Tour Highlights

Find custom tours in: Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands, 

• Explore the Galapagos Islands, each with its own enchanting animals inhabiting them 
•  Enjoy opportunities to swim or snorkel for up close encounters with the phenomenal marine life
• Discover Quito and its colonial heart, the largest and best preserved in South America, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Explore Otavalo Andean countryside, and visit one of South America’s best Indian markets with woodcarvings, back-strip loom weavings and more   
• The Galapagos Islands are in danger of being overwhelmed by visitors.  Governmental and private entities are working on solutions to protect this fragile and endangered ecosystem.  On such project is Fundación Galapagos, with conservation projects that include a recycling center on Santa Cruz Island, first of its kind in the islands.  To learn more, visit the projects page of www.spiritofbigfive.org

Day 1:  Arrive Quito
Welcome to Ecuador.  After claiming your luggage, you will be met by your Big Five Ecuador representative and transferred to your hotel.  Marriott Hotel Quito

Day 2:  Quito
Today, explore downtown Quito, a jewel art and architecture.  Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved in South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Begin your leisurely walk at Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace.  Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior.  Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World.  Its impressive façade and atrium lead to the Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar.  Travel to the Equatorial Monument, just 16 miles north of Quito.  This spot marks the exact middle of the world – latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere.  Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador.  Nearby is a replica of an old colonial-style town, with shops, restaurants, a main plaza, church, post office, bullring, and displays by local artists.  You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator.  Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat).  Take a sweater even if the day is warm and sunny.  Rain protection advised in the afternoon.  This tour includes walking at an altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet) and climbing stairs.  Sun protection (SPF 40) and good walking shoes are recommended.  Entrance fees are included.  Marriott Hotel Quito (B,L)

Day 3:  Quito / The Galapagos Islands
A special adventure begins as you transfer to the airport and depart on a flight to Galapagos.  Welcome to the Galapagos Islands.  Here you will find flightless birds, sea lions, tortoises and iguanas specially adapted to their particular island habitat.  Time will allow for observations of the incredibly unique flora, fauna and volcanic terrain, both on foot and on panga excursions.  The exact order of islands visited may change due to weather and other factors, but that will not affect your experience of the Galapagos.  Explore the islands on guided hikes, during relaxing beach walks, and while snorkeling and swimming!

Please Note:  “Wet Landings” are landings on the beach rather than on the shore, while “Dry Landings” are made in areas where the passenger can exit the panga directly on to a rock or lava surface.

Afternoon visit:  Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
In the afternoon, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing) and visit the Interpretation Centre where visitors will acquire a greater understanding of Galápagos’ uniqueness through informative visual aids.  From the Interpretation Centre, stroll along an easy boardwalk to the north shore of San Cristóbal, to the site considered as the spot where Darwin set foot for first time on Galápagos in 1835.  A bust of the naturalist was placed there to commemorate this event.  This area is teeming with life:  Darwin finches, San Cristóbal mockingbirds, marine iguanas, sea lions, and more.  Hills frame this turquoise bay, home to two species of frigates.  A staircase leads to the top of Cerro Tijeretas, from where a good portion of northern San Cristóbal is visible including Wreck Bay, Lobos Islet, Punta Carola and the impressive Kicker Rock.  An expedition is planned for Saturday and dinner.  M/V Santa Cruz (B,L,D)

Day 4:  Galapagos Islands
Morning visit:  Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island
A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes you to Cerro Brujo's white coralline beach (wet landing).  The beach is a large expanse, great for walking, with rewarding bird watching with good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, herons, frigate birds, and more shore birds.  Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions.  Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristóbal) mockingbird, Chatham lava lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos.  Cerro Brujo is an excellent site for acquainting oneself with snorkelling gear and techniques.  Back on board for lunch.

Afternoon visit:  Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island
In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island.  Pitt Point is an eroded tuff cone; the trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline.  This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach.  After the walk, if conditions are favorable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or snorkel at the nearby islets.  M/V Santa Cruz (B,L,D)

Day 5:  Galapagos Islands
Morning visit:  Santa Fe Island
Here, a wet landing on a sandy white beach brings you into contact with sea lion harems.  Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master,” while smaller males masquerading as females make stealthy mating moves.  Galápagos hawks are often easily seen perched atop salt bushes.  Giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name with tree-sized trunks!  The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the afternoon walk.  Snorkeling and swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, a glass bottom boat is there for non-snorkelers.  Lunch on board.

Afternoon visit:  South Plaza Island
Disembark (dry landing) in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a lavishly colorful sight!  The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline.  The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs.  Further up the shore, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus.  Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop.  Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island.  M/V Santa Cruz (B,L,D)

Day 6:  Galapagos Islands
Morning visit:  Puerto Ayora & Charles Darwin Research Center, Santa Cruz Island
Disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest.  These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration.  Lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.

Afternoon visit:  Highlands, Santa Cruz Island
After lunch, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, with an impressive Scalesia forest and the geological formation of the twin pit craters known as Los Gemelos.  From December to mid-April, a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good.  Return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the M/V Santa Cruz.  M/V Santa Cruz (B,L,D)

Day 7:  Galapagos Islands
Morning visit:  Punta Suarez, Espanola (Hood) Island
Morning outing at Punta  Suárez (dry landing) provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galápagos famous blow hole.  Among its land birds, the Hood Island mockingbird, Galápagos hawks, Galápagos doves and three species of Darwin finches are common highlights.  Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas.  Back on board for lunch.

Afternoon visit:  Gardner Bay
This afternoon, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds and finches or just enjoy the beach.  There is great snorkeling in this area as well as a glass-bottom boat.  Departure briefing, farewell cocktail and dinner.  M/V Santa Cruz (B,L,D)

Day 8:  Galapagos Islands / Quito
Disembark at Baltra Island.  Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the continent.  Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure.  JW Marriott Hotel Quito – Deluxe Room (B)

Day 9:  Otavalo Countryside
For a completely different experience, today travel to the Otavalo Andean countryside on a full-day visit.  This is an area of outstanding ecological and cultural importance, with unique natural highlights that include mountain landscapes and incredible views of the volcanoes including Cotacachi, Imbabura, and the snow capped Cayambe.  This area is known as the 'area of the lakes', where many artisan villages are found.  The Indians of this area are highly specialized in woodcarvings, back strip loom weavings, leather goods and bread dough figures.  A highlight is a visit to the Otavalo village, home to one of the most attractive Indian markets in all of Latin America.  Although market day is on a Saturday, smaller versions of the market are present on other days.  JW Marriot Quito – Deluxe Room (B,L)

Day 10:  Depart Quito
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight out.  (B)

Rates / Departures

Departure Dates:  May 1 to 31, Sep 1 to 30 and Dec 1 to 14, 2012

Land price, per person, double occupancy:  Starting from $4400

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