ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

21 DAY PACKAGE

DAY 1: Reception at Quito International Airport, transfer to hotel for welcome cocktail and informational talk. Overnight in Quito.

DAY 2: Tour Quito's colonial area, filled with impressive architectural relícs and awe-inspiring religious buildings.

From there we go to Panecillo (Little bread loaf). Lunch. Visit the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World, Zero Latitude). Enjoy Ecuador's famous folkloric ballet, "Jacchigua", in the evening.

DAY 3: Visit the Indian Market in Otavalo and the village of the Peguche. A short hike to a waterfall. Lunch in Cotacachi, a town famous for its leather goods. Visit the volcanic lagoon, Cuicocha. Overnight on the shores of San Pablo Lake.

DAY 4: Visit San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its wood sculptures and carvings. Lunch at the Hacienda Chorlaví, while a folkloric music group and ballet dancers entertain you.

DAY 5: Flight to the Galápagos Islands. Arrive at Puerto Baquerizo (Galápagos). A reception follows, led by a guide. Transfer to yacht for lunch. Then, a one hour cruise to Lobería to see sea lions and Blue-footed Boobies on a white sandy beach.

DAY 6: San Cristóbal lsland - Punta Pitt. The mountainous terrain is home to small canyons and an eroded volcano. Visit Cerro Brujo, or "Sorcerer's Hill". (Sea lion colony, Boobies, shore birds, and pelicans).

DAY 7: Española Island - Punta Suarez, on the west point of Española Island. Get a chance to view the Galápagos Hawk, Flightless Cormorant, marine and sea iguanas, albatros and the mockingbird. Explore Gardner Beach's white sandy stretches or snorkel in Gardner bay with seals.

DAY 8: Visit Puerto Ayora, the High Grounds, for either a visit to the lava tunnels or to a tortoise reserve. Visit the Charles Darwin research station to see "Galápagos" giant turtles, research facilities and museum. Free time to explore on your own.

DAY 9: North Seymour Island to see the famous Frigate colony (Blue-footed Boobies, land and marine iguanas). Visit to Bachas Beach, on the north side of Santa Cruz Island.

DAY 10: Rábida is one of the most volcanic of the Galápagos Islands. See pelicans, flamingoes, and other shore birds. Cruise to Bartolomé, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock where you may see the Galápagos Penguin. Hike to the summit of Bartolomé (114m), for a fabulous view of the surrounding islands.

DAY 11: Visit South Plaza Island to see a colony of sea lions. Land visit to Santa Fé Island where there are an abundance of seals, Galápagos hawks, and finches. Snorkelling in a crystal clear bay. Swim with sea turtles, possibly rays and Galápagos White Tipped shark.

DAY 12: From Puerto Baquerizo transfer to airport for flight to Quito. Reception and assistance, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Quito.

DAY 13: Cotopaxi National Park drive up to Lake Limpiopungo at 4,000 m followed by a short drive to 200 m below sea level to refuge hut. For the adventurous, a half hour hike to the refuge hut (4,800 m). Journey to Latacunga and Ambato arriving in the spa town of Baños. Free evening in Baños.

DAY 14: Tour the town of Baños and surrounding area (Rio Pastaza, lnes Maria Waterfalls etc). Visit thermal baths, Baños zoo, hike, or simply enjoy the facilities of the hotel. Overnight in Baños.

DAY 15: Return to Quito of Saquisilí Indian Market, with its eight small plazas. Lunch at the Hostería La Ciénega followed by a free afternoon in Quito.

DAY 16: Morning flight from Quito to Lago Agrio. Reception at the airport followed by lunch. Transfer by bus to Chiritza, 1 1/2 hours southeast of Lago Agrio on the River Aguarico. Transportation is by motorized canoe down the Aguarico River until you reach PARADISE HUTS. This exciting leg of your trip takes 1 1/2 hours. Evening meal. Travelers will have the option of an evening hike.

DAY 17: After breakfast, hike through the private forest owned owned by Paradise Huts and see the great variety of species of plants, trees and animal life. See the "Ceibo" Tree. Lunch back at the lodge, followed by a visit to the home of an indigenous family to see a demostration and participation in the use of blowpipes, musical instruments and the elaboration of woven goods. Evening meal.

DAY 18: Breakfast, followed by a visit to San Pablo, the largest Secoya tribe community in the region. Learn of their customs and way of life, and meet the local Shaman. Paddle an indigenous canoe on the Aguarico River. Evening meal and farewell cocktail.

DAY 19: Early breakfast and departure for Chiritza by canoe. Take bus to Lago Agrio to catch the flight back to Quito. Free afternoon in Quito.

DAY 20: Free day in Quito or we can organize various day trips (Papallacta Thermal Baths, Hiking on Mount Pichincha, Shopping tour of Quito, Horse riding near Otavalo etc). Cocktails.

DAY 21: Breakfast in hotel. Assistance and transfer to Quito International Airport.

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