Compare Ecuador & Galapagos Islands by Rothschild Safaris vs 4 nights Eastern Galápagos by Metropolitan Touring
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 13 days | 5 days |
| Price From | $ 15,000 | $ 3,196 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,154 | $ 639 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small ship cruise |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
From history-rich Quito to the vibrant cloud forests of Mashpi Reserve to the remarkable and utterly unique Galápagos Islands, explore the best of what Ecuador has to offer. Visit Otavalo and its world-renowned indigenous markets full of color and life, while staying at one of Ecuador’s top haciendas; stand along the equator when you visit the “Middle of the World;” and relax in hot springs with views of the Andes and rolling hills. This is a trip you will never forget. |
Our itinerary together begins on San Cristóbal Island, the capital of the Galápagos Province. From here, we venture east along the northern shores of the island, visiting the fascinating site of Punta Pitt, taking us back to Charles Darwin’s visit of 1835. We then sail west to the central islands of Santa Fe, with its beautiful tranquil bay (great for swimming and snorkelling), before continuing to the wild cliffs of South Plaza with their cactus, land iguanas and stunning marine birds. The following day we visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, the most populous in the archipelago, with a range of activities on offer in the afternoon. Española Island awaits on our last day, a favourite of many visitors, with its remarkable visitor site of Punta Suárez. Here, we’ll wander along the rugged coastline, home to hundreds of marine iguanas, sealions, marine birds, and even albatross (at certain times of year). In the afternoon, Gardner Bay provides a wonderful setting for a combination of beach-time, swimming snorkelling or exploring aboard the glass-bottom boat. Wherever we sail, whatever we do, all the crew aboard the Santa Cruz will do our utmost to ensure your Galápagos experience is truly, deeply moving and memorable. |
Days 1-2: Quito/ Hotel Casa Gangotena
Welcome to Ecuador! On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend your first two nights in Ecuador in luxury at Hotel Casa Gangotena, situated in the heart of Quito’s Old Town.
Spend your time here getting to know magnificent Quito, visiting the city’s historic district, enjoying this urban jewel and its artistic and architectural treasures. Drive to the Monastery of San Francisco, one of the principal religious monuments of the New World, then visit the exact middle of the planet where the equator crosses the earth at latitude 0° 0’ 0”. Here you will be able to stand with one foot in each hemisphere!
Days 3- 7: Galapagos Islands/ M/V Eclipse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your adventure continues as we fly you to the Galápagos Islands to begin your 5-night cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse.
During your cruise your days will be filled with morning and afternoon excursions on different islands where you will can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife viewing all the while! Explore Cerro Brujo’s gorgeous beach, home to many sea lions and the place where Charles Darwin first stepped foot on the Archipelago; spot land iguanas, flocks of Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and different types of finches; or visit the inside of a lava tunnel!
Overnight: M/V Eclipse
Day 8: Pappallacta/ Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort
This morning you will fly back into Quito for your drive to Termas de Papallacta. Here you can relax and refresh yourself, taking in the stunning mountain views while having a soak in the lodge’s hot springs, or enjoy a spa treatment.
Days 9, 10: Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve/ Mashpi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge
Continue your journey northwest into the Mashpi Forest Reserve, a 3,200-acre haven for wildlife and biodiversity. Here, you will stay at National Geographic’s Unique Lodge of the World – Mashpi Lodge – a modern architectural marvel of glass where nature takes center stage.
Afternoon activities in the reserve will be organized depending on your group’s size and physical conditions and weather conditions. Activities include visiting the observation tower to experience life in the forest from a height of 90 feet, taking a 200-yard aerial cable ride on the “Sky Bike” through the forest canopy and visiting the San Vicente waterfalls to discover the lush secrets this forest holds. Follow the Howler Monkey Trail, which passes through primary forest, on to the Life Center and Butterfly Pavilion.
Days 11, 12: Otavalo/ Hacienda Zuleta
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hacienda Zuleta
It’s time to leave the forest behind as you journey to Ecuador’s Otavalo region. Your first stop is Otavalo Indigenous Market, one of the largest and best-known in South America. After some time perusing the local wares, you will continue on to enjoy lunch at Hacienda Zuleta – an amazing jewel tucked away amid several volcanoes.
A host of optional activities await you here, including easy mountain biking along the hacienda grounds, or a short hike around beautiful “Guinea Pig Lake.” Visit Cotacachi´s Leather Market and a family of weavers who not only have amazing wares but will demonstrate for you how they weave on their traditional back-strap looms and make striking colors from local plants. Around the corner lives a family of musicians, where you will get a feel for authentic Andean music and watch as they craft perfectly-tuned Andean flutes.
Day 13: Your Journey Ends
Today you will be transferred to Quito International Airport for your international flight home.
Day 1
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno/Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)
Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the Santa Cruz, anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment, introductory talk, boat drill and lunch.
Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)
In the afternoon, we disembark on the eastern tip of the island at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone, whose trail provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together. We can walk or enjoy a panga ride along the coast.
Day 2
Santa Fe Island/South Plaza Island
After breakfast, we take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by many sea lions. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the morning walk amid the giant prickly pear cactus. Snorkelling and swimming from the panga rounds off our rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass bottom boat for non-snorkelers.
South Plaza Island
Following lunch and a rest, we disembark in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.
Day 3
In the morning, we disembark (dry landing) for our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station's giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.
Santa Cruz Island
We have several options available for the afternoon (hiking, mountain biking or kayaking in Tortuga Bay), which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. At the end of the afternoon's activities, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz.
Day 4
Punta Suárez/Gardner Bay (Española Island)
An exciting walk awaits at this site, where we enjoy its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April- January), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galápagos famous "blow-hole". Also, look out for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the afternoon, the picture-postcard white coral beach of Gardner Bay provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, finches as we relax. We can expect great snorkelling in this area.
Day 5: Baltra Island
On our last day, we disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.
