CUSTOM-DESIGNED ITINERARY FOR THE CLIENTS OF

THE MINDFUL TRAVELER

“IN DARWIN’S FOOTSTEPS
ABOARD THE M/V GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II”

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS – VISITING MAINLAND ECUADOR AND THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

DAY 1, THU – ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR

Arrive in Quito. Meet-and-greet outside of custom, by your private English-speaking

guide. Private guided transfer to the elegant DANN CARLTON HOTEL. Two nights.

Double occupancy rooms, including daily breakfast, hotel tax and service charge.

DAY 2, FRI – FULL-DAY TOUR OF OTAVALO COUNTRY & INDIAN MARKET

The Indian fairs and markets of Ecuador are a perfect illustration of this relatively small

Andean country’s vast cultural wealth, stunning geography and its happy and colorful people. Markets are traditional places for people to come and meet, shop, haggle and gossip, while local native tribes trade foodstuffs, animals, utensils, pans, textiles and other items of all kinds. For the foreign visitor, the Indigenous markets provide a great way to get closer

to the Ecuadorians, while bargaining over the price of a sweater or panpipe and

enjoy the fruit of their industrious hands in their multifarious crafts. The Indian market

of Otavalo is reputed to be the most famous and colorful in all of South America. Your private guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for an early morning departure towards the scenic roads northeast of Quito. The drive takes under two hours and passes by certain sectors of the dramatic Avenue of the Volcanoes. Enroute, you will also visit the ImbaburaProvince, known as the Lake District of Ecuador. Also see the Plaza de los Ponchos, where beautiful

textiles of cotton and wool made in local workshops fill the square and surrounding streets with colors, vibrant sounds, and life. The market stalls also displays every kind of crafts, from wood carvings and native paintings to Panama hats and jewelry, to name but a few. You will have time to visit the Friday Otavalo Indian market, filled with Otavalo Indians wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Lunch is included and will be served at a real

colonial hacienda. In the afternoon, bid farewell to Otavalo and begin your journey

back to Quito and to your hotel.

DAY 3, SAT – FLY FROM QUITO TO BALTRA AND TRANSFER TO THE ALLSUITE

M/V GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II

This morning, your private guide will meet you in your hotel lobby. Private guided transfer to the Quito airport in time for your flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in Baltra, the crew of the all-suite M/V GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II will be waiting for you outside of customs. Guided transfer to the ship. Begin your 4-night cruise through Darwin’s

“Enchanted Islands”. Accommodations will be in spacious “Classic Suites” (double

occupancy). The suites feature a seating and vanity area, private bath/shower and climate

control. All meals, lectures and shore excursions are included. The excursions and cultural programs are led by category 3 naturalist guides. PM Visit to Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz

Island.

DAY 4, SUN – GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISING

AM Visit to BartolomeIsland.

PM Visit to Puerto Egas, SantiagoIsland.

DAY 5, MON – GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISING

AM Visit to Punta Espinoza, FernandinaIsland. PM Visit to Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island.

DAY 6, TUE – GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISING

AM Visit to NorthSeymourIsland. PM Visit to the Highlands, Lava Tunnels

and wild giant tortoises, Santa Cruz Island.

DAY 7, WED – FLY FROM SAN CRISTOBAL TO QUITO

AM Visit to the interpretationCenter, San CristobalIsland. Guided transfer to the San Cristobal airport in time for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met by your private guide. Private guided transfer to the DANN CARLTON HOTEL. One night. Double occupancy rooms, including breakfast, hotel tax and service charge.

DAY 8, THU – FLY FROM QUITO BACK HOME

This morning, your private guide will meet you in your hotel lobby. Private guided

transfer to the Quito airport in time for your flight to the USA. End of our services.

The land/cruise package price is $2,985.00 per person, based on double occupancy of “Classic Suites” on the EXPLORER II and double occupancy of rooms at the DANN CARLTON HOTEL in Quito.

The roundtrip Galapagos airfare; Quito / Galapagos / Quito is additional at $399.00 net/net, per person. International airfare is not included. For information on this and other great Galapagos itineraries, please contact our Galapagos expert at:  Linda@TheMindfulTraveler.com

The Galapagos cruise itinerary and the South American touring arrangements herein are subject to change without notice and can be operated in a different sequence, depending on operational considerations. All Galapagos itineraries are under the control and direction of the Ecuadorian National Parks Administration.

The $100 park fee is NOT included and must be paid by each visitor/passenger in U.S. dollars (CASH) locally. All services are subject to availability and may be substituted for similar services, depending on operational and technical considerations.

All payments for custom-designed itineraries are non-refundable in the event of a cancellation or change of date(s) and/or travel services by the passenger(s). Travel and trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended and it may be purchased separately from the package price(s).