Galapagos Voyager & Andean Cultures of Ecuador - 10 Days

Brief itineraries A and B*

Friday  Arrive in Quito

Saturday  Fly to Galapagos Islands / Santa Cruz island

Sunday  Floreana island (A) OR South Plaza and Santa Fe islands (B)

Monday  Española island (A) OR Daphne Major & Santa Cruz islands (B)

Tuesday  San Cristobal island (A) OR Genovesa island (B)

Wednesday  North Seymour island (A) OR Mosquera islet (B)

Thursday  Historic Quito

Friday  Central Bank Museum – Otavalo

Saturday  Otavalo market – Quito

Sunday  Depart Quito

* Due to new Galapagos National Park regulations that took effect in February 2012 all vessels now operate a two-week itinerary. As a result, two different itineraries - A and B - are operated on alternate weeks.

Detailed itinerary A

Friday Arrive in Quito

Your guide will be waiting to escort you from the airport to your hotel. Overnight stay in a standard boutique hotel.

Saturday Transfer hotel – airport / Galapagos Islands / Santa Cruz island

AM: Highlands

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, all travellers pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of $US 100 cash. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the canal to take a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz island. From here it is a thirty minute drive up into the highlands of Santa Cruz where giant Galapagos tortoises can be observed in their natural habitat. Afterwards the journey continues down to the harbor town of Puerto Ayora to transfer by dinghy to the Galapagos Voyager. The crew and captain will be waiting to welcome guests, cabins will be assigned and lunch will be served.

PM: Charles Darwin Station

Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. Worth a visit are the National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity including the famous Lonesome George.

BLD

Sunday Floreana island

AM: Punta Cormorant

This site lays claim to probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos islands. It is situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequently seen are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. Of special interest is the contrast between the two distinctly coloured beaches: “Green Beach” which has a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand and “Flour Beach” which is made up of fine coral sand. After the visit the Voyager will navigate to the nearby islet Champion where guests will have time for snorkeling.

PM: Post office bay & Baroness Lookout

At this site is a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since that time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from hosting the post office barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. The trail continues to the north of the island ascending to an elevated slope to reveal a beautiful vista from the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent many hours looking out to the horizon. A short distance away are the ruins of what was her house. The panorama from the lookout includes the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and a forest of Palo Santo.

BLD

Monday Española island

AM: Punta Suarez

This rocky land spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow hole where water may spout up to 20 metres into the air.

PM: Gardner Bay

Located on the north-eastern coast of the island, Gardner Bay is an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Sea turtles, sharks and a variety of tropical fish may also be observed in the crystal clear ocean waters.

BLD

Tuesday San Cristobal island

AM: Isla Lobos

This little island is reached in about hour by panga from Port Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos province. The trail passes through a dry vegetation zone, across a substrate of volcanic rocks and sandy areas. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds that nest at the site, and on the beach a large colony of sea lions as well as shorebirds can be seen.

PM: Cerro Colorado & Puerto Chino

The Cerro Colorado Tortoise Protection and Breeding Centre is located in the highlands of San Cristobal, about 40 minutes by road the port. The centre includes a large corral, a visitors centre, a breeding centre and interpretative trails. Along the trails it is possible to see different species endemic plants as well as birds such as the San Cristobal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher. The excursion continues on to Puerto Chino beach on the far side of the island.

BLD

Wednesday North Seymour island / Quito

AM: North Seymour

Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing. Visitors need to watch their step, as the boobies don't worry much about where they nest, sometimes right on the trail. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps. They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves. There's a circular path that leads across the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

Transfer to Baltra airport for the flight to Quito.

B

Thursday Historic Quito

You'll set off from the modern part of the city and continue on foot through Quito's Old Town to admire the colonial art and architecture of the XVI to XVIII centuries. Afterwards you'll have the opportunity to take in spectacular views of both colonial and modern Quito from the "Panecillo Mirador" which the highest point on the valley floor.

Afterwards you'll visit to the Contemporary Art Center located in what was formerly the Military Hospital. The beautifully renovated building also contains informative exhibits following the history of the revolutions of the 18th century.

A special treat is lunch at "El Ventanal” restaurant on San Juan hill. The restaurant is characterised by a cozy atmosphere, minimalist decoration and special attention to service. El Ventanal offers an extensive selection of international gastronomy with an Ecuadorian flavor.

BLD

Friday Central Bank Museum - Otavalo

Find the history of Ecuador's most ancient cultures at the Archaeology Museum, one of the finest archaeological and gold artefact collections in the Americas, part of the vast collection owned by the Central Bank of Ecuador.

There are over 1800 pieces arranged in chronological corridors with explanatory panels and dioramas. Lunch at a charming restaurant. Transfer to Otavalo. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui - a beautiful hacienda, rich in history and legend. Hacienda Pinsaqui is ideally situated at the base of Imbabura Volcano, just north of the world-famous Otavalo market.

BLD

Saturday Otavalo market - Quito

Otavalo is a largely indigenous town in the province of Imbabura, famous for the weaving of textiles, a practice which has been passed down through families for 400 years. Although the primary market day is Saturday, there are wares available for tourists throughout the week in the Plaza de los Ponchos. In the afternoon you'll return to Quito.

B

Sunday Depart Quito

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or stay to explore a little more of Ecuador.

Detailed itinerary B

Friday Arrive in Quito

Your guide will be waiting to escort you from the airport to your hotel. Overnight stay in a standard boutique hotel.

Saturday Transfer hotel – airport / Galapagos Islands / Santa Cruz island

AM: Highlands

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, all travellers pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of $US 100 cash. A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the canal to take a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz island. From here it is a thirty minute drive up into the highlands of Santa Cruz where giant Galapagos tortoises can be observed in their natural habitat. Afterwards the journey continues down to the harbor town of Puerto Ayora to transfer by dinghy to the Galapagos Voyager. The crew and captain will be waiting to welcome guests, cabins will be assigned and lunch will be served.

PM: Charles Darwin Station

Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. Worth a visit are the National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity including the famous Lonesome George.

BLD

Sunday South Plaza and Santa Fe islands

AM: South Plaza

Despite its small size, some of the most interesting species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands and some have cross bred with marine iguanas. The hybrid iguanas, the result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, are unique, recognisable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana's crest, but the face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tunas, the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, which is their favorite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds including Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

AM : Santa Fe

Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos archipelago, Santa Fe was formed by a geological uplift so it is mostly flat, in contrast to the conical shape of the islands of volcanic origin. The island is home to a number of endemic species: the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of land iguanas in the islands. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well as the giant Opuntia cactus. The beautiful, clear waters provide great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions, tropical fish, and perhaps a manta ray.

* Snorkeling & kayak

BLD

Monday Daphne Major and Santa Cruz islands

AM: Daphne Major

Daphne Major is the younger of the two Daphne islands and retains much of its volcanic form. This island is frequented by scientists and detailed research on the Darwin finches has been done here. We are not allowed to set foot on the island but will observe the many birds species from our dinghy: magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed and nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and Galapagos martins are some of the species to be seen here.

PM: Bachas Beach

Located to the west of Turtle Cove, the soft white coral sand is a nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the two beaches is a small brackish lagoon where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos along with other coastal birds such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel.

* Snorkelling

BLD

Tuesday Genovesa island

AM: Darwin Bay

The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sand beach situated inside the flooded caldera of a volcano. The island is a favorite for birdwatchers: red-footed boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned, black-crowned and lava herons, and yellow warblers can all be seen in the area. The trail climbs gradually to the edge of a cliff from where red-footed boobies can be seen nesting in the mangrove trees below. Sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves and swallow-tailed gulls can also be seen. At the end the trail the cliff edge affords an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.

* Snorkelling

PM: El Barranco

El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip's Steps, is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay. Visitors climb the steps to reach a plateau that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side. The site is home to a large population of masked and red-footed boobies that nest in the trees, while storm petrels and short-eared owls have found in the Genovesa lava flows an ideal place for nesting.

BLD

Wednesday North Seymour island / Quito

AM: North Seymour

Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing. Visitors need to watch their step, as the boobies don't worry much about where they nest, sometimes right on the trail. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps. They sometimes fly in the air to call more attention to themselves. There's a circular path that leads across the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

Transfer to Baltra airport for the flight to Quito.

B

Thursday Historic Quito

You'll set off from the modern part of the city and continue on foot through Quito's Old Town to admire the colonial art and architecture of the XVI to XVIII centuries. Afterwards you'll have the opportunity to take in spectacular views of both colonial and modern Quito from the "Panecillo Mirador" which the highest point on the valley floor.

Afterwards you'll visit to the Contemporary Art Center located in what was formerly the Military Hospital. The beautifully renovated building also contains informative exhibits following the history of the revolutions of the 18th century.

A special treat is lunch at "El Ventanal” restaurant on San Juan hill. The restaurant is characterised by a cozy atmosphere, minimalist decoration and special attention to service. El Ventanal offers an extensive selection of international gastronomy with an Ecuadorian flavor.

BLD

Friday Central Bank Museum - Otavalo

Find the history of Ecuador's most ancient cultures at the Archaeology Museum, one of the finest archaeological and gold artefact collections in the Americas, part of the vast collection owned by the Central Bank of Ecuador.

There are over 1800 pieces arranged in chronological corridors with explanatory panels and dioramas. Lunch at a charming restaurant. Transfer to Otavalo. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui - a beautiful hacienda, rich in history and legend. Hacienda Pinsaqui is ideally situated at the base of Imbabura Volcano, just north of the world-famous Otavalo market.

BLD

Saturday Otavalo market - Quito

Otavalo is a largely indigenous town in the province of Imbabura, famous for the weaving of textiles, a practice which has been passed down through families for 400 years. Although the primary market day is Saturday, there are wares available for tourists throughout the week in the Plaza de los Ponchos. In the afternoon you'll return to Quito.

B

Sunday Depart Quito

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or stay to explore a little more of Ecuador.