Ecuador
&
Galápagos

DAY 01: ARRIVE INTO QUITO

Meet & greet you at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 02: CITY TOUR QUITO AND QUITSATO, MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Start your day by visiting the oldest street of the city, La Ronda that used to be the home of musicians, poets and politics back in time. Encounter the traditions of the city by stopping in the gastronomic capsule, the house of handicrafts made of metal and wood, the ice cream house, and the chocolate house. Stop by Independence Square, surrounded by important historical buildings. Visit the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and La Compañía de Jesus (XVII Century), one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America. Not to be missed is the Church of San Francisco and Monastery.

Later drive 30 km north of Quito, towards the Middle of the World where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. On the way enjoy a panoramic tour of the Solar Clock. Exactly at latitude 0 ° 0’0’’, with the precision of a millimeter, the Solar Clock Ecuador, is the first monument in the history of the Republic of Ecuador. Afterwards, we will continue our trip to the main monument built in honor of the French scientific expedition that arrived in Ecuador in the 18th century to determine the correct location of the equator line. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument, which displays the main cultures of Ecuador or visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural museum, located at the exact crossing of the Equator Line. End your day at Panecillo Hill with a magnificent view of the city.

DAY 03: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, TWIN CRATERS, AND PRIMICIAS

Flight to the Galapagos Islands.

Upon arriving in Baltra transfer to Santa Cruz Island reaching the highlands of the Islands with its green vegetation. First stop will be Twin Craters, formed by a series of eruptions when the islands were still active. Los Gemelos (Twin) is the only place on the island where the Scalesia forest, endemic plants to this area, some species of finches of the Galapagos, and beautiful sorcerer bird can be observed. Later visit Primicias Ranch where you will see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. Learn about the geological formation of the island through an excursion through the lava tunnel.
Take the opportunity to leave a “soul print” in the Galapagos Islands and you can be part of the project of conservation on the Island. The program consists in planting your own tree on Primicias Ranch. This tree will have your name on and later, you will receive a certificate for actively supporting in the maintenance of the Galapagos’ ecosystem.
Return to your hotel

DAY 04: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, TORTUGA BAY WALKING, BAY TOUR

Enjoy a hike to Tortuga Bay (about 45 mins) where you will find two beaches. One is a rough beach where you can watch marine iguanas entering and leaving the sea (not appropriate for swimming) and another quiet natural swimming pool like where you can relax and take a swim. At the end of the morning, head back to Puerto Ayora. Enroute watch Darwin’s finches, lava lizards, and the vegetation of the transition zone, arid zone, and the coastal zone followed by a navigable excursion to the isolated bays of Puerto Ayora. Visit interesting and beautiful sites such as: Lobería with time for snorkeling with sea lions, Reef Shark Channel with a short walk to see the Opuntia Cactus and Marine Iguanas, and Las Grietas and Franklin’s Bay where you can walk on rock formations. Return to the hotel

DAY 05: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND NAVIGABLE TOUR

Enjoyable tour to North Seymour, a 1.9 km² island located northbound from Baltra. The main fauna species of this island are Land Iguanas, the Magnificent Frigate bird with their incredible scarlet regular pouch, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions surfing across the waves. Snorkel in Bachas where you will discover tons of different fish species, and also swim with sea lions. Return to the hotel. Meals included: B,L,D

DAY 06: BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND TOUR

Travel to Baltra to start your first navigable tour to Bartholomew. Bartholomew is a small island located next to Santiago Island. One of the Islands ́ principal attractions is the “pinnacle rock”. For the best view, go on an easy hike (about 1 hr). Take in the volcanic landscape of the island where you can also find lava lizard or cacti. At the top enjoy a magnificent view of the Pinnacle Rock in contrast with the volcanic landscape, blended with the turquoise waters of the surrounding beaches. You will have a chance to do some snorkeling in one of the coral beaches of the area. Here you may see Marine turtles, sea lions, multicolor fish, and penguins. Afternoon return to the hotel.

DAY 7: AIRPORT TRANSFER FOR DEPARTURE

On to your next destination.

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY

Our trip was amazing with right amount of pace with hikes, climbing and ending with cruise in Galapagos Islands. The whole trip was well done and very nicely, timely organized by Condor. We enjoyed Machhu Picchu, also we climbed Huyana picchu. The hotel was excellent. The cruise was excellent. It was very well planned and organized. (Good choice of Legend) I am glad we did this. Lima city tour was very good. Very nice guide. All the transfers were well done. Usha, we had very good trip with right amount of time away from home. I again thank you for making and planning our trip so successful. Let us plan for another one in future soon. Thanks.

Rekha J

Ecuador & Galápagos