Ecuador

Starting Price:	£2,763.00
Trip Length:	8 days
Includes airfare allowance from London (UK)

The Silberstein Hotel

Room at The Silberstein

Pool at The Silberstein

Quito and Galapagos Islands with Silberstein Hotel

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Yampu’s Quito and Galapagos Islands Tour with Silberstein Hotel is the perfect program for those who wish to visit the Galapagos Islands, but prefer to stay at a hotel. This itinerary includes 5 days in the Silberstein Hotel on the island of Santa Cruz. The Silberstein Hotel was opened by a German family that came to the islands at the beginning of the 20th century and fell in love with the remarkable ecosystem. This program also includes two days in Quito with a tour of the capital city. You may also visit the countryside around Quito and Otavalo, a town in Imbabura Province with a market infamous for colorful textiles and other crafts.

This tour includes airfare allowance from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Visited Cities:
Quito, Galapagos-Santa Cruz

Day 1

Flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Full Day Colonial Quito Tour & The Equator
The tour begins with a visit to Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. We will also visit the Church of La Compańia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars. This is considered the finest example of baroque art in America and the Moorish influence can also be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red-and-gold columns and ceilings. Afterward we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). This is the oldest Ecuadorian church, and the main altar inside is a spectacular example of baroque carving. There is also a fine collection of artwork, including paintings, sculpture and furniture dating back to the 16th century. Finally we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, El Panecillo, where we will have a spectacular view of Quito and the opportunity to see an old church with the famous “winged virgin” of Quito. After visiting the colonial and modern areas of the city, a 30-minute drive will take us to La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World) with its 30-meter-high monument marking the equatorial line and excellent ethnographical museum.

Day 3

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos. Morning flight from Quito to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos. Flight travels via Guayaquil to Baltra, and then bus and ferry take you to Puerto Ayora, which is on the island of Santa Cruz. You will be accommodated in the Hotel Silberstein. In the afternoon it is possible to go for a walk to the Charles Darwin Scientific Station, where the oldest and largest tortoises are being kept. In this unique research program, which is essentially financed by donations, the attempt is being made to save the various species from dying out. In the evening, dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 4

Day trip to Plazas
This is a full-day trip on one boat. The route takes you along the east coast of Santa Cruz and stops at the island of Plazas. There you have the opportunity of watching the island’s marvelous wildlife. You will be able to observe sea lions and land or sea iguanas, and a variety of seagulls. Lunch is served aboard before the yacht leaves for the hotel, where dinner will be prepared.

Day 5

Day trip to Seymour North
Full-day tour. Today the yacht leaves for Seymour North, an island that is home to large colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Many sea lions and land iguanas inhabit this island, too. Again, lunch is served aboard and the yacht arrives at the hotel for evening dinner.

Day 6

Day trip to Bartolome
This is a full-day trip to the island of Bartolome. After climbing up the moon-like surface, right up to the highest point of the island, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Galapagos Islands, of the volcanic landscape and especially of Pinnacle Rock, one of Galapagos’ most-photographed sites. People swimming at the island’s beach are often joined by penguins and, at certain times of the year, by turtles looking for soft sand in which to lay their eggs.

Day 7

Return flight to Quito
Transfer to the airport in Baltra, where the return flight leaves for Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or continue with the add-on of your choice.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Quito
3-star	NU House, Vieja Cuba (Room Class AA), Reina Isabel or similar.
4-star	Mercure Alameda, Dann Carlton, Stubel Suites, Cafe Cultura, or similar.
5-star	Swissotel, Casa Aliso (boutique), Hilton Deluxe room, Le Parc Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Deluxe	Plaza Grande (Royal Suite) or Casa Gangotena (Balcony Jr. Suite)
Galapagos-Santa Cruz
3-star	Silberstein Hotel including breakfast. This ia a 2009 rate.
4-star	Red Mangrove Hotel in superior room including breakfast. - This is a 2009 rate.
5-star	Finch Bay Hotel including breakfast and dinner
Deluxe	Royal Palm in Veranda Room, includes breakfast & roundtrip airport/hotel transfers. This is a 2009 rate.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

8 days , from £2763

Occupancy Type	3-star	4-star	5-star
Double	£2763	£2854	£3080
Single	£3469	£3557	£4000

Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).

Price Includes:

International air from London to Quito; Domestic air from Quito to the Galapagos; 4 nights accommodation at the Silberstein Hotel; all meals in the Galapagos; hotel accommodation in Quito including breakfast; daily guided tours of the islands, led by naturalist guide; day excursion in Quito; all transfers.

Not included is a $100 fee to be paid to the park as a contribution to its conservation, nor is a $10 Transit Control Card fee which must be paid in cash upon arrival in Galapagos.

Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote).

By traveling to the Galapagos with Yampu Latin America Tours, you will be making the choice to travel responsibly. As members of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association), Yampu donates $7 for every traveler that travels to the Galapagos with us. We are dedicated to helping preserve the islands while supporting sustainable ecotourism. As an IGTOA member, we are informed, involved, and concerned.

There will also be an optional Galapagos Conservation contribution of $50 per passenger added to your final proposal.

The contribution will go towards:

Creating benefits and educational opportunities for local people.
Strengthening responsible tourism management.
Building strong financial support for conservation among the travel industry and travelers.

Promoting high professional standards for the tourist industry.

Yampu Tours is a trading name of Yampu Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us

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