Affordable Nature
Ecuador &
the Galapagos Islands

 

Discover a painter’s palate of colors splashed over a landscape of craters, cones, rock formations, lava fields and its inhabitants – iguanas, birds, sea lions, crabs and penguins. Set sail to the legendary Islands of the Galapagos, once a living laboratory for Charles Darwin, where creatures remain virtually fearless and unaffected by visitors. Explore the historic sights and exotic sounds of Ecuador’s capital city with an optional excursion to South America’s most famous Indian Fair.

Day 1 - Miami/Quito
Fly from Miami to Quito. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your luxury hotel situated near one of the largest urban parks in South America, Parque La Carolina.  DANN CARLTON HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Days 2/3 - Quito
Tour the vibrant and colorful capital city of Ecuador with its strong Spanish heritage reflected in the architecture, including churches, mansions and cloisters. Visit the oldest building in Quito, established as a hospital in 1565 and now home to the Museum of the City. Enjoy panoramic views including the famed ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ from the Aerial Tram, including the volcanoes Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe. Next day is at your leisure to further explore Quito or discover the vibrant culture of the highlands on an optional non-private excursion to South America’s most famous Indian fair – the Otavalo Market. Alive with the sounds of Andean pipe music, people barter in Spanish, English and Quechua (a derivative of the Incan language) for colorful woolens, jewelry, wall hangings and instruments. DANN CARLTON HOTEL. (B; B, L if taking the optional tour to Otavalo Market)

Day 4 - Quito/Galapagos Islands: Baltra/Cerro Brujo /Leon Dormido
Fly to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos. In 1835, Charles Darwin spent five weeks aboard the HMS Beagle exploring the Galapagos Islands. How he would envy your four nights aboard the M.V. SANTA CRUZ built specifically for exploring the Galapagos Islands.  Each cabin has private facilities. Enjoy exceptional food and daily lectures by naturalists.  After a welcome briefing, sail around Kicker Rock which towers almost 500 feet out of the ocean. Your first launch takes you through shallow turquoise water, perfect for sightings of marine turtle, manta ray and shark. Disembark on the white, sandy beaches of Cerro Brujo where sea lions lounge and birds gather, such as the Chatham Mockingbird, Yellow Warbler and Galapagos Flycatcher. (All Meals)

Day 5 - Hood Island/Punta Suarez/Gardner Bay
Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago situated on Hood Island, one of the oldest in the chain. Frigatebirds effortless ride the southeasterly winds, along with Masked and Blue-footed Boobies while Swallow-tailed Gulls keep watch on the rocks. Watch for Hood Island’s bold mockingbirds and Galapagos Hawks perched atop peaks. Sea lions may sometimes tug playfully at the tails of brilliantly-colored marine iguanas and lava lizards look for shelter amid volcanic rocks. In the afternoon visit Gardner Bay.  Its magnificent beach is a major nesting site for marine turtles (October – December) and the only nesting site in the Galapagos of the Waved Albatross (April – December). 

Day 6 - Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Isabela Island is the largest in the Galapagos chain, formed when six volcanoes flowed together.  Look for giant tortoises and land iguanas on Urbina Bay where a volcanic uplifting in 1954 left unique marine skeletons within the lavascape.  The afternoon finds you at Fernandina to see hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline.  Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory.  Flightless Cormorants build their nest on the point. Fernandina Island was the site of a recent spectacular volcano eruption in the spring of 2005, evidenced by the lava flows that have hardened and stretched their way around the coast.  (All Meals)

Day 7 - Santa Cruz Island/Guayaquil
This morning, you may opt to stay aboard and cruise around the Daphne Islets, disembarking directly at Baltra Island’s airport. Or rise early and take an optional excursion (at additional cost) by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists from around the globe conduct biological research. Learn about their giant tortoise program, then stroll among the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. Afterwards, return by bus to Baltra Island airport. Upon arrival in Ecuador’s port city, Guayaquil, transfer to your luxurious hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. HOTEL ORO VERDE. (B)

Day 8 - Guayaquil/Miami
Bid Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands farewell as you are transferred to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Optional Post-Extension to Peru
Extend your adventure to Peru. In Lima, stroll the streets and enjoy the Spanish colonial architecture.  Fly to Cusco, once the capital of the Incan Empire.  In this lovely city, descendants of the original Incas dress and speak much in the way as their ancestors.  Visit the town of Pisac with its bustling market and magnificent Inca citadel.  Then it’s off by rail to legendary Machu Picchu – the ‘lost’ city of the Incas.  Discover a mystical past amidst the remains of Machu Picchu’s temples, houses, terraces and gardens. Return to Cusco and explore the nearby temples of the Sun and the Moon, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo.

Your Journey Includes:

• Superior accommodations and best available at hotels and cruise ships as indicated, or similar.
• American breakfast in Quito and Guayaquil. All meals while on the Galapagos cruise.  All other meals as specified.
• 4-Days/3-Nights Cruise to the Galapagos Islands on the M.V. SANTA CRUZ with all meals included.  Professional naturalist provided aboard the ship.  Accommodations are in double, air-conditioned cabins, with private facilities, based on choice of cabins available at booking.
• All hotel taxes/tips and gratuities for baggage handling.
• All entrance fees to places visited and sightseeing tours per itinerary, EXCEPT for the Galapagos Islands entrance fee which is billed and payable before departure from the USA.
• Complimentary passport wallet and baggage tags.

2008 Dates	Main Trip Price/Person Land Only	Single Supplement	Extension	Single Supplement
Feb 19-26	$2,895	$1,895	$2,095	$595
Apr 22-29	$2,895	$1,895	$2,095	$595
Jun 17-24	$2,895	$1,895	$2,095	$595
Jul 22-29	$2,895	$1,895	$2,095	$595
Sep 16-23	$2,795	$1,895	$2,095	$595
Oct 14-21	$2,795	$1,895	$2,095	$595
Nov 4-11	$2,895	$1,895	$2,095	$595

*Prices do not reflect applicable taxes.

For information or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244