Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

QuitoisEcuador’s capital and has a setting of great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua.Quitois located at 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level, so some visitors may suffer from altitude sickness during the first hours after arrival. The city has preserved much of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church inSouth America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Also in the plaza are theMunicipalPalace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Palacio Presidencial. Many of the city’s famous churches and monasteries contain priceless examples of Spanish art and sculpture, particularly the Monasterio deSan Franciscoand the JesuitchurchofLa Compañía. Most ofQuito’s colonial churches are located in theOldTown, parts of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. With 147 comfortable rooms with high speed internet access, the hotel offers you a pleasant environment for combining business with pleasure.

Overnight at Mercure .

Day 2 Galapagos

Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galapagos. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. The Baltra airport was originally constructed by theU.S.military during World War II as a base to protect thePanama Canalfrom enemy attack. It is linked by bridge to Santa Cruz Island. It is the main airport for arrivals and departures from the Galapagos.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Take your flight from Quito to Galapagos via Guayaquil today. The flight duration is approximately 4 hour.

The $100 entrance fee to theGalapagos IslandsParkand the $10 Tourist card are included in your booking. Please note that the itinerary is a guide only -  the route and program vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety precautions and wildlife encounters.

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands. After this, a guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor and then on board your cruise ship.

Visit toNorth Seymourislands: After a dry landing, you will see swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is known as a major nesting colony for blue-footed boobies, and it has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird (a different species from the great frigate bird). Here you will also be able to see both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and the land iguanas.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

The magnificence and immensity of the Galapagos Islands comes to life aboard the Legend, Luxury Class Yachts. The 41 cabins are structured in suite style and superior room fashion, each with a window at the bedside to soak in the surrounding water and pieces of land. Dining can take place outdoors under the stars, while feasting on a medley of Ecuadorian and international methods and spices. Later, spend the evening watching live performances of native folk dancing, or perhaps spend some private time in the library.

Overnight at Legend Luxury Class Yacht.

Day 3 Galapagos

After a dry landing, you will walk to a salty lagoon behind the beach. Here you may see pink flamingos. Continuing on the trail up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. You will also encounter a large colony of reintroduced land iguanas [hence the name, Dragon Hill] and a Scalesia tree forest. Returning to the shore, you will take a ride in a panga [Zodiac] boat to Venice Islet, to observe marine animals such as golden rays, sharks and sea turtles in the calm waters of the coves, as well as the land iguanas.

Wet landing on a green sand beach at Cormorant Point, followed by a hike on well-marked trail to a large, brackish lagoon. Here you will see one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the islands. Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main beach where the sea lions are playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at Legend Luxury Class Yacht.

Day 4 Galapagos

Dry landing for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca (masked) boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas.

We head to the Interpretation Center, which was built with the cooperation of the Spanish Science Centre, and it gives a very good introduction to the Galapagos islands, its marine and land life, fauna and flora. It is located in the outskirts of the small city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the Galapagos Province.

Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities followed by dinner on your cruise ship.

Overnight at Legend Luxury Class Yacht.

Day 5 Quito

Santa Cruz (Carrión Point). Today, passengers can choose either a ride in an outboard motorboat to observe the Galapagos fur seal, seabirds and marine wildlife or go snorkeling to see a variety of tropical fish, manta rays or even harmless white-tipped reef sharks.

Transfer by bus acrossSanta Cruz Islandand a short ferry ride to Baltra. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Continental Ecuador.

Fly from Galapagos to Quito via Guayaquil on Aerogal. The flight duration is approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. With 147 comfortable rooms with high speed internet access, the hotel offers you a pleasant environment for combining business with pleasure.

Overnight at Mercure .

Day 6 Quito

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Departure tax is not included in the tour price ($44.30 per person).

Depart from Quito International airport - end of itinerary

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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