ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (10 days, 09 Nights)

This exotic journey mixes the rich cultural heritage of Ecuador with the magnificent natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador is a land of thrilling adventure with touches of fantasy and gratifying emotions. This land has developed through centuries of civilization as evidenced in its archeology, art forms, plastic arts, music and traditions. Ecuadorians are known for their warm hospitality and their varied cuisine, including the best Pacific shrimp and assorted tropical fruits. Ecuador offers an amazing biodiversity with over 20,000 species of plants, 1,800 species of birds, 1,000 species of fish, 680 of reptiles and amphibians and 228 of mammals.

From this beautiful land, we will fly to the Galápagos archipelago where we board our cruise for our Galapagos Islands discovery. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the archipelago consists of thirteen large islands (greater than 10 km2), six small islands, and over forty islets, which were created six million years ago when they emerged from the Pacific in a flurry of volcanic activity. The islands were discovered in 1535 by Tomás de Berlanga, who sent the first known description of the Galapagos to the King of Spain; "…nothing but seals, and turtles, and such big tortoises that each could carry a man on top of itself, and many iguanas that are like serpents". He also remarked on the tameness of the creatures; "…many birds like those of Spain, but so silly that they do not know to flee, and many were caught in the hand."

The most important visitor to the Galapagos Islands was Charles Darwin, who arrived in 1835 on board the Beagle. He was amazed by the extraordinary life he found on the islands, and obtained very important samples and facts to develop and sustain his theory of evolution and natural selection. In fact, he was responsible for bringing the Galapagos to the world's attention in 1859, when he published The Origin of Species.

On your first day in Galapagos you'll visit a bay located at the northwest site of the Santa Cruz Island, known as Dragon Hill. There are important colonies of land iguanas that lived in this area.

During all the year, you can see flamingos in marshland lakes as some migratory birds. You will also have the opportunity to see Darwin Finches, hood mockingbird, lava lizards. This area has arid vegetation where you can find some oppuntia cactus, palo santo (bursera) and some other endemic plants.

This place has a wonderful landscape as you can see the Rabida Island at the west and Santa Cruz Island at the East. In the beach zone you can see some endemic coast plants and also some marine iguanas, sea lions, American oystercatchers, pelicans and a small blue-footed bobbies colony.

The visit has a wet landing and a 2 km flat trail (2 hours hiking); therefore we recommend comfortable walking shoes, walking sticks (if it is necessary) and binoculars for bird watching at the marshland.

• Greetings and transfers from airports by ActiveSinglesTravel' staff
• Guided sightseeing in Quito with an English speaking certified guide
• Accommodations for two nights in Quito on double occupancy room
• Accommodations for 7 nights on the Galapagos Eclipse Cruise
• All meals included onboard the Eclipse Cruise

• International and domestic airfare not indicated in the program itinerary.
• Deviation expenses from the program itinerary.
• Meals and other services not specified in the program itinerary.
• Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, room service, telephone charges etc…
• Tips and gratuities to the guides at your sole discretion

Accommodations on double occupancy room as indicated in the trip itinerary