Upon arrival in Guayaquil, 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.
Welcome to Ecuador!
PRO TIP: We highly recommend arriving into Ecuador at least two days prior to your cruise. In case of an unexpected flight delay, you'll still have 24 hours to get into the country before your morning flight to the Galapagos on Day 3.
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Located on the Guayas River, Guayaquil has an easy and casual vibe. Your half day private city tour will include most of the city’s highlights, such as the malecon (the bustling river waterfront), Las Penas (colorful homes on a cobblestone hillside) and the Seminario Parque de las Iguanas, where chubby green iguanas parade across the pathways and pose for you.
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s amenities, shop or pick up any last minute forgotten items.
PRO TIP: If you are returning to Guayaquil 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
Private transfer provided to the nearby Guayaquil airport for your 90-minute non-stop flight to the Galapagos Islands. Your ship crew will greet arriving guests at the airport and transfer you to your ship.
After lunch and a safety briefing, your first excursion will be this afternoon.
More info on your ship here: www.Alia-cruise.com
* Most cruises offer 5, 6 or 8 day cruises that depart on different days. This ship / itinerary is a sample only and will vary depending on your final ship choice.
All meals
Cruise ends. Transfer from your Galapagos ship to the local airport will be provided by the ship crew. After a short layover in Guayaquil, your flight continues on to Quito, arriving in the late afternoon.
In 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. Depending on traffic, the drive can take 30-45 minutes to the city. Rest, catch up on civilization, and take your time to acclimatize to the 9,300 ft. Andean altitude.
Breakfast
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 Quito 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.
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.”
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.
Breakfast, Lunch
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.
The sacred waterfalls of Peguche is much loved by the Otavalenos. In their culture, lakes, waterfalls and rivers are places loaded with powers in which they perform ritual purification baths or make pacts with the spirit of the place to strengthen and energize themselves. It’s an easy but lovely walk to the waterfalls.
Continue on to your beautiful Andean hacienda for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch
The day is at leisure at the hacienda for horseback riding, birdwatching or hiking.
Your driver will take you to the airport in time for your late night departure tonight.
Viajes seguros a casa (safe travels home)!
Breakfast
