Quito and Galapagos Islands in 8 Days

Today a representative of Haugan Cruises will meet guests at Tababela airport located 40 km from Quito. After a 50 minute drive clients will arrive to the capital of Ecuador, Quito, located 2,830 meters above sea level and  the first World Cultural Heritage Site declared by Unesco in 1978.

During this route you will receive an overview about all the programs during your stay in Ecuador as well as important information about the country. Once in the selected hotel the representative of Haugan Cruises will provide assistance during the check in. 

After a pick up by a Haugan Cruises representative in the selected hotel,you will have the opportunity to visit a real colonial city, the first World Cultural Heritage Site. Quito shows its colonial architecture, culture as well as its charming citizens.You will stroll in special and important corners of the city like Independence Square with its awe inspiring Cathedral, Presidential Palace and Archbishop's Palace.

You will also admire the church of La Compañia, regarded as the finest example of baroque architecture in America, not forgetting the church and monastery of San Francisco. Your tour will then take you to Panecillo Hill, an ideal location for a panoramic view of this historic capital.  

After a walk in colonial Quito, you will be taken on a 40 minute drive north to Pomasqui, known as the middle of the world where an invisible line is located, first called the Equator by Charles Marie de La Condamine in 1736 during the French Geodesic Mission. To honor this you will find the “Mitad del Mundo” monument, where you can stand with one foot in both hemispheres.  
Lunch is served at one of the best Ecuadorian cuisine restaurants to complete the sensorial experience of this day.  

Today a representative of Haugan Cruises will meet you at your hotel in Quito. After a 50 minute drive you will arrive at Tababela International Airport. During this route you will receive an overview about your flights.  Once in the airport a representative of Haugan Cruises will provide assistance during the check in and luggage registration.

You will arrive at Baltra Island in the Galapagos in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim you will be met by the Cormorant staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. The afternoon visit, Bachas Beach, is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, and is a great swimming beach.  One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II, a floating pier, is present here.  

You may see flamingos, sally-lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.   

Today your morning visit includes Bartholomew Island, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock.  Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations.  You will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes), where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands.  You will also visit a small, beautiful beach, surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island.  The beach is perfect for snorkeling where you may even see the Galapagos penguins.

Then you'll move on to Sullivan Bay, located southeast of Santiago Island. This bay is of great geological interest: the area is covered by Pahoehoe lava flows combined with A’A lava.  It was very active 200 years ago. This flow is geologically very young. The magma formed is flat, but the movement of underground lava, the rapid cooling and other eruptions led to the break in many places.  200 meters around the landing, you can see patterns of vegetation that were burned during the eruption.  A visit to this area of black lava is preferable in the afternoon because the temperature is more pleasant and the light is better for photographs.   

In the morning, you will head to South Plaza Island. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red. 

Your afternoon visit is to Santa Fe Island, formed by a volcanic uplift. Santa Fe (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.  The island is home to a colony of sea lions which would be more than happy to join you for a swim.  Santa Fe also has its own sub-species of land iguana.   

Today you will visit Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo) in the morning where you will explore one of the nicest beaches in the Galápagos. You'll be tantalized by the texture and sight of the powdered, soft, white sand. With a colony of sea lions and blue-footed boobies, this scenic place is bustling with life. Just beyond the beach is a lagoon, thriving with egrets and great blue herons. The turquoise water and abundant marine life will invite you to snorkel.

In the afternoon you will visit Pitt Point, which is the northeastern most site on Isabela. After an easy hike, you will be rewarded with a unique treat. Herein lays the only nesting site which hosts all three species of Galápagos boobies.  Photographers will be thrilled with this intimate natural experience. The attractive volcanic tuff formations will have geologists and laymen alike imagining the forces of nature that possessed the earth to create this land.  

In the morning we will visit Lobos Island, a rocky bay just a 30 minute walk from Puerto Baquerizo.  Note the beautifully colored plants in the area down by the beach and the enormous colony and nursery that are home to Galapagos sea lions.  Sea lions are normally here and dozens can be seen at any time as well as shore birds and marine iguanas.   

After this final visit, you will be transferred to San Cristobal’s airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland. Please keep in mind that on departure days, your morning visit will be early and short since you need to be prepared before heading back toward the airport for your returning flight to Ecuador’s mainland. (Itineraries and activities are subject to change without prior notice. Depending on weather conditions and water currents, some wildlife described above may not be visible).   

Once back in Quito, a representative of Haugan Cruises will meet you at Tababela airport. 

Today your tour ends. A representative of Haugan Cruises will meet you at your hotel. After a 50 minute drive you will arrive at Tababela International Airport. During this route you will receive an overview about your departure flight.