2016 The Galápagos Islands & Ecuador + PERU EXTENSION 10 D AY S 16 D AY S W I T H E X T E N S I O N Land & Cruise Tour Venture into the heart of Ecuador s societal and natural heritage. Ecuador puts new meaning behind the saying, good things come in small packages. In terms of flora, fauna and opportunities for viewing unique local wildlife, this South American country runs the gamut. Journey to Quito for a taste of Ecuadorean culture and Spanish colonial history. Then, island hop through the Galápagos, where you ll move from mangrove swamps to lava flows to sunny shorelines, encountering scores of exotic creatures along the way. End in the indigenous city of Otavalo, famous for its colorful market.
Overview THE GALÁ PAGOS ISLANDS & ECUADOR Your tour includes 4 nights in handpicked hotels & 4 nights aboard the M/V Galápagos Legend Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 4 dinners on board the ship, 2 three-course dinners with beer or wine on land Private deluxe motor coach Multilingual Tour Director Select entrance fees Your tour highlights Quito s UNESCO-recognized historic center One-of-a-kind animal encounters Swimming with sea turtles Snorkeling with sea lions and penguins Flightless cormorants and fearless hawks Dramatic volcanic landscapes Where you ll go OVERNIGHT STAYS 3 nights Quito 4 nights Galápagos Islands cruise 1 night Otavalo 35 GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS Santiago Baltra Island Fernandina Island Isabela Island Rábida Island Santa Cruz Island MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE FOR THIS TOUR ECUADOR Otavalo Quito + Peru Extension With our Right Size Advantage, your group will never get in the way of your experience. Quito 3 nights Day 1: Flight & late-night arrival in Quito After your flight, arrive late this evening in Quito and settle into your hotel. Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Quito, dinner Today, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Quito before meeting your fellow travelers at tonight s welcome dinner. Enjoy a walking tour of Old Town, passing by the Legislative Palace, Independence Square and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito Enter La Compañia, the city s Baroque church, to view its gold leaf interior Step inside the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco Drive up Cerro Panecillo hill for views of the city and surrounding volcanoes Day 3: Free day in Quito Enjoy a full free day in Quito or add an excursion. + Mindo Cloud Forest Galápagos Islands 4 nights Day 4: Galápagos Cruise, lunch, dinner This morning, fly to the small island of Baltra to board your cruise. Boat aross the narrow channel separating Baltra from Santa Cruz Island Cruise to Black Turtle Cove, where you may see turtles, rays and sharks swimming among the mangroves Day 5: Santiago Island & Rabida Island, lunch, dinner After a wet landing, you ll enjoy the southeastern portion of Santiago Island before continuing to Rabida Island. Spend the morning exploring the extensive lava flows, swimming and snorkeling in Sullivan Bay and spotting flamingos, sea turtles, sea lions and migratory birds Transfer to Rabida Island, where the volcanic geology creates red sand beaches Take a dinghy ride along the cliffs to snorkel and observe nesting seabirds Day 6: Isabela Island, lunch, dinner After a wet landing, begin your exploration of Isabela Island, the largest in the Galápagos archipelago. Snorkel with the sea turtles that swim just off the shore of Urbina Bay See the giant tortoises that live on the slopes of the nearby Alcedo Volcano Tour Tagus Cove and see the blue-footed boobies that nest there Go on a dinghy ride and enjoy the option of deep sea snorkeling Day 7: Espinosa Point & Vicente Roca Point, lunch, dinner Today s dry landing is at Espinosa Point, formed by lava flows over thousands of years. View the area s marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and the fearless Galápagos hawk Take a dinghy ride to Vicente Roca Point and the Bolivar Channel, where you can snorkel with sea lions, sea turtles and penguins View dolphins and whales that are attracted to the Bolivar Channel by the cold waters of the Cromwell Current (seasonal, June to September) ABOUT YOUR HOTELS Our 3- and 4-diamond accommodations are handpicked to ensure quality and comfort.
Itinerary THE GALÁ PAGOS ISLANDS & ECUADOR Otavalo 1 night Day 8: Transfer to Otavalo via Quito, farewell dinner Disembark the ship to further explore Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos before making your way to Otavalo, a market town in the Andes Mountains. Journey to the Santa Cruz highlands, northwest of Puerto Ayora, to visit a giant tortoise nature reserve Walk through the humid forest landscape to see these slow-moving reptiles in action Return to Baltra and board your flight back to Quito on the mainland On the way to Otavalo, stop to see the Quitsato Sundial, a monument located on the equator, where you ll view a demonstration of equatorial effects Later, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. Continue to the ancient Ollantaytambo ruins to explore still-standing Incan homes Board a train to Aguas Calientes Cuzco 1 night Day 13: Return to Cuzco for a sightseeing tour of Machu Picchu, lunch On today s guided tour, you ll uncover the lost city of Machu Picchu, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the entire South American continent. Tour the ruins of the ceremonial center, cultivation terraces and guard house Visit Funeral Rock, the Main Temple, Temple of the Three Windows, Chamber of Ornaments, the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana (Intiwatana) Stone, the Temple of the Sun, the Rock Quarry, the Ritual Fountains and the Condor Temple Enjoy a scenic train ride back to Cuzco for the night Overnight flight 1 night Day 9: Otavalo market visit & departure Visit the Otavalo market to browse the stalls, shop for indigenous crafts and attend a local weaving demonstration. Then, relax in your day room before transferring to the airport for a late-night or early-morning flight or continue your adventure in Peru. Day 10: Arrival in the U.S. Arrive home. Please note: Due to varying flight schedules, some travelers may depart on the morning of day 10, arriving home later that evening. Lima 1 night Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Lima, dinner Fly back to Lima, where you ll set out on a guided tour highlighting the capital city s modern and colonial quarters. Visit Miraflores and the Parque del Amor Stop in the San Isidro District to visit Huaca Huallamarca temple and its museum View Plaza Mayor and the Municipal Palace in Lima s historic center Enter the Cathedral of Lima and the Monastery of San Francisco, where you can descend to the catacombs Post-tour extension Quito Region 1 night Day 9: Otavalo market visit & transfer to Quito region After your visit to Otavalo market, transfer to Rincon de Puembo near the Quito airport and enjoy free time to relax before your early morning flight. Cuzco 2 nights Day 10: Fly from Quito to Cuzco Fly from Quito to Cuzco and spend free time getting acclimatized to the city s high elevation. Overnight flight 1 night Day 15: Departure Enjoy a free morning in Lima, then relax in a dayroom before boarding your overnight flight home. Day 16: Arrival in the U.S. Arrive home. Extension is available on select departure dates. Space is limited. Minimum of 10 travelers is required. Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Cuzco, dinner Join a local guide on today s tour of Cuzco, the ancient Incan capital. Admire the old Spanish cathedral, La Merced Church, Plaza de Armas and Convent of Santo Domingo Travel to three Incan archaeological sites near Cuzco, including Sacsayhuaman, Cuzco s most impressive Incan ruins Machu Picchu Region 1 night Day 12: Aguas Calientes via the Sacred Valley, lunch Today, you ll transfer to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. First, make a stop in the Sacred Valley to see the sights. Peruse the colorful stalls of the wide-open Pisac Market, where you ll find local fare and traditional crafts on display
Customize your experience ECU16_1215 THE GALÁ PAGOS ISLANDS & ECUADOR Create a more personal journey by adding optional excursions that speak to your interests. Excursions offered on the same day will occur at different times, so there s no need to choose you re free to do as much or as little as you d like. Save $10* when you book your excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. Please note: Excursions that require advance reservation will only have this discounted price listed. Call to start customizing your tour: 1.617.338.1111 Day 3: Mindo Cloud Forest $119/$129* (8 hours with lunch, departs in the morning) Travel to the heart of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, a unique and serene natural setting. Look out for exotic wildlife and flowers as you explore the biodiversity of the region on a series of moderately-paced guided hikes. There are hundreds of bird species in the Mindo Cloud Forest keep an eye out for hummingbirds on feeders as well as colorful butterflies. You ll also visit the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve to see gardens full of a wide variety of unique orchids, ferns and other plants. *Optional excursions may be purchased up to 3 days prior to departure or while on tour. Pre-purchased optional excursions cannot be canceled within 3 days prior to departure or while on tour. Select optional excursions require advance booking and cannot be purchased or canceled after the advanced reservation deadline. GAT accepts payment by cash, Visa or MasterCard for optional excursions purchased on tour. Additional fees may apply for optional excursions purchased on tour. Excursions require a minimum number of participants to operate. Details and prices are subject to change. Due to seasonal hours of operation and availability, some excursions may not operate. If this occurs, you will be refunded any payments made for that excursion post-tour.
THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS & ECUADOR SAMPLE HOTELS Quito 3 nights Mercure Alameda Quito 3-star centrally located The Mercure Alameda Quito hotel offers guests all facilities necessary for business or leisure trips, as well as cultural information about the city. Our 147 comfortable roomswith WIFI provide the perfect setting for combining business and leisure, while our 41 Privilege Rooms will give you a more personalized service, adapted to each guest's individual requirements. Galapagos Cruise 4 nights M/V Galápagos Legend 3-star Enjoy the Galapagos Islands paradise in a 100 passenger, fully air conditioned cruise ship. The Galapagos Legend has all the amenities of a cruise liner yet it's small enough for that intimate experience with nature. Guests will enjoy the added comfort of extra space in fully carpeted luxurious cabins. The ships facilities include an auditorium for conferences, spacious social areas, culinary delights at the dining room, 24 hour coffee bar and swimming pool with broad sun decks and observation platforms. At night guests can enjoy live music at the piano lounge or cocktail bars. Otavalo 1 night hotel TBA
ECU16_0915 The Galápagos Islands & Ecuador PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TOUR Passport & visa requirements In order to enter Ecuador (and Peru on the extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country s consulate for your specific entry requirements. About your Galápagos Cruise Your Galápagos cruise offers the latest in cruise comfort while also providing an intimate and environmentally safe look at the Galápagos Islands. The yacht features an outdoor pool, observation decks, solarium, library, bar and large restaurant. Choose from a wide variety of activities in your free time everything from snorkeling to stargazing. Please note: Due to the ship s itinerary, the order of days in Quito before and after the cruise could change. Baggage allowance Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs. Contact your airline for detailed information regarding luggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that Go Ahead travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other internal transfers, which may include train connections or flights. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 total inches (length + width + height). Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on bag. Clothing & packing tips For your Galápagos cruise, casual dress is appropriate; however, shorts and sandals aren t allowed in the dining room during dinner. Waterproof shoes or sandals, a bathing suit, sunscreen and insect repellent are essential for your visit to the Galápagos. On land, you ll want to dress in light, loose-fitting clothing suitable for exploring the sights and pack a sun hat, sunglasses, sturdy pair of walking shoes and rain gear. If you plan to visit an elegant restaurant, you ll probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it s preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis). Health Travelers to Ecuador should be comfortable in high altitude conditions. Elevation throughout the country varies widely. The altitude of Quito is close to 10,000 feet (Cuzco on extension is 11,000 feet). Travelers, especially those with heart or lung conditions, should consult with their personal healthcare providers before undertaking high-altitude travel. Important health tips In order for you to stay healthy throughout your tour, we recommend the following: Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth. Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled. Bring a small first-aid kit, including antacids, antidiarrhea medication and any prescription medications. Cuisine Food in Ecuador relies heavily on locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with regional seafood and game. You re likely to find local dishes featuring potatoes, yucca root, bananas and plantains. Seafood, including bass, trout and catfish, is also prevalent and served grilled, fried or marinated as ceviche. Ecuador s tropical fruit is delicious specialties include melons, papayas, passion fruit and tamarinds. Transportation Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Quito (or Lima on the extension). The tour also includes a flight to and from the Galápagos Islands and the four-night island cruise. The extension includes internal flights from Quito to Cuzco and from Cuzco to Lima. Most destinations on tour are walkable, including Quito, although local buses are available as well. Electricity Ecuador uses 110 volts, the same as in the U.S. Time zones Ecuador falls on a similar time zone to Eastern Standard Time, except it does not observe daylight saving time. Ecuador has the same time as New York from October to April, and is one hour behind New York from April to October. Currency The U.S. dollar (USD) is the currency you ll use in Ecuador. On land, you ll find that ATMS are widely available. During your cruise, any onboard charges can be billed to your credit card. Please note that U.S. bank notes with denominations higher than $20 may not be accepted in some areas of Ecuador. If you re joining the tour extension to Peru, you ll also use the Peruvian sol. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Peru, although it s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please Note: If you will be exchanging U.S. dollar bills in Peru, we advise that they be in new condition, as most vendors will not accept bills if they are wrinkled or dirty. Tipping On your cruise, tipping your waiter, busser and cabin steward is customary if you re pleased with the service. Gratuities are generally given at the end of the voyage. We recommend $15 per traveler per day, to be divided among your waiter, busser and cabin steward. Separate tips are recommended for the naturalist guides. We recommend $8 per person per day. All cruise tipping can be handled by cash or by credit card. At the conclusion of your tour, it s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. Purchasing excursions on tour If you have not yet purchased your optional excursions, you may be able to do so while on your tour. Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions. Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged. Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See the separate Optional Excursions sheet for more information.