9-DAY GALAPAGOS ISLANDS & OTAVALO HIGHLANDS
Discover the heart and soul of Ecuador on this fantastic tour through the Andean mountains and the Galapagos Islands. Explore the exceptional city of Quito and the spectacular market in Otavalo. Hike by beautiful mountain sceneries and crater lakes. Experience the most amazing wildlife, nature and landscapes on the Galapagos Islands. Snorkel with sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and penguins. Enjoy kayaking in crystal clear water and hiking along volcano craters.
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesLand TransportationMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedDomestic flightsFees and entrances to parks and museumsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
FROM OUR GALLERY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN QUITO CITY
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best preserved colonial city of America -declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.Meals included: none.
DAY 2; ARRIVAL IN GALAPAGOS
Today we 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. A magical place, where dreams of swimming with sea lions, turtles and fish become true.Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 3: LAVA TUNNELS SNORKELING AND KAYAK SEARCHING FOR TURTLES, PENGUINS, RAYS AND SEA LIONS
Today we will travel along the coast to explore the amazing lava formations which appeared by the volcanic activity on the island. This magical place has been used by the staff of BBC/National Geographic for documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches and tunnels, both above and below the water. The water is crystal clear and full of huge sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, fish, white-tipped reef sharks and more. Turtles will navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here we will have the best opportunity to snorkel with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin playing around. In the afternoon we will take our kayaks. Paddling the shoreline along "Las Tintoreras" we watch out for some wildlife. Later there will be time to enjoy a breath-taking sunset at the beach of Puerto Villamil.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 4: TREK TO SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO AND SNORKEL IN TINTORERAS
After a healthy breakfast we will get our backpacks ready and drive up to the trailhead where our hike begins. We will hike to the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005. The hike is about six miles along the craters widest point. During the hike your guide will tell you about the flora and fauna of this area. Upon arrival you can take in the breathtaking views of the massive, lava-filled crater. According to the weather conditions and timing we may continue to Volcan Chico, another crater with wild landscape and colorful lava formations. In the afternoon we will visit the Tintoreras, located only a short distance from Puerto Villamil. It is the home to a great variety of wildlife. While snorkeling in the turquoise, crystal clear water you will get the chance to spot white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of it´s beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.
Accommodation: Cormorant Beach House or similar
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 5: SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS & CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. During our island crossing, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to Learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 6: FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we will have a transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 7: OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET
Otavalo's market is South America's most famous Indian fair. An early depatrure from Quito (through dramatic mountain scenery northwards) will give you plenty time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, where you can admire Otavalo Indians who are wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Also you can explore the handicraft market with its wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices. Continuing the trip we will go to Cotacachi, famous for its leather articles, where lunch can be taken. Finally we will head to Peguche, a small village known for its waterfalls and wind instruments fabrics.
For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This is one fantastic effort developed by AJ and the local women with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come. Once at the project you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South-American woman and their skills for textiles and a deep culinary knowledge coming from the past generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields. Later we will learn more about the weaving process of their textiles. Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to have the chance to give back, by buying handmade scarfs here. Later we will arrive at the beautiful, historical hacienda of Pinsaqui where we will stay overnight. Enjoy a typical Andean cocktail as welcome, and learn about the history of this place. .Accommodation: Hacienda Pinsaquí or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
DAY 8: TREKKING THE LOOP OF CUICOCHA CRATER LAKE
After a nice breakfast our challenge will start with a beautiful 5-hour-hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake, with breathtaking views of this active volcano and amazing valleys located in Cotacachi Cayapas ecological reserve. On this trek we will reach an altitude of 11880f and we will hike 9 miles around the crater. At the end of our hike we will take a boat ride to the centre of the crater to experience the true activity of this volcano and to watch bubbles coming up from the centre of the caldera. Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 9: 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.
WRITE A REVIEW
What's Included?
- Transportation: Comfortable land and sea transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, colonial hacienda in Otavalo, 3+* hotels in the Galapagos.
- Meals: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinner.
- Activities: Exploring Otavalo market, 4 hour trekking around the loop of Cuicococha Active Volcano, trekking the rim of Sierra Negra, snorkeling Tintoreras and Lava Tunnels, kayaking on Isabela, explore Charles Darwin Research Station and El Chato Reserve.
- Gear: Hiking sticks, life jackets, kayaks, paddles.
- Trip Leader: AJ-Expert, English-Speaking leader specialized in adventure expedtions and local guides.
What is not included?
- Airfair Quito-Galapagos: USD 535.
- My Own Room supplement cost USD 630.
- Travel insurance mandatory.
- Meals not described in the itinerary.
- USD 20 Ingala Transit Control Card.
- Galapagos National Park Fee USD 100.
- USD $10 per person for a "pier use fee" at Puerto Villamil (Isabela Island).
- Personal expenses.
- Extra meals – food budget USD 190.
- Tips.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
FLIGHT TIME: 2h 45min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers.
DRIVING TIME
- 2 - 3 hours a day while in mainland.
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito.
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos.
- 45 minutes each way in Sierra Negra.
BOAT TRAVEL TIME
- 2 hours each way from Isabela to Santa Cruz.
- 45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels.
- 15 minutes each way - Tintoreras.
SNORKELING TIME: Tintoreras: 1 hour. Lava Tunnels: 2 times of 1 hour each.
TREKKING TIME: Sierra Negra: 30 minutes easy uphill; 1 and a half hour on flat terrain; 30 minutes downhill; 2 hours same way back. Cuicocha Crater Lake: 5 hours moderate because of the altitude around Cuicocha Crater Lake (elevation gain 500 m (1640 ft.).
KAYAKING: 1,5 hours.
SEASON: All year.
ALTITUDE:
Quito: 2800 m (9,186 ft.).
AVG. TEMP.: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
PROVINCE: Pichincha, Imbabura, Galapagos.
TERRITORY: Anden highlands and Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Moderate to challenging:
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same gender. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
SAFETY: Guides are certified as Wilderness First Aid Responders. We carry a complete first aid kit.
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 to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some location and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon cloud forest and the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation to support responsible ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to surrendering to the oil industry's destructive appetites. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage.