Galapagos Program: 14 days + additional packages,minimum 6 passengers.
Our most demanded package which takes you throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos: Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi, Saquisilì, Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ingapirca, Cuenca, Guayaquil and Galapagos. The trip may be completed with the various supplementary programs available in order to visit the Ecuadorian beaches and jungle.
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Day 1 : Departure - Flight 15/06
Departure and flight. Arrival to Quito and private transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Quito 16/06
Private transportation and English speaking guide. Quito’s colonial downtown atmosphere takes the visitor back to the years of the Spanish conquest. Jesuit, Franciscan churches, squares and the Presidential Palace can be admired. Quito’s historic downtown district, which has been perfectly restored, was declared by the UNESCO a heritage for humanity. Before the sunset we advice you to visit the new Cable car “Teleferico” which reaches 4100m. above sea level over the Pichincha volcano, where you can admire the amazing spectacle of the top of the volcanoes that surround Quito. The spectacle is especially wonderful with a clear sky.
Day 3: Otavalo - Quito 17/06
Departure towards the beautiful province of Imbabura due at 9:00. During the ride, if the weather allows it, the top of the Cayambe, Imbabura and Cotacachi mountains can be admired. After driving along the beautiful lake San Pablo, we reach Otavalo.
Otavalo is not an old town, therefore no colonial constructions can be found. It constitutes an interesting destination because it offers a complete handicraft market at “La plaza de los Ponchos” which is attractive for who enjoys buying wool clothing, jewelry, sculptures and all kinds of items coming from the local production. The market is open everyday and offers a vast range of products. It is interesting as well to visit the local fruits and meat market. In the afternoon who ever wants to, may ride with the driver to the Cuicocha lagoon, which is located 40min. away from Otavalo. The lagoon was formed in the crater of a former volcano and it constitutes a pleasant natural spectacle. In the evening we will return to Quito. The trip Quito-Otavalo takes around 2-3 hours plus breaks.
Day 4: Quilotoa - Latacunga 18/06
Departure from the hotel with your private driver due at 8:00. We drive a long a track of the “Panamericana Sur” boarding the top of the Cotopaxi volcano with its perfect white cone. Once we arrive to the city of Pujili we head to one of the most pleasant areas of the Ecuadorian Andes. The fields are perfectly cultivated by the indigenous people who can be found wearing their colorful ponchos even walking on the streets while heading to work. Close to noon we reach the Quilotoa lagoon. It is a wonderful spectacle: this lake was as well formed inside a volcanic crater and you may reach it by walking if you like to. It is possible as well to follow the path by renting a horse from the local indigenous community. Late in the afternoon we head to the calm and small city of Latacunga getting there before dinner. After dinner it is worth it to go for a ride through the calm streets of the center, the neocolonial buildings and the churches offer an idea of the history and tranquil life of the Andes. The trip from Quilotoa to Latacunga takes about two hours.
Day 5: Saquisilì - Riobamba 19/06
Gathering due at 8:00 in hotel and departure heading to the market of Saquisili (only on thursday) which we reach after circa 40 minutes.
This constitutes a weekly indigenous fair. The visit to Saquisili allows you to be familiar with the reality of the indigenous world from the Andes in a non tourist way. Animals, vegetables, food, handicrafts, spices, clothing, etc are sold on the various squares of the village. Many indigenous people come down every Thursday from the valleys surrounding Saquisili to buy or sell products in this colorful market which still is very genuine.
Departure to Riobamba arriving late in the afternoon after passing the imposing view of the Arenal’s high plateau which is dominated by Ecuador’s highest volcano: the Chimborazo (m. 6310). The hotel in Riobamba is located outside of the city immerse on the vegetation. Who whishes to, may arrange things with the driver and visit the center of the city which was Ecuador’s first capital city. The trip from Saquisili to Riobamba takes about three hours plus breaks.
Day 6: Ingapirca - Cuenca 20/06
Early departure, due at 6:00 to get to the train station (only we-fre-su). The train advances slowly and while heading to the “Nariz del Diablo” it offers a beautiful glance of the Andean landscape where the train descends trough some tracks even backwards along an amazing cliff. The trip with the train goes from 7 till 13:00.
Currently it is allowed to stay on the top of the train. This service may be interrupted due to bad weather or technical problems.
We retake the road and after about two hours and half of driving along the inter-Andean valley we reach Ingapirca. This is the greatest archeological Inca site and we will visit it with a local guide. An elliptic construction still conserved on a perfect condition lies on the site. After, we continue to Cuenca where we get to for dinner. This is a long and intense day but the wonderful and pleasant view greatly compensates the tiredness.
Day 7: Cuenca - Guayaquil 21/06
We will visit the downtown of the city held for one of the most beautiful ones of the country: Cuenca. This city, much smaller than Quito, offers once again the pleasant context of the colonial cities of the Sierra.
Departure due at 13:30 towards Guayaquil. We will cross the National Park Cajas. Here we will admire the last views of the Andes before descending to the coast with its tropical landscapes, cacao fields, banana and sugar cane. We will arrive to the exiting city of Guayaquil after about 5-6 hours. During the past ten years, this city has been objective of important urban projects. The downtown and the long river are nowadays very welcoming and interesting. You may request a guide to visit Cuenca in the morning.
Day 8: Galàpagos 22/06
Transfer to the airport and departure to Galapagos. At your arrival you will be escorted to the hotel. The Galapagos are a unique natural paradise. The animals found on tracks and beaches do not run away and it is not odd to swim with a sea lion. It is a national park therefore it is important to respect the rules and follow the indications of the guides. After settling in the hotel in the afternoon we will visit the Darwin center with its centenary gigantic turtles.
Day 9: Galàpagos 23/06
Departure due in the morning and visit to the islands of the archipelago conducted by a guide of the National Park. The excursions are very active: navigation, walks, relaxing at the beach, swimming and maybe even renting a snorkeling mask. Encounters with animals are continuous. The landscape is volcanic. For the walks it is very important to always have with you comfortable shoes. Lunch is included on the boat. We will head back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Probable program: Plazas-Punta Carriòn or North Seymour-Bachas. Changes are possible.
Day 10: Galàpagos 24/06
This will also be a day dedicated to excursions around the islands using the same modality as the day before. Probable program: Bartolome Island.
Day 11: Galàpagos 25/06
Day off at the Galapagos. It is possible to take a ride to the white sand beach called Tortuga Bay. You will sunbathe in an untouched and uncontaminated natural scenario where is possible to swim as well. At Puerto Ayora it is possible to book excursions for the island we have not visited. Scuba diving lovers may as well rent the equipment and enjoy the immersions (non inclusive activity). It is possible to move this day off to Monday or Tuesday.
Day 12: Quito 26/06
Last hours at the islands, transfer to the airport and flight to Quito arriving in the afternoon.
Day 13: Quito 27/06
Day off. Transfer to the airport 3 hour before the intercontinental flight.
Day 14: Country of origin 28/06
Arrival to the country of origin.
PRICE:
$ 1890 dollars per person in double bed room at Tourism Class hotel.
Minimum 6 persons.
SUPPLEMENTS
- Hotel Superior Tourism Class: $160 dollars per person
- Single room Tourism Class hotel: $140 dollars
- Single room Superior Tourism Class hotel: $320 dollars
- Guide at Quito and Cuenca: $160 dollars divided between the - participants.
- English speaking guide for the whole trip (transportation included) from Quito to Guayaquil: $880 dollars divided between the - participants.
Fee includes
- Overnight stay and breakfast.
- All transfers with private transport and driver
- Flight Ecuador – Galapagos
- All the excursions due on the program
-Two lunches on the boat at Galapagos
- Local assistance in case of necessity by calling our emergency number.
Fee does not includes
- Intercontinental flight
- Non inclusive meals (circa US $ 10 – 20 per meal)
- Entrance to the Galapagos National Park ( US $ 110 - children under 11 years old US $ 50 )
- Entrance to museums, churches, archeological sites, train (circa US $20 – 30 in all)
It is mandatory to contract a travel insurance, which is necessary in case of misfortune, of accident or illness during the trip.
Mashipura Viajes does not sell air tickets.
You may get your air ticket through your favorite travel agency or through specialized websites such as: www.edreams.com
If you wish to get one of our trips, two bank deposits have to be made in our external account: one $ 560 advance when you sign up and the outstanding balance 30 days before the trip begins.
Signing up
DIRECT SIGN UP THROUGH THIS WEBSITE
If case you sign up through our website, we kindly require you to send the following information to our email:
programm@mashipura.com
Departure date
Package name: Galapagos Classic 15 june 2008
Name and surname of each of the participants.
Passport number and expiration date of each of the participants.
Address (street, city) of each of the adult participants
Home phone number, mobile and email of each of the adult participants
Date of birth of participants
Room type and number (num. single bed, double bed, full bed, triple)
Eventual supplementary services required
Eventual extensions required
Once we have received the information, we will send you a participation voucher with all the details related to the trip, costs and banking organization for transfers.
Hotel: Cat. Tourism
Quito: S.Francisco
Latacunga: Rodelù
Riobamba: El Troje
Cuenca: Inca Real
Guayaquil: Gran Hotel Guayaquil
Puerto Ayora: Red Booby
Hotel: Cat. Tourism Superior
Quito: Alameda
Latacunga: La Cienega
Riobamba: El Troje
Cuenca: Santa Lucia
Guayaquil: Gran Hotel Guayaquil
Puerto Ayora: Hotel Siberstein
1 Amazon - Sani Lodge
Four days trip. We reach the jungle by flying from Quito, we sail in canoe towards Sani Lodge, and in the following days you will take part to excursions guided by local indigenous people take place. We will discover a magical and mysterious world. Full board.
1st day: Quito – flight Coca – canoe sailing to Sani Lodge
2nd day: Amazon Jungle
3rd day: Amazon Jungle
4th day: Amazon Jungle – canoe sailing - flight - Quito Alameda Hotel
Price $680 for double bed room
Extra charge $280 for single bed room
2 Amazon - Manatee
In this beautiful excursion we will sail trough the Coca River. We take a flight from Quito to the jungle, where the excursion begins boarding the ship which will be our home for four days. Daily excursions will take place under the direction of indigenous guides. This is an exclusive and quiet way to get to know the jungle. Full board during navigation.
1st day: – Flight Coca – sailing to Manatee
2nd day: Amazon jungle – sailing
3rd day: Amazon jungle – sailing
4th day: Amazon jungle – flight – Quito Alameda Hotel
Price $710 for double bed room
Extra charge $ 280 for single bed room
3 Adventure - Amazone
We arrive to Baños de Ambato, famous for its thermal waters. Next day traveling through a secondary road we reach the province of Pastaza. We will spend two nights in traditional country huts. The excursion takes place under the direction of an indigenous guide. In order to take part to this program you should need to have an adaptation spirit, comfort is limited.
1st day: Quito – Baños
2nd day: Amazon jungle
3rd day: Amazon jungle – El Puyo – Baños – Quito Alameda Hotel
Price $320 for double bed room
Extra charge $40 for single bed room
4 Amazon - Kapawi
The Kapawi Lodge is a very cozy place which is located inside the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. It is the result of an eco-friendly sustained project managed in harmony with the local indigenous community. Full board in the jungle.
1st day: – Quito – flight - Kapawi
2nd day: Amazon jungle
3rd day: Amazon jungle
4th day: Amazon jungle – flight – Quito Alameda Hotel
Price $950 for double bed room
Extra charge $310 for single bed room
5 Beach - Barcelò
Stay will be next to the beach in one of the most luxurious hotels of the coast, the Barceló Miramar of Salinas. This hotel is equipped with 2 swimming pools, spa, gym, all inclusive service during the whole day, and everything is included in the fee. Whale watching is possible from June to September (not inclusive activity) 
1st day: Guayaquil – Salinas Barceló
2nd day: Beach
3rd day: Beach
4th day: Amazon jungle – flight – Quito Alameda Hotel
Price $520 for double bed room
Extra charge $280 for single bed room
6 Beach - Mandala
Stay at the beach near P. Lopez inside the National Park Machalilla. This is a privileged area for whale watching during June to September (not inclusive activity) and also to enjoy the beautiful beach all year long. Lodging will be in comfortable huts located inside a great tropical garden which is situated next to the beach.
1st day: Guayaquil – Mandala Hosteria – P. Lopez
2nd day: Beach
3th day: Beach
4th day: P. Lopez – Mandala Hosteria – Guayaquil
Price $330 for double bed room
Extra charge $70 for single bed room
Departures june 15 2008 . Minimum 6 persons.