Highlands Of Ecuador

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Trafalgar Tours

South America

Highlands Of Ecuador

Quito, Riobamba, Ingapirca, Cuenca, Santa Cruz Island, Bartholome Island, Santiago Island, Rabida Island, North Seymour Island

Quito

Riobamba

Ingapirca

Santa Cruz Island

Bartholome Island

Santiago Island

Rabida Island

Santa Cruz Island

North Seymour Island

Sightseeing Highlights

Quito: Tour thisWorld Heritage Site,with its old churches,monasteries and convents, see the Equatorial Monument.
Riobamba: Visit a Tagua workshop.
Ingapirca: Visit the Inca ruins.
Cuenca: Take a walking tour of this UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage town including a colorful flower market.
Santa Cruz Island: Walk to Dragon Hill to see a variety of exotic animals.
Bartholome Island: Delight in the view of this islands volcanic features, mangroves and cactus.
Santiago Island: See dramatic rock formations.
Rabida Island: See animals such as sea lions,marine iguanas and mockingbirds.
Santa Cruz Island: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
North Seymour Island Tour: this home to blue-footed boobies and frigate birds,with its vegetation of prickly pear cacti, and palo santos trees.

Dining Highlights

10 Breakfasts
7 lunches
8 Dinners

25 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights

Services of an English-speaking Tour Director on land; local host/cruise director while cruising.
Travel on Trafalgar's comfortable air-conditioned motor vehicles.
A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and helpful information.
Accommodations in hotels in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower as listed or similar
Taxes, entrance fees and service charges at hotels, along with mandatory luggage handling fees at the airports and hotels are included.
Scheduled round-trip flights when Trafalgar issues the air tickets
Transfers between the airport/hotel/ship, including baggage handling at the airport
Cruise accommodation on the M/V Santa Cruz in outside cabin on the Main Deck with private shower and toilet. Upgrades available.
Services of a naturalist guide aboard the M/V Santa Cruz
Flights Guayaquil/Galapagos, Galapagos/Guayaquil
Galapagos Park tax valued at $100
Guided sightseeing in Quito
Visits to the Equatorial Monument and the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Your Cruise Ship: The 1600-ton M/V Santa Cruz was built exclusively for Galapagos Islands cruising. It features a broad sun deck, a Jacuzzi, spacious lounge areas, a large dining room, cocktail lounge, bar and an observation deck for dolphin and whale watching.The ship is fully air-conditioned, and all cabins have private showers and toilets. Each evening, the ship's naturalist holds a film/slide presentation and a briefing on planned activities.

Details

Tour Operator

Trafalgar Tours

Duration

11 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart USA	Upon arrival in Quito, check into your hotel. The balance of the day is free to acclimate to the altitude and relax.Hotel: Swissotel
Day 2	Quito	The colonial legacy here is so well preserved that Quito has been designated aWorld Heritage Cultural Site.The architectural wonder of old churches,monasteries and convents in the ornate colonial baroque will be highlighted on your morning city tour. You will also stop at the Equatorial Monument, a 90-foot stone block crowned with a metal globe, and exactly half way between the two poles. Your afternoon is free.Tonight your Tour Director will host aWelcome Dinner. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 3	Riobamba	Transfer to the Tambillo Train Station to board the Chiva Express.This brightly colored, one-coach train is like a tour bus on tracks.Your adventure begins as you head out into the ever-changing Andean landscape.You might want to ride on the top of the double decker vehicle, enjoying the panoramic view. There are plenty of activities along the way, including a stop at a dairy hacienda with its cows, horses and llamas. As you skirt Cotopaxi National Park,watch for vistas of Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Travel along the Valley of Latacunga to visit a rose plantation and sample fresh local produce. The last part of the journey will be by coach to Riobamba, set at the foot of snow-capped Chimborazo Volcano. On arrival, visit a Tagua (artisan) workshop. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)Hotel: Abraspungo Hotel or Andaluza Hotel
Day 4	Cuenca	A day of incredible scenery and excitement as the Chiva Express travels with twists and turns through the Andes and over ravines and gorges. Keep your camera ready! Make a stop in the Indian village of Guamote and at Alausi, head down the astonishing switchbacks of Devil's Nose, one of the world's great feats of railengineering.The last portion of your journey will be bymotorcar,and includes a stop at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)Hotel: Carvallo Hotel
Day 5	Guayaquil	A walking tour this morning will show off the charm of this UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage town. The red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, cozy cafés and museums make it a very special place. Your tour ends at the colorful flower market. Late this afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to the historic port city of Guayaquil. (Breakfast / Lunch)Hotel: Oro Verde
Day 6	Santa Cruz Island	This morning fly to Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands, and transfer to your ship, the M/V Santa Cruz. Cross the channel to Santa Cruz Island and Puerto Ayoro. Disembark for an easy hike to Dragon Hill, where you will see land iguanas and a variety of birds, including flamingos, stilts, pintail ducks, Darwin's finches andflycatchers. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 7	Santiago Island	Bartholome Island is best known for its volcanic features. After a short hike past red and white mangroves, saltbushes and cactus, delight in the view.Next, stop in a cove with a chance for snorkeling next to Galapagos penguins, the only penguins north of the equator. Perhaps, ride on a glass bottom boat. This afternoon visit Santiago Island with its black beach and dramatic rock formations. Keep an eye open for fur sea lions,marine iguanas and oystercatchers. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 8	Santa Cruz Island	A wet landing on a red beach will show off sea lions,marine iguanas,mockingbirds, warblers, finches and more. There's time for snorkeling from the beach before you cruise back to Santa Cruz Island. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for giant tortoises. Afterward, there is time to stroll through Puerto Ayora and browse in the shops. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 9	North Seymour Island	This morning, head up to the highlands to see the scalesia (giant daisy trees) and famous giant tortoise.Back on board your ship, cruise to North Seymour Island,home to sea lions,marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds.Vegetation found in the dry interior areas of the island includes prickly pear cacti,palo santos trees and saltbushes. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 10	Guayaquil	Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the islands. After a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, fly back to Guayaquil.Your afternoon is free. Tonight your Tour Director will host a special Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11	Return USA	Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (Breakfast)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

* Taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges are not included. ** This list indicates brochure rates and dates. *** Please note: Land + Air inclusive tour prices are based from New York. For inclusive tour prices to your home city, please contact your Travel Agent. **** For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.