Day 1 | QuitoPlease ensure you arrive in time for the important welcome meeting at 2pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. This meeting will be followed by an orientation walking tour in Quito led by your Intrepid representative.
Your leader will collect your local payment at this meeting.
Sitting at an altitude of 2,850m (9,350ft) under the gaze of Volcan Pichincha, Quito is one of the most attractive cities in South America. Long and incredibly thin, the city winds its way down a valley that eventually drops down to the Amazon Basin. It's worth paying a visit to El Panecillo (the Little Bread Loaf) for views over the Old Town and an enormous statue of the Virgin of Quito.
Although compact, Quito's Old Town is full of historic buildings. One of the most interesting is La Compania de Jesus, considered by many the most beautiful in the Americas. Beautiful or not, it is certainly one of the most ornate. It is claimed that seven tonnes of gold leaf cover the interior whilst the exterior is decorated with statues, busts, sculptured hears and a jungle of carved leafs. There are more than 30 churches to explore in the Old Town, not to mention the fascinating museums, but if you want to get out and practice your Spanish then be sure to drop by a pena. These are great places for meeting locals and enjoying some local cuisine.
Note: When you arrive in Quito, you may feel the effects of the high altitude. Symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, general lethargy and a reduced appetite. This is no cause for alarm; simply take it easy for the first couple of days and reduce alcohol and cigarette consumption to minimize the effects. Drink plenty of water and don't attempt to do too much in a day. This is a great excuse to sit down at one of Quito's lovely cafes and watch Ecuadorian life go by.
In a quiet neighborhood, in the heart of Quito, our comfortable hotel has ensuite rooms, a restaurant and bar.
Days 2-3 San Cristobal
The trip begins with an early morning transfer to the airport and a flight (approx. 3.5 hours) to San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. Departure time will be between 8.20am and 10.30am depending on flight schedule time.
The Galapagos National Institute has introduced a Transit Control Card. This card has a cost of US$10 and it must be purchased by every person travelling to the Galapagos Islands. You will need to purchase this card upon arrival to the domestic airport on day 2, prior to checking in to your Galapagos flight.
Your flight will stop once in Guayaquil to pick up more passengers before continuing to Baltra Island (approx 3.5 hours total). Upon arrival in Baltra you will need to go through immigration and pay the Galapagos National Park entrace fee of US$100 in cash (small bills please).
You will land around midday, be met by your tour leader and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, we will make our way to the top of San Cristobal through the settlement of El Progresso, to La Soledad from where we will have panoramic views out over the Pacific towards Santa Cruz, Floreana and Santa Fe. Once at the top, we jump on mountain bikes for a downhill ride through the lush highlands of the island, through El Progresso down to the township of Puerto Barequizo. We will pay a visit to the Interpretation Center and learn the mysterious history of Galapagos, The Enchanted Islands. Later we hit Mann Beach for a swim where we can observe playful sea lions, and frigates gliding on the thermals. That evening we will have a 'welcome to Galapagos' dinner, which will include of some of the islands fresh fish and produce.
Day 3 begins with a short boat ride to Leon Dormido, observing along the way the abundant marine life that Galapagos is renowned for. On the way we stop off at Isla de Lobos to observe nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies, and swim/snorkel with playful young sea lions. Here we can dive (optional) and snorkel keeping an eye out below for sea turtles, manta rays and maybe the odd harmless Galapagos shark, to name a few. After we head to Cerro Brujo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands and return to port late in the afternoon.
Today you may have the opportunity to go for an optional dive. Please see optional activities section for more details.
Accommodation in San Cristobel is at a 2 star standard hotel in town.
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Days 2-3 | San CristobalThe trip begins with an early morning transfer to the airport and a flight (approx. 3.5 hours) to San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. Departure time will be between 8.20am and 10.30am depending on flight schedule time.
The Galapagos National Institute has introduced a Transit Control Card. This card has a cost of US$10 and it must be purchased by every person travelling to the Galapagos Islands. You will need to purchase this card upon arrival to the domestic airport on day 2, prior to checking in to your Galapagos flight.
Your flight will stop once in Guayaquil to pick up more passengers before continuing to Baltra Island (approx 3.5 hours total). Upon arrival in Baltra you will need to go through immigration and pay the Galapagos National Park entrace fee of US$100 in cash (small bills please).
You will land around midday, be met by your tour leader and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, we will make our way to the top of San Cristobal through the settlement of El Progresso, to La Soledad from where we will have panoramic views out over the Pacific towards Santa Cruz, Floreana and Santa Fe. Once at the top, we jump on mountain bikes for a downhill ride through the lush highlands of the island, through El Progresso down to the township of Puerto Barequizo. We will pay a visit to the Interpretation Center and learn the mysterious history of Galapagos, The Enchanted Islands. Later we hit Mann Beach for a swim where we can observe playful sea lions, and frigates gliding on the thermals. That evening we will have a 'welcome to Galapagos' dinner, which will include of some of the islands fresh fish and produce.
Day 3 begins with a short boat ride to Leon Dormido, observing along the way the abundant marine life that Galapagos is renowned for. On the way we stop off at Isla de Lobos to observe nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies, and swim/snorkel with playful young sea lions. Here we can dive (optional) and snorkel keeping an eye out below for sea turtles, manta rays and maybe the odd harmless Galapagos shark, to name a few. After we head to Cerro Brujo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands and return to port late in the afternoon.
Today you may have the opportunity to go for an optional dive. Please see optional activities section for more details.
Accommodation in San Cristobel is at a 2 star standard hotel in town.
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Days 4-6 | IsabelaEarly in the morning of day 4 we take off to Floreana Island by boat (Approx. 2.5 hours), before continueing to Isabela Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way
On
day 5, a full day tour takes us up Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos and the second largest crater in the world. Here you can experience a birds eye view of this magical landscape. After taking in the incredible views from the volcano we visit the Breeding Center of the giant tortoise, the largest in Galapagos.
That evening we can kick back at the bar on the beach and enjoy a nice cold beer or cocktail.
On day 6 we travel by pick-up truck and on foot to the Wall of Tears, built by convicts many years ago. Along the way we'll pop in and visit Pink flamingos, also stopping at the lookout and one of the many natural pools, short walking trails, beaches and mangrove swamps along the way.
After lunch we travel by dingy to the Tintoreras, a perfect spot for snorkelling, before returning to our hotel.
Please note that if the composition of your group is between 1-4 travellers, the itinerary on day 4 may be slightly revised, flying between San Cristobal and Isabela.
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Day 7 | Santa CruzToday is an early morning departure.
We will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and observe the Galapagos Giant Tortoise. Also scheduled for today is a trip to the amazing lava tunnels, some over 1 km long - all the while taking in panoramic views of the islands. Later in the day we head to Tortuga Bay, a stunning beach with fine white sand to see marine iguanas or try any of the optional activities such as body boarding or surfing.
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Day 8 | Santa Fe/San CristobalToday we pay a visit to Lonesome George at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we can observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, brought back form the brink of extinction. After some last minute shopping we depart Santa Cruz for Santa Fe Island for a dive (optional) or snorkel in a beautiful bay where we can observe the marine iguanas feeding off the rocks and schools of surgeonfish just below the surface.
We then return to San Cristobal and to our hotel. In the evening we will have a last group dinner to celebrate a great trip.
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Days 9-10 | San Cristobal/QuitoWe bid farewell to the Enchanted Islands with a quick optional visit to La Loberia or last minute souvenir shopping.
A midday flight takes us back to Quito (approx. 3.5 hours). An Intrepid representative will take you from the airport to your hotel, a quick change and it is out to enjoy the nightlife of Quito.
We return to our comfortable hotel in Quito for the evening.
Day 10 is departure day and we say 'Hasta la vista amigos!' or goodbye my friend!
There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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