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
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN QUITO CITY

Meals included: none.
DAY 2; ARRIVAL IN GALAPAGOS

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 3: LAVA TUNNELS SNORKELING AND KAYAK SEARCHING FOR TURTLES, PENGUINS, RAYS AND SEA LIONS

Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 4: TREK TO SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO AND SNORKEL IN TINTORERAS

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.

Accommodation: Hacienda Pinsaquí or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
DAY 8: TREKKING THE LOOP OF CUICOCHA CRATER LAKE

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.
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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.