11 Day Ecuador with 3 Day Galapagos Cruise

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Tour Operator

Gate 1 Travel

Duration

11 Days

Escorted

Escorted - No

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart the USA/Quito	Depart the USA for Ecuador. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in flight entertainment. Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Quito
Day 2	Quito	This morning's tour of Quito begins with a view of the Congress Building, whose outside stone mural records Ecuador's history. Continue to Quito's colonial section to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting La Compania Church and the Church of San Francisco. Afterward, see the Ecuadorian landscape from atop El Panecillo Hill. Balance of the day at leisure Optional: Middle of the World (PM) Overnight: Quito Meals: Breakfast
Day 3	Riobamba	This morning, depart for the town of Salasaca via the Pan American Highway. Also known as the "Avenue of the Volcanoes," the highway spans the valley between the Cordillera ranges and features 11 snowy peaks. As you arrive in the colorful town of Salasaca, enjoy a panoramic tour of the town before a visit to a local handicraft workshop. After lunch in Ambato, visit La Quinta de Juan Leon Mera with its Botanical Gardens before continuing to Riobamba, capital of the Chimborazo province. Your tour of the area includes a visit to the quaint town of Guano, famous for its handmade rugs Overnight: Riobamba Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4	Visit the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca	Today, depart for the ancient Inca ruins of Ingapirca, a northernmost fortress temple whose massive fortifications are believed to have served as a religious and administrative complex. After lunch nearby, continue to the city of Cuenca, located in the Sierra highlands. Balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Cuenca Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5	Cuenca	Enjoy a morning tour of Cuenca. Walk along the main plaza, Calderon Park, whose pink marbled construction and colorful stained glass windows will take your breath away. See the flower market outside the El Carmen Church. The Tomebamba River winds in and out of the city's center as old houses jut out over its banks. Visit the Ortega shop where you can see "Panama Hats" being made. Balance of the day at leisure Optional: Half Day Gualaceo and Chordeleg (PM) (January through June only) Overnight: Cuenca Meals: Breakfast
Day 6	Guayaquil	This morning, drive through El Cajas National Park en route to Guayaquil. From the park highlands, enjoy spectacular views of the many lakes and rivers below, as well as a landscape dominated by paramo, a high altitude, wet tropical grass. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, enjoy a tour of the city that includes a visit to the Centennial Park on Avenue 9 de Octubre. Continue to see the city's revitalization, and visit the Seminario Park, also known as the "Park of the Iguanas." See the brightly colored houses in Las Penas, the oldest neighborhood in Guayaquil, before checking in to your hotel. Evening at leisure Overnight: Guayaquil Meals: Breakfast
Day 7	Sail to Cerro Brujo	This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal, the Galapagos archipelago's oldest and easternmost island. Upon arrival, transfer to the pier and board the Galapagos Explorer II. Settle in for a visit to Cerro Brujo (wet landing) to view pelicans and a variety of sea birds, including Blue and Red footed Boobies, Common Gallinules, and Frigates. Enjoy free time for snorkeling or a swim Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8	Sail to Bahia Gardner	This morning, sail to Punta Suarez (Espanola Island) (dry landing), where you can view sea lions surfing the waves and marine iguanas basking in the sun. You may hike further inland and view the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs where sea water jets high into the air. In the afternoon, arrive at Bahia Gardner (wet landing) and view one of the most pristine beaches in all of the Galapagos, home to many sea lion colonies and endemic mocking birds. Venture out to Gardner Rock for wall dives, where you can encounter tropical fish, rays, cactus finch and other colorful sea life while snorkeling Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9	Sail to Santa Cruz Island	Today, arrive at Santa Cruz Island (dry landing). Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a specialized breeding and rearing center for the endangered Galapagos Giant Tortoise. The Darwin Station is a working branch of the international, non profit Charles Darwin Foundation which works to protect and maintain the Galapagos' precious ecosystems. Afterward, walk through Puerto Ayora, the largest town on the islands. In the afternoon, journey to the small island of Rabida (wet landing), located to the south of Santiago, and home to a central volcano with some of largest and most variegated types of lava in the island chain. A small saltwater lagoon provides occasional sights of flamingos feeding on pink shrimp larva, while the beach holds a large sea lion colony. Additionally, there is a short walk to the top of the trail where you will have opportunities to photograph the striking volcanic peaks Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10	Las Bachas	This morning, enjoy the white sand beaches of Las Bachas (wet landing). The beaches' color and consistency comes from the eroded coral of which they are made, a color and consistency which also makes them a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Transfer to the airport for your flight from Baltra to Quito on the mainland. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure Overnight: Quito Meals: Breakfast
Day 11	Depart for the USA	Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast

Dates/Pricing

Lodging

	Galapagos Explorer II		El Dorado Hotel
	Hotel Victoria		Abraspungo Hotel
	San Pedro De Riobamba		Hampton Inn
	Hilton Colon Quito

Disclaimer

*Not Included:
Airport taxes & fees, optional tours, and gratuities.

Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights Guayaquil Galapagos Quito.

Passport numbers for all passengers must be submitted to a travel agent before documents can be issued.

The route and program may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns. Wildlife and visits listed in the itinerary are based upon optimal conditions and therefore subject to change.

Dry landing: Passengers step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.

Wet landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, passengers step into knee deep water and wade ashore.

Sturdy shoes are recommended for this program.

&; Riobamba: Jan 29, Mar 12, Nov 12 departures will be accommodated at San Pedro De Riobamba.

♦ Cuenca: Jan 29, Mar 12, May 7, Aug 13, Nov 12 departures will be accommodated at Hotel Victoria.

Emerald Travel Services, LLC West Hartford, CT 06117 (860) 263-7080 - Office/Fax Email: emeraldtravelservices@comcast.net Website: emeraldtravelservices.net

Emerald Travel Services, LLC
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 263-7080 - Office/Fax
Email: emeraldtravelservices@comcast.net
Website: emeraldtravelservices.net