Excursion tour "Ecuador - Beauty and nature"

Breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing tour of the city of Quito with a visit to the equator line. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 8 hours. During a sightseeing tour of Quito, you will see fascinating panoramas, churches, domes and rooftops that are historical relics, and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and is located at an altitude of 2800 m. Despite the earthquake of 1917, the city has the best preserved and least altered historical center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors are examples of the Quito School of Art, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. Artists of this school worked in stone and wood to give shape to the most important religious events. After an hour and a half walking tour exploring the Old Town, you will understand why Quito was the first city in the world to be included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. Quito takes its name from the Quitus tribe, which inhabited the region long before the Spanish conquest. In 1533, Sebastian de Benalcazar took possession of the city, which was first the capital of the Inca Empire, and in 1541 it was elevated to the rank of a Spanish city. Its full name is San Francisco de Quito. The city was the capital of the state of Quito until the end of Spanish colonial rule. The Franciscan Order was the first of the orders to establish itself in Quito. The Franciscans immediately began construction of the monastery, which became a center of education and art and has its own schools of painting and sculpture (the Church of San Francisco is visited during the tour). Around the main square, Plaza Grande, are the main buildings of the country: the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the City Hall. We will visit the best example of colonial art in the city - a Jesuit temple, the facade of which is covered with intricate carvings. Quito is a capital city and has many contrasts, you can appreciate this by visiting the old city and new areas. You will get a beautiful view of the entire city from the Panecillo observation deck with a statue of the Virgin Mary with wings, the patroness of the city. We go to the “Middle of the World” (equator line). There are two places to visit the equator line, and we will visit both places: 1.) The city of Mitad del Mundo. The town of Mitad del Mundo is a tourist and commercial center where tourists can discover a monument made in memory of the geodetic expedition of 1736 that established the location of the equator line in this place. The tourist complex "Middle of the World" belongs to the prefecture of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. It is located in the parish of San Antonio of the metropolitan district of Quito, north of the city center of Quito. The headquarters of the Union of South American Nations is being built on the territory of the complex. Between 1979 and 1982, a 30-meter-tall monument was erected to mark where the equator line was thought to lie. A line marking the equator extends from the center of the monument, and countless tourists have crossed it over the years. But in fact, the entire structure is located 240 m south of the real line, which was calculated correctly in the 20th century thanks to the advent of the GPS positioning system. 2.) Intignan Museum. In this museum we will be able to implement a series of experiments that explain the influence of the equator line on the natural forces of nature. Also here you will receive information about the culture of ancient peoples, and we will be able to see a series of totems from various cultures of South America. Here are traditional dwellings of different cultures existing in the country, for example, a house with objects that belonged to an Indian family that lived in this place many generations ago. Return to the hotel. Accommodation at the Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite hotel www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to Cotopaxi National Park. The duration of the excursion day including transfers is 8 hours. Quito-Cotopaxi transfer duration is 2 hours. Cotopaxi-Baños – 2 hours. Overnight altitude – 1800m. Excursion altitude – 3800m. The average temperature is +20C during the day, +10C at night. We will travel from Quito along the Pan-American Highway towards the rose plantation in the Cotopaxi Valley. On the plantation we will see roses of different colors and sizes, which Ecuador exports to various parts of the globe. We will observe the processes of cutting, selection and packaging, which will convince us of the high quality of the exported goods. Note: the plantation is not visited on weekends and holidays! Upon arrival at the National Park, tourists will take a short hike and visit Cotopaxi National Park. Despite the strong winds and silence, Cotopaxi National Park breathes life and abundance. The park was created in 1975 and is located in the provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi and Napo, 60 km from Quito and 30 km from Latacunga, the capital of the province of Cotopaxi. Its area is 33,393 hectares. The park contains the Rumiñahui and Sincholagua volcanoes and Lake Limpiopungo. During daylight hours the temperature can reach 18-20°C, and in the evening the temperature drops to 3-4°C. Among the many attractions in the park is the legendary Cotopaxi volcano (5,897 meters) and numerous trails along which you can get closer to the giant. Records of its activity date back to 1534, when the conquistadors arrived in what is now known as Ecuador. At Lake Limpiopungo you can see a large number of birds, of which 24 species are wading birds, including 15 species of migratory birds and a very rare bird species - the white-necked ibis - of which there are only 100 individuals. The most common mammal found here is the wild rabbit. Four bioregions can be distinguished within Cotopaxi National Park. We will have the opportunity to walk along the pine forest and visit Lake Limpiopungo. In the afternoon we will return to Quito. Free evening. Accommodation at the Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite hotel www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. We will take the highway north of Quito, passing by the Mitad del Mundo monument and zero latitude. Then we will go west. We will stop at an observation deck overlooking the extinct Pululagua volcano. From here we will head towards the Pacific coast. After approximately 2 hours of driving, we will arrive at the Tulipe Archaeological Museum to explore and learn about the Yumbo culture. We will see the pools and structures built in this place. After an hour and a half we reach the entrance to the Mashpi Nature Reserve, which covers 1,300 hectares - a haven for wildlife and biodiversity. Then we continue our journey to the lodge, we will be there at 12.00-12.30. Here guests will be greeted with a refreshing drink and then shown to their rooms. This is usually followed by an introductory conversation before lunch and a short time for rest. After lunch the activities begin. The choice of a specific event depends on factors such as group size, physical condition of guests and climatic conditions. After dinner we can take an evening walk. Accommodation at the Mashpi Lodge, Wayra Room Rooms “Vayra” ● Description The area of each room is 34 m2. Fifteen of these rooms have double beds. These three pairs of rooms are interconnecting and are ideal for families or friends: 4 rooms are on the second floor and 2 rooms are on the ground floor. All rooms are equipped with: • Wardrobes and safe; • Luxurious bathroom and hairdryer; • Tables, chairs and furniture; • Bathrobe and slippers. (breakfast lunch dinner)

On the last day you will have a very early breakfast followed by another activity. Return to the lodge and departure. Before leaving (13.30) we will enjoy lunch. We will cross the Andes and drive east towards the capital, arriving at the hotel in Quito between 16.00 and 17.00 (depending on traffic, hotel location and number of passengers). Accommodation at the Plaza Grande 5* Royal Suite hotel www.plazagrandequito.com (breakfast, lunch)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to the Galapagos Islands. Day 1 Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, your guide will meet you and help you with your luggage and escort you to the bus. Itabaca Canal, which separates Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island, is a 10-minute drive away. Motorboat crossings across the canal to Santa Cruz Island take 5 minutes. From here we will travel by private transport (approximately 45 minutes drive) across the island to the town of Puerto Ayora and your hotel. Notice the change in environment from the red rocky surface in the north to the green wildlife in the highlands and south. From the airport, the guide will go with the group to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. As we travel through the island's agricultural zones with the surrounding wild landscape and various species of flora and fauna, we will be able to see the finches that served as the basis for Darwin's theory of evolution. Watch the famous Galapagos land tortoises in their natural habitat and learn how private farms are helping to conserve these unique animals and their habitats. You can hear them making noises while plucking leaves from trees or searching for tasty food. Here you can see turtles of different ages and sizes: young ones with sparkling shells and lazy old ones with partially cracked shells - traces of a long life. The well-known lava tunnels are another goal of our trip. The channels, resulting from the uneven cooling of lava flowing from the slopes of the volcano, extend from the highlands to the shores. Lava tubes have been destroyed in several places. However, there are preserved lava tunnels that can be walked through in 30 minutes. You will be able to see and understand how they were formed, in some places difficult to pass, and in others with collapsed boulders. The guide will share a detailed history of the origin of these tunnels. Lunch included. Transfer to the hotel. A welcome reception at the hotel will be followed by accommodation in our spacious rooms. You will then have free time to explore the port town of Puerto Ayora, where there are many souvenir shops. Accommodation at the Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (breakfast, lunch)

Early in the morning, you will depart from your hotel by bus to the Itabaca Channel, where your pleasure yacht will be waiting for you, ready to sail. A day awaits you in a unique corner of the Earth with beautiful sandy beaches, an extraterrestrial surrounding landscape, a sea with crystal clear waters and some endemic species of flora and fauna. During the two-hour sailing you will have a unique opportunity to see dolphins and other sea creatures very close to the yacht. Landing on the shore of Bartolome Island. You will have to hike up for about 30 minutes; You will cross an almost lunar landscape and reach the highest point of the volcanic island. From there you will have amazing views of the islands of Santiago, Seymour Norte, Baltra, Santa Cruz, Rabida and the island of Chinese Hat, as well as the famous Pinnacle Rock - the remains of an ancient collapsed volcano. This place is the habitat of some birds. The landscape opening from the top is the emblem of the Galapagos Islands, captured by many photographers. Next is a change of clothes for visiting the beach. During the boat ride, our guests will see Galapagos penguins (only 50 centimeters tall) standing at the foot of a cliff or swimming at the speed of a bullet in the clear waters of the ocean. Time for a beach holiday or snorkeling: The shallow sea gives you the opportunity to swim and snorkel alongside Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, starfish, stingrays, sea turtles and a variety of exotic colorful fish, and you will also be able to see several endemic species of the islands: marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans among others. Lunch on board after this amazing adventure. Today will end with a return to the hotel in the evening. You will have a free evening to explore the city of Puerto Ayora. Accommodation at the Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (breakfast, lunch)

SEYMOUR ISLAND This excursion day will give you an amazing opportunity to visit Seymour North Island and the beaches of Bachas. We will travel by bus to our yacht in the Itabaca Channel and then sail for one hour to Seymour North Island. Landing on a rocky shore near a small forest of gray and silver palo santo trees, which are leafless most of the year. Seymour Island is famous for its numerous colonies of different species of birds. Particularly memorable are the male frigatebirds with their red crop, which they use to attract females during the mating season, and the famous blue-footed boobies. These seabirds have a wedge-shaped tail and long, pointed wings. During mating dances, males raise one wing and one blue paw and begin to dance in order to impress the females. The tour continues to a beach with small cliffs where you can see sea gulls, many sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans. Most animals can be observed at arm's length. Freshly prepared lunch is served on board the yacht. During the afternoon rest, the yacht will continue sailing to the beaches of Bachas on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. First we will go to the lagoon behind the beach, often visited by flamingos. Next we will have a refreshing swim and snorkeling on a paradise uninhabited beach with white sand and turquoise water! Sea lions, different types of stingrays, sea turtles and tropical fish can join you on this underwater adventure! Return to Puerto Ayora at approximately 16:00. Free time to stroll along the pier, buy souvenirs or enjoy the sunset. PLACE ISLAND Departure from the hotel to the north, to the Itabaca Canal. Board the yacht and sail to the island of Plaza Sur. It is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, located near the eastern tip of Santa Cruz Island. After an hour and a half of sailing, the Plaza welcomes guests with a red and green carpet of sesuvium, endemic plants scattered throughout the island, and the friendly barking of several families of sea lions that live here. The turquoise water of the ocean is in perfect harmony with the white sandy beaches and volcanic formations on the shore. The hike around the island is very easy - the trail passes sea lions and sea lions and reaches the highest cliff, where ragged gulls cut the air with their cries, and lonely male sea lions, who cannot resist their rivals in the fight for the harem, retire defeated, almost climbing to the top along a vertical wall. At the same time, tropical birds, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds glide softly through the air. We recommend bringing binoculars to see this extraordinary wildlife up close. The view from the highest point of the ocean and the mighty waves crashing against the cliffs is an unforgettable sight. Next, the journey will continue to Cape Carrion. Lunch on board. This is a unique place to snorkel and swim alongside stingrays, reef and Galapagos sharks and hundreds of colorful tropical fish. Return to the hotel. Free evening. Accommodation at the Solymar 4* Ocean View Room www.hotelsolymar.com.ec (breakfast, lunch)

Transfer to Baltra Airport (1.5 hours travel) for return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. (breakfast) END OF SERVICES