Day 1: QUITOArrival in the capital of Ecuador, the city of Quito.
Transfer to the hotel.
Transfer duration - 1 hour.
Accommodation at Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite www.plazagrandequito.com
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Day 2: QUITO Breakfast at the hotel. City tour of Quito with a visit to the equator line. Duration of the excursion day including transfers - 8 hours. During the city tour of Quito, you will see fascinating panoramas, churches, domes, and roofs that are historical relics, and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends, and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and is located at an altitude of 2800 meters. Despite the earthquake in 1917, the city has the best-preserved and least-altered historical center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors are examples of the Quito School of Art, a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish, and indigenous art. Artists of this school worked with stone and wood to depict the most important religious events. After a one-and-a-half-hour walking tour exploring the Old Town, you will understand why Quito was the first city in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito got its name from the Kichwa tribe that inhabited the region long before the Spanish conquest. In 1533, Sebastián de Benalcázar captured the city, which was initially the capital of the Inca Empire, and in 1541, it was elevated to the status of a Spanish city. Its full name is San Francisco de Quito. The city was the capital of the Quito state until the end of Spanish colonial rule. The Franciscan order was the first to establish itself in Quito. The Franciscans immediately began building a monastery, which became the center of education and art and has its own schools of painting and sculpture (the Church of San Francisco is visited during the tour). Around the main square, Plaza Grande, are the main buildings of the country: the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, and the City Hall. We will visit the best example of colonial art in the city - the Jesuit church, whose facade is covered with intricate carvings. Quito is the capital city and has many contrasts, which you can appreciate by visiting the Old Town and the new areas. A beautiful view of the entire city will open up to you from the Panecillo viewpoint with the statue of the Virgin Mary with wings - the patroness of the city. We head to the "Middle of the World" (the equator line). There are two places to visit the equator line, and we will visit both places: 1.) Ciudad Mitad del Mundo. Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is a tourist and commercial center where visitors can discover a monument commemorating the geodetic expedition of 1736 that determined the passage of the equator at this location. The tourist complex "Middle of the World" belongs to the prefecture of Pichincha province, Ecuador. It is located in the parish of San Antonio in the Quito metropolitan district, north of downtown Quito. On the complex grounds stands the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations. Between 1979 and 1982, a 30-meter monument was erected, marking the spot where, it was believed, the equator line passed. A line indicating the equator extends from the center of the monument, and over the years, countless tourists have crossed it. However, in reality, the entire structure is located 240 meters south of the actual equator line, which was accurately determined in the 20th century thanks to the advent of GPS positioning. 2.) Intiñan Museum. In this museum, we will be able to conduct a series of experiments that explain the influence of the equator line on the natural forces of nature. Here, you will also receive information about the culture of ancient peoples, and we will see a series of totems from various cultures of South America. Traditional dwellings of different cultures existing in the country, such as a house with items belonging to an indigenous family that lived in this place many generations ago, are also exhibited here. Return to the hotel. Accommodation at Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast)
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Day 3: QUITO-COTOPAXI-QUITO Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Cotopaxi National Park . Duration of the excursion day including transfers – 8 hours. Duration of the Quito-Cotopaxi transfer – 2 hours. Cotopaxi-Baños – 2 hours Night altitude – 1800m. Excursion altitude – 3800m. Average temperature - +20°C during the day, +10°C at night. We will depart from Quito on the Pan-American Highway towards the rose plantation in the Cotopaxi Valley. At the plantation, we will see roses of different colors and sizes that Ecuador exports to various parts of the world. We will observe the processes of cutting, selection, and packaging, convincing us of the high quality of the exported product. Note: the plantation is not visited on weekends and holidays! Upon arrival at the National Park, tourists will take a short hike and visit Cotopaxi National Park. Despite strong winds and silence, Cotopaxi National Park breathes with life and abundance. The park was established in 1975 and is located in the provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Napo, 60 km from Quito and 30 km from Latacunga, the capital of the Cotopaxi province. Its area is 33,393 hectares. Within the park are the volcanoes Rumiñahui and Sincholagua, as well as Lake Limpiopungo. During daylight hours, the temperature can reach 18-20°C, and in the evening, it drops to 3-4°C. Among the numerous attractions in the park is the legendary Cotopaxi volcano (5,897 meters) and numerous trails that allow approaching this giant. Records of its activity date back to 1534 when the conquistadors arrived at the site now known as Ecuador. At Lake Limpiopungo, you can observe a large number of birds, including 24 species that are wetland birds, including 15 migratory bird species and a very rare bird species - the Andean Ibis - of which there are only 100 individuals. The most common mammal found here is the wild rabbit. Four bioregions can be distinguished within Cotopaxi National Park. We will have the opportunity to walk along the pine forest and visit Lake Limpiopungo. In the second half of the day, we will return to Quito. Free evening. Accommodation at Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast)
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Day 4: QUITO-MASHPIBreakfast at the hotel. We will head north of Quito on the highway, passing by the Monument of Mitad-del-Mundo and the Equator line. Then, we will travel west, stopping at a viewpoint overlooking the extinct volcano Pululahua. From here, we will head towards the Pacific coast. After approximately 2 hours of driving, we will arrive at the Tulipe Archaeological Museum to explore and learn about the Yumbo culture. We will see pools and structures built at this site. After another hour and a half, we will reach the entrance to the Mashpi Reserve, covering 1300 hectares - a haven for wildlife and biodiversity. We continue our journey to the lodge, expecting to arrive around 12:00-12:30. Guests will be welcomed with a refreshing drink and then escorted to their rooms. Typically, an introductory talk before lunch and a short break will follow. After lunch, activities commence. The specific activity chosen depends on factors such as group size, guests' physical condition, and weather conditions. After dinner, we may take an evening stroll. Accommodation at Mashpi Lodge, Wayra Room "Wayra" Rooms (19 rooms) Description: Each room has an area of 34 square meters. Fifteen of these rooms are equipped with double beds. Three pairs of these rooms are adjoining and are perfect for families or friends: 4 rooms are located on the second floor, and 2 rooms are on the first floor. All rooms are equipped with: o Wardrobes and a safe; o Luxurious bathroom with a hairdryer; o Tables, chairs, and furniture; o Bathrobe and slippers. (Include breakfast, lunch, dinner)
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Day 5: MASHPI-QUITOOn the last day, an early breakfast awaits you, followed by another activity. We will return to the lodge and check out. Before departure (13:30), we will enjoy lunch. Crossing the Andes, we will head east to the capital. We expect to arrive at the hotel in Quito between 16:00 and 17:00 (depending on traffic, hotel location, and the number of passengers). Accommodation at Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite www.plazagrandequito.com (Breakfast, lunch)
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Days 6-9: QUITO-GALAPAGOS ISLANDS-Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport - flight to the Galapagos Islands. Day 1 Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, a guide will meet you, assist with luggage, and escort you to the bus. A 10-minute ride to the Itabaca Channel, which separates Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island. Crossing the Channel to Santa Cruz Island on motorboats will take 5 minutes. From here, on individual transportation, we will travel (approximately 45 minutes) across the entire island to the town of Puerto Ayora and your hotel. Note the change in the environment: from the red rocky surface in the north to the green world of wildlife in the highlands and the south. From the airport, the guide will accompany the group to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. During the journey through the island's agricultural zones with surrounding wild landscapes and various flora and fauna, we may see tortoises that served as the basis for Darwin's theory of evolution. Observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, and learn how private farms contribute to the preservation of these unique animals and their environment. You might hear them making sounds while munching on leaves or searching for tasty food. Here, you can see tortoises of different ages and sizes: young ones with shiny shells and leisurely old ones with partially cracked shells – traces of a long life. The well-known lava tunnels are another destination on our journey. Channels formed during the uneven cooling of flowing lava from the volcano's slopes extend from the highlands to the shores. Lava tubes are disrupted in several places, but some have survived, and you can walk through them in about 30 minutes. You will see and understand how they formed, some parts challenging to traverse, with fallen rocks. The guide will share a detailed history of the origin of these tunnels. Lunch is included. Transfer to the hotel. A welcome reception at the hotel will be followed by accommodation in our spacious rooms. Then, you will have free time to explore the port town of Puerto Ayora with its numerous souvenir shops. Accommodation at Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (Breakfast, lunch)
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Day 2: SEA EXCURSION TO BARTHOLOME ISLAND Early in the morning, you will depart from the hotel by bus to Itabaca Channel, where a yacht will be ready for departure. You'll experience a day in a unique corner of the Earth with beautiful sandy beaches, otherworldly landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and some endemic flora and fauna. During the two-hour sail, you'll have a unique opportunity to see dolphins and other sea creatures up close to the yacht. Disembarkation on the shores of Bartholomew Island awaits you. You'll embark on a hike uphill for approximately 30 minutes, crossing an almost lunar landscape, reaching the highest point of the volcanic island. From there, you'll have breathtaking views of Santiago, Seymour Norte, Baltra, Santa Cruz, Rabida, and the islet Chinese Hat, as well as the famous Pinnacle Rock – the remnants of an ancient collapsed volcano. This place is a habitat for some birds. The panoramic landscape from the top is an emblem of the Galapagos Islands, captured by many photographers. Next – change of clothes for a beach visit. During the boat ride, guests will see Galapagos penguins (only 50 centimeters tall) standing at the base of the cliff or swimming at bullet speed in the transparent waters of the ocean. There's time for beach relaxation or snorkeling: the shallow sea allows you to swim and snorkel alongside Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, sea stars, rays, sea turtles, and a variety of exotic colorful fish. Additionally, you may spot several endemic island species: marine iguanas, sea lions, and pelicans, among others. Lunch on board follows this amazing adventure. The day will conclude with a return to the hotel in the evening. You'll have a free evening to stroll around the town of Puerto Ayora. Accommodation at Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (Breakfast, Lunch)
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Day 3: SEA EXCURSION TO SEYMOUR ISLAND OR PLAZA (confirmed after booking; both islands are equally interesting): SEYMOUR ISLAND This excursion day will give you an amazing opportunity to visit Seymour Norte Island and the Bachas beaches. We will take a bus to our yacht in the Itabaca Channel, and then embark on a one-hour cruise to Seymour Norte Island. Disembarkation on the rocky shore near a small forest of gray and silver Palo Santo trees, which are leafless for most of the year. Seymour Island is famous for numerous colonies of different bird species. The male frigates, in particular, are memorable with their red throat pouch used to attract females during the mating season, and the famous blue-footed boobies. These seabirds have wedge-shaped tails and long pointed wings. During mating dances, males raise one wing and one blue foot, starting to dance to impress females. The excursion continues on the beach with small cliffs, where you can see seagulls, many sea lions, marine iguanas, and pelicans. Most of the animals can be observed at arm's length. A freshly prepared lunch is served on yacht board. During the post-lunch break, the yacht will continue to the Bachas beaches on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. First, we will walk to the lagoon behind the beach, often visited by flamingos. Next is a refreshing swim and snorkeling on a paradise uninhabited beach with white sand and turquoise water! Sea lions, various rays, sea turtles, and tropical fish may join you during this underwater adventure! Return to Puerto Ayora is around 4:00 PM. Free time to stroll along the pier, buy souvenirs, or enjoy the sunset. PLAZA ISLAND Departure from the hotel to the north, to the Itabaca Channel. Boarding the yacht and sailing to Plaza Sur Island. This is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, located near the eastern tip of Santa Cruz Island. After an hour and a half of sailing, Plaza welcomes guests with a red-green carpet of sesuvium, endemic plants spread across the island, and the friendly barking of several families of sea lions that inhabit the area. The turquoise ocean water perfectly harmonizes with the white sandy beaches and volcanic formations on the shore. The hike on the island is very easy - the trail passes by sea lions and land iguanas and reaches the highest cliff, where swallow-tailed gulls cut through the air with their cries, and lonely male sea lions, unable to resist their rivals in the struggle for a harem, retreat defeated, climbing almost vertically. At the same time, tropical birds like frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and frigates glide gently through the air. We recommend having binoculars to see this extraordinary wildlife up close. The view from the highest point on the ocean and the mighty waves crashing against the cliffs is an unforgettable sight. Next, the journey will continue to Cape Carrion. Lunch on board. This is a unique place for snorkeling and swimming with rays, reef and Galapagos sharks, and hundreds of colorful tropical fish. Return to the hotel. Free evening. Accommodation at the Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (Breakfast, Lunch)
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Day 4Transfer to Baltra Airport (1.5 hours drive) for the return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. (Breakfast)
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