Discover the Pacific Ocean Islands of South America: Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and the Easter Island in Chile. A first class cultural and nature experience.

Easter Island and Galapagos Cruise in 19 days (sample itinerary)

Day 1 (Thursday): Flight to Santiago de Chile (Business Class)

From Europe we recommend to fly by Air France. The comfortable Business Class offers spacious seats, a first class entertainment program and high class cousine. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Arrival in Santiago de Chile

Arrival in Santiago de Chile in the morning and upon arrival transfer to your hotel (Ritz Carlton). Take your time to have a shower and to relax. Pick up from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our trip at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where the guide will explain to you the historical and actual meaning of this place. Following this we will have a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. Continuing our tour we will visit the famous Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings. Focusing the historical and cultural sites of Santiago, we will visit the mansion Palacio Cousiño, built 1870-1878, the palace Palacio de Bellas Artes as well as the Pre-Columbian Art Museum treasuring a complete sample of pre-Hispanic art. Crossing the Mapocho we finally will visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighbourhood of Santiago. Bellavista lies at the foot of the Metropolitan Park’s San Cristóbal, the highest hill in town. In the afternoon
return to your hotel. (-/-/-)

Day 3: Vina del Mar and Valparaiso

Full day excursion to Valparaíso, the oldest and most important port of Chile and to Viña del Mar, the famous beach resort. Pick up at your hotel to drive towards the Pacific Ocean, passing the agricultural valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca finally reaching Valparaíso. Valparaíso’s picturesque layout, enhanced by the surrounding hills that seem to dive into the ocean, remind us that this was once the most important maritime destination of the Pacific coast before the Strait of Panama was opened to navigation in 1914. We will visit the downtown area with its new government house, the Plaza Sotomayor, the Plaza Victoria, the cathedral and the harbour area. Afterwards we will discover the colourful hill neighbourhoods. Here, high above the city, there is a fantastic agglomeration of brightly painted houses and a fantastic view over the city. The upper and lower parts of the city are connected with 16 funicular railways constructed around the turn of the century when the city experienced tremendous growth. Traveling north along the coastline of the bay we will reach the city of Viña del Mar, the most famous and visited seaside city of the area, with its many parks of huge trees and palms that gave Viña del Mar the well deserved name of ‘Garden City’. We will visit the beautiful park Quinta Vergara with its amphitheatre, the museum of fine arts as well as the beaches and the Casino, which was built in 1932. In the afternoon, return to your hotel in Santiago. (B/-/-)

Day 4 (Sunday): Flight across the Pacific Ocean to the Easter Island

Early morning flight to the Eatser Island. We will pick you up at your hotel. After your arrival at Mataveri Airport you will experience a traditional reception with flower necklaces. A short transfer takes you to your hotel. We recommend spending the remaining day to visit the church of the village. Among the various statues you will find traditional Roman Catholic symbols together with indigenous ones. On Sunday morning you are welcome to attend mass. The artisan market and the local museum are located next to the church. The museum holds a collection of Rapa Nui artefact reproductions, while the originals were removed from the island. (B/-/-)

Day 5: Easter Island - Ranu Raraku / Ahu Tongariki / Anakena

Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui. After leaving Hanga Roa, we will drive to the south along the coastal road. Views of the Poike Peninsula and the whole coastline consisting of black volcanic rock will accompany us all the way. Our first stop will be in Vaihu to visit archaeological sites, passing several moais lying along the street indicating the „Camino de los Moais“, the „Trail of the Moais“ on which they were manoeuvred to their destinations, also marking our next stop.
At Ranu Raraku - the place where the moais were made - we will have a picnic lunch, and afterwards we will start walking up the Ranu Raraku volcano. The next highlight is one of the most impressive sites on the island: the restored giant Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moais, which are the largest worship site on the island.
Continuing on our excursion, we will take a small break to visit two beaches, one of them being Ovahe, a small bay with a cave and nearly pink-coloured sand. From there and after just a short drive we will reach Anakena with its white sandy beach and coconut palm trees, inviting you to rest in the sand and swim in the warm Pacific water. Drive back to Hanga Roa. (B/L/-)

Day 6: Easter Island - Orongo / Ahu Akivi

From Hanga Roa it is a 30 minute drive to the volcano Rano Kau with the ceremonial village Orongo. It is the ceremonial centre of the cult of the bird-man „Hombre Pajaro“, which started when the „Short Ears“ stopped building moais. Your guide will explain this „new“ culture of the island and show you famous petroglyph images. This site offers the view of three small islets in the Pacific: Motu Nui, Moto Kau, Moto Iti. The afternoon excursion will take you to the Ahu Akivi site with its prominent 7 moais. This site was one of the later constructions built, probably at a time when the statue cult was beginning to unravel. Ahu Akivi is unusual because it is neither at the coast nor are its Moais facing towards the land, unlike all the other ceremonial statues. (B/-/-)

Day 7: Flight to Santiago de Chile

Early morning transfer to the airport of the Easter Island. Ypo will take your flight back to Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival transfer to you hotel. Today you can visit Santiago on your own. We recommend to go shopping (the markets are worth a visit) and to one of the high class seafood restaurants in the city. (B/-/-)

Day 8: Santiago de Chile - Quito

Transfer to the airport. Flight (with LAN Airlines) to Quito. Arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and transfer to your hotel (Swissotel). (B/-/-)

Day 9: Guided city tour "Quito colonial" + Mitad del Mundo

Visit of the historic center of Quito. You will visiit Plaza Grande (Plaza de Independencia) with its colonial buildings and the magnificant church "La Compania de Jesus". You will stroll across the Plaza San Francisco to be able to see one of the biggest cloisters of South America.
Afterwards you will drive to the northern part of the city where you will find the equator monument called "Mitad del Mundo". Here you can be on the northern and southern hemisphere at the same time. Today you will sleep in your hotel in Quito. (B/-/-)

Day 10 (Saturday): Flight to the Galapagos Islands to start your cruise

Early morning transfer to the airport . Flight from Quito via Guayaquil to Galapagos. Arrival on San Cristobal island. Transfer to the harbour of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Boarding of the luxury catamaran Nina (five-star category) which is operating on Galapagos since 2009. Your cruise will begin. In the morning we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands.
PM: La Galapaguera or Interpretation Center
The Galapaguera allows you to see the Giant tortoise in its natural environment. You can see baby tortoises and well as the large adults. A visit to the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal is also possible. (B/L/D)
Advice: departure of the Nina every Saturday. Please ask for other options.

Day 11: Española Island

AM: Suárez Point
Often listed as a Galapagos favorite visitor site, you have the chance to see blue-footed boobies and waved albatross as well as the famous “blowhole” spurt water high into the air. The landscape is great for photography.
PM: Gardner Bay
Española Island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Gardner Bay has a lovely white sanded beach where you will see a sea lion colony. It is a good place for snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Floreana Island

AM: Champion & Cormorant Point
The trail will take us along the beach where sea lions are basking on the sand. Further ahead, behind white and black mangroves we will reach a vast brackish water lagoon where flamingos can be seen. We will carry on until we reach a look out point and then to the white sand beach which is a sea turtle nesting ground. The nearby Champion Islet is widely considered to be one of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the Galapagos.
PM: Post Office Bay
At Post Office Bay 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. In those times ships could often be away from home for 2 years or more. Ships on their outward journey would leave letters and ships returning home would collect them and mail them in their homeland. The custom continues to this day between Galapagos visitors! (B/L/D)

Day 13: Santa Cruz Island

am: Charles Darwin Research Station
The visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station allows you to learn about the giant tortoise breeding and repatriation program and the eradication of introduced species. You will be able to walk among the giant tortoises. The station is also home to the world´s rarest animal. There is only one Pinta Island giant tortoise remaining on this planet. He is known as Lonesome George. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to look around Puerto Ayora (souvenir shopping etc.).
pm: Islas Plaza
This island is a very special place for the Galapagos; you will find a big colony of Sea Lions, land iguanas, several birds species, a beautiful view to the ocean from a cliff and a forest of Opuntia Cacti. (B/L/D)

Day 14: North Seymour & Bartolomé Islands

AM: North Seymour Island
North Seymour is a very low-lying island and has a very large population of blue footed-boobies. It is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate birds in Galapagos. The large red pouch of the males makes for quite a spectacle. The first half of the trail is sandy but the second half is rocky (be sure to bring good walking shoes).
PM: Bartholomew Island
Bartholomew Island is the home to the Pinnacle Rock and the most famous vista in Galapagos. You may see sharks swimming close to the shore. You may also get a chance to swim with the Galapagos Penguin. Climbing to the top of this island rewards visitors with panoramic views of varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and a moon-like landscape. (B/L/D)

Day 15: Fernandina & Isabela Islands

AM: Isabela Island - Vicente Roca Point
The largest and one of the most volcanically active islands, Isabela provides habitat for five subspecies of giant tortoise - one for each of its five volcanoes. We will visit Punta Vicente Roca which has beautiful volcanic scenery, with amazing lava intrusions as well as a huge sea cliff.
PM: Fernandina Island - Espinosa Point
No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island, and, as a result, it claims to be one of the most pristine ecosystems in Galapagos. Fernandina is the youngest island in Galapagos. The La Cumbre volcano with its lava fields spreading out to the ocean dominates the landscape. We land at Punta Espinosa, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, visitors arrive at the island's highlight - the flightless cormorant nesting site. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Santiago & Rabida Islands

AM: Santiago Island - Puerto Egas
Puerto Egas (also called South James Bay) is on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Puerto Egas is one of the few places in Galapagos where you can see Galapagos “Fur seals”. We start with an easy walk along the beach. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Here you will also find good snorkeling off the beach with a broad array of marine life to be seen.
PM: Rabida Island - Playa Roja
Rabida Island (also called Jervis) is a bird-watcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as 9 varieties of finches, large billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. The trail starts along the red sand beach and then to the top of a hill where you will have a great view of the surrounding landscape. (B/L/D)

Day 17: San Cristobal Island / Departure

AM: Isla Lobos
The name “Isla Lobos” means Sea Lion Island, which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island is also a great place for snorkeling (and if we’re lucky with the sea lions as well).
PM: Departure
Flight from Galapagos to Quito via Guayaquil. Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Quito. Later the day we will invite you for a dinner in one of the best restaurants of South America: the Theatrum Restaurant in the historic center of Quito. (B/-/D)

Day 18: Flight back from Quito

After breakfast we will bring you to the airport. You will take your flight back home. (-/-/-)

 

 

Day 19: Arrival

If your final destination is Europa you will arrive there today. Welcome back home! (-/-/-)

List prices 2009 and 2010 per person in a double room (min. 2 persons):

Ask for special rates and last minute deals.
Cheap group rates available.
Contact us for rates in US-$ (form opens in new window)

12.859 Euro low season (01. January - 14. June and 01. September - 15. December)
High season surcharge (rest of the year): 599 Euro per person

Single and triple rooms upon request.

All offers subject to availability. Prices are per person in a double cabin (double occupancy) and payment by bank transfer. All prices are final prices incl. VAT. Please see our general terms and conditions for further booking and payment details.

Inklusivleistungen:

• Flight Europe-Santiago de Chile with Air France (Business Class)
• Flight Quito-Europe with KLM (Business Class)
• Flight Santiago-Easter Island-Santiago with LAN Airlines (Business Class)
• Flight Santiago-Quito, Premium Economy Classe, LAN Airlines
• Flight Quito/Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil/Quito, Economy Class, TAME or Aerogal Airlines
• Tour in Santiago de Chile and on Easter Island on private basis with English speaking guide
• City tour Quito on private basis with English speaking guide
• Cruise on Galapagos as international group travel
• Transfers from/to airport with Spanish speaking driver
• overnight in First Class Hotels in a double room during round trip and in double cabins during cruise on Galapagos
• English speaking naturalist guide during cruise on Galapagos
• melas like mentioned
• purified drinking water during cruise

Airlines, itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Passport, immigration, health rules and regulations for German citizens:
Entry regulations for all travelers: wine red, machine-readable passport with photo which has to be valid at least 6 months when leaving the country. For journeys (as a tourist) up to 3 month health regulations apply: you will need a valid yellow fever vaccination (WHO conform) when leaving Peru and entering Ecuador.

Contact us for your individual offer and tour