ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS: NATURE & CULTURE
This combined tour in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands offer travelers the opportunity to experience both the natural and cultural features of the country. Admire the lush vegetation of Mindo cloud forest, surrounded by waterfalls, butterflies and hummingbirds, and visit a chocolate factory to discover the secrets of cocoa processing. Explore the country’s indigenous heritage with a visit to the world famous Otavalo market, where the indigenous people in traditional dress offer their wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices.. Hike around the Cuicocha crater lake to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andes, before you have a change of scenery and fly out to the majestic Galapagos Islands. Enjoy a week of nature and wildlife in four of the Islands as you snorkel through lava tunnels, encounter giant tortoises, iguanas, sea lions and a wide variety of sea-life, and learn about the history of the archipelago.
Unique Experiences:
- Learn how to prepare chocolate in the traditional way at a chocolate factory in the tropical cloud forest.
- Snorkel through lava formations with sea turtles, penguins, sea horses, sea lions and sharks at Lava Tunnels.
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesDomestic flightsLand TransportationMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedFees and entrances to parks and museumsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
DAY 1: QUITO ARRIVAL DAY

Meals included: none.
DAY 2: MINDO CLOUD FOREST

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 3: OTAVALO MARKET

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
DAY 4: CUICOCHA CRATER LAKE

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 5: ARRIVE IN GALAPAGOS
Today we will get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based its theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristobal. Once arrived, we have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 6: KICKER ROCK - SAN CRISTOBAL

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 7: ISABELA ISLAND

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 8: ISABELA BREEDING CENTER AND FLAMINGO LAGOON

Accommodation: Cormorant Beach House or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 9: LAVA TUNNELS

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 10: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 11: SANTA FE BAY EXCURSION

Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 12: SANTA CRUZ FREE DAY - OPTIONAL DIVING

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 13: FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 14: DEPARTURE
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!
Meals included: Breakfast.
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What's Included?
- Transportation: Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip, airport transfers (national flights), one way flight San Cristobal-Isabela, sea transportation Santa Cruz - Isabela islands, private and comfortable land and sea transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star lodge in Mindo, colonial hacienda in Otavalo, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos.
- Meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner.
- Activities: In Ecuador mainland: Visit to the Middle of the World, hiking in the cloud forest, chocolate factory, indigenous Market, encounter with indigenous people, hiking around Cuicocha lake. In Galapagos: snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Isla de los Lobos, tortoise breeding center and flamingo lagoon in Isabela Island, snorkeling in Lava Tunnels, Wall of Tears, Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, day trip to Santa Fé.
- Gear: Hiking sticks, snorkeling mask and fins, life vest.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.
What is not included?
- My Own Room supplement $980 USD.
- International flights.
- Airport transfer (international flights).
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary - estimated budget USD $280.
- INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Galapagos National Park fee: USD $100 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- USD $10 pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil (subject to change)
- Wetsuit for rent: USD $10.
- Tips for guides and drivers - estimated budget USD $180.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
FLIGHT TIME: 2:45 hours each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers. 45 minutes from San Cristobal to Isabela. Small size aircraft. 9 passengers.
DRIVING TIME
- 2 hour a day while in Mainland.
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito.
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos.
- 45 minutes each way to Sierra Negra
BOAT TRAVEL TIME
- 2 hours from Isabela to Santa Cruz.
- 45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels.
- 45 minutes each way - Kicker Rock.
SNORKELING TIME: 1 – 2 hours a day.
PROVINCE: Pichincha, Imbabura and Galapagos.
TERRITORY: Quito City and Galapagos Islands National Park.
HIKING TIME: Clould forest: 2 hours total. Cuicocha crater lake: 5 hours total. El Chato Tortoises Reserve: 1 hour total.
ALTITUDE: From sea level (most activities) to 1 200m (3,937 ft -Sierra Negra Volcano).
WATER: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF
WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC
GEAR: Adventure and protective equipment, snorkeling mask, fins, life jackets, mountain bikes, helmets, kayaks and paddle.
AVG. TEMP.: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenge. This program is located in The Galapagos Islands, includes multisport activities, long hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling almost every day, sea kayaking to view wild life, and biking mostly on flat roads.
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: Travelling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.
In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.