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DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL
AM OR PM
- Transfer in Airport - Hotel Sheraton Quito or Oro Verde Guayaquil
Enjoy the facilities of the hotel including the Fitness Club, Sauna -
Turkish Bath, etc.
Enjoy the romantic atmosphere at your room live an unforgettable evening
with all those touches to make you feel in heaven...
Picture yourself in your robes, sipping Champagne on ice, tasting
luscious and exotic tropical fruits and chocolates.
DAY 2: QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL - SANTA CRUZ
- Breakfast Buffet at the cafeteria of the Hotel or Room Service:
American Breakfast
- Transfer Out to Airport / Galápagos
- Tranfer in Baltra Airport
AM
Baltra Airport
Ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island (10 min-ride). Arrival at Santa Cruz
around 11:30 AM (Depending on your flight schedule).Check-in at Red
Mangrove Aventura Lodge.
Lunch at Aventura Lodge
PM
Begin your Academy Bay Tour at "La Loberia", where you can snorkel with
sea lions (optional). 40 min. navigation to "Tortuga Bay".
As we enter the white sandy beach, we have a chance to observe different
marine species like Sting Rays and baby Reef Sharks in the shallow
waters of the Mangrove ecosystems.
After swimming on the beach we take a very short hike to the Marine
Iguana nesting site. The walk back is through a Prickly Pear forest
carpeted in crimson Sesuvium with black lava outcroppings home to more
marine iguana colonies.
Private Dinner in your Ocean view Suite, which will be decorated with
candles, petals of flowers on the bed and a bottle of champagne or wine,
delicious local fruits and more all this on one of the most exotic
destinations on the planet.
DAY 3: SANTA CRUZ – FLOREANA
AM
Breakfast at lodge
Depart to Tortoise Quest Tour.
This tour begins with a trip to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous
collapsed lava chambers - an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power
of nature.
The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora
and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in Liverwort,
large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and
more.
It's a wonderful introduction to the majestic power of the forces of
natures and the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands.
Afterwards, we will visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant
Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep.
Sometimes, it's a bit muddy here, so before we set out, there is a
selection of field boots to choose from, large sizes for men are
available.
You will be transported through this tropical environment by truck and
from there; you walk through fields to mingle with these gentle giants.
As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they
sound like! After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to
the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel.
With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible
opportunity to ramble through the remnants of one of the most powerful
forces in nature…lava flows. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and
mineral colored walls and the rippled form of a floor of lava can all be
experienced in this uniquely Galapagos stroll.
PM
Return to Aventura Lodge for Lunch.
2:00 PM departure for Floreana.
Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours. We will arrive into Floreana at
approximately 4PM.
You will continue on to the main dock in Floreana. It's not unusual to
have to 'shoo' sea lions sleeping on the steps we need to ascend.
On the other side of the dock are black lava rocks typically full of the
amazing rich red and turquoise colored Floreana marine iguanas. We will
continue on to our Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge for check-in.
7:30 Briefing and a BBQ Dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy the local
hospitality.
A gift basket awaits the Honeymooners at the cozy cabin of the lodge.
DAY 4: FLOREANA – ISABELA
AM
Breakfast at Local Restaurant
Departure in an open-air bus that will transport you up to the highlands
of Floreana while your Naturalist Guide begins filling you in on the
history of this, the first settled island in the Galapagos.
You will walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) where the
spring is located, an artisan spring that attracted pirates, whalers and
later settlers to Floreana as it was one of the very few year round
sources of fresh water in the Galapagos.
The Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) is quite literally where
pirates carved temporary shelter out of soft stone and is also where one
of the original settlers, Margret Wittmer, gave birth to a son, Rolf,
who is still living. Some have almost jokingly referred to it as the
'Stonehenge' of Floreana due to its interesting shapes.
Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) truly lives up to its name with a multitude of
Floreana Finches. It also offers spectacular views of the island and the
sea below.
You will visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant
tortoises up close and personal.
All the while, your Naturalist Guide will be pointing out the wildlife
and filling you in on the colorful history of Floreana's first
inhabitants like the Baroness and re-telling the legend of the "Floreana
Mystery" which entailed the mysterious deaths of several inhabitants. It
has never been solved.
Departure at 11:00 AM for Isabela. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
Arriving in the port is a visual feast with stunning green and turquoise
waters so clear, you can see sea turtles, sea lions and penguins as
though looking through glass.
You will check-in to the Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge and have a hot,
wholesome lunch.
PM
Departure to Las Tintoreras and Bay Tour.
After lunch, you will board a smaller craft to head out across the port,
slowing down to view blue footed boobies and Galapagos penguins sharing
the same rocky, sunning space before turning a bend and docking.
From there, we take an intriguing walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field,
passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas, to see a small canal full
of resting white-tipped reef sharks…if the tide is low, they are
sometimes a mere 2 feet below the surface.
The views from here are something you may carry with you for the rest of
your life! The black, treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the
forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is
the sort of afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever forget.
Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel this warm, shallow bay
surrounded by mangrove, for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef
sharks, sea lions, penguins and of course the mystery of the mangrove
below the surface. Don't worry, white-tipped reef sharks are not
aggressive, merely fascinating.
You will have a bit of time to relax and shower before briefing and
dinner in the Lodge at 7:00 PM
Enjoy a special honeymoon decoration in you Ocean Front Room.
DAY 5: ISABELA
AM
Breakfast.
Depart for Sierra Negra at 8:00 AM.
4x4 vehicles will drive us up through the humid highlands to the slopes
of Volcan Sierra Negra.
The views are breathtaking! We will relax a bit and have a snack on the
edge of the caldera. More advanced hikers will have the option to
descend into the crater itself!
PM
Lunch: Campo Duro
Campo Duro offers a 'tortoise patronage' program that doesn't involve
money changing hands. Guests have the opportunity to become a patron to
their chosen tortoise at the reserve merely by choosing a tortoise
(they're all numbered), naming their tortoise and then entering a story
in the Patron's book such as information on why they chose the name they
chose and their contact information.
Then, the Patron invites any and all of their friends to go visit their
tortoise and provide them with updates.
Back to the lodge
Dinner: Isabela
DAY 6 : ISABELA - SANTA CRUZ
AM
7:00 AM. Wake up call.
7:30 Staff will call for your luggage at to transport to dock.
8:00 AM Breakfast.
9:00 Departure for tour. You begin with a drive out of town along the
most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in the whole of the
Galapagos, Long Beach.
This travel magazine cover stretches on for 3 kilometers before we hit
the National Park and begin with a stop to walk up the stairs for
astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla.
As you drive down the road, you will very likely see the largest of the
Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road and don't be
surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road
in front of you.
You will visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), backbreaking
effort carrying jagged volcanic rock distances when constructed by
prisoners of a penal colony built there.
The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards, the males
are larger and striped and the females red-throated. If you visit during
breeding season, be careful not to step on or disturb the many nests
along this trail.
They appear as holes that a gopher might have dug, but in fact are
nests. Birds are also incredibly abundant and your Naturalist Guide will
assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild
than any other island with several sub-species as lava fields created a
barrier that limited their mobility to freely roam.
On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a
breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to
view the rare, remaining flat backed (so-called 'tabletop' shells)
Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic
activity from Sierra Negra.
At roughly 11:00 AM, you will depart Isabela for Santa Cruz. Sailing
time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
PM
You arrive into Puerto Ayora.
We will check into the Aventura Lodge and have lunch.
Visit to fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station.
Overnight at Aventura Lodge
DAY 7: SANTA CRUZ - GUAYAQUIL - RUTA DEL SOL
AM
Breakfast at the Lodge
Depart for airport 3 hours before flight. Transport and guide from the
hotel all the way to your airport gate
PM
Pick up at airport of Guayaquil and to take La Ruta del Sol.
For you to begin feeling the flavor of this region, we will take you on
a 2-hour drive through picturesque fishing villages, along white sand
beaches, and through amazing landscapes. Superb landscapes for pictures!
Arrive to our lodge, Red Mangrove Samai Lodge:
"At 330 feet above sea level there emerges this oasis amid the ivory
nut, tangerine, and orange groves. Built with natural materials, the
cabins call to mind the countryside and its sweetness rather than the
beach. Tapping the strong energy that steams from the encounter of
mountain and sea, the lodges have been set up after a mixture of Feng
Shui, Andean and Amazonian cosmogonies. Safeguarded by sounds of the
jungle and lightened up by the ocean breeze, Samai is an inn-and-spa
suited for recollection, relaxation and healing".
Enjoy the beauty and tranquility at this oasis of peace. Time to enjoy
the Jacuzzi, swimming pool and spa treats.
Around 7:00 pm prepare for dinner at Nativa Bamboo Restaurant in
Montañita. This place will welcome you for dinner and offer you the
chance to enjoy Montañita's famous nightlife.
Steak, seafood, pizza, and burgers are just a few of the dining options,
along with excellent local cuisine. Nativa Bamboo", ocean front
restaurant, bar, dancing area and live music. You will be capture in
Montañita is widely known as the best place to party!
Arts and crafts shopping
Return to Samai for a good enjoy a soak in a panoramic whirlpool at the
lodge.
DAY 8: RUTA DEL SOL
AM
Breakfast at the lodge
Your are the boss; choose the following activities:
• Lear how to dive: take a discover/resort scuba diving experience in
order to explore the world under the water, our professional team of
experts will teach step by step how to became lover of the beauty below
the water.
• Or walk 10 to 15 minutes to the San Jose beach; to enjoy a beach day
to be connected with the local community, swim, sun and sand, amazing
views. Coconut drinks.
PM
Lunch at Cuna Luna Hotel whit a wonderful panoramic view and an
extensive gourmet menu.
At the middle of the afternoon, return Samai to enjoy the sunset and
coffee, bear, or soft drinks and to prepare ourselves to experience one
of the most amazing ancestral activities.
At Samai, holistic healing and spa, techniques are promoted to
rejuvenate you on every level: mind body and spirit. The facilities will
blend the tranquility of the mountain, the soft breeze of the beach and
the sound of the ocean will embrace you giving the opportunity to deeply
relax and take the strength from the mother nature.
The activities in Samai Center are extensive and you can chose from:
• Shamanic Healing and Ceremonies
• Aromatherapy and Massage
• Rain-Drop Technique
• Salt & Oils Scrub
• Meditation Instruction private session
• Feng Shui Support and Class
• Tarot Card
Prices for this alternative healing techniques and activities varies and
are not included, please ask us about them.
Dinner at SAMAI.
Late night optional Jacuzzi, swimming pool and spa treats.
DAY 9: RUTA DEL SOL – GUAYAQUIL
AM
Breakfast at the lodge.
Transfer to Guayaquil , on the way we will stop at Propueblo NGO - San
Antonio 15 minutes north of Montanita and Manglaralto, visit arts and
crafts first class creations by locals.
By noon time, arrival to Guayaquil and check in at Oro Verde Hotel.
PM
Depart for Guayaquil City tour.
Visit the city starting with Centennial Park on 9 de Octubre Avenue.
Continue along this avenue to see how the city has been renovated, past
the first fire station, the Masonic temple and some buildings from the
beginning of the 20th century. Opposite the Cathedral you can go into
Seminario Park, also known as Iguana Park, which is famous for its
iguanas lounging in the sunshine. Our next stop will be at the Southern
Market at Malecon 2000, to visit Integration Plaza and the artisan
market, the Union Club and the first fort in Guayaquil, where a statue
of Jose Joaquin de Olmedo (first mayor of Guayaquil ) stands in front of
the Guayas River.
The tour continues along Malecon Simon Bolivar to our next stop: Civic
Plaza, where you can visit the Moorish Tower, City Hall and the Rotonda
monument. Continue by car to Las Peñas, the old neighborhood where the
city was born, located at the foot of Santa Ana Hill.
Then to we will take you on a yatch tour by the Guayas River, where you
can enjoy a beautiful view of the city at night.
Farewell dinner
Overnight at Oro Verde Hotel or similar.
DAY 10: BACK HOME
AM
• Buffet Breakfast
• Transfer to the Airport
• End of services.
For this program, we recommend to book your international flights to
Ecuador arriving to and departing from Guayaquil, however if you prefer
Quito, consider an extra domestic flight on day 10th to reach Quito.
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Equatorial monument |