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Ecuador Holiday: Galapagos Islands Cruise + Santa Cruz, Finch Bay + Diving

Ecuador: Quito + Galapagos Cruise + Santa Cruz (on land)
Ecuador Holiday Galapagos Islands Cruise Santa Cruz Finch Bay Diving
11 NIGHTS FROM:
$5,973
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
ERH12L
• Ecuador Holiday, Galapagos
• Quito
• Centre of World Monument
• Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Birds & Marine Life
• Santa Cruz Island
• Giant Tortoises
• Charles Darwin Centre
• Finch Bay
• Diving Options

This wonderful Ecuador holiday combines exploring the old Inca city of Quito, situated close to the equator, with a cruise in the spectacular Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with their unique birds & marine life. After your amazing expedition cruise relax for a few days on Santa Cruz island, with hotel options from mid-range to 5* Finch Bay. Diving options on request. Regional flights to Galapagos included.

Day 1
You will be met at Quito Airport and transferred to your hotel in this historic Spanish colonial city that straddles the equator and is today a World Heritage Site.
 
Check in and relax in this capital city in the Andean Highlands, with its many museums, monasteries and churches with golden altars. The prosperous centre of the Kingdom of Quitu during the 13th century, and later the northern capital of the Inca Empire, it has a setting that few cities in the world can match.
Day 2
Today enjoy a full day private tour of Quito, starting with a visit to the equatorial monument that marks the Centre of the World at latitude 0º - about 16 miles (25 km) north of Quito.
 
Here you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere and visit the Intiñan folk museum that showcases the different Native American groups living in Ecuador, their culture and traditions. There is also a colonial-style tourist village complete with main square, church, post office, bullring and gift shops.
 
Afterwards enjoy a Quito City Tour, walking through the cobbled streets and main square of the historic Colonial Quarter - the largest and best preserved in South America. Take in its magnificent colonial architecture as you stroll along Independence Plaza - including the Cathedral, President's Palace, Archbishop's Palace and the Municipal Building.
 
You will see many mansions, monasteries and churches including the spectacular Church of the Society of Jesus ('La Compañía de Jesús) with its awesome gilded interior and the Monastery of San Francisco. This is one the of greatest religious buildings of the New World, with its impressive façade and atrium leading to a Moorish-influenced baroque interior and winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. This lovely city also has many cosmopolitan galleries and boutiques filled with contemporary paintings, sculptures and exquisite traditional crafts.
 
Your day ends with a ride on the TelefériQo (cable car) from where you can view at least four snow-capped volcanoes.
 
Note: Quito is situated at high altitude (9,350 ft / 2,850 m), so walk slowly. As you will be visiting churches (except on Sundays, when this is not permitted), do not wear shorts or mini-skirts as these are not allowed.
Day 3
At leisure to explore more of the historic city of Quito independently.
 
You can visit the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, explore the local market and other local sites.
Day 4
Transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to the spectacular Galapagos Islands, with a touch down in Guayaquil.
 
You will be met at Baltra Airport and transferred by bus to the boarding jetty. Here you will embark on your Expedition Cruise through this magnificent archipelago, situated on the equator in the Pacific Ocean some 560 miles (900 km) west of the Ecuador mainland.
  
These volcanic islands are famous for their vast number of endemic species, studied by Charles Darwin during his historic voyage on the Beagle, which contributed to his Theory of Evolution by natural selection. Check in and relax in this astonishing marine reserve, where the unique wildlife does not seem perturbed by human visitors - allowing for extremely close-up encounters.
 
Note: You need to be relatively mobile to enjoy an expedition cruise in the Galapagos, as you will be embarking and disembarking by panga boat (zodiac). All sightseeing with a naturalist guide, marine fees, snorkelling and medical care aboard the boat are included, but not the cost of medicines. Wetsuits are available for hire. Children < 6 years are not allowed on an expedition cruise.
Days 5 To 7
Enjoy cruising through the marine-rich waters of the world-famous Galapagos Islands, with shore excursions each day with a naturalist.
 
Your exact routing will depend on your departure date and the vessel you have selected. This will be confirmed before you book.
Day 8
Disembark from your expedition cruise today at Santa Cruz Island and transfer across the highlands to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos Islands.
 
Check into your hotel and relax on this stunning island.
Days 9 To 10
Rise early today for an exciting full day excursion to explore one of the nearby Galapagos Islands by yacht, accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide.
 
Depending on the weekly schedule of the National Park Authority, you will visit one of the following islands:
North Seymour Island and Bachas Beach
South Plaza Island and Carrion Point
Sante Fe Island
Bartolome Island and Sullivan Bay.
 
Lunch is included onboard the yacht, with the opportunity to enjoy swimming and snorkelling in these crystal clear waters.
Day 11
Transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight to Guayaquil.
 
You will be met at Guayaquil Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 12
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport for your flight home.