The Galapagos Islands including Otavalo, The Andes Mountain Train and Quito
HighlightsOtavalo Indigenous Market, Andes Mountain Train, Middle of the World, Quito, 5-Day Galapagos Cruise, Baltra Island, Bartholome Island, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Rabida Island, Santa Cruz Island Embark on an amazing five day cruise of the Galapagos Islands with a naturalist guide - see blue-footed boobies, sea lions, iguanas & more! Visit the famous Otavalo Market and browse the colorful displays of blankets, ponchos and panama hats. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation projects and admire the giant tortoises. Enjoy a ride on the Andes Mountain train and meet local people during a folklore show and lunch. Visit the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum where you will cross from one hemisphere to another.
Collette Experience
Call (866) 288-8728 for more information or to book today! Mention code 9284537
- Tour Operator
- Collette Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 8/31/2010
- Duration
- 11 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Quito, Ecuador | Quito, Ecuador : Arrive in Quito, a lovely city overlooking the green and gray peaks of the Andes. |
| Day 2 | Otavalo | Quito - Otavalo : In Imbabura, an enchanting region characterized by lakes and farmlands, see how traditions thrive as local artisans create "Mazapan" bread dough figurines and talk about this unique art form. This evening, enjoy accommodations at a 300-year-old Andean hacienda, a colonial estate that offers warm hospitality and Old World elegance. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 3 | Otavalo | Otavalo : This morning, travel through lush valleys and stunning highlands to tour a rose plantation hacienda and learn about the varieties and production of one of Ecuador's major exports. Afterwards, take in the sights and sounds of the famous Otavalo Market as you browse displays of blankets, ponchos, panama hats and much more. Learn about the regional customs, meet some local people during lunch, then enjoy a folkloric show featuring indigenous music and dance. Then, watch local artisans create high-quality apparel using traditional techniques and enjoy a demonstration and tasting of "helado de paila," a local ice cream specialty. Today breakfast and lunch will be included. |
| Day 4 | Quito | Otavalo - Andes Mountain Train - Quito : Begin your day with an unforgettable train ride through breathtaking Andean landscapes. On your descent from 7,220 feet to 4,920 feet, view fertile valleys of fruit and sugar plantations and typical indigenous villages. Your train ride ends in the community of Salinas where lunch features regional specialties and cheerful, traditional Afro-Ecuadorian music and dance. This evening, return to Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today breakfast , lunch and dinner will be included. |
| Day 5 | Quito | Quito : Spend your morning touring Quito's charming colonial center including the Presidential Palace and 17th-century church of La Compania with its breathtaking gilded altars. Next, visit the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum at the "Middle of the World" where you will cross from one hemisphere into another! The remainder of the day is at leisure. Today breakfast will be included. |
| Day 6 | Bartholome Island | Quito - Baltra Island, Galapagos - Embark Ship - Bartholome Island : Your adventure in the Galapagos begins today! A morning flight takes you to beautiful Baltra Island, gateway to the Galapagos. Enjoy lunch aboard the m/v Galapagos Legend. This afternoon, disembark at Bartholome Island, known for its spectacular volcanic formations. At the summit of the island, enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding islands and the famous eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. Hike to the summit, finding colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tequila and various cacti. You will also have the opportunity to snorkel and see penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped sharks. Today breakfast , lunch and dinner will be included. |
| Day 7 | Fernandina Island (Espinosa Point) | Isabela Island (Urbina Bay) - Fernandina Island (Espinosa Point) : Visit Isabela Island where you will see the incredible fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season, you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants along the beach. After a nature walk, snorkel in the warm waters of Urbina Bay. Sail on to wondrous Fernandina Island where you will see oversized marine iguanas mingling with Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions sharing the beach with Galapagos penguins. In addition to the diverse wildlife, look for brachycereus cacti, dramatic lava formations and vast mangrove beds that extend into the sea. Today breakfast , lunch and dinner will be included. |
| Day 8 | Rabida (Jervis) | Santiago (Egas Port) - Rabida (Jervis) : Arrive at Santiago Island - a landscape characterized by tuff-stone layers and lava flows. Look for birds like the great blue herons, lava herons and oyster catchers. You may also see marine iguanas grazing on algae beds, fur seals frolicking in deep pools of cool water, and crabs teetering along the rocky shore. Next, visit the island of Rabida, the geographic center of the Galapagos boasting the most diverse volcanic rocks on the islands. Its volcanic beach is covered in dark red sand and sea lions. Hike to the scenic salt water lagoon, frequented by graceful flamingos. Eccentric boobies and nine species of Darwin's finches can also be observed here. This evening, stargaze from the deck of your ship. Today breakfast , lunch and dinner will be included. |
| Day 9 | Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station and Highlands) | Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station and Highlands) : Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island - a world-class facility where international scientists conduct research and conservation projects. See the famous giant tortoises that are part of the station's breeding program. Later, trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit Cerro Chato; find more of the giant tortoises that gave the islands their name. It is here that the famous Galapagos coffee beans are organically grown - try a sample. Finally, you may choose to walk inside the dormant lava tubes for an incredible glimpse into the turbulent formation of these islands. Today breakfast , lunch and dinner will be included. |
| Day 10 | Guayaquil | Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach) - Disembark Ship - Baltra Island - Guayaquil : Experience Bachas Beach, a stunning white sand beach located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Among the sand and surf, find many sea birds, marine iguanas and sea turtles. You'll also have the opportunity to take a dip in the clear turquoise waters. Return to the m/v Galapagos Legend to check out and transfer to Baltra's airport for an afternoon flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. |
| Day 11 | Tour Concludes | Guayaquil - Tour Concludes : Enjoy a city tour of Guayaquil - a coastal community known as the "Pearl of the Pacific." Behold the waterfront area of Malecon 2000 and the 19th-century neighborhood of Las Penas, with its colorful, Spanish-style wooden houses. From Santa Ana Hill, enjoy magnificent views of the city below and the chocolate-colored Guayas River. Embrace the architecture, traditions and customs of the Ecuadorian coastal region. Finally, visit the Botanical Garden where you can observe over 73 bird species and 60 species of butterflies. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Today breakfast will be included. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
Grand Hotel Mercure, Quito Hacienda Pinsaqui, Otavalo Grand Hotel Mercure, Quito m/v Galapagos Legend, Galapagos Islands Hotel Oro Verde, Guayaquil
- Disclaimer
- Note
Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.
