Ecuador Vacations, Galapagos and Hacienda Zuleta

A perfect combination to our Cruise in the Galapagos is Hacienda Zuleta. This old Ecuadorian hacienda full of history is surrounded by beautiful scenery with its mountains and valleys that seem to keep all different shades of green. One of the most outstanding activities are the cabalgatas, or horseback riding in one of more than 90 horses, which are the pride of Zuleta, to different locations like the pre-Incan pyramids of Caranqui culture, the project to recuperate the Andean condors and the mountains that surround Zuleta. The inner trails inside the Hacienda are perfect for trekking and also to perform mountain biking. Around this area you could visit the small villages near Otavalo, where the indigenous peoples from these places still manufacture their weavings and different artisan products in the old traditional ways. A spectacular hike around the mysterious crater lake of Cuicocha can be the climax as a preliminary adventure to an unforgettable 8 day cruise around the Galapagos Islands.

Trip Details

- 15 days / 14 nights trip program
- 8 days / 7 nights Naturalist Cruise of the Galapagos Islands
- Cruise Itinerary includes Isabela and Fernandina Islands
- Daily hikes, snorkeling and kayaking
- Amazing wildlife encounters and photo opportunities
- Naturalist Guide Level III (highest level)
- Excellent on board meals, both international and Ecuadorian cuisine
- 4 days / 3 nights in Hacienda Zuleta and Otavalo
- Ecuadorian or International cuisine prepared with the hacienda's fresh products
- Horse back riding (up to 4 hrs per day) and hiking
- Mountain biking (up to 4 hrs a day)
- Visits to in house productions (cheese factory, fish farming, embroidery workshops)
- Visit to Condor re-habilitation project and archaeological ruins of the Caranqui culture
- Visit to Otavalo Indian Market and surrounding indigenous towns of Peguche and Ilumán
- Hikes around the Cuicocha and/or Mojanda crater lakes
- 4 nights in a hotel while in Quito (2 options *)
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner
- Meals while in Quito served "a la carte" (**)
- Private tour of Quito accompanied by guide with high level of expertise (all day)
- Special attention to traveler dietary requirements or vegetarian diet
- Small group of up to 16 participants
- Private transfers, personalized attention
- Arrival / departure point: Quito

(*) Option 1: 5-Star Swissötel - For the same price we upgrade your room to Junior Suite

Option 2: 3-Star Hotel Café Cultura

(**) Welcome and farewell dinner, lunch at the best restaurants in Quito

Yacht Options

We have selected two of our preferred yachts for this itinerary:

S/S Sagitta

M/S Diamante

Itinerary

Day 1 -
Day 2 -
Day 3 -
Day 4 -
Day 5 -
Day 6 -
Day 7 -
Day 8 -
Day 9 -
Day 10 -
Day 11 -
Day 12 -
Day 13 -
Day 14 -
Day 15 -

Arrival to Quito, private transfer to your hotel
Visit the Equatorial monument; lunch; Quito city tour; welcome dinner
Transfer to Hacienda Zuleta; short hike and visits to in house productions
Horseback ride or hike to Condor re-habilitation project and archaeological pyramids
Activities to choose, like horse riding, hiking or mountain biking
Visit to Peguche; Indian Market; hike around Cuicocha crater lake; return to Quito
Flight to Galapagos; Baltra / North Seymour
South Plaza / Pto. Ayora - Santa Cruz
Gardner Bay - Española / Punta Suarez - Española
Punta Cormorant - Floreana / Post Office Bay - Floreana
Punta Moreno - Isabela / Elizabeth Bay - Isabela
Urvina Bay - Isabela / Punta Espinosa - Fernandina
Puerto Egas - Santiago / Bartolomé
Black Turtle Cove - Sta Cruz / Baltra, flight to Quito; farewell dinner
Transfer to the airport to take your flight back home

Detailed Galapagos Itinerary

More details about Hacienda Zuleta

Trip level:

① ② ③ ④ ⑤

Horseback riding and hiking at Hacienda Zuleta. Hikes around Cuicocha crater lake at an elevation of 10,200 feet. The hike can be either, half-way or completely around the crater.

Hikes in Galapagos in two visitor sites every day, through nature trails, on sand, dirt or volcanic rock, usually one or two miles long (both ways). Dry or wet landings, on rocks, jetties or directly on a sandy beach.

This adventure is considered to be at an EASY to MODERATE level of difficulty, but you need to be active and fit.

Quito is located at an altitude of 9,180 feet.

Price Per Person:

Galapagos and Hacienda Zuleta - 15 Days / 14 Nights

With Hotel Café Cultura in Quito

Yacht
M/S Diamante	$ 4,630
S/S Sagitta	$ 5,143

Galapagos and Hacienda Zuleta - 15 Days / 14 Nights

With Swissotel in Quito

Yacht
M/S Diamante	$ 5,044
S/S Sagitta	$ 5,557

Cost Includes:

- (see Trip Details)

Not included in cost:

- Flight Quito - Galapagos - Quito: $ 395 (subject to change)
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee: $ 100 (subject to change)
- Tips; alcoholic beverages; personal expenses.

Note: Air tickets and park fees are subject to change without previous notification

Prices valid until December 31 / 2007

This trip can also be tailored to any of our listed yachts. For more information and prices, please contact us.

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