Day 1
Flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel.
Ideal start day: Friday.
Day 2
Full-day colonial Quito tour and 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 Compańa (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. Afterwards, we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535), the oldest Ecuadorian church. It also has 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” for a spectacular view of Quito and the chance to see the only the Virgin Mary with wings, the only such statue in South America. After visiting the colonial and modern areas of Quito, a 30-minute drive will take us to “La Mitad del Mundo” (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. Upon arrival, transfer to the Canal of Itabaca to board the yacht and go to the Bachas Beaches. These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches, there is a small brackish lagoon, where occasionally we may observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, 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.) Return to the yacht before 6 p.m. Start sailing at 3 a.m.
Day 4
Arrive at Plazas in the morning. These two small islets are a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz. They feature unusual vegetation and an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galapagos are enhanced. Despite its small size, some of the most outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. We may be able to see land iguanas in the shade of a cactus. Usually nesting on the rugged southern cliffs are swallow-tailed gulls, which are seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions.
The principal attractions of Plazas are land iguanas, sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon ’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans gliding past the cliff. After the visit to Plazas, we will continue our trip to Santa Fé Island, leaving at about 11:30 a.m. When we arrive at this island, we have lunch on board the yacht.
Santa Fe, a small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast, 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 we may find land iguanas. The other, near the beach, is a short circular trail where it is possible to see land iguanas early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. Another attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus. End of the visit, return to the yacht. Start sailing at 3 a.m.
Day 5
Arrive in Espańola
In the morning, visit Punta Suarez and in the afternoon Bahia Gardner. Return to the yacht; start sailing at 3 a.m. Punta Suarez is a rocky point of land sustaining 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, affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 75 feet into the air depending on the intensity of the surf. Bahia Gardner, an “outpost island,” is located on the northeastern coast of Hood. It provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions.
Day 6
Arrive in Floreana
Visit Bahia Post Office - Corona del Diablo. Start to sail early (about 3:00 p.m.) because on the way from Floreana to Santa Cruz, we will have the chance to see dolphins amid the waves. Arrive in Puerto Ayora at 7 p.m.
Post Office Bay: Legend has it that a wooden barrel was placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since then 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 consists of an eroded volcanic crater. The interior is excellent for snorkeling, and the exterior is one of the prime areas for scuba, especially when the current is strong. Note: only competent divers should dive in these conditions.
Day 7
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Quito or Guayaquil and connect with the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 8
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon city tour of Santiago. We will pick you up from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our tour at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where we will explain to you the historical and actual meaning of this place. We will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huerfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. We will then visit the famous Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings such as the City Hall and the Post Office, both dating from colonial times. Next we head to Santa Lucia Hill, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, with many plants and an antique building rising steeply from the city below. From here you can see the Parque Forestal (park) on one side and the Mapocho River on the other. We will cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago. Return to your hotel.
Day 9
Full day of touring around Santiago. On this day you may choose from one of the following excursions (see descriptions below): Vina del Mar and Valparaiso; Valle Nevado; Isla Negra - Pablo Neruda Museum; Cousińo Macul and Concha y Toro wineries.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Easter Island. Reception at Mataveri airport and transfer to your selected hotel.
Day 11
Full-day tour of Rano Raraku: Vahiu, Anakena and Ahu Tongariki
The excursion starts in Hanga Roa. Taking the road along the coast, we head toward the ruins of the temple of Vahiu, which is still today as it has been after centuries of neglect. The red hats of the Moais which were thrown into the sea can clearly be seen. Continue to the site of Akahanga, where several of the statues are face down, as they were abandoned while being transported. Then onto the volcano of Rano Raraku and the “factories” where the Moais were carved from the rock. Here there are more than 300 statues in different stages of production. A walk around the crater reveals a small lagoon and more Moais in the center. Continue to Ahu Tongariki (destroyed by a large tidal wave in 1960), which has been recently restored and which houses the largest number of Moais. Finally, the beautiful Anakena beach with two temple platforms or Ahus. Following a picnic lunch (included), time to swim in the Pacific Ocean or explore the surrounding countryside. Return to Hanga Roa in the afternoon and transfer back to your selected hotel.
Day 12
Half-day excursion to Orongo: Rano Kau and Vinapu
Depart for a visit to Ahu Vinapu which is made up of two ruined Ahus, one of which has stonework remarkably similar to that found in Inca sites. Studies have backed up the theory that the first inhabitants of the island came from the South American continent. The journey continues along the coastal road toward the Rano Kau volcano. Next to the crater is the ancient ceremonial site of Orongo, with many petroglyphs. From the edge of the crater, you can see the three small islands of Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Moto Kao Kao which play an important part in the “bird man” legends. Afternoon is at leisure with time to explore Hanga Roa and the Museum of Sebastian Englert. We recommend a visit to the local church with its extraordinary wood carvings.
Day 13
Half day excursion to Ahu Akivi, the archeological center of the Roihi sector. This was the first area to be restored in the 1960s. It is a ceremonial area, of particular interest not only for its location (at the center of the island) but also for the legends which surround the seven Moais found there. The legend says they are the sons of Maori Sorcerer sent to look for the hoe of King Hotu Matua. They look out over the ceremonial center and then farther the ocean. A week after the Spring equinox, they look directly at the setting sun. Around the site you will find many caves.
Then visit Puna Pau, a site to the east of Hanga Roa in a small crater. This is where the “pukao” or hats which crowned the Moais were carved from soft volcanic Scoria. Afternoon to be spent at your leisure, exploring close to town or perhaps just relaxing in the southern sun.
Evening Farewell Polynesian Dinner and Show: This unique event will give you an opportunity to savor the most typical Rapa Nui and Polynesian food, prepared in an earth-oven, locally called “Umu” or “curanto”. Dinner consists of chicken, meat or fish cooked in the Umus, and a glass of beer, juice or soft drink. After dinner we will enjoy a typical Polynesian show with dance performed by a local folk-group with body-paint. Round trip transfers included.
Operates only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Day 14
Transfer to Mataveri airport for connecting flight back to Santiago and connect with international flight back home.
South America Combined Country
Galapagos Tortoises
Easter Island
The Galapagos Islands
