Ecuador & Galápagos Cruise

Breakfast. In the morning you will visit one of the most beautiful cities in South America.

Quito was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Its wonderful architecture is reflected in its plazas, streets, houses and churches and will be the best excuse for walking in a great atmosphere. La Basílica Church, Plaza Grande, La Compañía Church, and San Francisco Plaza are part of your experience in this magical city

After this visit you will drive for 45 minutes to reach another great place: the Middle of the World, where you can take a picture on the Equator Line with one foot in the north and another foot in the south hemisphere. Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Dinner

Breakfast and Private transfer service from your hotel at the airport

AM – Baltra Airport

Departure from Quito to Baltra Island (2.5-hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken on a ten-minute bus ride to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

PM - North Seymour Island

This flat, uplifted island is an important spot to observe both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females through clicking, billclapping, shuddering, flapping their wings , all while showcasing their grossly inflated, bright red, inflated pouch . We will also likely witness courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while dancing to attract a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf, and distant views make the Daphne Islands a top destination for a great visit.

Activities - North Seymour Island

• Difficulty level: intermediate
• Type of terrain: rocky
• Duration: 2-hour wal 30 minutes snorkeling

AM - Bartolome Island

Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, featuring the iconic Pinnacle Rock and the rugged Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.

PM - Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

Wet landing: This site, located in the southeastern part of Santiago Island is of important geologic interest. It features extensive relative young pahoe-hoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow- colored tuff cones appear Mollugo plants with their yellow-to-orange whorled leaves usually grow out of the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of being on another planet. Tree molds are found, indicating that in that position large size plants grew in small crevices, until the lava flow of past eruptions burned down the flora of the island.

Activities - Bartolome Island - Santiago Island

AM - Bartolome Island

• Difficulty level: intermediate
• Type of terrain: trail made of 37a steps.
• Duration: 1 1/2-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

PM - Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

• Difficulty level: difficult
• Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
• Duration: 1 1/2-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling / beach time

AM – Punta Pitt & Pitt Islet (San Cristobal Island)

Sea lions will welcome us as we land on the beach and prepare for a climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazcais on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will surround us, and the views are truly breathtaking.

PM - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)

From our pangas, as we head to shore, we are first awed by the  immensity of the stunning cliffs of Sorcerer’s Hill. We can enjoy simply  sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore or take a walk to a  hidden lagoon where we might spot black- necked stilts, ruddy turnstones.  whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails

Activities - San Cristobal Island

AM – Punta Pitt &Pitt Islet (San Cristobal Island)

• Difficulty level: difficult
• Type of terrain: rocky
• Duration: 2 1/2-hourwalk/ 40-minutes snorkeling or kayaking

PM - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)

• Difficulty level: easy
• Type of terrain: sandy
• Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling

AM - Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal Island)

In the moist highlands of San Cristobal we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center La Galapaguera to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises roam in a semi-natural habitat, providing excellent photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise to the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs

Activities - San Cristobal Island

Activities: 1-hour hike / beach time

San Cristobal Airport

• After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the
• airport for their return flight to Quito.
• After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Quito. Private transfer service to Colonial Hacienda Pinsaqui from 17 Century located in Otavalo aérea
• Dinner
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Type of Terrain: sandy
• Duration: 40-minute bus drive to the Reserve / 1-hour visit

Breakfast.

The Otavalo Market is one of the most important indigenous markets in South America for its diversity and culture. This day tour offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the famous indigenous handicrafts created by local artisans.

The main market day in Otavalo is Saturday; however, this tour can be operated everyday of the week. Our professional guide will provide insights into the indigenous people of this area, such as the Quitu, Cara and other pre-Inca groups, and some extra information of the city.

We’ll then visit indigenous workshops to learn about their culture, traditions, and the process of crafting their beautiful handmade items. Our last stop will be Cotacachi, a town famous for its leather garments. Afterwards, we return to Quito.

Hotel and dinner

Hotel to Airport Transfer (end of our services)