Colonial city tour, exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas. Visit some of its most impressive churches such as the majestic La Compañía and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. Hotel accommodations.

The tour includes Calderón, a village known for its decorative bread dough figurines, the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, and landscapes of towering volcanoes with amazing opportunities for taking pictures.  It also includes the crater lake Cuicocha and a visit to the leather-making village of Cotacachi. Visit Peguche village and learn how they make Andean musical instruments and indigenous crafts. Overnight at a hacienda.

The Chaski Antawa Train (messenger train) runs on the railway built at the beginning of the 20th century connecting the northern highlands to the tropical coast. From Ibarra, the train climbs down to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui, through sugarcane plantations, magical landscapes, and tunnels crossing bridges that span deep canyons and gullies. Enjoy a unique lunch at the community restaurant and support Kleintours' social project. (which is our way of helping the Valley of Salinas and its surrounding area become a tourist destination and raising the standard of living of its inhabitants.) Other sites include Otavalo and its famous indigenous arts and crafts market, the largest in South America.

In the afternoon drive back to Quito. Hotel accommodations.

Cruise all-inclusive aboard M/VGalapagos Legend. Departing Quito, local round-trip airfare to Galápagos. Transfer from hotel to airport (shuttle service) and to and from the dock included.

Just like Darwin in 1835 you will tour the “Enchanted Islands,” history’s greatest show on earth and we will be providing you with the best seats on board. Only a special few have the chance to travel through this paradise, sailing on a charming casual ship with nautical interior decoration of wood and brass especially designed for the islands. Enjoy the Jacuzzi or swimming pool, sun deck, bar, and sea view cabins with private facilities and air conditioning.

Interactive experience with the wildlife, which seems to have been bewitched, because it has no fear of man. Witness spectacular sunsets, swim and snorkel amongst the tropical fish, manta rays, sea lions, swordfish, sea turtles and other marine wildlife at any time of the year in the warm clear waters of the beaches

Our nature guides lead shore excursions twice a day. Attend lectures explaining the geology, history, evolution, flora and fauna. (lectures are provided in numerous languages) Our fine array of meals will amaze you, from the buffet breakfast and gourmet dinners to the ice cream festivals and night barbecues.

Dry landing. Guests will see swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue-footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Travelers will also see both marine iguanas and land iguanas. Opportunities for snorkeling.

Wet landing. Walk to a salt-water pond behind the beach, where pink flamingos can occasionally be observed as well as a view of the bay. This is a nesting site for reintroducing land iguanas, and there is also a Scalesia tree forest nearby.

Passengers may opt to take a dinghy to Venice islet and observe the vegetation and marine animals such as spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles.

Floreana (Cormorant Point): Wet landing. From a greenish-colored sand beach hike from the black mangrove beds to a large, brackish lake which holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. Endemic plants like the Galapagos milkwort, passion flower and button mangrove can also be found here. Novice snorkelers can practice on the main beach with the playful sea lions.

Dry landing. Learn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. In addition to the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Many species such as the hooded mocking bird and red-billed tropic bird can be seen and observed closely. See a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Sally Light-foot crabs. After a short trek, visitors will see colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. Their nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls and finally we reach the world’s largest colony of waved albatross. A major highlight is their mating season.(from May through December) You’ll visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots about 23 m (75 ft) up into the air.

San Cristóbal (Interpretation Center or La Galapaguera): Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Passengers will visit San Cristóbal breeding center and learn about the National Park’s breeding program with the giant tortoises. Passengers will observe animals in their natural environment.

2010 rates per person based on double first class accommodation (not commissionable)

For 2 passengers and up: US$ 2365 rates per person in double accommodation

Cruise supplements for M/V Galapagos Legend (net rates)

• For 5 days 4 nights cruise $ 467.00 becomes 10-day9-night package
• For 8 days 7 nights cruise $ 1787.00 becomes 13-day/12 night package

*We can arrange the Itinerary to work with any Cruise option that you take*

INCLUDED:

Deluxe Galapagos Cruise:

• All inclusive 3 nights, full board
• Superior accommodation
• 2 daily excursions
• Multilingual guidance and lectures
• Air ticket to and from Galapagos Islands
  

Continent:

• 3 breakfasts
• 4 nights first class hotel Quito. 1 night at a Typical Hacienda in Otavalo
• City tour Quito
• 2 full days tour to Otavalo market, and “CHaski Antawa” train ride & surroundings
• 4 transfers, guidance and transportation
  

NOT INCLUDED:

• Galapagos National Park & INGALA tax US$110
• Snorkeling equipment
• Any meals or services not specified
• Tips & personal expenses
• Medical Services, travel insurance
• If there is a high occupancy supplement of fuel surcharge, passengers will be notified

Hotels:

• First Class option:
  - Quito: Hotel Quito
  - Otavalo: Hacienda Pinsaqui
• Deluxe option: Swissotel Quito
  

Supplements and Discounts:

• Triple accommodation discount: The third passenger sharing a SUITE gets 15% discount out of double rate (applicable on the Legend).
• Children discount: 25% out of the double rate (children under 12 years old at the departure date sharing cabin with 2 adults).
  

Notes:

• If the train ride is not operating, the portion will be done by car, van or bus.
• The Operator reserves the right to change itineraries.
• Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
• Above rates are guaranteed for 2010 except that severe increases are felt on logistics, local and international policies, government regulations, money fluctuations or any other event affecting the operation that are beyond Condor Tours & Travel control. Any adjustment will be informed at the time we receive a firm booking with the corresponding deposit.