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Galapagos Islands and Haciendas, mainland ecuador coupled with galapagos cruises

This eco-adventure offers contrasting views of Ecuador

5D/4N Cruise Tourist Superior: +$2,920
First Class: +$3,310
Cruise Ship: +$3,560
Luxury Cruise: +$4,315 6D/5N Cruise Tourist Superior: +$3,220
First Class: +$4,010
Cruise Ship: +$4,415
Luxury Cruise: +$4,960
8D/7N Cruise Tourist Superior: +$3,670
First Class: +$4,890
Cruise Ship: +$4,615
Luxury Cruise: +$5,740

This South American eco-adventure offers two contrasting views of Ecuador: the indigenous life of this little-visited mainland and its popular off-shore attraction, the Galapagos Islands, all in one fascinating eleven day trip. The pleasures of Ecuador's timeless country lifestyle are an ideal destination for the inquisitive traveler who enjoys getting off the beaten track to learn about a country's traditions and its crafts. You'll spend five days visiting Ecuador sights that few tourists see on Ecuador tours, shopping in its famous Andean markets, enjoying its scenic hot springs, hiking in the highlands and staying in picturesque hacienda lodgings, all as a magnificent prelude to the Galapagos cruise of your choosing. We offer a wide range of Galapagos Island tours, allowing you to customize your trip according to what best suits your interests, schedule and budget.

ABOUT ECUADOR TRAVELING TO ECUADOR GALAPAGOS WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT GALAPAGOS
= J F M A M J J A S O N D =

GALAPAGOS ISLAND DESCRIPTIONS GALAPAGOS FAQ GALAPAGOS ISLANDS MAP MAP OF ECUADOR RECOMMENDED READING

Galapagos Islands and Haciendas Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE QUITO View Quito accommodations picture gallery Arrival and transfer to your Quito hotel. If you arrive early for your Ecuador adventure travel tour, we can arrange optional tours to explore the city, its museums and other sites of interest.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Day 2 QUITO - COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK View Cotopaxi accommodations picture gallery Your Ecuador adventure travel tour begins with an unforgettable drive south through the "Avenue of Volcanoes," viewing the spectacular plains that surround the world's highest active volcano, Mt. Cotopaxi at 19,225 feet, located in Cotopaxi National Park. This enormous park is home to many species including llamas, wild horses, deer, rabbits, Andean gulls and hummingbirds as well as a good place to catch a glimpse of the endangered Andean condor, one of the world's largest birds. A hearty trail lunch will fortify you for the short climb to El Parqueadero for a stunning view of a nearby glacier. You'll reach an authentic hacienda by later afternoon where you'll enjoy a delicious dinner and a comfortable night's stay. (B,L,D)
Day 3 COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK - PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS View Papallacta Hot Springs accommodations gallery After breakfast you'll head towards the Oriente, Ecuador's Amazon Basin, through a dramatic landscape of waterfalls, high plains and volcanoes. From the village of Papallacta, you'll take a tranquil guided hike, learning about the flora and fauna of this picturesque region followed by a tasty lunch. Then enjoy a long soak in the pristine Papallacta hot springs surrounded by glorious vistas. Rejuvenated, you'll be ready for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay at the hot springs. (B,L,D)
Day 4 PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS - OTAVALO MARKET View Otavalo accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, there will be time for a last refreshing soak before resuming your Ecuador adventure travel tour through the lush highlands to the valley town of Otavalo deep in the Andes where the country's most famous textile market is located. There you'll be able to bargain for colorful weavings and tapestries and be given a private demonstration by a family of weavers who are preserving the craft of their ancestors. In the late afternoon, you'll drive into a highland region of countless lakesin Imbabura Province, staying for dinner and overnight at another charming historic hacienda. (B,L,D)
Day 5 OTAVALO MARKET - COTACACHI - QUITO View Quito accommodations picture gallery This morning, you'll learn about more Ecuador craft traditions, starting with a visit to the village of Calderon, famous for its bread dough figures used in Day of the Dead celebrations and as Christmas ornaments. Today's lunch venue is a hacienda in the area (not included in trip fee). In the afternoon, you'll travel on to the town of Cotacachi, known for its handcrafted leather items. There may be time for one last stop at beautiful deep water Cuicocha Lake, a flooded volcanic crater with two floating islets, before returning to Quito to spend the night at a hotel. (B)
Day 6 QUITO - GALAPAGOS Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to the Galapagos Islands where you'll be transferred to your vessel and set sail for your first island. Depending on which of these Galapagos cruises you choose, you'll sail in this extraordinary archipelago for five to eight days with the vessel as your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 7-9 GALAPAGOS ISLAND TOURS According to your chosen itinerary, you'll visit between eight and ten different islands, each with its own particular topography, ecology, and wildlife. Small panga boats provide daily transport ashore for walking tours to get a closer view of Galapagos wildlife. There is always plenty of time for snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming and if you like, pure relaxation on the boat or the beach. Please refer to the individual boat itineraries for specific details. (B,L,D)
Day 10 GALAPAGOS - QUITO View Quito accommodations picture gallery Experience one last island visit on this final day of your series of Galapagos tours before being transferred from the vessel to the airport for the return flight to Quito. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel for a final night in the capital. (B)
Day 11 QUITO - HOME We'll provide a morning transfer to the airport for your international flight home, marking the end of Southern Explorations' services. (B) View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR EXTENSIONS

Have more time to spend? Why not customize your trip with some of these trip extensions? Add extensions to the beginning or the end of your trip, or add to both ends.
GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR DAY EXTENSIONS Quito City Scenic Tour (3hrs) Quito City Tour + Museum (4hrs) Quito City Tour at Night Middle of the World (3hrs) Quito City Tour + Middle (5hrs) Papallacta Hot Springs (1D) Rafting Rio Blanco (1D) Mountain Bicycling (1D) Otavalo Market (1D) Sea Kayak Cuicocha Lake (1D) Cotopaxi National Park (1D) Bellavista Cloud Forest (1D)	GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR MULTI-DAY EXTENSIONS Otavalo Market Tour (2D) Cotopaxi Tour (2D) Haciendas, Hot Springs & Volcanoes (4D) CLOUD & RAIN FOREST LODGES Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge (2D) Sacha Lodge (4/5D) Kapawi Ecolodge (4/5D) Napo Wildlife Center (4/5D) La Selva Jungle Lodge (4/5D)

ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT GALAPAGOS
TOURS AND TRAVEL

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2012 TRIP DATES

Departure dates depend on the duration of your Galapagos cruise and the boat of your choice. Please for more details.
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS

Included in tour cost: Meals as indicated; All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis); All airport/hotel transfers; Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites (except Galapagos National Park); Five or eight day Galapagos Cruise; English speaking certified guides; Southern Explorations pre departure services.
Excluded in tour cost: International round trip airfare to and from Ecuador; Domestic Airfare: Quito / Galapagos / Quito
Low Season: $385
(May 1 - June 14 / Sept 15 - Oct 31)
High Season: $430
(Jan 1 - April 30 / June 15 - Sept 14 / Nov 1 - Dec 31); airport taxes international (around $55) and local (around $10); Entrance to Galapagos National Park ($100); Tips and gratuities; Alcoholic beverages; Travel insurance; Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

GALAPAGOS ACCOMMODATION

Galapagos & Haciendas: 6 nights Hotel
4 nights Galapagos Island Cruise

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Additional $: Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.

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