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✈ Transfer Quito (airport – hotel).
Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel/ Premium Room
Itinerary EEC-karanki
Day 1 – Welcome to Quito AM: Transfer Quito (airport – hotel). Welcome to Quito. A representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax and settle in. Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room Day 2 – Quito Old Town […]
Day 1 - Welcome to Quito
Day 2 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World
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Colonial Quito.
Stroll through the busy streets and squares of the most significant historic center of the Americas: a multi-ethnic, artistic, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The Middle of the World.
Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room
Day 3 - Quito – Otavalo – Magdalena Community
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Driving north from Quito, we pass through various ecosystems and agricultural zones, even crossing the equator. Along the way, we taste local flavors and enjoy scenic views of volcanoes, including “El Taita” Imbabura.
At the Otavalo market, visitors can engage with locals, negotiating for woven goods, bags, hats, flutes, and other crafts.
We visit villages like Peguche, known for traditional looms and Andean instruments, and Cotacachi, famous for its leather work. Next, we explore Cuicocha Lagoon in Cotacachi Cayapas National Park. Enjoy free time for lunch with recommendations from your guide.
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Our journey continues to the Karanki-Magdalena Community, at 3,100 meters above sea level. The landscape resembles a colorful patchwork, and locals are known for their exquisite embroidery, which is available for purchasing directly from artisans.
Experience their daily life, unhurried by modern distractions. Overnight in a comfortable room with private facilities and hot water. Enjoy authentic Andean home cooking and optional activities like horseback riding and hiking.
- Meals Included: Dinner at Magdalena Home Stay.
- Accommodation: Magdalena Home Stay.
Day 4 - Magdalena Community – Ibarra – Quito
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Join the locals in Magdalena for their morning activities, including milking cows.
Next, we head to Ibarra, famously known as “La Ciudad Blanca” and the capital of Imbabura. Your guide will delve into the city’s rich history while we admire its stunning architecture.
Our journey continues to “Parque Cóndor,” a rescue center for birds of prey. Here, you’ll learn about the significant challenges faced by Andean condors and owls.
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In the afternoon, we visit Hacienda Pinsaqui, a historic site in Imbabura Province. Savor a traditional lunch, stroll through the picturesque gardens, and interact with the horses.
Later, we drive back to Quito, ensuring your drop-off at either your hotel or the airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast at Magdalena Home Stay, Lunch at Hacienda Pinsaqui.
Day 5 - Welcome to Galapagos & North Seymour Island
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✈ Welcome to Galapagos. Departure from Quito to Baltra Island is a 2 1⁄2 hour flight. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are greeted at the airport by our knowledgeable guides who will accompany them on a short 10 minute bus ride to the pier where they will board the Galapagos Legend.
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North Seymour Island This flat, uplifting, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigate bird males courting the females and, we will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies too. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Day 6 - Bartolome Island & Santiago Island
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Bartolome Island Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island, Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks, and playful sea lions.
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Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) Visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer’s dream. As we hike over the lava, we will discuss the importance of pioneering plants such as the tiny Mollugo.
Day 7 - San Cristobal Island
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Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island) This is the only place on the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-footed will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca ́s on the ground near the cliff edge, and the blue-footed will be further inland. Frigate birds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.
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Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) From our dinghy ride, as we head to shore, we are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of the Sorcerer’s Hill. You can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore, or walking to a hidden lagoon where you might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.
Day 8 - San Cristobal Island & return to Quito
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Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island) In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the archipelago’s most iconic creature in its various life stages. The reserve aims to help restore the threatened San Cristóbal tortoise populations back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.
✈ San Cristobal Airport After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Quito.
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Accommodation: In the 5-Star GO Quito Hotel / Premium Room.
Day 9 - Transfer to Airport
Transfer to Quito airport
Transfer to Quito airport or guests can also extend their stay in Ecuador with other land tours we offer.
