Day 1
Sunday: Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Monday: 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
Tuesday: Pick up at your hotel in Quito and transfer in private transportation to the Cotopaxi National Park. Here we will admire the beautiful snow-capped volcano and will have an optional hike. Head to the Hacienda La Cienega for a tasty lunch (included). La Cienega is one of the oldest haciendas, dating back to the seventeenth century. After lunch, we will stop at Saquisili Market (if Thursday), or Latacunga Market (Tuesday or Saturday), see information on these markets below. Transfer to Bańos and evening at leisure.
Day 4
Wednesday: Early in the morning we will drive to the village of Alausí, enjoying spectacular mountain views on the way. Here we will board the famous "Devil's Nose" train (operates only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). From Alausí, we travel south to Cuenca, visiting the ruins of the Inca fortress Ingapirca en route. We will stay overnight in the enchanting city of Cuenca. Box lunch included.
Day 5
Thursday: City tour of Cuenca. We will visit the Calderon Park, new and old Cathedral, The Park of the Flowers, the City Museum and modern art, the Cańari-Incas of all saints’ ruins, Canon of the Tomebamba and Turi River. Overnight in Cuenca.
Day 6
Friday: Transfer to airport to take the flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your selected hotel.
Day 7
Saturday: You will be picked up from your hotel this morning for your excursion. The Chaski Antawa Train (messenger train) rides on the railroad built at the beginning of the 20th century connecting the northern highlands with the tropical coast. From the town of Ibarra, the train climbs down to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui, going through sugar cane plantations, magical landscapes and tunnels, and crossing bridges that span large canyons & gullies. The 26-km ride to Salinas plunges from 2,200 down to 1,500 meters above sea level (7,216 to 4,920 feet) in only about 2 hours. Other sites include the village of Mascarilla; an Afro-Ecuadorian community known for its unique clay masks, and Otavalo known for its famous indigenous craft market, the largest in South America. Return to Quito.
Day 8
Sunday: Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos. Upon arrival transfer to the Canal of Itabaca to board the Guantanamera Yacht, and go to the Bachas Beaches. The Bachas Beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal. (The metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a good place for swimming).
Day 9
Monday: Plazas Island
These are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galapagos are enhanced. Moreover despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. It is possible to observe land iguanas that often are in the shade of a cactus. Swallow -tailed gulls are usually nesting on the rugged southern cliffs, along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The principal attraction of Plazas are the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow - tailed gulls, Also we can see yellow - tailed mullets, Audubon 's shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds gliding past the cliff, brown pelicans gliding past the cliff.
Santa Fé (Barrington) Island
After lunch onboard the yacht, we arrive at the small bay on Barrington's northeast coast which is an extremely picturesque anchorage. There are two different trails at this site. One leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas, endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a short circular trail where it is possible to see land iguanas in the afternoon when the sun is low. A particular attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus.
Day 10
Tuesday: Punta Suarez, Espańola (Hood) Island
This morning we make a wet landing at Punta Suarez, a rocky point of land that sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along the southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea giving you spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.
Gardner Bay, Espańola Island
After lunch, we visit the northeastern coast of the island. We make a wet landing on the white sand beach of Gardner Bay. This visit provides an excellent time for relaxing, swimming and to see a multitude of sea lions as they sleep along the length of the beach.
Day 11
Wednesday: Post Office Bay, Floreana (Santa Maria) Island
Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists.
Devil's Crown, Floreana (Santa Maria) Island
This islet consists of an eroded volcanic crater, which owes its present from to the strong wave action. The interior is excellent for snorkeling. It is very important to note that snorkeling is subject to good weather conditions.
Day 12
Thursday: Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz Island
Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands is carried out. Some of the principal attractions are: National Park information center, Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (tortoise from Pinta) and the adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
Highlands of Santa Cruz
As you make your way across Santa Cruz Island on your way to Baltra, you visit the highlands. The trail to the highlands leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather (unpredictable) this area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. Transfer to the Baltra airport to take the flight to Quito for international flights back home or for overlap of other Yampu programs.
Guantanamera
Otavalo Market
Galapagos Islands
