Highlands of Ecuador

Highlights

  • Quito
  • Riobamba
  • Ingapirca
  • Santa Cruz Island
  • Bartholome Island
  • Santiago Island
  • Rabida Island
  • Santa Cruz Island
  • North Seymour Island

    Highlands of Ecuador Whats Included

    Sightseeing Highlights

  • Quito: Tour thisWorld Heritage Site,with its old churches,monasteries and convents, see the Equatorial Monument.
  • Riobamba: Visit a Tagua workshop.
  • Ingapirca: Visit the Inca ruins.
  • Cuenca: Take a walking tour of this UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage town including a colorful flower market.
  • Santa Cruz Island: Walk to Dragon Hill to see a variety of exotic animals.
  • Bartholome Island: Delight in the view of this islands volcanic features, mangroves and cactus.
  • Santiago Island: See dramatic rock formations.
  • Rabida Island: See animals such as sea lions,marine iguanas and mockingbirds.
  • Santa Cruz Island: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
  • North Seymour Island Tour: this home to blue-footed boobies and frigate birds,with its vegetation of prickly pear cacti, and palo santos trees.

    Dining Highlights

  • 10 Breakfasts
  • 7 lunches
  • 6 Dinners23 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

    First Class Travel Highlights

  • Services of an English-speaking Tour Director on land; local host/cruise director while cruising.
  • Travel on Trafalgar's comfortable air-conditioned motor vehicles.
  • A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and helpful information.
  • Accommodations in hotels in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower as listed or similar
  • Taxes, entrance fees and service charges at hotels, along with mandatory luggage handling fees at the airports and hotels are included.
  • Scheduled round-trip flights when Trafalgar issues the air tickets
  • Transfers between the airport/hotel/ship, including baggage handling at the airport
  • Cruise accommodation on the M/V Santa Cruz in an outside cabin on the Main Deck with private shower and toilet. Upgrades available.
  • Services of a naturalist guide aboard the M/V Santa Cruz
  • Flights Guayaquil/Galapagos, Galapagos/Guayaquil
  • Galapagos Park tax valued at $100
  • Guided sightseeing in Quito
  • Visits to the Equatorial Monument and the Charles Darwin Research Station.
  • Your Cruise Ship: The 1600-ton M/V Santa Cruz was built exclusively for Galapagos Islands cruising. It features a broad sun deck, a Jacuzzi, spacious lounge areas, a large dining room, cocktail lounge, bar and an observation deck for dolphin and whale watching.The ship is fully air-conditioned, and all cabins have private showers and toilets. Each evening, the ship's naturalist holds a film/slide presentation and a briefing on planned activities.

    • Call (661) 399-9515 for more information or to book today! Mention code 6309781

    Tour Operator
    Trafalgar Tours
    Duration
    11 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1Depart USA Depart USA - Quito
    : Upon arrival in Quito, check into your hotel. The balance of the day is free to acclimate to the altitude and relax.

    Hotel: Swissotel
    Day 2Quito Quito
    : The colonial legacy here is so well preserved that Quito has been designated aWorld Heritage Cultural Site.The architectural wonder of old churches,monasteries and convents in the ornate colonial baroque will be highlighted on your morning city tour. You will also stop at the Equatorial Monument, a 90-foot stone block crowned with a metal globe, and exactly half way between the two poles. Your afternoon is free.Tonight your Tour Director will host a Welcome Dinner. (Breakfast)
    Day 3Riobamba Quito - Riobamba
    : Transfer to the Tambillo Train Station to board the Chiva Express.This brightly colored, one-coach train is like a tour bus on tracks.Your adventure begins as you head out into the ever-changing Andean landscape.You might want to ride on the top of the double decker vehicle, enjoying the panoramic view. There are plenty of activities along the way, including a stop at a dairy hacienda with its cows, horses and llamas. As you skirt Cotopaxi National Park,watch for vistas of Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Travel along the Valley of Latacunga to visit a rose plantation and sample fresh local produce. The last part of the journey will be by coach to Riobamba, set at the foot of snow-capped Chimborazo Volcano. On arrival, visit a Tagua (artisan) workshop. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

    Hotel: Abraspungo Hotel or Andaluza Hotel
    Day 4CuencaRiobamba - Cuenca
    : A day of incredible scenery and excitement as the Chiva Express travels with twists and turns through the Andes and over ravines and gorges. Keep your camera ready! Make a stop in the Indian village of Guamote and at Alausi, head down the astonishing switchbacks of Devil's Nose, one of the world's great feats of rail
    engineering.The last portion of your journey will be bymotorcar,and includes a stop at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

    Hotel: Carvallo Hotel
    Day 5Guayaquil Cuenca - Guayaquil
    : A walking tour this morning will show off the charm of this UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage town. The red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, cozy caf's and museums make it a very special place. Your tour ends at the colorful flower market. Late this afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to the historic port city of Guayaquil. (Breakfast / Lunch)

    Hotel: Oro Verde

    Day 6Santa Cruz Island Guayaquil - Baltra Island - Santa Cruz Island
    : This morning fly to Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands, and transfer to your ship, the M/V Santa Cruz. Cross the channel to Santa Cruz Island and Puerto Ayoro. Disembark for an easy hike to Dragon Hill, where you will see land iguanas and a variety of birds, including flamingos, stilts, pintail ducks, Darwin's finches and
    flycatchers. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
    Day 7Santiago Island Bartholome Island - Santiago Island
    : Bartholome Island is best known for its volcanic features. After a short hike past red and white mangroves, saltbushes and cactus, delight in the view.Next, stop in a cove with a chance for snorkeling next to Galapagos penguins, the only penguins north of the equator. Perhaps, ride on a glass bottom boat. This afternoon visit Santiago Island with its black beach and dramatic rock formations. Keep an eye open for fur sea lions,marine iguanas and oystercatchers. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
    Day 8North Seymour Island Rabida Island - North Seymour Island
    : A wet landing on a red beach will show off marine iguanas, mockingbirds, finches and more. There's time for snorkeling from the beach. This afternoon, visit North Seymour Island. A walk shows you blue footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, frigate birds, sea lions and marine iguanas. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
    Day 9Santa Cruz IslandSanta Cruz Island
    : This morning, head up to the highlands to see the scalesia (giant daisy trees) and famous giant tortoise. Next, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and see the rearing in captivity program for giant tortoises. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
    Day 10Guayaquil San Cristobal Island - Guayaquil
    : Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the islands. After a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, fly back to Guayaquil.Your afternoon is free. Tonight your Tour Director will host a special Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant. (Breakfast )
    Day 11USA Depart Guayaquil - USA
    : Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (Breakfast)
    Dates/Pricing
    DateDescriptionPrice FromQuote
    October 15, 2008Land Price$3,750.00* (USD)Quote
    November 26, 2008Land Price$3,750.00* (USD)Quote
    January 21, 2009Land Price$3,825.00* (USD)Quote
    February 18, 2009Land Price$3,825.00* (USD)Quote
    March 11, 2009Land Price$3,825.00* (USD)Quote
    Disclaimer
    * All Land & Air Prices: Additional taxes and fees will apply, please visit www.trafalgar.com/taxesandfees. Airline fuel surcharges are included in the base fare. Additional restrictions will apply; please visit www.trafalgar.com/restrictions. Prices shown are from New York City (Europe vacations), Los Angeles (South Pacific & Asia vacations) and Miami (South America vacations).
    ** 2009 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Aug 2008.
    *** Actual airfares from your hometown will be advised at the time of booking.
    **** The "LAND ONLY"prices include all Intra-South America air.
    ***** Accommodations while cruising are based on double/outside standard cabins on the Main Deck.
    ****** The itinerariesmay be subject to change by the national park authorities.
    ******* Altitude of your overnights in the Highlands: Quito 9,300 feet; Riobamba, 9,075 feet; Cuenca 7,750 feet.
    For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
    The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

    - These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
    - All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
    - For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.

      
    Powered by OnlineAgency