the best places to see Blue Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds. Blue Footed Boobies are found on the flat area near the coast of this island (they nest from May to November). Continuing the trail to the interior, one stumbles upon the biggest congregation of Magnificent Frigate birds in the island. While on North Seymour, there is a high chance of seeing a great show of acrobatic flight, namely a Frigate bird robbing a booby, a gull or even another Frigate bird the food.

OR:
South Plazas Island, where a large colony of sea lions lounges daily in the equatorial sun. Soon you will notice their subtly diabolic grins and wonder what they find so humorous; you only hope the joke isn't on you! South Plazas also boasts excellent examples of typical Galapaganean flora such as the towering cacti "trees" that form the principal diet for both the land iguanas and the cactus finch. Other birds that may flutter by include lava gulls, yellow warblers and red-billed tropicbirds with their elaborate tails.

OR:
Bartholomew, a tiny island of just 1.2 km2, offers the visitor one of the most spectacular views of the Archipelago. Bartholomew is located near the west coast of James, on the other side of Sullivan Bay. It is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the representative characteristic of Bartholomew. The climb to the 114 m high peak is both challenging and worth-doing. On your way up, you will encounter different formations of volcanic origin including spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. Once on the summit, there is a spectacular view of the surroundings. Bartholomew is also a must for the visitor interested in geology. Penguins are common in the bay area. (B)

For the full day boat excursion on Santa Cruz please note the following:

• The boat tour depends on passenger numbers, weather conditions and National Park regulations.
• During the boat tour one of the named islands will be visited, in certain circumstances other visitor spots may be offered.
• The decision which island will be visited is made by the National Park administration and cannot be influenced by the passenger.
• The boat tour is on Seat-in Basis with other international passengers.
• We recommend booking this tour in advance to guarantee the availability. Reservations made directly at the destination are subject to availability. Payment on site is by cash or PayPal only.

Day 09: Depart Santa Cruz

Early in the morning, transfer to Baltra airport to take your flight back to the mainland. (B)

B=Breakfast, BL=Box Lunch, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 12 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
Email us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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