Intriguing Pacific Islands

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Price from:
10,223.00 US$
per person

For those with a zest for the unusual and extraordinary, we have crafted a 15 days special itinerary, exploring the two most amazing and thoroughly different Island locations on the Eastern Pacific Ocean:  The Galapagos Archipelago and Easter Island. This unique tour is complemented with visits to the historic and majestic capital cities of Ecuador: Quito and of Chile: Santiago de Chile.

Activities: City Tours; Nature Walks; Bird watching; Volcano watching; Kayaking; Snorkeling; Whale watching, (seasonal); Scuba Diving, (on request, by special arrangements and extra cost).

Product themes:  Culture and History; Nature and Wildlife; Expedition Cruises; Landscapes and Scenery; Families; Couples and Honeymoons; Adventure and Extreme Sports (optional and only where applicable).   

Locations:  Quito and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador); Santiago de Chile  and Eastern Island, (Chile).

Itinerary Details

Day 1 Wednesday:

• Arrival to Quito.
  
• A private transfer takes you to the posh Boutique Hotel Casa Gangotena.

Day 2 Thursday:

• Private city tour of Quito and the Equatorial Line.
  
• Casa Gangotena.

Day 3 Friday:

• Transfer to the airport for the flight to Galapagos.
  
• Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the Yacht La Pinta.
  
• The afternoon features a first visit to the islands.

Day 4 Saturday:

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands ** Yacht La Pinta.

Day 5 Sunday:

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. 
  
• Yacht La Pinta.

Day 6 Monday:

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. 
  
• Yacht La Pinta.

Day 7 Tuesday:

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. 
  
• Yacht La Pinta.

Day 8 Wednesday:

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. 
  
• Yacht La Pinta.

Day 9 Thursday:

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. 
  
• Yacht La Pinta.

Day 10 Friday:

• Transfer for flight back to Ecuador mainland and connecting flight to Santiago de Chile. 
  
• Overnight flight to Santiago de Chile. 

Day 11 Saturday:

• Afternoon city tour of Santiago. 
  
• Grand Hyatt or similar. 

Day 12 Sunday:

• Early flight to Easter Island. 
  
• Upon arrival, transfer to Posada de Mike Rapu Lodge for accommodations and dinner.

Day 13 Monday:

• At Easter Island. 
  
• Choose from the menu of explorations offered by the Lodge. 
  
• Posada de Mike Rapu.

Day 14 Tuesday:

• At Easter Island.  Choose from the menu of explorations offered by the Lodge.  
  
• Posada de Mike Rapu.

Day 15 Wednesday:

• Transfer for flight to Santiago and onward connections.

** Please inquire for detailed itinerary and specific Island visits in Galapagos (depends on departure dates).

Tour Highlights

Quito City: Considered one of the best preserved colonial cities in South America.

Galapagos Islands: For many, the most unique natural environment in the world.

Easter Island: Cradle to one of the most enigmatic cultures inhabiting the Pacific.

Yacht La Pinta: The most exclusive and luxurious yacht sailing in the Galapagos.

Explora Rapa Nui: The best lodging and tour operation on Easter Island.

Preceded by a short visit to Quito, the scenically fantastic and historic capital of Ecuador and the nearby Equatorial Line, we set off to the Galapagos Archipelago.  The Galapagos Islands, located 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador, to whom they belong, are considered the most unique natural environment in the world, with animal and plant species only found there.  For scientists, biologists, naturalists and nature lovers, the islands are an undisputed “must see”.  Because of their uniqueness, UNESCO declared the Galapagos as the very first “World Natural Heritage Site” in 1979.  The days in the islands feature encounters with centenary giant tortoises; marine iguanas; blue-footed or red-footed boobies; flamingos, penguins; flightless cormorants, frolicking sea lions, the famous Darwin’s finches and an equally awesome underwater life on the Archipelago’s Marine Reserve, also declared as a World Natural Heritage Site.

After Galapagos and a short stop in Santiago de Chile,  we take on a three day expedition to explore the rare wonders of “Rapa Nui” or Easter Island, located 2237 miles from the coast of Chile, to whom they belong. Rapa Nui is the cradle of one of the most enigmatic cultures inhabiting the Pacific’s remoteness since eons ago.  The language, music and many traditions remain alive amongst the island’s present day inhabitants. The Island’s most amazing and unique feature is the giant megaliths, the stone statues called “Moais”, carved from volcanic materials and scattered over the island as a testimony of the far-away past of an ancient and mysterious Polynesian civilization. The remoteness, stunning geography and enigmatically rich culture, prompted UNESCO to declare Rapa Nui as a World Heritage Site in 1995. 

Include

• Accommodations at Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel in Quito (check pre-departure kit or inquire for meals included or not)
• City tour of Quito and Equatorial Line
• Accommodations at deluxe cabin aboard the Yacht La Pinta
• All transfers, programmed guided tours and full board during the expedition cruise in Galapagos
• Arrival and departure transfers, short city tour and  accommodations at Grand Hyatt (or similar) at Santiago de Chile.
• Arrival and departure transfers, accommodations at Posada de Mike Rapu Lodge (All-Inclusive System) and programmed tours and activities on Easter Island.
• Meals, as indicated in the program.

Not Include

• International and domestic air tickets;
• Taxes, Entrance Fees and Surcharges;
• International departure taxes; 
• Meals not included in program (note that Full Board applies in Galapagos and All-Inclusive System applies on Easter Island).
• Gratuities; beverages (check for exceptions at Lodge on Easter Island);
• Internet connections and we suits; 
• Gifts and items of personal nature.

Notes

• Operational Days: Departures: Wednesdays; operates all year.
• Length: 15 Days and 14 Nights.
• Minium Age: 6 years.   
• Level of difficulty:Moderate.
• Minimum for program operation: 2 passengers
• Special Surcharge applies for departures involving Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Travel Facts

For travel to Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands) as well as to Easter Island (territory of Chile); visitors need a valid passport, extending its life for at least six months beyond the intended stay. Nationals of the United States, Canada and several European, Latin American and other countries, do not require visas.  For detailed information, please ask us or contact the nearest Consulate or Embassy of Ecuador and Chile. No Vaccines are required for the locations included on this special program.  However, it is recommended to check for updates a few weeks prior to departure.

For more detailed information about travel facts for Ecuador, Peru and Chile, please check the respective “Country Information” sections of each country on our website, or ask us.  The Galapagos has a separate “Special Information” section; worth checking up thoroughly.

Best season for travel: Year around.   Warmest months in Galapagos and Easter are normally January to March while the coldest months are July to September.

Clothing; What to bring and what to wear:

Due to similarities in geographical and climatic conditions, dress and clothing for Galapagos and Easter Island are almost identical.  Thus, the following suggestions apply for both destinations. Attire in general ranges from informal to very informal.  On most cruise vessels and the main hotels, the only basic dress-code requirements are not to enter the indoor dining rooms barefooted or in swimming costumes.  Essential elements to bring are good walking shoes such as sneakers with firm soles; shorts for the day outings; long and short-sleeved lightweight shirts and T-shirts, preferably of cotton fabrics; long pants for the evenings; a cap or wide-brimmed hat; bathing suits and a light sweater and/or windbreaker for the evenings, especially in the cooler months (see above for climate).  Highly recommended items include sunscreen and high solar protection; sunglasses, personal medicines; photography and/or video equipment.

A Suggested packing list:

• Shorts (Bermudas or other)
• Long and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts
• Sweater and/or jacket (if going to the highlands)
• Long pantsGood walking shoes         
• Sneakers with rubber soles    
• Tevas or sport sandals with a Velcro strap for wading ashore
• Windbreaker jacket 
• Small pair of binoculars
• Refillable bottle for water
• Wide brimmed hat, bandana    
• Bathing suits            
• Suntan Lotion or strong sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof backpack (light and small for camera &/or other personal items)
• Camera 
• Seasickness medication
• Personal medications

Please check the relevant sections about climate and clothing suggestions for Quito, Ecuador and Lima, Peru.

Note: For Safety, Dietary and Medical Restrictions and facilities and other travel facts, please consult the relevant sections of each country on our website or inquire us.  

Hotels & Accommodations

Casa Gangotena, Quito:

Fully refurbished in 2011, this centenary and aristocratic mansion is now the capital of Ecuador’s landmark luxury Boutique Hotel in the heart of the city’s Historic Center, a World Heritage Site. Located across the street from the five hundred year old Square, Church and Convent of San Francisco; Casa Gangotena, being a Heritage building, has rooms and suites of varying sizes and locations.  The average room size is 115.5 square feet. Rooms have either king-size beds or two full-size beds and boast a lavish bathroom with luxury amenities; showers and bathtubs; as well as air conditioning and heating; In-room safety deposit box; direct dial national and international telephones, 32’ flat screen TV; WiFi Internet and a classy decoration.

Yacht La Pinta, Galapagos:

The luxury yacht is one of the newest of its kind operating in the Galapagos Islands. The Upper Deck hosts the 24 beautifully decorated Luxury Staterooms, which feature either double or twin-beds, with ocean view, private bathroom and shower facilities; individually controlled AC, fine linens and duvets. Also featured are in-room safe deposit boxes, telephone with direct international dialing and multi-channel sound system for closed-circuit music and connections for personal iPods, MP3 and MP4. The average size of the double cabins is 52.8 square feet.

La Posada de Mike Rapu Lodge, Easter Island:

This unique lodge, inaugurated in 2007, has 30 sophisticated and comfortable rooms, designed to maximize silence and privacy.  The use of pine wood and earth-colored concrete for the floor, enhance the distinct touch of local decoration and ambiance. Each room has a small living area, a fully equipped hydro-massage bath. Our Intriguing Pacific Islands guests are accommodated at the elegant Varùa Rooms, all with views of the sea and an average size of 105.6 square meters.