Galápagos & Andes Safari Private Journey

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1 Travcoa Private Journeys are pre designed luxury travel itineraries which are locally hosted by carefully selected guides. Each is crafted to provide the ideal in depth experience of its various destinations and includes deluxe accommodations (or the best available in remote areas), sightseeing, private transportation, breakfast daily, some meals and personalized touches throughout. Galápagos & Andes Safari Private Journey 8 Days START: Quito, Ecuador END: Quito, Ecuador DATES: Starts Any Day PRICE FROM: $ 5,495 Intra tour air from: $650* Park Entrance fee is $120 per person *Prices per person, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change. The price of your journey will change based on travel date and availability. Additions to the length of your itinerary will incur additional costs. Holiday supplements may apply Journey Highlights Explore the volcanic beaches, mangroves and lagoons of the Galápagos on day boat trips with a naturalist guide Hike, swim and snorkel in Galápagos National Park Snorkel & kayak with the sea lions along the shores of the islands See ancient pyramids constructed by the pre Incan Caranqui culture Enjoy a horseback ride at the most exclusive stables in Ecuador Page 1 of 7

2 Day 1 Arrive Quito, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito! You are met upon arrival and taken to your designer hotel in the newer, northern part of the city. Quito, at 10,000 feet above sea, is nestled deep within the valley of towering snow capped Andean volcanoes. The rest of today is at leisure to relax or explore Quito on your own. Meals: None included Hotel: Casa Gangotena, Quito (Luxury Room) Day 2 Baltra & Santa Cruz Islands, Galápagos Islands This morning, take a 90 minute flight to Baltra Island in the incredible Galápagos. You are met by your naturalist guide and then driven across the narrow Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy a hearty lunch at a farm in the highlands before beginning your tour of the area. Discover the various vegetation zones and microclimates, as you walk around pit craters, and through lava tunnels, getting acquainted with endemic Scalesia and Guayabillo forests. At the Tortoise Reserve, observe the emblematic giant tortoises in their natural habitat and the abundant highlands bird life. Late afternoon, arrive at Galápagos Safari Camp, your home for the next five nights. Enjoy a sunset cocktail followed by dinner. Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Hotel: Galápagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Island (Luxury Tent) Days 3 & 4 The Galápagos Islands The magical, mystical Galápagos National Park consists of 13 larger islands, 17 smaller islands and over 40 islets that have official names. This Archipelago is isolated from other landmasses (South America is 600 miles east), and the marine reserve covers nearly 28,000 square miles. The Galápagos Islands are located on one of the most active volcanic regions on earth. The unique wildlife in the region includes giant tortoises, iguanas, flamingos, penguins, Darwin finches and the memorable Blue Footed Boobies. Page 2 of 7

3 Enjoy two days taking boat excursions to explore the neighboring islands North Seymour, Bartolomé, Plazas, Santa Fé, Floreana or Isabela. Each island has its own particular natural habitat. North Seymour Island An island teaming with life, and a good nesting site for frigate birds and blue footed boobies, and swallow tailed gulls. Watch for marine iguanas, large flocks of pelicans, and snorkel with sea lions and rays. Bartholomew Island Hike to the top of the dormant volcano for panorama views of lava flows and neighboring islands. Walk, hike and swim and snorkel with tropical fish, sea lions, and the Galápagos penguins (the only species of penguin found north of the equator). Also watch nesting sea turtles. South Plaza Island One of the smallest islands, with rich wildlife including unparalleled bird observations, and a huge sea lion colony. Wildlife includes: land iguanas, swallow tailed gulls, red billed tropical birds, marine land iguana hybrids, and sea lions. Santa Fe Island Perhaps the oldest island in the Galápagos. Go swimming or snorkeling. Wildlife includes: sea turtles, sea lions, Galápagos White tipped Shark, Galápagos Hawk, frigates, pelicans, Manta Rays, and species of land iguana. Floreana Island A historic island offering tales of pirates, whalers, convicts. See Devilʹs Crown, home to a myriad of marine species including corals, pencil sea urchin, angelfish, and more making for some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos. Walk to a salt water lagoon full of pink flamingoes, or through a lava tube. Isabella Island The largest island in the archipelago. Home to a great variety of wildlife including the giant land iguanas, giant tortoises, white tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, blue footed boobies, brown noddies, and pelicans. Walk, hike, snorkel, swim, and sunbathe. Your excursions are accompanied by an expert naturalist to explain the evolutionary marvels of each destination, and guide you on nature walks and hikes. The Galápagos Marine Reserve is the second largest in the world dive in and snorkel off the boat to experience the richness of the aquatic species found here. (SCUBA certified divers may replace the boat trips with a diving excursion.) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily Hotel: Galápagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Island (Luxury Tent) Page 3 of 7

4 Day 5 Santa Cruz Island Today enjoy a land excursion on Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the Galápagos. Your guide takes you up to Cerro Mesa on the eastern part of island. At 1600 feet, it offers dramatic views. It also has the largest crater on Santa Cruz, and is home to numerous endemic plants, seven subspecies of finches, and the Vermillion Flycatcher. After lunch, visit El Garrapatero, a pristine white beach set among contrasting green mangroves, black lava formations, and inviting turquoise water. Watch the buzzing coastal birdlife and the pink flamingos in the small lagoon. Kayak, mountain bike, or take a cruise with the local fishermen. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Hotel: Galápagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Island (Luxury Tent) Day 6 Baltra to the Andes Mountains Bid farewell to the Galápagos this morning as you are taken to Baltra for your flight to Quito. You are met upon arrival, and then escorted on a 3 hour scenic drive up 9,600 feet through the Andean mountains. Early afternoon, arrive at the Hacienda Zuleta, a splendid 17 th century colonial home belonging to a politically prominent Ecuadorian family. Set on 5,000 acres, the property is a working dairy farm, specializing in producing delicious cheese. It also features lush forest, pastureland, and one of the most exclusive horse stables in Ecuador. Its Zuleteño horses are a unique breed of Spanish Andalusian, English and Quarter horses robust and noble with a perfect disposition for trail riding. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Hotel: Hacienda Zuleta, Tamayo y Colon (Deluxe Room) Page 4 of 7

5 Day 7 The Flight of the Condor Today explore the trails of the Condor Huasi route, grassy trails ideal for horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. See the ancient pyramids constructed by the pre Incan Caranqui Indians. Learn about the aviary dedicated to the rehabilitation of the endangered Andean Condor. Admire the beautiful embroidery work at the museum and at Zuleta s own nonprofit workshop. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Hotel: Hacienda Zuleta, Tamayo y Colon (Deluxe Room) Day 8 Depart the Andes & Quito Enjoy a visit to the organic farm this morning. Feed the calves and sheep, watch the vaqueros (cowboys) in action, and see the cheese factory. You are then transferred back to the Quito airport for your flight home or on to your next destination. Meals: Breakfast NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to change dependent upon local conditions and/or operational changes or improvements. The specific times and order of inclusions within each destination may also be altered to best accommodate unscheduled closures, special events, weather, traffic, etc. Travcoa is unable to guarantee the sighting of any animals while on this journey. Please contact your Journey Consultant before scheduling any coinciding appointments. Page 5 of 7

6 Additional Information Best Time To Travel The islands are a year round destination. The hot season runs January June and itʹs drier but cooler July December. Visa Information U.S. and Canadian citizens require passport and it needs to be valid for six months after departure date. Link This Journey To Private Journeys: Avenue of the Volcanoes: Ecuador, Mythical Machu Picchu, Peruvian Culinary Adventure & Amazon Cruise, or Flavors of Colombia Or Escorted Journeys: Route of the Equator Page 6 of 7

7 Terms & Conditions This Travcoa Private Journey Includes Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary Private transfers and privately guided sightseeing Local English speaking guide for sightseeing Entrance fees per final itinerary Local taxes Medical & Travel Assistance Plan Intra Tour Flights (additional cost) Not Included Travcoa Travel Director Meals, except where noted International Airfare Airport taxes Passport & Visa fees Gratuities Deposit/Payment Policy At the time of reservation: 120 days before departure: 25% of journey cost Balance due Cancellation Policy The cancellation policy is applicable to journey price, single supplements, intra tour air, extensions and other tour related arrangements. Penalties are valid from date of reservation until: 120 days or more before departure: 119 to 90 days before departure: 89 to 60 days before departure: 59 days or less and en route: 10% per person 20% 50% 100% Travcoa will only reimburse according to our cancellation policy. Page 7 of 7