WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU ARRIVE AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR GALAPAGOS CRUISE IN CASE OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DELAYS.
THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY ONLY TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF LOGISTICS. FINAL HOTEL AND SHIP CHOICE WILL VARY.
Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met at the airport outside the arrivals area by a local representative holding a sign with your name on it. You’ll be assisted with your luggage and transferred to your accommodations for the evening.
Your flight: To be advised
At the hotel, you’ll receive a welcome envelope including important information about airport transfers and daily pick up times for your excursions and COVID testing times, along with important emergency contact details during your stay. PLEASE LOOK FOR THIS LETTER AT THE HOTEL AND KEEP IT WITH YOU. Our partners in Ecuador will be assisting you throughout your stay on the mainland not only to help you enjoy your adventure, but also to step in and assist with any problems you might encounter. Feel comfortable knowing you’ll be well looked after.
Welcome to Ecuador!
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FULL DAY EXCURSION WITH PRIVATE GUIDE - LUNCH INCLUDED
The breathtaking city of Quito is located about 9,300 – 10,000 feet altitude. Nestled in an Andean valley of volcanoes, the capital of Ecuador is considered one of the most beautiful in South America and in 1978, was the world’s first city to be declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. On your private city tour, you’ll wander among cobblestone streets, stop at several of Old Town’s gold-encrusted colonial 16th century churches and monasteries (nearly 90 dot the city) and stand on top of Panecillo Hill (shaped like a bread loaf) where the Madonna of Quito keeps a watchful eye over the city. Overall, the city’s amazing blend of Spanish, Moorish and Flemish architecture is a pleasure to explore.
We've added a ride on Quito's teleferico (cable car), which runs from the edge of the city center up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to the Cruz Loma Lookout. It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3,117 m (10,226 ft) to 3,945 m (12,943 ft). The ascent takes about twenty minutes, traveling 2237 linear metres. On a clear day, the views will be spectacular.
At the Equator, just 13 miles from the city, you’ll straddle the Northern and Southern hemispheres and learn about the geographical and astronomical importance of “El Mitad del Mundo.”
Breakfast, Lunch
FULL DAY WITH PRIVATE GUIDE AND LUNCH INCLUDED. CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED HACIENDA.
Just two hours away from Quito, the Otavalo Market in the Imbabura Province is one of South America’s largest Indian markets. It is held daily, though on Saturday, the market nearly triples in size as villagers from surrounding areas come as well to enjoy street food and buy and sell farm goods. Shoppers can bargain for a myriad of souvenirs including textiles (rugs and blankets, for example), handicrafts, jewelry and musical instruments. Panama hats, which actually originated in Ecuador, are also found here.
Stop in at Huarmi Maqui, a community of women artisans whose mother language means “hands of women.” Here elders teach younger women, who often come from disadvantaged backgrounds, some of the region’s almost-forgotten embroidery traditions. The results are high-quality textile goods often revered for its unusual designs. (Note: If this workshop is not open, we may substitute another local artisan such as Miguel Andrago's: https://miguelandrango.weebly.com/
Choice of one of the two options below:
Cuicocha (In the Kichwa language: Kuykucha, "lake of guinea pigs" or Kuychikucha, "rainbow lake") is a 2 mile wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes. It makes for a spectacular hike with panoramic views of valleys and volcanoes.
If you prefer, you can choose to substitute the hike with a visit to the Andean condor park, where wildlife rangers will introduce you to raptors such as hawks, owls, eagles and Andean condors, many of which have been injured in the wild and rehabilitated here. Andean condors are the largest flying bird species on Earth and their majestic wingspan is a sight to behold!
Drop off to a lovely boutique hacienda or hotel, depending on your preference. Staff will recommend optional activities during your free time (birding, hiking, horseback riding, visits to nearby villages) and can offer transportation services.
Breakfast, Lunch
Explore Otavalo on your own.
Day at leisure at the hacienda to relax, explore nearby villages on your own, hike or go horseback riding.
After lunch, you'll be transferred to the airport hotel (2 hr drive) since Galapagos flights tend to depart from Quito very early in the morning the next day.
PRO TIP: If you are returning to Quito and staying at the same hotel after your Galapagos cruise, you may wish to leave behind a locked suitcase with the concierge to pick up on your return. Consider leaving behind any heavy coats or souvenirs that you won’t need on your cruise.
Breakfast
WE WORK WITH THE BEST FIRST-CLASS AND LUXURY GALAPAGOS YACHTS, CATAMARANS AND EXPEDITION SHIPS. WE WILL RECOMMEND THE BEST SHIP FOR YOU BASED ON YOUR TRAVEL DATES, PREFERENCE FOR TYPE OF SHIP, AND BUDGET. THIS ITINERARY IS ONLY A SAMPLE.
Early morning private transfer provided to the Quito airport. Most cruises have a representative waiting for you at the airline counter to assist you with luggage and both your flight and cruise check-ins. Migration cards and Galapagos National Park fees have been pre-paid on your behalf, unless you are doing a land-based itinerary.
You'll have a brief layover in Guayaquil before continuing on to the Galapagos (90 minute flight).
Confirmed Galapagos Flights: Depart in the morning in time to arrive in the Galapagos and board your ship by lunchtime
All Galapagos cruise passengers must have their luggage x-rayed and hand inspected before boarding the flight to the islands.
Upon arrival in the Galapagos, please enter the designated lines for “Pre-Paid Galapagos National Park Fees.” Your name will be on a master list of all travelers arriving that day who have already paid this fee.
Your carry-on luggage will be hand inspected and then you can proceed to pick up your luggage. Outside the small airport, your naturalist guide(s) will be waiting to welcome you to the islands. Each guide wears a uniform designating which ship they represent. You and your luggage will be transferred to the ship.
After lunch and a safety briefing, your first excursion will be this afternoon.
PRO TIP: The Galapagos Islands is one hour behind mainland Ecuador, though not all ships choose to honor this.
After lunch and a safety briefing, your first excursion will be this afternoon. Sailing itinerary will depend on your ship choice.
All meals
Exploring the Galapagos
All meals and activities
Exploring the Galapagos
All meals and activities
Exploring the Galapagos
All meals and activities
Transfer from your Galapagos ship to the local airport will be provided by the ship crew. After a short layover in Guayaquil (do not disembark), your flight continues to Quito, arriving in the very late afternoon.
Confirmed Galapagos Flights: Disembark ship after breakfast and fly back to Quito
Upon return to Quito, you will be met by a local representative (always look for someone in the arrivals area holding a sign with our Premier Tours logo and your last name on it), then dropped off at your convenient airport hotel. Don't forget to collect any luggage you may have left behind.
Breakfast
Transfer will be provided back to the airport about three hours prior to your international flight home.
Buen retorno! (Safe travels home)!
Breakfast
