Otavalo, Chaski Antawa Train, Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise

Otavalo, Chaski Antawa Train, and Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise

Day 1	Quito
Day 2	City Tour of Quito
Day 3	Quito/Calderon/Cotacachi
Day 4	Otavalo/Chaski Antawa Train from Ibarra to Salinas/Otavalo Market/Quito
Day 5	Quito/Baltra Airport/Bartolome
Day 6	Urbina Bay (Isabela)/Espinosa Point (Fernandina)
Day 7	Egas Port (Santiago)/Rabida
Day 8	Charles Darwin Research Station/Highlands (Santa Cruz)
Day 9	Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)/Baltra Airport/Quito
Day 10	Quito

You may also be interested in our Galapagos and Machu Picchu Tours or Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and Easter Island Tours.

Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.

Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level, Calderon is 8,724 ft., Otavalo is 8,399 ft., Cotacachi is 8,202 ft., Ibarra is 7,231 ft., and Salinas is 5,282 ft.

IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program

South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.

Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.darwinfoundation.org. The remainder goes toward IGTOA's mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Otavalo, Chaski Antawa Train, and Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise

This popular tour begins in Quito, the first city to be included on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list due to its art and architecture. It includes an excursion to Otavalo, South America's largest and most famous indigenous market, a one night stay at a traditional Hacienda outside of Otavalo, a ride on the Chaski Antawa train from Ibarra to Salinas, and a five day Galapagos Legend cruise.

The Galapagos Legend is a 100 passenger deluxe expedition ship that offers the comforts and amenities of a larger cruise liner. It is air conditioned throughout, and features 57 cabins with lower beds, private bathroom, safe, and mini bar. The ship's spacious social areas include a pool, Jacuzzi, Fisherman's Bar, observation decks, al fresco dining areas, a spacious passenger lounge, dining room, boutique, library, and conference room. Snorkeling equipment ($20) and wets suits ($25) can be rented on board.

Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing, mountain train riding, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, and glass bottom boating.

Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

Day 1: Quito

Depart to Quito. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: City Tour of Quito

On your city tour of Quito, you will explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas, and visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. You will drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan and finish at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Day 3: Quito/Calderon/Cotacachi

The tour includes Calderón, a village known for its decorative bread dough figurines, the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, landscapes dotted with towering volcanoes and amazing opportunities for taking pictures, the crater lake of Cuicocha, and finally the leather-making village of Cotacachi. Overnight at a traditional hacienda in Otavalo. (B,L)

Day 4: Otavalo/Chaski Antawa Train from Ibarra to Salinas/Otavalo Market/Quito

The Chaski Antawa Train (messenger train) runs on the railway built at the beginning of the 20th century connecting the northern highlands to the tropical coast. From Ibarra, the train climbs down to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui, through sugarcane plantations, magical landscapes, and tunnels and crossing bridges that span deep canyons and gullies. The 26-km ride to Salinas plunges from 7,216 to 4,920 feet (2,200 mt down to 1,500 mt) above sea level in only about two hours. Enjoy a unique lunch at the "Chaski Antawa Restaurant", which is one way of helping the Valley of Salinas and its surrounding area become a tourist destination and raising the standard of living of its inhabitants. Its menu was carefully selected and drawn up by the community using high quality standards. Other sites include Otavalo and its famous indigenous arts and crafts market, the largest in South America. Overnight in Quito. (B,L)

Day 5: Quito/Baltra Airport/Bartolome

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Galapagos. Passengers are picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

Bartolome (dry landing). Passengers will see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit you'll be impressed by the view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti. Visitors will be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Urbina Bay (Isabela)/Espinosa Point (Fernandina)

Urbina Bay (wet landing). Passengers will visit the fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After the walk we will have time for snorkeling.

Espinosa Point (dry landing). Visitors will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot brachycereus cactus, and "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA" lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Egas Port (Santiago)/Rabida

Egas Port (wet landing). Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. You can observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers. Passengers will see marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals swimming in deep pools of cool water. Here you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, star fish.

Rabida (wet landing). The volcano-formed beach is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It's considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands. You'll hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found. July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin's finches can also be observed. You can take a dinghy ride by the reefs, as well as snorkel. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Charles Darwin Research Station/Highlands (Santa Cruz)

Charles Darwin Research Station. Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can admire the giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you'll have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.

Highlands of Santa Cruz. You can visit Cerro Chato, where you'll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises. Additionally, you can walk inside the dormant lava tubes. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)/Baltra Airport/Quito

Bachas Beach (wet landing). This beach is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will encounter many sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the white sand beach.

Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out, and transfer to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Day 10: Quito

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner