Quito Highlights
- See the colonial city of Quito, the world's first UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Enjoy incredible views of the Ecuadorian Capital from the "Teleferiqo" cable car
- Visit the equator monument (be in two hemispheres at the same time!)
- Visit Otavalo indigenous market, the largest market in South America
- Take a tour of Cayambe Bizcocho (biscuit) factory
Galapagos Highlights
- Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Tortoise breeding center
- Visit a local farm where tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat
- Relax in one of the most wonderful beaches in the Galapagos, Tortuga Bay
- Snorkel with incredible marine life
- Play with the sea lions in San Cristobal
- Admire the fantastic Kicker Rock formation in San Cristobal Island
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
At your arrival, we will head into Quito to drop your luggage at your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, an afternoon city tour can be arranged (optional cooking class, bicycle ride trip, museum visit, or many more activities).
Day 2: Quito, Full-day Exploration
We will take this day to explore the capital of Ecuador, from the historic city center, the cable car, and the historic equator monument. The many sights will be complemented by interesting stories, delicious tasting of local food, and fascinating history of the country.
Day 3: Departure to Galapagos
In the morning you will be transported to the airport, where you'll catch your flight to the Galapagos Islands. As we arrive, we will visit the interesting sights of the "Centro de Interpretacion" (an introductory exposition of the islands, its formation, and its history), followed by a hike up to the nice viewpoint atop "Frigate Bird Hill" (Cerro Tijeretas).
Day 4: Kicker Rock
We will join a trip to the majestic Kicker Rock formation, which sits close to the port. This amazing rock structure is home to many marine species including hammerhead sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and hundreds of fish. After our visit, we will take a speed boat across the ocean and into Santa Cruz, the largest city in the archipelago.
Day 5: Highlands and Tortuga Beach
On this day you will explore Santa Cruz Island, where the largest portion of island inhabitants live. Here you will have the chance to head to a nice farm where the giant Galapagos Tortoises live freely and peacefully. In the afternoon, you will head to the amazing Tortuga Bay beach, a gorgeous secluded beach that is home to many breeding sea turtles parts of the year.
Day 6: Galapagos - Quito, Otavalo
A morning transfer from your hotel in the Galapagos will take you back to the airport for your return flight to Quito. As you arrive, depending on your schedule, an afternoon visit to the Otavalo indigenous market can be arranged. This is the largest indigenous market in South America, where hundreds of people come to buy and sell handicraft and locally produced art. You can work on your negotiation techniques here as all prices can be discussed.
Day 7: Otavalo, San Pablo, Cayambe
In the morning of our last day, we can visit the Otavalo market (if we did not have time to yesterday), head to Cotacachi and the nice Cuicocha Lake to visit this handicraft town north of Otavalo. In the afternoon, we will head back to Quito, stopping by the factory of the delicious Bizcocho biscuits, where we can try a local specialty. We will arrive at your hotel in Quito late afternoon/night.
Day 8: Quito Departure
According to your flight schedules, we will take you to the airport in time for your flight back home. If the flight schedule is in the late afternoon, many options can be arranged for activities in the morning, including hikes, cooking classes, dancing lessons, and more.
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