Itinerary « Into the Tropics: Galapagos and Beyond

Itinerary

Into the Tropics: Galapagos and Beyond

July 13 – July 26 2008

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Day 1 – Sunday, July 13

Depart for Quito, Ecuador

Greet your fellow Ambassadors in Miami, our departure city, before boarding our international flight to Eduador.
Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 – Monday, July 14

Quito, Ecuador

Journey back in time as we explore Colonial Quito.
Hop back and forth across the equator when we visit the “Middle of the World” monument.
Take in the breathtaking beauty of La Compania Church.
Spend time at Santa Catalina de Siena Cloister.

Day 3 – Tuesday, July 15

Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

This morning we will board a plane on the continent and head over the Pacific waters to the Galapagos Islands.
We will land on the Island of Baltra and take a ferry to Puerto Ayora.
We will have a school visit, including being “helping hands” at a local school
Explore the Charles Darwin Station.
Learn about the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands before seeing Lonesome George; the last tortoise of his species

Day 4 – Wednesday, July 16

Floreana Island, Galapagos Islands

Transfer to Floreana Island by speed boat.
Enjoy a short orientation of Floreana Island.
Take our first dip into the waters of the beautiful Galapagos Islands as we go snorkeling at “The Bottle.”
Visit Black Beach and Asilo de la Paz

Day 5 – Thursday, July 17

Puerto Villamil, Galapagos Islands

Early morning boat ride to Isabela Isla
Take in the sights of the “Wall of Tears”
Learn more about one of the Islands’ inhabitants at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.
Spend an afternoon exploring the waters surrounding Puerto Villamil to spot for marine wildlife such as green sea turtles, penguins, marine iguanas, stingrays, etc.
Explore the area of Las Tintoreras. You will be able to come very close to marine Iguanas, various birds and lava lizards.

Day 6 – Friday, July 18

Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

Saddle up and ride up to the edge of Sierra Negra Volcano, then enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Return to Santa Cruz Island by speed boat.
Farewell dinner at a famous local restaurant; La Tintorera

Day 7 – Saturday, July 19

Quito, Ecuador

After breakfast we will head to the airport for our return flight to the continent.
We will have one last adventure in the islands as we hike through the “Lava Tunnels” before departing.
After so much time on the water, we will need to get our “land legs” back for our wonderful adventures tomorrow.

Day 8 – Sunday, July 20

Quito, Ecuador

Depart to Otavalo
Spend some time exploring Calderon
Marvel at the sights of the Otavalo Market. The handicrafts here are amazing!
Lunch this afternoon will be in a local hacienda.
Learn more about San Antonio de Ibarra, after a good hearty lunch.

Day 9 – Monday, July 21

Casa del Suizo. Ecuador

Pack your overnight bag for two nights and be prepared to leave the majority of your luggage at the Hotel Quito.
Today we will head over the Andes Mountains and into the tropical rain forest.
Our destination today is the Casa del Suizo, built along-side the river. We can get only so close by motorcoact and the final ten minutes of the journey will be by canoe.
Activities in the afternoon include a hike through the rain forest and a visit to a nearby butterfly garden.

Day 10 – Tuesday, July 22

Huasquila Lodge, Ecuador

Explore more of the area around the Casa del Suizo before departing once again by canoe.
Our destination today is an eco lodge, called Huasquila Lodge, that is tucked away in the highlands.
Along the way we will have a chance to visit a preserve for some of Ecuador’s most endangered species at the Arco Zoo.
Get some insight into Ecuador’s ancient past when we hike to the petroglyphs.
Dinner tonight will be an amazing experience we won’t soon forget! It will make us want to come back and visit our gracious hosts at the Huasquila Lodge very soon.

Day 11 – Wednesday, July 23

Quito, Ecuador

After one final hike around the area to a waterfall in the forest, we will have an early lunch before returning to Quito.

Day 12 – Thursday, July 24

Mantales, Ecuador

Enjoy our time on the Panamerican Highway as our journey takes us to the Patate Valley.
Tonight we will sleep in a hacienda in Manteles.
Educate yourself on the local economy and culture as we explkore the local agricultural areas.
Work up a hearty appetite for dinner this evening with a hike in the studdingly beautiful forest.

Day 13 – Friday, June 25

Quito, Ecuador

Today we will become aquainted with the area around Banos and we will spend time on a hike to the “Pailon del Diablo” Waterfall.
Wander through the Basilica
Return to Quito for a farewell dinner.

Day 14 – Saturday, June 26

Depart for the United States

Pack your bags one last time and say farewell to Ecuador
Be sure to thank our Delegation Manager for helping us on our wonderful adventure!

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE ON OUR JOURNEY:

Ecuador uses U.S. Dollars as their currency.
Credit Cards are NOT accepted.
Please remember to bring your CASH in SMALL BILLS – $1, $5, amd $10.
Larger bills will not be accepted for smaller purchases.
Be sure there are NO rips in the bills, as they WON’T be accepted if they are ripped.

We will be doing a lot of hiking and will be getting dirty.
Please pack clothes that you won’t mind getting stained.
In other words: DON’T BRING CLOTHES THAT ARE SPECIAL TO YOU!

PLEASE follow the packing list sent previously and listed in THIS BLOG!

We will be traveling on some primitive roads
Some of these roads are the same paths followed by the conquistadores hundreds of years ago!
These travels will be a wonderful part of our adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Drink only bottled water.
Tap water is fine for bathing and brushing our teeth at the HOTEL.
Water and ice served in the restaurants are also safe to drink as this water has been purified.
Drink LOTS of BOTTLED WATER to stay hydrated.