| Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Miami | FRI. MIAMI-QUITO : Depart Miami for Quito, Ecuador. After going through customs and immigration, you will be transferred to the new hotel Dann Carlton or Mercure Alameda. | | Day 2 | Quito | SAT. QUITO : Afternoon drive along the northern residential section and see the impressive Parliament Building. Then stroll downtown to visit the colonial temple and monasteries designated by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Visit San Augustine Convent with its colonial cloisters, coffered ceilings and vast collection of paintings. Continue to the Independence Plaza flanked by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building and Archbishop's Palace. Next, visit the great church and Monastery of San Francisco with the Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Your scenic tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito (B) | | Day 3 | Otavalo Country Tour & Market | SUN. OTAVALO COUNTRY TOUR & MARKET : This excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America's most famous Indian fair along the Pan-American Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts, hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavalenos barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life and then take the cobblestone road to San Pablo, with a stop along the way at a weaving workshop specialized in fine backstrap loom woven textiles. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area.
Return to Quito and to hotel Dann Carlton or Alameda Real. (B,L) | | Day 4 | GALAPAGOS-M/V LEGEND | MON. QUITO-GALAPAGOS-M/V LEGEND : Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos. Welcome at Baltra Airport . Briefing on ship's facilities at lounge given by guides as well as National Park. Safety drill practice with passengers, crew and guides.
Afternoon visit North Seymour Island . After a dry landing guests will encounter Swallow Tailed Gulls and Sea Lions. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony for Blue Footed Boobies, and the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird. (a different species from the Great Frigate Bird). Travelers will also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the Marine Iguanas and Land Iguanas. Passengers will enjoy this relaxed hike around the nesting sites. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | Galapagos | TUE. GALAPAGOS : Morning at Genovesa Island . Best known as "the island of birds." Passengers enjoy the safe harbor of being anchored deep within the cater formed bay. A dry landing at El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps). Passengers will walk on lava terrain observing Red Footed Boobies, Frigates, and the fragrant Palo Santo trees. Thousands of Storm Petrels can be seen hovering over the open expanses. Your second visit is a refreshing wet landing, travelers visit Darwin Bay . Visitors will enjoy observing the Red-Footed Boobies, Frigates, Sea Lions, Lava Gulls, Night Herons, and Fiddler Crabs at this site. This site also offers snorkeling in the bay to observe sharks and rays at a safe distance. Passengers never forget the beaches on this island. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | Galapagos | WED. GALAPAGOS : Espanola Island . Travelers enjoy a dry landing at Suarez Point. Upon landing visitors will learn more about the lava terrain while crossing the inactive lava fields.. Aside from the Sea Lion colonies, this is one of the most important sites for bird watching. As soon as visitors step foot on this island many species can be spotted and observed up close. Among the many species, the Hooded Mocking bird and Red Billed Tropic Bird can be seen. Travelers will also spot a large colony of Marine Iguanas, Lava Lizards, and the colorful Sally Light Foot Crabs. After a short trek visitors encounter colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. Nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos Doves, Hawks and Swallow-Tailed Gulls. After crossing the nesting grounds you will reach the world's largest colony of Waved Albatross (15000 approx.), Their mating rituals are a highlight. Nearing the end of this excursion passengers will visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air at almost 23 mts. (75 ft.).
Afternoon at San Cristobal Island . Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Here passengers visit the Interpretation Center providing travelers an opportunity to learn about the natural and human history of the islands through an hour-long interactive presentation. There is some time to shop in town. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | Quito | THU. GALAPAGOS-QUITO : Morning arrival at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north of Santa Cruz Island . This excursion provides passengers with a "panga" ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows for the close observation of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays. Transfer to the airport for flight to Quito with transfer to hotel Dann Carlton or Mercure Alameda. | | Day 8 | Manatee Amazon Explorer | FRI. QUITO-COCA-AMAZON-Manatee Amazon Explorer : Transfer to the airport for flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca). The transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating downstream. The courteous crew will attend to your needs and the guides will introduce you to the surprising Amazon world, its people, more than 600 species of birds, and hundreds of botanical wonders. The Manatee sails along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuni National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve. (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | Manatee Amazon Explorer | SAT. AMAZON RAIN FOREST-Manatee Amazon Explorer : Parrots and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve
Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the seeds they feed on, it is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then, back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the surprising pygmy monkeys and then a trek to the facilities of what used to be South America's Summer Institute of Linguistics in Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador.
Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and for a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans that inhabit the lagoon; quite an experience... Late return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) | | Day 10 | Manatee Amazon Explorer | SUN. AMAZON RAIN FOREST-Manatee Amazon Explorer :Culture / The Amazonian man / Giants of the Forest
The adventure today begins with a visit to the Museum of Pompeya, a small archaeological sample with Amazonian funeral urns that date back several centuries, as well as utensils and ways of life of the ancient denizens of the rain forest, which can still be seen today. We will also have the opportunity to see the giant trees of the Amazon, like the kapok, which rises over the forest canopy to more than 40 meters high, with huge, protruding roots. Guests can also try rowing the canoes on a tranquil tributary of the Napo River up to the house of a native family, to share a moment with them and learn their ways of life. (B,L,D) | | Day 11 | Quito | MON. MANATEE-COCA-QUITO : While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides will get you ready for transfer to the airport. Arrive in Quito and transfer to hotel Dann Carlton or Mercure Alameda Real. (B) | | Day 12 | Miami | FRI. QUITO-MIAMI : Transfer to the airport for flight to Miami and homeward bound. (B) |
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DEPOSITS:
US$350.00 per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 65 days before departure.
INSURANCE:
Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$305-340. Please see information on the Insurance section..(click here)
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.
Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:
At any time....deposit to Galapagos cruises of $300 is not refundable.
120-61 days $350 penalty per passenger service charge.
60-31 days 50% penalty
30 or less -no refundsRATES PER PERSON
* From Jan.01 to Mar.31 and from Jun.15 to Aug.15 -please add $100 per person (high season for the air portion). From Dec.09 to 31 -please add $300 per person.
Children rate based -sharing room with 2 adults.
Note: Upgrade to Junior Suite for $300 per person. For the Legend Suites add $520 per person. Upgrade to five star hotel HILTON COLON please add $323 per person/double for the five nights in Quito (SGL US$592) ADD-ONS & VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES:
For same package add $180 from ORL, TPA, JAX, FMY and Zone 1; $220 from ATL; add $250 from BDL, BOS, BWI, EWR, NYC, PHL, RDU, WAS, + Zone 3 - - Add $300 from CHI, CLE, DTT; - Add $330 from DEN, DFW, HOU, MSY, SJU ZONE 2 & 4; Add $390 from LAX, SFO + ZONE 5; Add $410 from Zone 6. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME. |
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South America 
