8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1 - Friday
Arrive in Quito. Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist
you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
Complimentary Quito Scenic Tour - Drive through this overwhelmingly beautiful
city down the broad avenues of the northern residential section. See the
modern Legislative Palace whose stone murals record the country's history
and the impressive San Agustín Monastery and its Sala Capitular.
Go downtown to Independence Plaza, the town's oldest colonial center,
and to La Compañía Church, famous for its ornate facade
and glittering golden altars. Visit San Francisco Cathedral which is one
of the first great religious buildings in the New World and the home of
the works of the famous Indian artist, Caspicara.
Day 2 - Saturday
Full Day Tour to Otavalo Indian Market - Early morning departure for a
drive along the Panamerican highway to visit one of South America's most
famous Indian fairs, the Otavalo Market. In route to the market, a quick
stop at Calderón allows the opportunity to see how the popular marzipan
"bread dolls" are made and to make "bargain price" purchases of them.
Arriving at Otavalo, take a walk through the bustling produce market where
the Indians meet to trade among themselves. Continue to the tourist market
which is piled high with colorful ponchos, tapestries, woolen goods, and
Indian jewelry. In the afternoon drive to the woodcarving center of San
Antonio de Ibarra and to the village of Cotacachi, famous for its leather
handicrafts. Lunch en route.
Day 3 - Sunday
Full Day Excursion to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park - Travel south on
the Panamerican highway through the rolling hills and fertile pasture
lands of the Andean highlands to the entrance of the Cotopaxi Volcano
National Park. Entering the park, drive through acres of pine forests
to the base of the Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.
Standing at the 12,000 foot base, you can look almost directly up to the
top of the 19,700 foot peak and perhaps see one of the magnificent condors
flying by. After leaving the park, stop for lunch in a charming colonial
hacienda before returning to Quito. Lunch en route.
Day 4 - Monday
Transfer from hotel to the airport for departure. Flight - Quito/Galapagos
Island Mid morning arrival in Santa Cruz Island Upon arrival at the airport
a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
The Galapagos - Garden Bay And Punta Suarez (Hood Island) The sandy shore of Gardner Bay, located on the northeast side of Hood Island, offers a variety of sea shells to delight its visitors as well as a soft spot to rest for sunbathers. The calm waters of the bay are perfect for swimming and fishing according to the local sea lions who are likely to join you in an afternoon of fun and games. Punta Suarez is a favorite gathering place for the Hood Island inhabitants. At a town meeting you are likely to see many of the communities important citizens such as the local politicians - the Long-billed mockingbirds, the local bandits - the Masked Boobies, as well as the Galapagos edition of "punk rockers" - the Sally Light-foot crabs, milling around with such notables as Blue-footed boobies, finches, and frigatebirds.
The Galapagos - Charles And Santa Cruz Islands Charles Island offers much to its visitors from the beautiful flamingos and Audubon's shearwaters found at Punta Cormorant to the colorful tropical fish and coral found at Devil's Crown right off shore. Post Office Bay, named such because it is the site where 18th century whalers opened an unofficial post office, is also found here. Academy Bay on Santa Cruz Island is the location of the internationally famous Charles Darwin Research Station. This is one of the few places in the islands where the giant tortoises may still be seen. Another point of interest is Turtle Cove, a mangrove lagoon which is a favorite haunt of the Green sea turtles.
Mid morning arrival in Santa Cruz. Transfer to airport for departure. Flight - Galapagos Islands / Quito Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel.
Transfer from hotel to the airport for departure.
Flight - Quitol / USA