Excursion tour "Ecuador and Galapagos Islands in July"

Breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing tour of the city of Quito with a visit to the equator line. 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 had its own schools of painting and sculpture. 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. We will also visit the Gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional: This religious building was designed by a French architect, inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral. The Basilica of the National Vow is considered the most representative work of neo-Gothic architecture in the country and one of the most outstanding in Latin America. The Basilica of the National Obedience was founded in the 19th century and is considered unfinished, has gargoyles on the facade, as well as endemic animals of the country and region, such as caimans, turtles, gannets, monkeys and others. This religious temple is 140 meters long, 35 meters wide and has a central nave of 30 meters high. The two front towers are 115 meters high. The Basilica is one of the tallest buildings in the city! 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 complex 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. 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 (twisting water, balancing a chicken egg, walking along the equator line). Also here you will receive information about the culture of ancient peoples, learn about the tsantsa ritual, and you 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. Free evening. Stops: Basilica of the National Vow, Main Square, "Golden Church", San Francisco Square, Hill with the Virgin Mary, Intignan Museum, "Middle of the World". Accommodation at the Ikala 3* hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to the Mindo rainforest. We begin our tour heading north of the country along the Pan-American Highway, passing the Mitad del Mundo (“Middle of the World”) monument, we will stop at the observation post of the extinct Pululahua volcano, where we can appreciate the beautiful view of Ecuador’s largest crater. After passing the highest point of our journey, we will descend towards the Mindo rainforest, admiring the landscapes of the area. In Mindo we will visit the butterfly house. In this place you can observe different types of butterflies in their different phases of development. You will also be able to see a huge number of hummingbirds and take a walk within the cloud forest. Hawks fly high above the forest floor, and surrounded by cedars and avocado trees, we hear the distinctive sounds of woodpeckers in the distance. Other bird species found in Mindo are partridges, American kestrels, penelopes, hummingbirds, cock of the rocks, millet, etc. The unique forest consists of trees such as cedar, white, yellow and black cinnamon trees, avocado, red myrtle, cecropia, coriaria among others. Then we have a zip line over the forest cover. Ziplining: Several steel cables cross the canyon. We'll be suspended from a rope with carabiners driven by pulleys, and we'll zig-zag over the canyon, between the treetops. This adventure is completely safe as we use the best and certified equipment. Also today we will visit the orchid garden. More than 4,200 species of orchids grow in Ecuador. This flower is a symbol of the country. After lunch we will have the opportunity to observe the production of chocolate in a home chocolate factory. In the evening return to Quito. Free evening. Stops: Hummingbird Sanctuary, Butterfly House, Zipline, Orchid Garden, Chocolate Factory. Accommodation at the Ikala 3* hotel (breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to Quilotoa Lagoon. Continuation of the journey to the Quilotoa volcano. Along the way, we visit an artisanal workshop in the village of Tigua, where the “Naïve” style of painting - Andean landscapes of Ecuador on sheep's clothing - originated. We will then continue our journey westwards towards the Central Andes of Ecuador. We will travel along the route known as the Puhili Path, passing through the village of Quilotoa. Arriving at Quilotoa Crater, we will visit an observation deck overlooking the crater lake and have the opportunity to walk through the Indian community. If desired (depending on the wishes of the whole group), we can go down on foot to the edge of the lake, go kayaking and return on mules. Kayak and mule rides are not included. The mule lift service is informal, offered by local residents and only until approximately 15:00. Return to Quito. Free evening. Stops: rose plantation, observation decks, gallery of Indian paintings, crater lake. Accommodation at the Ikala 3* hotel (breakfast)

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. On the way 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 finches, which served as the basis for Darwin's theory of evolution, among other endemics. Today we will be able to observe the famous Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat, and you will learn how private farms contribute to the conservation of these unique animals and their habitat. 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. The lava tubes have been destroyed by erosion in some places. However, there are well-preserved lava tunnels up to 1 km in length. 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. Included lunch at the Highlands. Transfer to the hotel. A welcome reception at the hotel will be followed by accommodation and relaxation. Next, you will have free time to explore the port city of Puerto Ayora with many souvenir shops, restaurants, and a beautiful promenade. Accommodation at the Lobo de Mar 3* hotel (breakfast, lunch) Day 2 SEA EXCURSION TO ISABEL ISLAND (by speedboat): Departure at 07.00 towards Isabela, a beautiful island with a wide variety of animals. The swim will take approximately 2 hours. After arriving at the main dock of Puerto Villamila (the only small settlement on the island), we will head to the wetlands where we will see different types of mangroves, a network of small lagoons with volcanic formations and exotic fauna such as flamingos, king stilts among others. The journey will continue to the information center, where you will learn more about the work Galapagos National Park does to preserve the unique species of flora and fauna. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to Tintoreras, an islet located south of Puerto Villamil, in the center of a bay with turquoise water, where you can see sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas and stingrays. This is a famous resting place for reef sharks, which can be seen after a short walk along the hardened lava. Return to Puerto Ayora at 17:00. Free evening. Accommodation at the Lobo de Mar 3* hotel (breakfast, lunch) Day 3 Free day to relax at the hotel or explore the islands on your own. The guide in Quito will recommend what you can do or take extra. Accommodation at the Lobo de Mar 3* hotel (breakfast) Day 4 Transfer to Baltra airport for a return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Arrival - independent transfer to the international flight terminal - check-in for an international flight. (breakfast)