WMT Home Day 1: Canada – Houston or Miami – Quito
Depart Toronto/Calgary/Edmonton Winnipeg/ Vancouver for Houston Geo Bush airport
17:35 pm depart Houston Geo Bush Airport Terminal C for Quito, Ecuador
11:44 pm arrive Quito and be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Windsor Hotel or equivalent in Quito.
Day 2: Quito and Middle of the World City Tour (B, L, D)
Starting at Orellana Avenue, named after the European discoverer of the Amazon River. We drive into the colonial center of Quito passing by the stone-carved façade of Ecuador’s House of Congress, Independence square, and the Cathedral. From here we walk to the presidential palace, and El Sagrario Chapel. We then visit the church of La Compania (1605)(if open), with its breathtaking gold gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America, the church and monastery of San Francisco(1535) the largest example of colonial architecture in South America. We also go to the Tianguez art gallery. Finally we drive up to Panecillo hill for a spectacular view of Quito and to see the only winged Virgin in the World.
We will have lunch and typical Ecuador food at Restaurant El Crater where you can enjoy the view of Pululahua crater as you eat. In the afternoon we will visit the middle of the world monument and museum. You will find a monument on the exact equatorial line marking latitude 0º0’0”, a unique place where you can literally get a picture of yourself jumping from one hemisphere to another. Overnight at Windsor hotel or similar.
Day 3: Foundation FBU* (B, L, D)
Following breakfast, we travel to Foundation Brethren United Farm (FBU). Arrive in the morning, have an explanation and tour of the hacienda, followed by lunch. In the afternoon organic agriculture will be discussed and there will be opportunities to work on the farm. Lunch and dinner during the day. *The FBU is a non-profit non-government organization that works on rural development projects and environmental conservation in Ecuador. These farms have special guest haciendas with all facilities and include all meals. You will be invited to do as much or as little as you wish, around the farm. This is an opportunity to not only visit farms and farmers but also participate with them!
Day 4: Foundation FBU (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Visitors will have the opportunity to work with the animals in the morning and in the afternoon will receive a presentation about forestation followed by some practical work in the tree nursery. Lunch and dinner as per the daily itinerary.
Day 5: Foundation FBU/ Runa Tupari (B, L, D)
Breakfast, activities in the morning and in the afternoon. Late arrival to Runa Tupari (Rural Tourisms in Otavalo). Lunch and dinner as per the daily itinerary.
Day 6: Runa Tupari/Quito (B, L)
Tour to the Indigenous Communities and Cuicocha Lake. In this tour to the indigenous communities, you will have the opportunity to observe and learn about part of the Quichua’s different indigenous handicrafts, weaving, Andes instruments, and much more. In addition visitors will stop in the town of Cotacachi, which is well known for its special leather goods, and Cuicocha Lake, located in the Cotacachi Cayapas ecological reserve. Furthermore you will get the chance to see how tapestry and other textiles are made. Return to Quito and Lodging at your hotel. Dinner on your own in Quito.
Day 7: Galapagos Islands (B, L, D)
Early morning flight from Quito to Baltra Island and transfer to the Millennium yacht. San Cristóbal is the Eastern most island in the Galapagos, located in the southeast corner. It is home of the oldest settlement in the islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, which is also the capital of the province Galapagos. Here, the Interpretation Center was recently opened by the Galapagos National Park. This is an amazing educational and informational contribution to the island community and travellers.
San Cristóbal claims some of the most spectacular landscape. The cloud forest in the highlands is perfect habitat for giant tortoises. Frigatebird Hill is a short distance walk from the Interpretation Center. Here you can see Magnificent Frigate birds and Great Frigate birds in the same colony, which offers great opportunities for studying and learning to distinguish the two species.
El Junco Lagoon is one of the few permanent fresh water lakes in the Galapagos. It is located at an altitude of 2,300 ft/700m, about 45 minutes with bus from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. On your way to El Junco Lagoon you will pass different vegetation zones, before you reach the panoramic site, where the bird watching is exceptional as well as the view. About one hour travel across a small channel, will take you to Isla Lobos. The name means Sea Lion Island, which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island is also a great place for snorkeling opportunities as well as to view blue-footed boobies.
Kicker Rock (or Leon Dormido) is an enormous rock, located off the north west coast of San Cristobal, that rises 500 feet straight up from the ocean. It has the shape of a sleeping lion, and a split with towering verticals on either side, forming a narrow channel.
Day 8: Española (B, L, D)
This is southernmost island and because of its remote location, it has a high proportion of endemic fauna. For example it is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. These large birds perform one of the most spectacular rituals of the animal world. Watching them take off is an unforgettable moment. Española teems with mockingbirds, blue-footed and masked boobies, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, hawks, red and green marine iguanas, and sea lions.
Gardener Bay offers great opportunities for enjoying some beach time in the Galapagos. Here the mockingbirds will be the center of your attention as they keep you company, on top of your hat or investigating your belongings.
Punta Suarez is quite an amazing site and one of the most attractive in the Galapagos, because of the quantity and variety of wildlife. The trail along the island will take you past sea lions surfing the breaking waves, iguanas basking in the warm sun and boobies nesting right in your path. The trail continues towards the cliffs and the blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser.
Day 9: Plaza-Santa Fe (B, L, D)
Plaza - This island is full of life. There are colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of birds such as nesting tropic birds and fork-tailed seagulls, but most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff is an extremely pleasurable experience. The Opuntia cacti grow here too and the vegetation changes color according to the season of the year. Dry landing.
Santa Fe(Barrington) - There are colonies of sea lions and land iguanas, fork-tailed seagulls, and the opportunity to see terns and petrels on this island. Hiking on into the island you can see a forest of giant cacti and Palo Santo trees. After walking around on land, there is time for a swim or scuba diving. Wet landing.
Day 10: Santa Cruz-Charles Darwin Station-Baltra-Quito (B, L)
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) - This is the most heavily populated island in the archipelago. Its port, Puerto Ayora, is an obligatory stop for all ships, so there are many hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, discotheques, bars, internet coffee shops and other stores where tourists can spend their time shopping or getting to know other people. The most important site on this island is the Charles Darwin Scientific Station. An excellent way to begin learning about the islands and their origin and formation is to visit the Station. You can also see how the Galapagos turtles are raised and meet Jorge, the famous solitary turtle. The Scientific Station has its own beach
that receives many visitors on weekends.
Baltra.-This is a small military base belonging to Ecuador, and it is also the main airport for the Galapagos Islands since it is the point of arrival and departure for both tourists and colonists. Baltra is also known as South Seymour and its dock is only five minutes from the air terminal. Return to Quito and overnight at hotel. Dinner on your own.
Day 11: Quito/Houston/Home
Depart hotel at 05:00 am for airport and the 07:55 Continental Airlines flight to Houston. Arrive Houston at 12:05 and transfer to your flight home.
Deposit and Payment Schedule
Deposit of $500 due at time of registration to reserve your place on the tour
Second payment of $2500 plus insurance due 90 days before departure
Balance of payment due 60 days before departure.
Cancellation penalties
$250 non-refundable deposit if cancelled up to 90 days before departure
35% non-refundable penalty if cancelled within 60 days of departure
75% non-refundable penalty if cancelled within 45 days of departure
100% non-refundable penalty if cancelled within 28 days of departure
Inclusions
International and domestic air transportation (unless land only package is selected) - AgriTours Tour Director accompanies group throughout
- Motor coach transportation in Ecuador
- Guided tours as shown
- Entrance to attractions as shown
- Accommodation and meals in Ecuador
Please note that accommodation in Ecuador will be on Foundation Brethren United (FBU) farms. *The FBU is a non-profit non-government organization that works on rural development projects and environmental conservation in Ecuador. These farms have special guest haciendas with all facilities and include all meals. You will be invited to do as much or as little as you wish, around the farm. This is an opportunity to not only visit farms and farmers but also participate with them!
Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L= Lunch , D=dinner)
4 days/3 nights cruise on MV Millennium Yacht or similar
We include payment of the $100 USD Galapagos National Park Tax in our price.
Not included
Insurance for out of country medical, flight interruption/cancellation, etc.–
We strongly encourage people to purchase the insurance package – we can provide it at very competitive rates.
Transfers to and from your home to the airport in Canada
US airport departure tax – to be paid by clients upon departure from Ecuador
Beverages not specified with meals
Tips for guide and motor coach driver
Items of a personal nature; baggage handling; alcohol; optional items and tours
Passports: Australian citizens must hold a passport valid for six months AFTER the date of return.
Visas: Australian passport holders do not require a tourist visa for Ecuador and to enter the Galapagos Islands for a stay up to 90 days.
World Marketing in conjunction with AgriTours Canada Inc. reserves the right to adjust the program if due to circumstances beyond our control, accommodations, technical visits or other components of the tour are required to be changed. AgriTours Canada will replace or supplement in case or cases of such changes, with inclusions of equal or higher value.
