 Internet Travel Club |
Ferry | Exotic | Holidays | Cruises | Hotels | Late Escape | Destinations |
Internet Travel Club |
Ferry | Exotic | Holidays | Cruises | Hotels | Late Escape | Destinations |
Number of Nights: 11
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14 Oct 2006, 11 Nov 2006, 9 Dec 2006.
Number of Nights: 14
Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador + AMAZONIA EXTENSION - Tour Itinerary
Number of Nights: 15
GALAPAGOS CRUISE + ECUADOR + BONAIRE - Tour Itinerary
A very special tour offering a winning combination of
colonial
cities, stunning scenery and “ The Enchanted Islands” made famous by Charles
Darwin. Also a complete contrast of jungle adventure or relaxing beach
extensions. A land with great appeal for the curious and discerning traveller.
A resident English speaking guide will be on board the Santa Cruz and at Sacha Lodge. Local assistance from Day 7 to Day 13.
Guayaquil: 1 night
Galapagos Cruise: 4 nights
Cuenca: 2 nights
Quito: 4 nights
Fly with KLM from Heathrow, or your chosen regional airport via Amsterdam to Guayaquil, Ecuador (RO).
On arrival transfer to the Hampton Inn for one night. Afternoon at leisure to explore this bustling, large port on the Guayas River (B).
Fly to Baltra Island, and embark on the MV Santa Cruz cruise ship. Built especially for cruising the Galapagos islands, the ship has full airconditioning throughout and cabins have twin beds and their own shower. There are areas on the four decks for dolphin and whale watching, a bar/lounge, restaurant and small shop and a library. Resident naturalist guides accompany you throughout the cruise, giving briefings on board and guiding you on shore excursions. This unique archipelago is renowned for its fearless and special wildlife. Giant tortoise, marine iguana, albatross and blue-footed boobies are just some of the unusual species to be seen (B,L,D).
The Galapagos consist of six main islands with twelve smaller islands and 42 tiny islets. Your itinerary will take you to the islands of Bartholome, Tower, North Seymour and James Island. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will surely find the scenery and the wildlife quite fascinating (B,L,D).
Early arrival in Santa Fe (Barrington Island) for a escorted walk through the forest where you can spot iguanas and birdlife. Continue on to Santa Cruz Island and visit the Charles Darwin Resort Station and see the giant tortoise pens. After lunch the trip will finish in the hills of Santa Cruz Island where you can see giant tortoises in their wild habitat. Overnight on board MV Santa Cruz (B,L,D).
Leave the cruise after breakfast for your flight back to Ecuador’s colonial gem, Cuenca in the highlands. Two nights at Hotel Santa Lucia (B).
A tour of Cuenca has been included to show you its old quarter, the Plaza of San Sebastian, colourful Artisans market, a Panama hats workshop, and the flower market. Some free time in the afternoon to stroll around and visit a few of the many interesting museums or rummage in shops full of Indian traditional crafts (B).
Leave Cuenca for the airport and short flight to Ecuador’s capital Quito for a four nights’ stay at the central Hilton Colon on busy Amazonas street (B).
An orientation tour has been arranged this morning. You will see the many reminders of Quito’s colourful heritage, its wonderful churches and golden altars, and the old convents and plazas. You can explore further afield with an optional day tour (payable locally) out into the country to the Cotopaxi National Park at the foot of the world’s highest active volcano. Herds of wild horses and even deer can be spotted and lunch is at a beautiful hacienda (B).
Early departure for flight to Heathrow via Amsterdam, or
your chosen regional airport, on KLM. Arrive next morning (or continue on the
Amazonia or Bonaire extensions).
Galapagos & Ecuador: 11 nights
Sacha Lodge: 3 nights
NB: Please note only 10kg of luggage per person.
Follow the Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador itinerary.
Leave Quito by small aircraft for the short flight over the
snow-covered peaks of the Andes to the little river port of Coca where you
continue for nearly three hours by motorlaunch down the Napo River to the
Lodge’s landing stage. Then onwards to the lodge itself by paddle canoes. Stay
at Sacha Lodge for three nights (B,L,D).
Some 26 thatched roof double cabins and a main
dining/lounge/bar area are set in the rainforest. Each cabin has private
bathroom and private shaded terrace. One of the Lodges highlights is the 130
foot observation tower, situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok
tree. It permits guests to climb into and above the rainforest canopy for a
magnificent view of the surrounding area. The Lodge is home to one of the
largest butterfly farms in Ecuador now breeding nearly 40 local species. Just a
short distance from the Lodge is Ecuador’s most accessible parrot lick where
brightly coloured parrots of several different species gather in early morning
to give an unforgettable show of sound and colour. Native guides with expert
knowledge of the rainforests conduct trails for all capacities. A typical day
begins at sunrise to take advantage of the cool morning hours when animals are
most active. Midday, the hottest part of the day is spent resting. Mid-afternoon
visits begin around 4 pm and often continue into the evening when nocturnal
insects and other animals appear. A truly wondrous experience (B,L,D).
Sail and fly back from Coca to Quito for two nights at the
Hilton Colon (B).
Day at leisure to explore Quito (B).
Early morning departure on KLM via Amsterdam to Heathrow or your chosen regional airport arriving next day (B).
Number of Nights: 4
Ecuador & Galapagos: 11 nights
Bonaire: 4 nights
Follow the Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador itinerary.
Fly to the beautiful Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire on KLM and transfer on your own to the medium class Divi Flamingo hotel for the next four nights or more. The hotel has a choice of restaurants, a bar, two swimming pools, a selection of small shops and a casino. All 129 rooms are airconditioned with a ceiling fan, two double beds, television, shower, bath and a balcony or terrace with gardenviews. Other room categories are available on request.
At leisure to relax and unwind or hire a car and explore the island.
Transfer on your own to the airport for your KLM flight to Heathrow, or your chosen regional airport via Amsterdam arriving the next day.
Departure Details
| Tour Description | Meals | Nights | Book |
| Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador | MMP | 11 | |
| Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador + AMAZONIA EXTENSION | MMP | 14 | |
| Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador + GALAPAGOS CRUISE + ECUADOR + BONAIRE | MMP | 15 |
Departures & Important Notes:
Tour Departure dates - Saturday Flights: 2006
14 Oct 2006, 11 Nov 2006, 9 Dec
2006.
Jan 22, Mar 05, Apr 09, May 28 2007,
Meal Plans: MMP – meals as shown in itinerary, B – breakfast, L – lunch, D
– dinner; RO – no meals in Bonaire.
Important Note: This tour is subject to a minimum number of 4 passengers.
Children under 7 are not accepted on this tour.
Flights are also available on Iberia and American Airlines, at a supplement –
details on request.
Upgrades: available at a supplement on request.