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From the heights of volcanoes to the unexplored waters of Galapagos, this tour is a must for the lovers of the great outdoors. Whether you are snorkeling with sea lions & rays, or chilling with the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, this adventure is epic!
Day 1: Start Quito Welcome to Ecuador’s capital, Quito! Meet up with your Contiki Team & group before exploring. Your expert guide will teach you all about this city & the history of the Inca & Spanish invasion before the city’s best views at Panecillo. Later, visit the Equator line & wander between the two hemispheres. Tonight, head out for dinner with the group. Hotel (D) Locally guided tour to see the Palace of Congress, Presidential Palace, Independence Square & Churches of San Francisco, La Compania & La Catedral Visit Panecillo lookout Visit the Equator & Inti Ñan Museum
PINNACLE ROCK, Galapagos Islands
Day 2: Quito to Tena It’s out of the city & into the lush jungle with spectacular views en route. A thermal pool swim & a hummingbird sanctuary stop are the perfect relaxing ways to spend the day. Hotel (B) Thermal springs swim Visit a hummingbird sanctuary
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Day 3: Tena to Baños This morning is all about ME Time. Chill, opt to go rafting or visit an animal refuge center before it’s back on the road to Baños, nestled under the still active Tungurahua volcano. Hotel (B,D) Check out the Chimborazo region M Rafting experience
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Day 4: Baños With a free day, explore your way & Baños goes off! Situated in a valley of waterfalls & hot springs, Baños is a hub for for travelers who love great weather, small town vibes & the great outdoors. Visit the hot springs, go horseback riding, trekking, rafting, climbing or mountain biking. Tonight, get local as you learn to salsa at our included lesson. Hotel (B) Salsa dancing lesson
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Day 5: Baños to Guayaquil Today we’re off to discover Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city & its economic hub. This cosmopolitan city is one of Ecuador’s new hotspots, & a walk down the promenade with the city’s colorful Cerro Santa Ana district as your backdrop is essential. Tonight, set sail on a sunset river cruise with drinks. Hotel (B) Sunset river cruise
How much & when
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Traveling Early
Traveling between June 16, 2013 & Dec 15, 2013? The tour below coded GYQO starts at 6:00am in Guayaquil and ends at 11:00am in Quito. This itinerary spends 2 nights in Quito & does not visit Tena. See contiki.com/galapagos-ecuador for more.
Code: GYQO 2013 Start Guayaquil
• ••
QUITO
Itinerary & Sightseeing
SOUTH AMERICA
Finish Quito
Total Cost US$ pp*
2013 Jun Jul Aug Sep
Ayora we’ll check out the island’s old lava tunnels & see the incredible giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Later, get out on the water as we head off to Isabela Island to relax for two nights. Hotel (B,D) See famous Galapagos’ giant tortoises Visit some lava tunnels Boat ride to Isabela Island
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Day 7: Isabela Island This morning we’ll walk to the Wall of Tears. On return, spot colorful fish as you snorkel the underground lava tubes (keep your eyes peeled for turtles!) This afternoon we’ll visit some marine iguanas – you might even see some penguins along the way – then later you could hike the rim of one of the world’s largest active caldera, or relax on the beach. Hotel (B,L) ‘Panga’ boat ride adventure to spot the famous Galapagos wildlife Visit the Wall of Tears Snorkeling experience
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Day 8: Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island This morning we’ll head to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the island’s natural history, before we take off to Santa Cruz Island. This afternoon we’ll visit Tortuga Bay where we finish up with a stroll along the beach & a swim. Hotel (B) Guided tour of the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center Visit Tortuga Bay
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Day 9: Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island We’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station this morning & check out the other species of tortoises & land iguanas before heading out to San Cristobal – keep an eye out for bathing sea lions! This afternoon explore the island by bike. Tonight, it’s all about relaxing over drinks at one of our favorite local spots while watching the sunset. Hotel (B) Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station See the island’s famous sea lions
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Day 10: San Cristobal Island First up: a coastal cruise to spot native birds, before hitting Sea Lion Island in search of puffer fish & cute sea lion pups. We’ll snorkel around Kicker Rock & its famous 469ft tuff cone looking out for manta rays, starfish & maybe the Galapagos shark. Later, relax on stunning Puerto Grande beach paradise, before it’s back to town for our Galapagos BBQ feast. Hotel (B,L,D) Boat cruise & off shore bird spotting experience Visit Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island) Explore Kicker Rock’s 469ft cone Visit stunning Puerto Grande beach
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Day 11: San Cristobal to Guayaquil There’s time to relax this morning or take in the beauty of the island on a kayak tour before heading back to the mainland where your tour ends on arrival. (B)
16 21 18 22
Start Guayaquil
Finish Quito
Total Cost US$ pp*
2013 Jun Jul Aug Oct
26 31 28 2
3055 3055 3055 3055
Oct 20 Oct 30 Nov 17 Nov 27 Dec 15 ● Dec 25
3055 3055 3055
Finish Guayaquil
Total Cost US$ pp*
2014 Jan Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
23 3 31 28 26 23 21 18
2 13 10 8 5 3 31 28
3055 3055 3055 3055 3055 3055 3055 3055
10 nights twin-share hotel accommodation (more on p.20-21) 16 meals: 10 breakfasts (B) 2 lunches (L) 4 dinners (D) An experienced & professional Tour Manager English-speaking Local Guides 2 internal flights & transfers Transportation in a private air-conditioned coach, mini-coach or van
Local taxes & service charges (excluding Galapagos. See price panel)
Start Quito
Finish Guayaquil
Total Cost US$ pp*
2014 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug
What’s Included:
Sightseeing tours of all major areas
Code: QOGY 2014/15 Start Quito
Ecuador & Galapagos Island Hopper 11 days
Sep Oct Nov Dec
15 13 10 8
2015 Jan 8 Feb 2
25 23 20 18
3055 3055 3055 3055
Jan 18 Feb 12
3145 3145
Sep Oct Nov Dec
$
SAVE Pay early & save up to US$250. See p.7 for details.
2 World Heritage sites visited
The above prices are accurate as of May 24th, 2013 & include internal airfares. For up-to-date-pricing please go to contiki.com/ecuador-galapagos-hopper Included Flights: Prices above include the land tour & internal flights as specified on the map only & do not include international airfares to or from the tour start & end cities. Please see ‘Included flights’ on p.96 for important info. Please note: Prices do not include departure tax of approx. US$26 (as of May 24th, 2013), which is payable at the airport upon departure. * Prices above are based on twin-share. If you’re traveling solo, we can share you with a same-sex roommate at no extra charge. Single room supplement add US$515. Start Quito 7:00am & end Guayaquil 11:00am. Note: The Galapagos Islands have a compulsory US$100 entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park, a US$10 INGALA fee & a US$5 Isabela Island tax that are only payable in cash on arrival. Please ensure you have this money ready to ensure entry to these locations. ● This tour spends Xmas in San Cristobal. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger. For travel insurance see p.97.
BAÑOS
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Day 6: Guayaquil to Isabela Island Today we fly to Santa Cruz Island. Before arriving in Puerto
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