Quito and 5 Day Galapagos Safari Camp

Cerro Mesa, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

8 Days/7 Nights

From $3,889 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

Daily Departures Throughout the Year

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Overview

Galapagos Safari Camp is a new way to experience the Galapagos. Similar to an African safari, guests enjoy comfortable tented accommodations in the midst of nature – in this case, the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Set on a farm that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, the camp features nine luxury tents, a lounge, dining room, infinity pool, and viewpoint. This itinerary, which is ideal for families, begins with a city tour of Quito, and allows you to explore the natural attractions of Santa Cruz Island, observe giant tortoises and other wildlife, and to visit nearby islands by boat.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 7 nights (3 nights in Quito, and 4 nights at Galapagos Safari Camp), and 15 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners).

Best Time to Go: Year-Round.

Destinations: South America, Ecuador, and Galapagos.

Interests: Adventure, Camping, Culture & History, Family Tours, Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Wildlife Viewing.

Places Visited: Quito and the Galapagos Islands.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

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.

Day 2: City Tour of Quito-Middle of the World.

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-Galapagos Safari Camp-In Search of the Giant Tortoise.

Early morning transfer to the airport in Quito for the flight to Galapagos. You will land in Baltra Island and cross the narrow Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz accompanied by a bilingual naturalist guide who will take you to a farm in the highlands for a tasty lunch. You will then do a complete tour of the area, exploring various vegetation zones and microclimates, walking around pit craters, through lava tunnels and getting acquainted with endemic Scalesia and Guayabillo forests. At the Tortoise Reserve, you will observe the emblematic giant tortoises in their natural habitat and the abundant bird life of the highlands. Your tour will end at Galapagos Safari Camp where you can enjoy a sunset cocktail followed by dinner. Overnight at Galapagos Safari Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 4-5: Galapagos Safari Camp-Cruising to a Neighboring Island.

After an early rise, you will take a boat trip to explore one of the neighboring islands (North Seymour, Bartolomé, Plazas, Santa Fé, Floreana, or Isabela). Each island has its particular natural habitat and you will be guided through the evolutionary marvels of your destination. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is the second largest reserve in the world; you will be able to snorkel off the boat and experience the richness of the aquatic species. Alternatively, if you are SCUBA certified we can replace one or both day trips with diving. Overnight at Galapagos Safari Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Galapagos Safari Camp-Exploring the East.

In the morning, you will be driven to the eastern part of the island. At 490mts. above sea level, Cerro Mesa offers dramatic views, has the largest crater on Santa Cruz and numerous endemic plants as well as up to 7 subspecies of finches and the Vermillion Flycatcher. After lunch, you will visit Garrapatero, a pristine beach where the contrast of mangroves, black lava, white sand and turquoise water, in addition to the buzzing coastal bird life and the small pink flamingo lagoon is sensational. Kayaking and mountain biking is available. Overnight at Galapagos Safari Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Galapagos Safari Camp-Sunrise Walk and Departure.

On your last day, you can tour the farm at your leisure or enjoy the sunrise from the viewpoint before your transfer to the airport for the return flight to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Day 8: Quito.

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

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Prices & Dates

Price per Person

Category	Single	Double	Triple
Double Occupancy Tent	$5,299	$3,889	$3,519

** The prices shown above are in U.S. Dollars. See the cost of this tour in your currency here.

Notes:

The above prices are valid until December 31, 2015.
Triple prices are based on one child under 12 sharing the tent with two adults (the child sleeps in a sofa bed).

Departure Dates

Daily departures throughout the year.

What's Included

Price Includes

South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling in Quito.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling in Galapagos.
Three night hotel accommodations at Patio Andaluz in Quito (or similar) including taxes and service fees.
Four night hotel accommodations at Galapagos Safari Camp including taxes and service fees.
Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
Yacht excursions as indicated on the itinerary.
Evening briefings and lectures.
Use of snorkeling equipment and sea kayaks.
Local, English-speaking naturalist guides.

Price Does Not Include

International airfare.
Quito-Galapagos-Quito-Airfare (+/-$500).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100/$50 Child).
Transit control card ($20).
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Gratuities, gifts, and personal items.
Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

Quito & Galapagos

Boutique – Hotel Patio Andaluz

Galapagos Safari Camp

Additional Details

Group Private: All transfers in Quito are private, and the city tour of Quito and Middle of the World excursion is a group tour. In the Galapagos, all transfers are private, the land tours are private, and the yacht excursions are operated on a group basis.

Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level.

IGTOA’S Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund: South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA’s Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund, we contribute $20 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 www.darwinfoundation.org. The remainder goes toward IGTOA’s mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Ecuadorian embassy in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm availability for your desired dates of travel. Once we have confirmed availability, you will need to make a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person ($1,150 for Single Passengers). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.