Dann Carlton Hotel



In Ecuador,
shrimp ceviche
tends to be made
with ketchup.
Clam, sea bass,
octopus and crab
ceviches are also
common in Ecuador



The Sally Lightfoot is
one of the many
charismatic species
that inhabits the
Galapagos Islands.
It is a quick-moving,
agile and hard to
catch crab



The Giant Tortoise is
one of the world's
longest-living animal,
with an average
lifespan of 100 years
or more



Salinas is a city
located in Guayas,
Ecuador. It got its
name because salt
used to be extracted
from this region



The Mitad del Mundo
was constructed to
mark the point where
the equator was
thought to pass
through the country
at the time


Educators Adventure to
Ecuador & The Islands of
The Galapagos

Study in one of Darwin’s most famous classrooms as you learn first-hand about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.  Your introduction begins in Quito from an aerial tram and your upcoming curriculum includes spectacular views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Hike the slopes of Volcano Cotopaxi and cruise the Galapagos, the land that Charles Darwin visited as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle.  His zoological and geological discoveries on that voyage resulted in numerous important publications and formed the basis of his theories on evolution. At Finch Bay’s Eco-Lodge make a difference by participating in service projects that give back to the community and learn first-hand about Galapagos conservation projects at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Day 1 - Miami/Quito
Fly from Miami to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel.  DANN CARLTON HOTEL.

Day 2 - Quito
Your tour of Quito’s many Spanish colonial treasures includes a walking tour of Independence Square and the golden altars of some of the churches.  Continue to Quito’s aerial tram and glide up a volcano 13,300 feet from the valley below in a mere ten minutes. At the top, savor the spectacular scenery of the city below and as the sun sets, return to your hotel.  DANN CARLTON HOTEL. (B)

Day 3 - Chiva Express/Cotopaxi
All aboard the Chiva Express, a one-coach train, much like a bus on tracks, decorated with rustic paintings by a local indigenous artist from the town of Tigua (Cotopaxi).  Pass the patchwork fields of the Andean crops and remote huts to the imposing ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes,’ to the lush tropical coastal vegetation and wooden farmhouses on stilts.  Disembark at the foot of Cotopaxi with its snow-capped volcano rising a majestic 19,350 and ascend by motorcoach to the moorlands for a short hike.  The park covers 82,500-acres of primarily high altitude grassland.  You may be able to see condor, deer, fox and hummingbird.  Enjoy lunch at a local hacienda with time to explore your surroundings before returning to Quito later in the afternoon.  DANN CARLTON HOTEL. (B,L)

Day 4 - Quito/Galapagos:  San Cristobal Island/Stephen’s Bay
This morning fly to San Cristobal Island, the first island Charles Darwin set foot upon in 1835. Board the M/V SANTA CRUZ, a 47-cabin, air-conditioned ship with Jacuzzi and library will ensure much more comfort than Darwin’s voyage to the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy exceptional food, drink and daily lectures by knowledgeable professional naturalists.  Each day, drop anchor and go ashore in a panga (small boat) accompanied by naturalists for close encounters with some of the world’s most unique wildlife.  After a briefing on board, set sail for Stephen’s Bay to see a small sea lion colony accompanied by a variety of seabirds, including frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies, Darwin’s Finches and the endemic Chatham Mockingbirds.  Lava lizards, also endemics, are present.  Return to the shop for a welcome cocktail and dinner with the Captain.  (All Meals)

Day 5 - Hood and Santa Cruz Islands
One of the oldest islands, Hood is small, flat and with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Disembark at Gardner Bay, located on the eastern shore with a magnificent beach frequented by sea lions. It is also a major nesting site for marine turtles.  After lunch on board, visit Punta Suarez, one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds, there is the curious and bold Galapagos Mockingbirds, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and oversized lava lizard are unique to this island.  (All Meals)

Day 6 - Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Visit Isabela Island – the largest island in the chain, formed when six volcanoes’ lava flows met together. Look for giant tortoises and land iguanas on Urbina Bay where a volcanic uplifting in 1954 left unique marine skeletons on the lavascape. Cross the Bolivar Canal and disembark at Fernandina to see hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in the 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 and Galapagos Hawks fly overhead. Fernandina Island was the site of a recent spectacular volcano eruption in the spring of 2005.  Evidence of recent lava flows formed by this active volcano stretched their way around the coast.  (All Meals)

Days 7/8/9 - Santa Cruz Island
Disembark your cruise on Baltra Island and continue on to your next adventure. Tucked in a secluded bay at Punta Estrada, across from the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, lies your charming Eco-Lodge – named after the abundant Darwin Finches – just steps from the beach at a private seaside location surrounded by mangroves.  Here you may mountain bike in the highlands, walk, hike, horseback ride, scuba dive, snorkel, bird-watch and ocean kayak. A highlight of your visit will be several chances to make a difference by becoming involved in various service projects. One morning focus on coastal cleaning by navigating a small boat along the shoreline, to avoid ecological damage, as accumulation of garbage causes serious consequences to the natural ecosystem of the islands. Researchers analyze the origin of the collected debris and develop educational campaigns that involve the local population with the intention of finding solutions for proper waste management.  nother chance for a hands-on experience is at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora. They conduct research on two major areas:  management of invasive species and restoration of the native biodiversity and ecosystems. The giant tortoise breeding program is the best chance for you to spend time with the long-lived tortoises. FINCH BAY ECO-LODGE. (B Daily)

Day 10 - Galapagos Islands:  Baltra/Guayaquil
Transfer to Baltra Island for your flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s port city, where you are escorted to your hotel.  In the afternoon, take a short tour of the city with a highlight being the iguanas in the park.  HOTEL HAMPTON INN. (B)

Day 11 - Guayaquil/Miami
Bid Ecuador and the enchanted islands of the Galapagos “adios” as you are transferred to the airport for your return flights home. (B)

Your Journey Includes:

  • Roundtrip air transportation from Miami.  Roundtrip air transportation to the Galapagos.
  • Superior accommodations throughout as indicated, or similar.
  • American breakfast in Quito, Finch Bay and Guayaquil.  All meals while on the Galapagos cruise.  All other meals as specified.
  • 4-Day/3-Night cruise to the Galapagos Islands on the M/V SANTA CRUZ. Professional naturalist provided aboard the ship. Accommodations are in double, air-conditioned cabins, outside with private facilities, based on choice of accommodation. Single cabins are limited.
  • All applicable hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
  • All entrance fees to places of interest visited and on sightseeing tours indicated in the itinerary, EXCEPT for the Galapagos Islands entrance fees, which are billed and payable prior to departure from the USA.
  • Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.

Call Today to begin planning your journey of a
lifetime (800) 627-1244