Journey Travel DG

DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Ecuador

 

Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, Ecuador's capital city; transfer to your hotel

 

***Please note flights may arrive in the very early morning of day 2

 

Overnight: Quito 

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DAY 2, Wednesday - Full Day in Quito

 

Full Day Quito City Tour & Middle of the World with Lunch. Walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting La Compañia de Jesus Church, with its beautiful gilded interior or the Church and Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World with its impressive facade and atrium. Afterward, visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

Overnight: Quito

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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DAY 3, Thursday - Galapagos Islands, Baltra, Charles Darwin Research Station

 

Embark this morning on a journey to the "beginning of time" as you transfer to the airport for the flight to the astonishing Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands, five million years in the making. Arrive at Baltra Airport, meet your naturalist guides and transfer by ferry to Santa Cruz. Continue by bus to El Chato Tortoise Reserve and see their natural habitat. Tortoises can be seen grazing on the vegetation, wallowing in muddy banks or in the small red ponds. The area is teeming with wildlife, including woodpecker finches, mockingbirds, flycatchers, as well as ducks, herons, and gallinules. After lunch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

 

Overnight: Galapagos

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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DAY 4, Friday - North Seymour Island

 

Head by boat to North Seymour Island, that was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event. Cliffs that are only a few feet high form the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit perched on ledges and a tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing. This island is teeming with life! You might have to give the right-of-way to a passing sea lion or a marine iguana. Along the way, perhaps you may see the famous Galapagos blue-footed booby nesting beside the trail or, spot flocks of pelicans in a feeding frenzy. Keep on the lookout for the magnificent frigate bird, with its puffed-up scarlet throat sack, perched in low bushes watching over their chicks. Head to an isolated beach for a refreshing swim or, snorkel along the coast.

 

Overnight: Galapagos

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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DAY 5, Saturday - Bartolomé Island

 

Travel by boat to the golden beaches of Bartolomé Island, dominated by the iconic Pinnacle Rock, an impressive towering lava structure that rises from the ocean's edge. View an astonishing array of wildlife including Galapagos penguins, sea lions, turtles and a huge variety of fish. After snorkeling and swimming, option for a steep hike to the summit of this diminutive island with fantastic panoramic views of the archipelago

 

Overnight: Galapagos

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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DAY 6, Sunday - Flight to Guayaquil

 

This morning, on your way to Baltra, stop at Los Gemelos (twin sinkholes) to view the great depressions of volcanic material formed by a long process of the sinking ground, and the exceptional view of Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses and orchids. Then, proceed to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador's sprawling and vivacious port city. Transfer to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

 

Overnight: Guayaquil

 

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 7, Monday - Depart Ecuador

 

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight*

 

*Some flights depart in the very early morning of day 7 and will require a transfer on day 6. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.

 

Meals: Breakfast

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***Due to the high elevation, travel in the Ecuadorian Andes may cause some passengers to experience the temporary effects of altitude sickness. If you have any concerns about traveling to higher than your accustomed elevation, please consult your healthcare provider.

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***Ecuador - Passport information must be submitted at least 60 days prior to departure. This information is necessary to issue the Galapagos Tourist Card.

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***Quito is situated at an altitude of 9,400 feet above sea level. Therefore, you should allow a few hours to adjust to the high altitude by resting and eating lightly. Other areas of Ecuador are also situated at high altitudes including Otavalo (8,400 feet), Papallacta (10,800 feet), and Patate (8,400 feet).

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***This moderately active trip covers a fair amount of ground each day. Expect from two to three hours walking every touring day. The pace is fast and you will encounter some uneven surfaces such as sandy and rocky beaches, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Getting to the Galapagos requires a flight from Quito to the Island of Baltra, where you will transfer to the Baltra Seaport and travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island. It takes approximately two hours, on foot, to get to and from the areas populated with wildlife. You will experience wet landings in water, on sand or rocks and dry landings on wooden docks. The weather in the Galapagos is hot particularly December through June. 

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9 meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches

 

Services of English-speaking local guides

 

Services of English-speaking naturalist guides in the Galapagos

 

Shore excursions

 

Galapagos National Park fee of $200

 

Galapagos Transit Control Card fee of $20

 

Special Features

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Embark on a journey to the beginning of time in the Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands.

 

Tour the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn about their preservation goals.

 

View the iconic Pinnacle Rock, a towering lava structure in Bartolomé Island.

 

Explore areas with blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and sea lions.

 

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Climate & Clothing

 

Ecuador and Galapagos - The climate varies widely according to geographical area. The highlands are cold and dry. Along the coast it is warm and sunny year round. Bring comfortable walking shoes, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. At times, the temperature drops and a warm jacket is necessary. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops).

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​Ecuador and Galapagos - You may encounter mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas, especially during wet seasons. Travelers are encouraged to bring a good supply of insect repellent and consider wearing clothing that adequately covers arms and legs.