Read a sampling of what our
clients said about their trips
Just a short e-mail to thank you for arranging our trip to see Machu Picchu and other sights in Peru. Everything was handled in a timely and friendly manner by the local guides. We are extremely happy with your selections especially the hotel in Aquas Caliente, the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. What a ... more Antonio W. Chow
Toronto, Canada
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 8 nights (3 nights in Quito, 2 nights on Santa Cruz Island, 1 night on Floreana Island, and 2 nights on Isabela Island), and 13 meals (8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners).
Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level.
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.
Quito and Red Mangrove Galapagos Island Hopping
Experience the Galapagos from a different perspective by staying at hotels on Santa Cruz, Floreana, and Isabela islands. This tour is ideal for travelers that want to explore the Islands without being confined to a ship. You will begin in Quito with a city tour and Middle of the World Monument visit, and continue on to the Galapagos for six days. Highlights include the observation of unique plants and animals, and exploring parts of the Islands that are seldom seen by cruise passengers.
Activities:Cultural/historical sightseeing, hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming, and snorkeling.
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
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/Middle of the World Monument
In the morning, you will have a 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 the morning at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city.
Following the city tour, you will be driven to the "Middle of the World City" complex, which is located 11 miles north of Quito. Here, you will see the monument of the equatorial line, a 98 ft high stone trapezoidal monument with a brass globe on top. The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 3: Quito/Baltra Airport/Garrapatero Beach (Santa Cruz)
Transfer from your hotel in Quito to the airport for your flight to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. You will be met by our representative, and transported by bus and ferry to Santa Cruz Island, followed by a 45 minute bus ride to Puerto Ayora, the main village of Santa Cruz Island. Check-in followed by lunch at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge.
In the afternoon, you will travel 25 minutes by bus to Garrapatero Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach, known for its flamingos, finches, and mockingbirds, and a place where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. This is one of Santa Cruz's most peaceful and tranquil settings, surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees. You can also find marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, and patillos. There is a freshwater lake nearby that is home to herons, grebes, and many of shore birds. Enjoy the wonderful swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Overnight at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Los Gemelos (Santa Cruz)/La Loberia (Floreana)
The morning adventure features a trip to "Los Gemelos" (the twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is swarming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest, draped in liverwort, with large and small tree finches, the beautiful vermillion flycatcher, and more. It is a wonderful introduction to the majestic power of the forces of nature and the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. You will also visit a 600-acre private reserve where giant Galapagos tortoises roam freely, graze, and sleep. As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they sound like! After visiting the tortoises, you will we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450-meter (1,476 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to wander through the remnants of a lava flow. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur, mineral-colored walls, and the rippled floor formed from lava can all be experienced in this uniquely Galapagos stroll. Return to the lodge, where lunch will be served.
In the afternoon, you will depart by boat to Floreana Island (+/- two hours, depending upon sea conditions). Upon arrival, and before check-in, you will visit La Loberia, a very beautiful location to swim, snorkel, or enjoy watching a colony of sea lions and great scenery. Walk back to the lodge. Check-in at Floreana Lodge, followed by BBQ dinner hosted by a local family. Enjoy typical Galapagueña cuisine, and experience local culture and traditions. This is a truly genuine experience with one of the first families to arrive at the island. Overnight at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Peace Asylum/Pirates Cave (Floreana)/Las Tintoreras (Isabela)
Breakfast at the home of the local family. Depart in an open-air bus (Chiva) to the highlands of Floreana. On the way, your naturalist guide will point out the wildlife and explain the colorful history of this island's first inhabitants, such as Patrick Watkins, the Wittmers, the Baroness, and the Ritters, re-telling the legend of the "Floreana Mystery", which involves the mysterious deaths of several inhabitants and has never been solved. At 450 m high (1,476 ft.), you reach "Asilo de la Paz" (Peace Asylum), just behind Cerro las Pajas (Straw Hill) in the agricultural area of the island. The main attractions are of an historic type: one is Pirates Cave, and the other is the freshwater spring. The two sites are located at the base of the hill, where you find the endemic Scalesia (Scalesia pedunculata), as well as a good number of Galapagos Petrel nests (Pterodroma phaeopygia), once on the brink of extinction due to the predation of introduced species.
Pirates Cave was the home of the first settlers of the island, while the freshwater spring found in Peace Asylum provides water to the entire population of Floreana (approx. 130 people). Near Peace Asylum, the National Park Service built a special enclosure where you can see some Galapagos tortoises (from various islands) held in captivity for educational and scientific purposes. Depart for Isabela at around 11.00 AM for the two hour ride to Isabela Island. Check-in followed by lunch at Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge.
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 sunbathing space, before turning a bend and docking. From there, you will take a walk through a jagged lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions, to see a small canal full of resting white-tipped reef sharks (Las Tintoreras). If the tide is low, they are sometimes a mere two feet below the surface. The views from here are something you will take 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 create an afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever forget. Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel in this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangrove, for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, and, of course, the mystery of the mangrove below the surface. Don't worry, white-tipped reef sharks are not aggressive, merely fascinating. Overnight at Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Sierra Negra Volcano/Campo Duro (Isabela)
Depart from the lodge for a tour of Sierra Negra Volcano. You will drive through the humid highlands to the slopes of the Volcano, and hike to the caldera (crater). At a distance of four miles across, it is the second largest caldera in the world. The views are breathtaking! There is an optional one hour (challenging) hike across sloping lava fields to Volcan Chico, where fumarole activity is abundant, and again, the views are spectacular.
After returning from Sierra Negra, you will have lunch at Campo Duro, a beautiful organic farm. Rest in one of the hammocks and breathe the fresh air. The farm also takes care of giant tortoises in liaison with the Galapagos National Park. Return to the lodge, and discover Isabela on your own or go snorkeling, swimming or simply relax. Overnight at Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Tortoise Breeding Station/Playa del Amor (Isabela)/Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
After breakfast, enjoy a ride through the town of Puerto Villamil, and visit the Galapagos National Park Isabela Tortoise Breeding Station where you will learn about the different species of Galapagos tortoises and the growing process from newborn up to the centenaries. Afterwards, hike along a beautiful boardwalk for about 45 minutes, enjoying the Isabela wetlands, with a chance to see flamingos and other fascinating birds. Before returning to the lodge, visit the well-known Playa del Amor (Love Beach). Lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, you depart by boat to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora, check-in at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, followed by a guided tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about one of the most successful breeding programs in the world. Founded in 1964, the station is supported by over 100 scientists and researchers from around the world, to study, support and implement the conservation efforts of the islands. Overnight at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Santa Cruz/Baltra Airport/Quito
After breakfast, depart to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 9: Quito
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Quito and Red Mangrove Galapagos Island Hopping
Single
Double
Triple
Budget
$3,379
$2,619
$2,399
Standard
$4,139
$2,979
$2,669
Superior
$5,089
$3,439
$3,299
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
NOTES:
The above prices are valid until December 31, 2013.
Room upgrades and additional nights in each destination are available upon request.
Quito and Red Mangrove Galapagos Island Hopping
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Transfers between islands on motor boats.
Hotel accommodations including service fees and taxes.
City tour of Quito/Middle of the World Monument.
Meals as indicated on the itinerary, including soft drinks in the Galapagos.
English-speaking tour and naturalist guides.
Tour escort (in addition to naturalist guide) in the Galapagos.
Use of bicycles in Santa Cruz and Isabela.
Use of snorkeling equipment.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Domestic airfare.
Ecuadorian departure tax (Quito $40.80).
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100).
Transit control card ($10).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Alcoholic beverages.
Gratuities to drivers and guides (suggested $10/person/day).
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international and domestic airfare, and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
