Itinerary
EXTRAORDINARY 11 DAYS TRIP AROUND ECUADOR
PLACES
Santa Cruz, Floreana, Isabela
INTRODUCTION
The Ecuadorian Coast holds three main ecosystems: the tropical wet forests of the north, the tropical savannas of the center and south east, and the dry forest of the west and southern peninsula. Throughout the coastline there are two additional important ecosystems: the mangroves, the beaches and the rock cliffs.
These is an experience that will leave in your mind memories of beautiful beaches, rich culture and adventure!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO GUAYAQUIL
AM OR PM
Pick up at the airport from your international flight.
Overnight at Oro Verde Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 2: GUAYAQUIL - SANTA CRUZ
AM
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to airport in order to take the Galapagos Flight.
Arrival to Santa Cruz. Ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island (10 min-ride).
Check-in Aventura Lodge. Lunch at the hotel.
PM
Bay Tour. Snorkel with Sea Lions, Sting Rays and Baby Reef Sharks in the shallow, emerald waters of Tortuga Bay, then witness the nesting site of the famous Marine Iguanas.
Back to the hotel.
Dinner at the lodge.
DAY 3: SANTA CRUZ - FLOREANA
AM
Breakfast at the lodge
Depart Tortoise Quest Tour. This tour begins with a trip to the lavish, lush green "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers - an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature.
Afterwards, we visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep.
After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls all await you on this uniquely Galapagos experience.
PM
Return to Aventura Lodge for Lunch.
Around 2:00 PM departure for Floreana. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
Arriving on the dock, be greeted by amazing ruby red and turquoise colored Floreana marine iguanas.
Check in at Florena Lodge.
Next, enjoy visiting a beautiful place, Black Beach.
Swim, snorkel or simply relax by absorbing the special scenery of this spot.
BBQ Diner at local restaurant, enjoy the Galapagueņa gastronomy and warm hospitality of one of the families that first arrived to this island and listen from them about the mysteries of the inland.
DAY 4: FLOREANA - TORTUGA ISLAND - ISABELA
AM
Breakfast at the lodge.
Departure in open-air bus that will transport you to the highlands of Floreana.
Walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) where an artisan spring that attracted pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana is located.
See the Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) where pirates carved temporary shelter out of the soft stone.
Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) truly lives up to its name with a multitude of Floreana Finches. Visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant tortoises up close and personal.
Around 11:00 AM depart for Isabela. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
MID-DAY
Arriving in the port is a visual feast with stunning green and turquoise waters so clear, you can see sea turtles, sea lions and penguins as though looking through glass.
Check-in Isabela Lodge, lunch.
PM
2:30 PM departure to Las Tintoreras and Bay Tour.
Walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas, to see a small canal full of resting white-tipped reef sharks.
The black, treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is the sort of afternoon backdrop you will not soon forget.
Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangrove, for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, penguins and more.
Back to the hotel, relax.
Dinner at the lodge.
DAY 5: ISABELA
AM
Breakfast at the lodge.
Depart for Volcan Sierra Negra Tour.
4x4 vehicles will drive us up through the transitional zone and into the humid highlands that are the slopes of Volcan Sierra Negra to the point of where vehicles can go no further. The trail is quite muddy, and it does take a bit longer on foot. After a gorgeous ride / hike, we arrive to the caldera of Sierra Negra, the second largest in the world at 4 miles across.
The views are breathtaking! We will relax a bit and have a snack on the edge of the caldera. For the more hardy of the group, the option exists to walk an especially difficult hour further to Volcan Chico, where fumarole activity is abundant, and again, the views are spectacular. This is not an easy hike; however absolute worthy!
PM
Lunch at Campo Duro
Campo Duro offers a 'tortoise patronage' program that doesn't involve money changing hands. Guests have the opportunity to become a patron to their chosen tortoise at the reserve merely by choosing a tortoise (they're all numbered), naming their tortoise and then entering a story in the Patron's book such as information on why they chose the name they chose and their contact information.
Then, the Patron invites any and all of their friends to go visit their tortoise and provide them with updates.
Next visit is Cuevas de Sucre / Mirador el Mango:
Las Cuevas de Sucre is a fantastic lava tube. This is one of the newer Park Sites. Set in the transitional zone in a forest the Park says is now completely endemic plants. It's lush greenery leading into the entrance. Not lit inside like the lava tunnels on Santa Cruz, so a flashlight is a must. Inside, the tunnels ceilings look like you're walking through a gold mine, great place!
Next visit El Mango Mirador, located near the road leading to the agricultural area of the island, well known since the early settlers of the island planted a tree mango that so far there. From the top of highest peak, with the clear day you'll have a wonderful view of the entire southern part of Isabela Island, its nearby islands or even other islands as Floreana and Santa Cruz.
Back to the lodge.
Dinner at Isabela Lodge
DAY 6: ISABELA - SANTA CRUZ
AM
Breakfast at the lodge.
Departure for tour. We begin with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in all of Galapagos, Long Beach.
This beach, straight from the cover of a travel magazine, stretches on for 3 kilometers before the National Park where we walk up the trail for astounding views from the top of Cerro Orchilla.
Visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), a unique construction built by the backbreaking of prisoners of a penal colony centuries before.
The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards, the males are larger and striped and the females red-throated.
Around 11:00 AM, depart for Santa Cruz. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
PM
Arrive in Puerto Ayora 12:30-1:00 PM.
Check in Aventura Lodge and Lunch.
Around 3:00 PM depart for guided tour of the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station.
After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time to shop for souvenirs, bike, or just discover Puerto Ayora on your own.
Dinner at Aventura Lodge.
DAY 7: SANTA CRUZ - GUAYAQUIL - SAMAI
AM
Breakfast at the lodge
Depart for airport 3 hours before flight. Transport and guide from the hotel all the way to your airport gate.
PM
Pick up at airport of Guayaquil and to take La Ruta del Sol.
For you to begin feeling the flavor of this region, we will take you on a 2-hour drive through picturesque fishing villages, along white sand beaches, and through amazing landscapes. Superb landscapes for pictures!
Lunch at a local restaurant on the road, to enjoy the local gastronomy.
Check in at our lodge, Red Mangrove Samai Lodge-:
"At 330 feet above sea level there emerges this oasis amid the ivory nut, tangerine, and orange groves. Built with natural materials, the cabins call to mind the countryside and its sweetness rather than the beach. Tapping the strong energy that steams from the encounter of mountain and sea, the lodges have been set up after a mixture of Feng Shui, Andean and Amazonian cosmogonies. Safeguarded by sounds of the jungle and lightened up by the ocean breeze, Samai is an inn-and-spa suited for recollection, relaxation and healing".
Enjoy the beauty and tranquility at this oasis of peace. Time to enjoy the Jacuzzi, swimming pool and spa treats.
Around 7:00 pm prepare for dinner at Nativa Bamboo Restaurant in Montaņita. This place will welcome you for dinner and offer you the chance to enjoy Montaņita's famous nightlife.
Steak, seafood, pizza, and burgers are just a few of the dining options, along with excellent local cuisine. Nativa Bamboo", ocean front restaurant, bar, dancing area and live music. You will be capture in Montaņita is widely known as the best place to party!
Arts and crafts shopping
Back to the lodge for a good night sleep.
DAY 8: RUTA DEL SOL
AM
Breakfast at the lodge
Today you decide what you want to do, please choose between the following activities:
* Lear how to dive: take a discover/resort scuba diving experience in order to explore the world under the water, our professional team of experts will teach step by step how to became lover of the beauty below the water.
* Or walk 10 to 15 minutes to the San Jose beach; to enjoy a beach day, and excellent opportunity to be connected with the local community, swim, sun and sand, pictures, coconut drinks.
PM
Lunch at Cuna Luna Hotel whit a wonderful panoramic view and an extensive gourmet menu.
At the middle of the afternoon, return Samai to enjoy the sunset and coffee, bear, or soft drinks and to prepare ourselves to experience one of the most amazing ancestral activities.
At Red Mangrove Samai Lodge, holistic healing and spa techniques are promoted to rejuvenate you on every level: mind body and spirit. The facilities will blend the tranquility of the mountain, the soft breeze of the beach and the sound of the ocean will embrace you giving the opportunity to deeply relax and take the strength from the mother nature.
The spa activities are extensive and you can chose from:
. Shamanic Healing and Ceremonies
. Aromatherapy and Massage
. Rain-Drop Technique
. Salt & Oils Scrub
. Meditation Instruction private session
. Feng Shui Support and Class
. Tarot Card
Prices for this alternative healing techniques and activities varies and are not included, please ask us about them.
Dinner at the lodge.
Late night optional Jacuzzi, swimming pool and spa treats.
DAY 9: RUTA DEL SOL
AM
Breakfast at SAMAI
Visit "Agua Blanca Community" site museum run by the local people, is a great opportunity to see arqueological sites while hicking and bird watching, iguanas, etc, and end up in a pond of magical healing waters and mud.
The Agua Blanca Community is small village is located 7.5 miles to the north of Puerto LÃŗpez and 3 miles off the main highway. The people of this community live in a very similar way to their ancestors, the Manteņa Culture that inhabited this land from 800 to 1532 DC.
PM
Late lunch in "Salango", taste Spondylus the food of the gods, lobster, langoustines, perserbes, and other delicatessens. Vegetarian options available.
Late afternoon back to Samai to refresh and prepare for dinner at Hola Ola restaurant and enjoy night life at Montaņita.
DAY 10: RUTA DEL SOL
AM
Breakfast at the hotel
OPTIONAL: Adventure at your choice: Three activities to choose.
1.- From Above: Ultra-Light flight to see the hold area Ocean, Cordillera and more. Departure from Olon. Lunch at local restaurant and free afternoon in Montaņita to explore and enjoy the place on your own.
2.- Surfing Lessons, learn with locals how to handle the waves of San Jose. Lunch at local restaurant and free afternoon in Montaņita to explore and enjoy the place on your own.
3.- Full day excursion to San Jose waterfalls and hot springs (secret to every day tourists) Full day, lunch included.
PM
* Farewell Dinner at Samai, candles and music.
* Enjoy the facilities of the lodge: Jacuzzi, swimming pool and spa treats.
DAY 11: RUTA DEL SOL - GUAYAQUIL
AM
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Guayaquil , on the way we will stop at Propueblo NGO - San Antonio 15 minutes north of Montanita and Manglaralto, visit arts and crafts first class creations by locals.
By noon time, arrival to Guayaquil and check in at Oro Verde Hotel.
PM
Depart for Guayaquil City tour.
Visit the city starting with Centennial Park on 9 de Octubre Avenue. Continue along this avenue to see how the city has been renovated, past the first fire station, the Masonic temple and some buildings from the beginning of the 20th century. Opposite the Cathedral you can go into Seminario Park, also known as Iguana Park, which is famous for its iguanas lounging in the sunshine.
Our next stop will be at the Southern Market at Malecon 2000, to visit Integration Plaza and the artisan market, the Union Club and the first fort in Guayaquil, where a statue of Jose Joaquin de Olmedo (first mayor of Guayaquil ) stands in front of the Guayas River.
The tour continues along Malecon Simon Bolivar to our next stop: Civic Plaza, where you can visit the Moorish Tower, City Hall and the Rotonda monument. Continue by car to Las Peņas, the old neighborhood where the city was born, located at the foot of Santa Ana Hill.
Then to we will take you on a yatch tour by the Guayas River, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city at night.
Farewell dinner and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Oro Verde Hotel or similar.
DAY 12: BACK HOME
AM
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer out to airport, end of services.
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