GALAPAGOS & THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST
Visiting Quito, Otavalo, cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/V Legend (3n) and exploring the mighty Amazon Rain Forest aboard the M/N Manatee (3n)
12 day/11 night Program
Locally Hosted
INCLUDING:
All transfers Hotel-Airport-Hotel and Airport-Ports-Airport. Tours as noted in itinerary including entrance fees and English speaking naturalist guides. Hotel Dann Carlton for 5 nights including room taxes and service charges with Buffet Breakfast. The 4 day/3 night Galapagos Cruise aboard the M/V Legend -outside SUPERIOR cabins-with 2 lower berths. 3 nights aboard the Manatee with 2 lower berths (air conditioned cabins) and all meals while on the cruise. Meals as noted in itinerary B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner. . Airfare from Quito to Baltra Island via Tame Airlines and from Quito to Coca. Tips to airport porters. US$ 25 Parrot Clay Leek fee and Yasuni National Park entrance of US$20. Galapagos cruise fuel surcharge of US$90.
NOT INCLUDED:
International airfare. Services not mentioned in itinerary; Passport fees; Galapagos National Park Tax upon entry $100; $20 immigration card to enter Galapagos; Airport departure taxes of $2.00 to $5.00 for local flights in Ecuador; Insurance; Tips to hotel porters and tour guides; USA & Ecuador departure taxes (usually included in your international air ticket and any other service not specifically mentioned in the included section.
Call (770) 732-9434 for more information or to book today! Mention code 12723613
- Tour Operator
- Tara Tours
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - No
Day | Destination | Description |
Day 1 | Depart USA | FRI. USA-QUITO : Depart USA for Quito, Ecuador. (International airfare not included) After going through customs and immigration, you will be transferred to the new hotel Dann Carlton. |
Day 2 | Quito | SAT. QUITO : Afternoon drive along the northern residential section and see the impressive Parliament Building. Then stroll downtown to visit the colonial temple and monasteries designated by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Visit San Augustine Convent with its colonial cloisters, coffered ceilings and vast collection of paintings. Continue to the Independence Plaza flanked by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building and Archbishop's Palace. Next, visit the great church and Monastery of San Francisco with the Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Your scenic tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito (B) |
Day 3 | Quito | SUN. OTAVALO COUNTRY TOUR & MARKET : This excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America's most famous Indian fair along the Pan-American Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts, hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavalenos barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life and then take the cobblestone road to San Pablo, with a stop along the way at a weaving workshop specialized in fine backstrap loom woven textiles. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area. Return to Quito and to hotel Dann Carlton or Alameda Real. (B,L) |
Day 4 | Galapagos | MON. QUITO-BALTRA-GALAPAGOS (M/V Legend -Cruise C or Cruise A) : Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos (Baltra). Arrive and transfer to the M/V Legend. PM Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz) The sand at Bachas beach is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. The Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant on the lava rocks along the water's edge. On this hike, you will see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. |
Day 5 | Galapagos | TUE. GALAPAGOS : AM South Plaza (South Plaza Island) This island is full of life. There are colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of birds such as nesting tropic birds, boobies and fork-tailed seagulls, but most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff is an extremely pleasurable experience. The Opuntia cacti grow here too and the vegetation changes color according to the season of the year. PM Santa Fe It is one of the oldest Islands in Galapagos, ages of its lavas range from 750,000 to nearly 3 million years. ts maximum elevation is only about 200 m.. Among the unique species that can be seen there are the Santa Fe land iguana and Galapagos snake (whose bite is mildly poisonous). Also, opportunity to see Frigate birds, Galapagos hawks, sea turtles and sea lions. |
Day 6 | Galapagos | WED. GALAPAGOS : AM Pitt Point (San Cristobal) Wet landing followed by a high intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes an olivine beach of 90 meters long and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff, through several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together: Nazca, Blue-footed, and Red-footed; as well as two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony; it is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed. PM - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal) Wet landing. Cerro Brujo is an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of AA lava formations, and a beautiful white sand beach, great for snorkeling and sunbathing. We visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Whimbrels, other sandpiper species and White-cheeked Pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast. (B,L,D) |
Day 7 | Quito | THU. GALAPAGOS-QUITO : AM Cerro Colorado Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers visit the San Cristobal giant tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park's conservation programs. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the port village, have a drink or shop for arts and crafts and other souvenirs. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Quito with transfer to hotel Dann Carlton. (B) |
Day 8 | YASUNI NATIONAL PARK | FRI. QUITO - COCA - NAPO RIVER - YASUNI NATIONAL PARK : Morning departure from Quito (a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca (Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Rio Napo port; journey by motorized canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M/V MANATEE, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River. Soon after boarding, the M/V Manatee will start navigating downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the amazing flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, an initial outing on one of our trails will introduce you to the wonders of the tropical rainforest, an easy walk that will bring you to your first encounters with the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes. |
Day 9 | VISITING THE PANACOCHA BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR | SAT. VISITING THE PANACOCHA BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR : We will continue our navigation downstream to the Panayacu River delta; take a canoe trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating reserve. We will seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. Panacocha (Piranha Lake, in Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes here are the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, as well as the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caiman. After a refreshing swim (for the courageous!), we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will head out on exploration trails, and return onboard for dinner. |
Day 10 | KURY MUYU & PARROT CLAY LICK | SUN. KURY MUYU & PARROT CLAY LICK : Breakfast served on board. Today we will enjoy a cultural & ethnic encounter with the locals. We will spend some time at one of the forest communities to learn about their everyday lives. Take advantage to shop for local handcrafts and souvenirs. Later we head over to the Parrot Clay licks, a great place to witness one of the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. After lunch, explore one of our local jungle trails as we head to a most unique water museum, where you will learn about many of the creatures that inhabit this environment. After the visit, conditions permitting, paddle your way downstream back to the Napo and enjoy more opportunities to observe wildlife. |
Day 11 | Quito | MON. MANATEE-COCA-QUITO : Early departure from the Manatee and transfer back to Coca (two-hour canoe ride); return flight to Quito. |
Day 12 | Miami | TUE. QUITO-MIAMI : Transfer to the airport for flight to Miami and homeward bound. (B) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
DEPOSITS:
US$500.00 per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 65 days before departure.
INSURANCE:
Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$305-340.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.
Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:
At any time....deposit to Galapagos cruises of $300 is not refundable.
120-61 days $350 penalty per passenger service charge.
60-31 days 50% penalty
30 or less -no refunds
INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED.
* From Jan.01 to Mar.31 and from Jun.15 to Aug.15 -please add $100 per person (high season for the air portion). From Dec.09 to 31 -please add $300 per person. Children rate based -sharing room with 2 adults.
Note: Upgrade to Junior Suite for $300 per person. For the Legend Suites add $520 per person. Upgrade to five star hotel HILTON COLON please add $340 per person/double for the five nights in Quito (SGL US$619)
SAMPLE AIRFARE:
From Miami US$450-650 plus taxes.
SAMPLE AIR ADD-ONS :
For same package add $180 from ORL, TPA, JAX, FMY and Zone 1; $220 from ATL; add $250 from BDL, BOS, BWI, EWR, NYC, PHL, RDU, WAS, + Zone 3 - - Add $300 from CHI, CLE, DTT; - Add $330 from DEN, DFW, HOU, MSY, SJU ZONE 2 & 4; Add $390 from LAX, SFO + ZONE 5; Add $410 from Zone 6. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.
SAMPLE ZONE CHART:
Zone 1: FL; Zone 2: AR, LA, MS, NM, OK, TX; Zone 3: CT, GA, MA, MD, NC, NH, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT; Zone 4: AL, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, TN, WI; Zone 5: CA, ID, NV, UT; Zone 6: OR, WA