ENCHANTING ECUADOR &
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
(Fall 2010 departures)

Day 1 | Fly Toronto to Quito

Depart Toronto on American or Continental Airlines flying via Miami, Newark or Houston.

On arrival in Quito, an English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your home away from home for the next 3 nights, the wonderful Swissotel.
Hotel: Swissotel.

Day 2 | City tour of Quito

Buffet breakfast at Cafe Quito, located at the hotel. Enjoy a half day city tour either in the morning or afternoon. During the tour, you will explore modern and colonial Quito. Among the highlights of this three-hour tour are: the Legislative Palace, Sala Capitular, Independence Plaza, Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Church. And finally, drive up Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city before returning to town. Afternoon at leisure to visit museums, galleries or take the new cable car to the top of Pichincha Volcano. Hotel: Swissotel. (Meals: B)

Day 3 | Full day in the Otavalo region

Early morning buffet breakfast at the hotel. Depart from the hotel for a full-day tour through magnificent scenery to the Otavalo region. Today you will: cross the equator at Cayambe; stop in Calderon, famous for its bread dough figure dolls; shop in Cotacachi for leather goods; and visit the grand Otavalo market. The Otavalo Indians are one of the most prosperous groups in Ecuador and have maintained their cultural identity and traditional dress for many generations. After lunch at a country inn, you will visit San Antonio de Ibarra, a wood carving centre. Return to Quito in the late afternoon.
Hotel: Swissotel. (Meals: B - L)

Day 4 | Fly Quito to Galapagos Islands

Early morning buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands.

On arrival at the airport, you are greeted by your guides and crewmembers from the ship, M/V ECLIPSE. After an initial briefing and a safety drill, you will Las Bachas Beach. Highlights: sea turtles, flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
(Meals: B - L - D)

Day 5 | Puerto Egas & Bartolome

Morning visit to Puerto Egas. Highlights: Fur Seals Grottos, snorkelling (see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles and reef sharks).

Afternoon visit at Bartolomé. Highlights: snorkelling around Pinnacle Rock, penguins, hike to the top of Pinnacle rock for a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay. For those not interested in the hike, there is an optional panga ride. (Meals: B - L - D)

Day 6 | Cerro Dragon & Rabida

Morning at Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). Highlights: land iguanas, common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos.

Afternoon at Rábida. Highlights: red sand beach, sea lions, a pelican nesting site. This is one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos Islands. (Meals: B - L - D)

Day 7 | Tagus Cove & Elizabeth Bay

Morning at Tagus Cove. Highlights: hike to along the trail for nice views of the bay, optional kayaking or panga ride to see blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls.

While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales.

Afternoon at Elizabeth Bay. Highlights: a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles and rays.
(Meals: B - L - D)

Day 8 | Punta Espinoza & Punta Vicente Roca

Morning at Fernandina. Highlights: the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk.

Afternoon snorkelling or panga ride at Punta Vicente Roca. Highlights: see turtles, Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins.
(Meals: B - L - D)

Day 9 | Darwin Station & Santa Cruz Highlands

Morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake.

Afternoon in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Highlights: a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. (Meals: B - L - D)

Day 10 | Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez

Morning at Gardner Bay. Highlights: beautiful white sandy beach, sea lions, sea turtles. There are opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

Afternoon at Punta Suárez. Highlights: Albatros, marine iguanas, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, Galapagos doves, finches, swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. (Meals: B - L - D)

Day 11 | Fly Galapagos Islands to Quito

On arrival in Quito, the guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the Swissotel. (Meals: B)

Day 12 | Fly Quito to Toronto

Early morning transfer to the Quito airport for your outbound flight.

Departures:

October 06-17
October 13-24
October 27-November 07
November 03-14
November 10-21
November 24-December 05
December 01-11
December 08-19

ACCOMMODATIONS

QUITO - Swissotel - business advantage room
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: M/V Eclipse - Main Deck Stateroom, Boat Deck Stateroom or Boat Deck Deluxe

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

- 4 nights hotel accommodation in Quito
- 7 night Galapagos cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse. Includes: shore excursions with an English speaking naturalist guide and transfers in the islands
- airport/hotel transfers in Quito
- sightseeing tours including a half day city tour of Quito and a full day tour to the Otavalo region
- English speaking guide and spanish speaking driver for transfers and tours
- Meals: 3 breakfasts and 1 lunch in Quito. All meals are included during the cruise.
- airfare Toronto - Quito - Toronto (via Miami) on American Airlines
- airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito on Aerogal Airlines
- US$ 100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee
- US$ 10 INGALA Transit tax

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

- US$ 40.80 Ecuador exit tax
- Gratuities
- Meals and beverages (unless specified above)
- Cancellation / medical insurance

DURATION

12 days / 11 nights

TOUR UPGRADES

Hotel upgrades are available. Please inquire.