~CulturalAdventures~ Tours for the Young At Heart

Explore Galapagos Escorted Itinerary

Explore Galapagos Escorted Trip

13 days - $3195 – July 30 – August 11, 2012

·     Enjoy an active adventure that includes hiking, snorkeling; kayaking, and sailing during the day on the Galapagos while returning to your comfortable hotel each evening

·     Special visit to Isla Isabela for a hike to majestic Sierra Negra crater

·     Horseback riding in the Andes

·     Overnight visit to a hacienda in the Andes near Otavalo

·     Trip begins with 4 nts in Quito, 1 nt in Otavalo, followed by 7 nights visiting three Galapagos islands

Highlights:

-Cable car ride over the city of Quito

-Snorkel at Kicker Rock on San Cristobal Isle

-Explore the lava tubes on Santa Cruz Isle

-Hike to Sierra Negra volcano on Isla Isabela

-Swim with sea lions and walk among giant land turtles

Itinerary:

July 30 – Arrive in Quito - Arrive in the capital city Quito, sometimes referred to as the cultural capital of the Americas and check in at the Hotel Quito. You will be met at the airport and driven to our hotel. Hotel Quito or equivalent

July 31 – Mitad del Mundo – You’ll have the morning free to relax and adjust to the altitude. You might like to relax by swimming in the pool or walking around the gardens of the hotel. This afternoon we’ll take a trip to the Mitad del Mundo or Middle of the Earth where you’ll be able to stand on both sides of the equator. The day will end with an Andean welcome dinner so you can get acquainted with the other travelers. Hotel Quito (B, D)

Aug 1 - Quito City Tour & Teleferico – Today we’ll explore Quito, a cosmopolitan and historic capital city, located in the majestic Andes Mountains. Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch in the colonial quarter, we visit the cable car or Teleferico, a special treat as you go up the Pichincha volcano. The view from the top is spectacular, covering the city of Quito, the surrounding valleys, snow-capped and volcanoes. Hotel Quito (B, L)

Aug 2 – Otavalo – We’ll take a private van and drive north through amazing Andean landscapes to Otavalo with its famous indigenous market featuring an amazing array of textiles and crafts. The morning will be spent visiting the market. After lunch in a typical restaurant or hacienda we’ll visit the Condor Park that overlooks lake San Pablo and the city of Otavalo. Its purpose is to protect, to rescue, to rehabilitate and reintroduce the Andean Condor, owls and other birds of prey in their habitat. You can take your best bird pictures at close range as you admire condors, vultures, falcons, eagles, and owls. You’ll arrive at your hacienda in time for dinner. Ali Shungu Mountaintop Lodge or equivalent. (B, L, D)

Aug 3 – Otavalo – You’ll have your choice of activities today including horseback riding, hiking or just relaxing at the hacienda. We’ll be back in Quito in time for you to enjoy a swim before dinner. Hotel Quito. (B, L)

Aug 4 - Loberia Beach, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos - After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival we’ll take a seashore expedition to Loberia Beach to view the marine iguanas that blend so well with the black, pitted lava coast. You’ll also observe many sea birds, such as frigates and boobies, as they fight against the wind. And you’ll have your first opportunity to snorkel with the sea lions and sea turtles! The day ends with dinner at the harbor. Hotel Casa Blanca or equivalent (B, L, D)

Aug 5 – Tortoise Rearing Center, El Junco Lake, San Cristobal - We’ll start the day with a visit to the Cerro Colorado land tortoise rearing center where we’ll learn about the conservation plans of the National Park Service and watch for land turtles as we walk along the trails. We’ll explore El Junco Lake, the only permanent, fresh water lake in the Galapagos. Walking around the caldera of the lake, we can appreciate a lovely panoramic view of the green highlands against the deep blue color of the sea. We’ll have a picnic lunch in the highlands before visiting a coffee plantation. You’ll have free time in the afternoon to swim, snorkel, kayak, bike or just relax. Before dinner on your own, we’ll take a dinghy tour of the bay to observe harbor activities, look for sea turtles and watch sea lions climb on the fishermen’s boats. Hotel Casa Blanca (B, L)

Aug 6 - Lobos Island & Kicker Rock, San Cristobal - All aboard as we cruise to Lobos Island and Kicker Rock to enjoy the colonies of sea lions, floating sea turtles and sea birds. A highlight of the day will be snorkeling through the channel at Kicker Rock and, if we’re lucky, viewing hammerhead sharks. Lunch will be served onboard. Swim, snorkel or roll up your pants as you explore Wizard Hill, the best beach of the Galapagos. As local musicians perform, we’ll end the day with a Galapagos lobster dinner. Hotel Casa Blanca (B, L, D)

Aug 7 - Highlands, Santa Cruz - This morning we sail to Santa Cruz Island where we’ll visit the highlands to walk through lava tunnels and among giant land tortoises. Lunch will be at a farm in the highlands. There will be time to swim and snorkel in the afternoon. The evening is free for you to explore the town of Puerto Ayora. Mainao Inn or equivalent (B, L)

Aug 8 – Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz - Morning walk along a path through a cactus forest to enjoy a beautiful, white sand beach with iguanas, pelicans, and flamingos. After lunch on your own, you’ll have an opportunity to relax before we take a harbor tour and explore some of the small inlets to observe the birds and animals close up. Dinner together. Mainao Inn (B, D)

Aug 9 – Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz - A visit to the Charles Darwin Station where research focuses on how to preserve the islands starts the day. Free time and lunch on your own before we travel to Isle Isabela. Once you’ve unpacked, we’ll walk along the beautiful fine sandy beach observing Booby’s and other birds fishing for dinner. There’ll also be time for a swim or to snorkel before we have dinner at the harbor. El Sol or equivalent (B, D)

Aug 10 – Sierra Negra Volcano, Isla Isabela - Today we hike to Sierra Negra Volcano for a fantastic view of the second largest caldera in the world. We’ll hike for about 6 miles (9 km) on a moderate-gradual uphill trail before enjoying lunch at the top. This afternoon we’ll take a dinghy tour to Tintoreras Inlet to see Galapagos penguins, the second smallest in the world, observe white tip sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions and boobies nesting. You’ll have a final opportunity to snorkel before dinner at the beach. El Sol (B, L, D)

Aug 11 - Flight to Mainland Ecuador - Today we return to the mainland of Ecuador. We’ll take a ferry to Baltra to catch the flight back to the mainland. The tour ends when we reach the Quito airport. (B)

This is an active adventure. Participants must be in good health, mobile and able to participate in 2 - 4 hours of physical activity everyday.

An optional trip to the Amazon jungle is available after this trip.

For more information go to www.culturaladventures.info or call Connie Champlin at 317-908-1220