Ecuador in Style

with M/Y Santa Cruz

 

Day 1 | Monday – Quito

Escorted transfer between airport and your hotel. Baggage handling of two pieces of luggage per person at airport and at hotel is included.
02 Nights at Hotel in Quito – Double / Twin Room + Breakfast included
Meals included: None

Day 2 | Tuesday – Quito

The capital of Ecuador has a setting that few cities can match. During the 13th century it was the prosperous center of the Kingdom of Quitus. It later became the northern capital of the Inca Empire. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Colonial architects built formidable temples, monasteries and mansions, creating an urban jewel designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Quito’s artistic creativity awaits the visitor in cosmopolitan galleries and boutiques filled with contemporary paintings, sculptures and exquisite traditional crafts. The stay in Quito must include a visit to the Colonial sector, the old and charming city with 400 years of Spanish heritage. Also, visit the Center of the World, the very center of the earth, at latitude 0°. A visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Lunch at one of the excellent restaurants in Quito or the equator area.
Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 Kms. (16 miles) North of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. Visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Beside the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs. You will get a certificate for having crossed the Equator.
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Take a sweater even if the day is warm and sunny. Rain protection advised in the afternoon. This tour includes walking at an altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet) and climbing stairs. Sun protection (SPF 40). Good walking shoes. Entrance fees are included.
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch

Day 3 | Wednesday – Quito – Otavalo

The Otavalos are a people and culture indigenous to the Valley of Otavalo, in the Province of Imbabura in Northern Ecuador. In 1495 the Otavalo area was conquered by the Inca Empire and in turn conquered by the Spanish Conquistadors in 1535. The Otavalos are a very prosperous community of skilled textile weavers, who gather to sell their products at the market in the city of Otavalo as they have done for centuries, as regional markets have played an important role in Indian life, providing regular gathering places for trade and socializing. Today, increasing numbers of Otavalos have also been traveling overseas to sell their handcrafts in Europe and North America. The Otavalos are proud of their cultural heritage, hard working people who have managed to overcome poverty without changing their way of life, their traditions or their dress, while at the same time taking advantage of technological advances.
A major aspect of the Otavalo Indian ethnic identity is their native dress. For men this consists of a blue poncho, white shirt and calf-length trousers, a fedora-type hat and their hair combed in a long braid. Women dress in embroidered blouses, blue skirts and shawls plus several layers of golden necklaces and red bead bracelets. Both men and women wear “alpargatas”, a type of sandal. Otavalos speak Kichwa, their native language, even though today most also speak, Spanish, English, French… Otavalo is currently considered one of the most important tour destinations in Ecuador, due to its ancestral cultural heritage, enriched by millenary traditions, myths, legends and customs together with Andean landscapes of outstanding beauty: mountains, lakes, waterfalls and rivers, that, as per the Otavalo Cosmovision, possess life and energy.
This overnighter is the most recommended trip to Otavalo, allowing guests to explore the fertile valley of Otavalo, enjoy its landscapes of mountains, lakes and corn fields, its craft centers, and wonderful people. Spend the night at an hacienda or hostal in the area and the next day, arrive early at the handcraft market.
Guests will thoroughly enjoy this two-day excursion, with ample time to explore the fertile Valley of Otavalo, its landscapes of mountains, lakes and corn fields, see the artisans at work, visit Indian communities and its wonderful people. First stop is
Calderón, a small town where bread dough figurines are made in many shapes and sizes.
Continue along the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and flower plantations. Arrive at one of the charming country inns or colonial haciendas where you will spend the night (see description below). Visit the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for the woodcarvings, the town of Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to selling fine leather products, and the town of Peguche where textiles are woven in oldfashioned shuttle looms.
01 Night at a local Hacienda – Double / Twin Room + Half board included
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4 | Thursday – Otavalo – Quito

Today have an early start at the handicraft market of Otavalo, piled high with ponchos, woolen goods, tapestries, the original “Panama” hat, sweaters, Indian jewelry and many handicrafts.
On the return trip, a stop is made for lunch at one of the haciendas of the Cayambe area.
The order of the visits may vary - depending on the weather and the day of the week. If this excursion is taken Friday/Saturday, a snack will be offered at one of the haciendas in the Cayambe area on Friday morning and lunch on Saturday will be in the Otavalo area.
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Take a warm coat for evening and rain protection from February to May. This tour includes walking at an altitude of 2560 meters (8434 feet). Sun protection (SPF 40). Good walking shoes. Great photo ops.
01 Night at Hotel in Quito – Double / Twin Room + Breakfast included
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch

Day 5 | Friday – Quito – Galapagos

Escorted transfer between your hotel and the airport of Quito. Baggage handling of two pieces of luggage per person at airport and at hotel is included. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal [Chatham] Island) 
Arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island and transfer to the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment and lunch. After lunch, introductory welcome talk and boat drill.
Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island)
A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers will bring us to Cerro Brujo's white coraline beach . Wet landing. The area will show us good views of seabirds like bluefooted boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and some shore birds . Also, look for Galapagos sea lions. The beach is a great open walking area, with rewarding birdwatching. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and with luck a Vermillion flycatcher (endemic subspecies to San Cristobal). These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos. Back on board for a briefing on the next day's activities, followed by a cocktail offered by the Captain and dinner.
03 Nights on board M/V Santa Cruz
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6 | Saturday – Galapagos

Punta Suarez (Española (Hood) Island)
Morning outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked boobies), blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Among its landbirds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. Back on board for lunch.
Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May). Possibility of snorkeling from the beach, or join our Glass Bottom Boat or advanced snorkeling panga if conditions permit. Briefing and dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7 | Sunday – Galapagos

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their island habitat with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. Back on board for lunch. As we sail along the Bolívar Channel, astonishing views of the Galápagos’ youngest volcanoes can be seen. The nutrient-rich waters of the west can also bring surprises like encountering sea birds feeding, dolphins, and possibly whales. Punta Vicente Roca (Isla Isabela)
In the afternoon, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we will schedule a snorkeling outing along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano, in the northern tip of Isabela Island. Since there is no landing site at this location, we will include a coastal exploration by dinghy, where our naturalist guides will commit to explaining the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only existing marine birds in the world other than penguins that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here also includes Sea lions, Galápagos Fur seals, Galápagos Penguins, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies and noddy terns. This area has a very rich marine life, and is seasonally visited by green sea turtles. Details about the next day’s activities before dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 8 | Monday – Galápagos

Santa Cruz Island and Baltra Island
Visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station will be certainly a rewarding adventure for this morning's program. It will just require a different approach, in order to accomplish all our travel plans. 
We arrive at the Itabaca Channel, between the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz and disembark at the public dock (dry landing) for a 30-minute bus ride along the highlands in route to Puerto Ayora where changes in vegetation can be witnessed. Upon arrival, we proceed to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the famous giant tortoises. Here we will get to understand the conservation efforts promoted by this institution, and stroll among an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest where endemic land birds can be seen. After an hour visit, you will be met and transferred by a representative from the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
02 Nights at Finch Bay Eco Hotel – Double / Twin Room + Breakfast included
Meals included: Breakfast


NOTES:

The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters. Safety will be always part of the daily programming of activities. Kindly follow all suggestions. It is compulsory to wear a life vest during all dinghy rides between the ship and the shore.
Flexibility is essential in order to cope with nature's outstanding features. Given the islands’ volcanic origin, and the fact that most walking is done over pristine and irregular volcanic terrain, guests must be in suitable physical condition for this kind of outings.
The ship also organizes activities like boat rides, glass-bottom boat trips, snorkeling, swimming, lectures, all complementing everyone’s experience.
The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag). The operation does not carry prescription masks. A shortie wet suit is highly recommended from June to December. Cooperation of guests is a key point when complying with the rules of the National Park. This alone can guarantee a major success in the expedition.
For island visits, two types of landings are planned:
Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into kneedeep water and wade ashore.

Day 9 | Tuesday – Galapagos

Day at leisure
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10 | Wednesday – Galapagos – Guayaquil

Private transfer from the Finch Bay Eco Hotel to the airport of Baltra to take your flight back to the continent. 
On arrival in Guayaquil, escorted transfer between the airport and your hotel. Baggage handling of two pieces of luggage per person at airport and at hotel is included.
01 Night at Hotel in Guayaquil – Double / Twin Room + Breakfast included
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11 | Thursday – Guayaquil

Escorted transfer between your Hotel and the airport of Guayaquil. Baggage handling of two pieces of luggage per person at airport and at hotel is included.
There is a US$ 33.92 departure tax which should be paid in U.S. Dollars cash upon leaving the country.
Meals included: Breakfast


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