GEOTOURS 2015 SRI LANKA KYRGYZSTAN GUATEMALA GALAPAGOS PERU WWW.GEOTOURS.US [email protected]; 310-686-8171 CST # 2099683 2015 TRIPS WITH GEOTOURS —WWW.GEOTOURS.US SRI LANKA - JANUARY 1 -14, 2015 LAND COST = $1290 (Hotels, Transport, Breakfasts, Entries/Activities); INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED Thursday January 1— Depart USA for Sri Lanka It is possible to leave December 30 and make a stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for 3 days (December 31, January 1, 2). Friday January 2 – In Dubai or going to Sri Lanka Saturday January 3 – Arrive Colombo, Sri Lanka Short drive from the airport to the seaside town of Negombo for one night. Wednesday January 7 Kandy - Dalhousie Wander through beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Optional river rafting at Kitulgala. One night in Dalhousie at the foot of Adam's Peak. Thursday January 8 Adam's Peak & Train Optional early AM hike to the top of Adam's Peak, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site with outstanding views at sunrise. Beautiful drive through the lush Central Highlands with viewpoint stops to see tea plantations and waterfalls. Afternoon train ride through the hill country. One night in the lovely old Bandarawela Hotel. Monday January 12 Mirissa and Galle Area Optional whale watching in the morning (Blue Whales & Sperm Whales). Relax on the beach or swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Visit Galle, Sri Lanka's beat preserved colonial town. See the famous stilt fishermen. Night #2 in Mirissa. Sunday January 4—Negombo to Sigiriya Visit Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage; see them bathing in the river and at feeding time. Continue to Dambulla rock temples with hundreds of statues and fine Buddhist murals. Two nights in Sigiriya. Monday January 5—Cultural Triangle Optional hike up Sigiriya Rock, the remarkably located royal capital in the 5th century AD. Explore Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital that was abandoned in 1293 AD. Night #2 in Sigiriya. Sunday January 11— Kataragama to Mirissa Optional morning visit to Bundala National Park, coastal wetlands with outstanding bird watching and wildlife. Travel along the south coast to the beach town of Mirissa. Afternoon free to relax on the beach. Two nights in a beach hotel in Mirissa. Friday January 9—Bandarawela to Kataragama Drive to Lipton's Seat for beautiful morning views with an optional walk down. Take a tour of the Dambatenne Tea Factory, home to the original Lipton’s Tea. Two nights in Kataragama. Tuesday January 13 Mirissa to Colombo Visit the colorful morning fish market in Mirissa. Drive up the west coast of Sri Lanka. Last-minute shopping in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital. Depart Colombo for the USA in the late evening or in the early morning of January 14. Or spend more time traveling in Sri Lanka or beyond. Wednesday January 14—Arrive in the USA Tuesday January 6—Sigiriya - Kandy Continue to Kandy, the cultural center of Sri Lanka, located in lush hills. Optional visit to Temple of the Tooth, the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. Attend a Kandyan cultural show, with traditional music and dancing. One night in Kandy. Saturday January 10 - Yala National Park Morning safari drive in Yala, Sri Lanka's premier national park, home to monkeys, crocodiles, elephants, and leopards. Relax during the middle of the day at the hotel. Optional return to Yala National Park in the afternoon. Night #2 in Kataragama. ABOUT GEOTOURS — WWW.GEOTOURS.US GeoTours started in 2010, dedicated to providing travel experiences with the best combination of value and quality, with special emphasis on nature, culture, and adventure. All tours are organized by Matt Ebiner, a college geography professor since 1986 and experienced tour leader. Matt loves nature, traditional culture, photography, and hiking, and he tries to incorporate these into the itineraries he designs for GeoTours. Matt got his first big taste of travel as a 19-year old when he did a 49-day bicycle ride across the USA by himself and considers the 4000-mile trip to be one of his proudest accomplishments. He has visited 145 countries and most of his travels have been with his wife Suzan, who has visited 119 countries. They have one child, 8-year old Sophia, who has traveled to 71 countries. Matt sees the world as a magnificent and fascinating place and looks forward to sharing the wonders of the world with you! GO TO WWW.GEOTOURS.US FOR REGISTRATION AND MORE DETAILS ON 2015 & 2016 TRIPS [email protected] - 310-686-8171 - CST # 2099683 CENTRAL ASIA - MAY- JUNE 2015 - WWW.GEOTOURS.US LAND COST FOR ENTIRE TOUR = $4390 (Hotels, Transport, Entries/Activities, all breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners, professional guides, one domestic flight in Uzbekistan, one international flight from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan) Individual segments – Turkmenistan May 24 – 29 ($1190); Uzbekistan May 27 – June 8 ($1590); Kyrgyzstan June 6 – 16 ($1690) Uzbekistan + Kyrgyzstan – May 27 – June 16 (with flight from UZ-KG) = $3390 International airfare to Central Asia is not included and costs about $1600-$1800 from LAX, including taxes Sunday May 24 - Depart USA Monday May 25 - Arrive Turkmenistan Arrive in Ashgabat. Three nights in Ashgabat. Tuesday May 26 — Ashgabat Tour Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s amazing capital city with over marble buildings, gilded monuments, and vast parks. (all meals included in Turkmenistan) holiest city. Enjoy a walking tour to see the historic mosques, madrasahs, and royal tombs. (B) Tuesday June 2—Bukhara to Sentyab Region Leave Bukhara to go to a village in the Nuratah Mountains to learn more about the lifestyle of the rural people. Stay in a village guesthouse. (B, D) Wednesday June 3—Sentyab to Samarkand Morning in the village to experience the local culture and nature. Option to hike to petroglyphs and waterfalls, or participate in cooking traditional food. Afternoon drive (4 hours) to Samarkand, the greatest Silk Road City. Two nights in Samarkand. (B) Thursday June 4—Samarkand Spend a full day touring the exotic architecture and majestic buildings of Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, stunning mausoleums, the colorful Wednesday May 27 - Ashgabat Day trip outside Ashgabat to visit the huge Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, Kow Ata underground lake (option to swim in this underground hot spring) and Nokhur mountain village with a unique tribal cemetery. Lunch at a local family home. Return to Ashgabat for a traditional Turkmen dinner with folklore show, and city-by-night tour. (B, L, D) Thursday May 28 - Ashgabat to Darvaza See more of Ashgabat, including the Ahalteke horse stables with one of the finest horse breeds in the world. Afternoon drive into the lunar landscape of the Kara-Kum desert, with a stop at a desert community to see rural Turkmen lifestyle. Continue to Darvaza Gas Crater, an incredible sight, always burning, looking like volcanic lava and especially impressive in the evening. (B, L, D) Friday May 29—Darvaza to Nukus, Uzbekistan Leave Turkmenistan and cross into Uzbekistan. Visit Karakalpakstan Art Museum in Nukus, a fine collection of Russian art. Two nights in Nukus. (B) bazaar, and more. Night #2 in Samarkand (B) Friday June 5—Samarkand to Tashkent See more of Samarkand in the morning. Visit a village to learn about mulberry paper handicrafts. Take a high-speed train to Tashkent (2 hours). Two nights in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital city. (B) Sat June 6—Optional day trip to Tajikistan Free day in Tashkent to relax or to explore the city, perhaps by metro. Optional day trip to Tajikistan to see the historical sites and museums in the city of Khojand. Night #2 in Tashkent. (B) Wednesday June 10—Kochkor Drive to Kochkor where you see the production of Kyrgyz national felt carpets. One night in a familyrun guesthouse in Kochkor, with meals in a Kyrgyz home. (B, L, D) Thursday June 11—Song Kul Drive to Song-kul Lake, a beautiful alpine lake at 10,000’ set amidst grassy meadows and filled with herds and nomadic yurts. Experience the nomadic lifestyle and opt to go horseback riding. Spend one night in a yurt camp. This day is dependent on road and weather conditions, as the road to Song Kul might still be blocked by snow. In that case the itinerary will be adjusted. (B, L, D) Friday June 12—Lake Issyk-kul In the morning watch a yurt get erected at Song-kul, and then descend to Bokonbayevo. Watch an eaglehunting show, demonstrating the Kyrgyz tradition of using birds of prey to hunt rabbits or foxes. Spend one night in a yurt camp by Lake Issyk-kul, with an option to swim in the lake. (B, L, D) Saturday June 13—Jety-Oghuz & Karakol Visit Jety-Oghuz Canyon, with red sandstone cliffs amid alpine meadows, wildflowers, and coniferous forest. Continue to Karakol and enjoy dinner with a Uighur family. Folk music after dinner. Two nights in Karakol. (B, L, D) Sun June 7—Tashkent to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Morning tour to see the monuments and museums of Tashkent. Afternoon flight to Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. (B) Monday June 8—Bishkek & Ala-Archa Day trip to Ala-Archa National Park, a beautiful alpine area with forests, rivers, and snow-capped peaks. Wonderful hiking opportunities. Return to Bishkek and take a city tour. Night #2 in Bishkek. Tuesday June 9—Chong-Kemin Go to the Chong-Kemin valley, enjoying lunch in a Kyrgyz home. Optional whitewater rafting in the Saturday May 30 - Aral Sea Area Drive 3 hours to Moynaq, formerly a fishing town on afternoon. Watch traditional Kyrgyz horse games. the shore of the Aral Sea. Visit the old seaport, now (B,L,D) 100 miles from the receding shoreline. See the abandoned ships in the sand and visit the local museum with exhibits of the Aral Sea history. (B) Sunday May 31 - Nukus – Khiva - Bukhara Continue to Khiva, an important Silk Road town for centuries and capital of an independent khanate (kingdom) until the 1920s. Enjoy Khiva’s perfectly preserved Old Town. Evening flight to Bukhara. (B) Monday June 1—Bukhara Spend the entire day in Bukhara, Central Asia’s Sunday June 14—Karakol Visit Karakol’s Sunday morning animal market. Go to Altyn Arashan, a beautiful alpine valley at 8,000’ elevation, with an opportunity to bathe in hot springs. There is also the option to hike 4 hours to or from Altyn Arashan. Return to Karakol and have dinner with a Dungan (Chinese Muslim) family. (B, L, D) Monday June 15 - Karakol to Bishkek Return to Bishkek and take a boat ride on Lake Issyk-kul. One final night in Bishkek, with time for some final shopping. (B, L, D) Tuesday June 16—Depart Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Return to the USA, or stay a little longer to explore other places like Kazakhstan. GUATEMALA - MARCH 13 — 21, 2015 - WWW.GEOTOURS.US LAND COST = $940 (HOTELS, TRANSPORT, ENTRIES/ACTIVITIES; AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED) noes and traditional Mayan villages. Two nights Friday March 13 – Flight to Guatemala Depart USA and arrive Guatemala. Two nights in in Panajachel right on the lake. Antigua, with beautiful colonial buildings, comfortable weather, fine restaurants and shopping. Monday March 16 - Lake Atitlan After a boat ride on the lake we hike an hour along the shore between villages, with great views Saturday March 14 - Antigua Morning to enjoy Antigua. Optional afternoon across the water to three volcanoes. Visit more hike up Volcano Pacaya, with the possibility of villages by boat before returning to Panajachel. riding a horse part way up. Night #2 in Antigua. Tuesday March 17 – Panajachel – Rio Dulce Travel to Rio Dulce. Two nights at Hacienda Tijax, a jungle lodge on the river amidst with comfortable cabins and a nice swimming pool. Wednesday March 18—Around Rio Dulce Option to go kayaking at sunrise or to walk in the rainforest. Visit a Spanish castle built to fight British pirates. Take a river trip in a dugout canoe through an impressive canyon . Swim at a hot waterfall (falling into a cool river). Thursday March 19 – Tikal Visit the ancient Maya city of Tikal, one of the greatest ancient cities of the Americas, situated amidst luxuriant rainforest with abundant wildlife. Friday March 20 Tikál – Cobán Visit Bombil Pek, a very impressive cave with its entrance at the bottom of a deep sinkhole. One night in Cobán. Sunday March 15 Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Sunday market in Chichicastenango, one of the most colorful in Latin America. Hike in Atitlan Nature Reserve with forest, waterfalls, and monkeys with an option to go zip-lining. We continue to beautiful Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volca- Saturday March 21 - Depart Guatemala Travel back to Guatemala City to fly back to the USA. Arrive home the same day. ICELAND - JUNE 19 — 29, 2015 - WWW.GEOTOURS.US LAND COST = $1890 (HOTELS, TRANSPORT, ENTRIES/ACTIVITIES; AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED) Friday June 19 – Depart USA Or depart a day or two early to have more time in Iceland. You can visit Blue Lagoon where you can soak in the aquamarine-colored geothermal waters. Monday June 22 – Reykjavik to Vatnajokull Visit magnificent waterfalls: Seljalandfoss (which you can walk behind) & thundering Skogafoss. See traditional Icelandic houses with turf roofs at Skogar Folk Museum. Stroll along a black sand beach backed by volcanic cliffs. Two nights near Vatnajokull National Park. Tuesday June 23 Vatnajokull Full day in Vatnajokull National Park with great hiking opportunities to see glaciers and waterfalls. Saturday June 20 - Reykjavik Arrive in Iceland and visit Hallgrimskirkja church tower with great views over Reykjavik; walking tour to see the harbor, lakes, city center; guided Wednesday June 24 — Vatnajokull to Berunes tour of traditional Icelandic village at Arbaer Take a boat ride through Jokulsarlon, a lagoon Open-Air Museum. Two nights in Reykjavik area. filled with icebergs. One night in Berunes at a guesthouse on a fjord. with a beautiful crater lake, bubbling mud pits and fumaroles, lava towers, lava tubes, hot springs. Saturday June 27 - Myvatn to Akureyri Option to go whale-watching in Husavik. See another great waterfall, Godafoss. One night in pretty Akureyri, Iceland’s 2nd largest city. Sunday June 28 - Akureyri to Reykjavik Visit the beautiful botanical gardens of Akureyri. Drive to Reykjavik for last minute shopping and one final night. Monday June 29 - Reykjavik to USA Depart Reykjavik for USA. Sunday June 21 – Golden Circle See some of Iceland's top highlights: Crater lake in Kerio volcano, Strokkur Geyser exploding every few minutes, beautiful Gullfoss waterfalls, and Pingvellir National Park where the American plate is pulling apart from the Eurasian plate. Thursday June 25 – Berunes to Myvatn Explore the impressive waterfalls and canyons of Vatnajokull National Park, including Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall. Two nights near Lake Myvatn. Friday June 26 – Lake Myvatn area A day for geological wonders: Krafla volcano IRELAND - JUNE 29 — JULY 10, 2015 - WWW.GEOTOURS.US LAND COST = $1790 (HOTELS, TRANSPORT, ENTRIES/ACTIVITIES; AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED) Monday June 29 – Depart USA Saturday July 4 Killarney to Doolin Visit Cliffs of Moher, magnifiTuesday June 30 – Arrive Dublin Arrive Dublin and take a city tour on a Hop-On Hop- cent coastal cliffs 700 feet Off Bus. Take an excellent guided tour of Kilmainham above the crashing surf. Doolin Jail, a prison during the British period . Free evening for 2 nights with great traditionto enjoy Dublin’s music and nightlife. al music. Wednesday July 1 – Dublin Full day to enjoy Dublin, visiting Trinity College with the Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated manuscript from the Dark Ages. Free afternoon. Thursday July 2 – Dublin to Killarney Stroll the beautiful gardens of Powerscourt Estate. Visit the ruins of Glendalough, a 6thcentury monastic settlement amid lakes and mountains. Continue to beautiful Killarney Nat’l Park. Friday July 3 Killarney Tour the scenic Ring of Kerry, a beautiful drive through mountains and along coastline through mountains. Walk part of the Gap of Dunloe through a glacial valley filled with lakes. ing at a Bed & Breakfast across from the beach. Wednesday July 8 – Northern Ireland Explore Giant’s Causeway, bizarre basalt columns along a dramatic coastline. Visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle on a coastal clifftop. Walk across Carrick-aRede suspension bridge, 80’ above the sea. Tour Bushmills Whiskey Distillery. Sunday July 5 Aran Islands Take a boat to Inishmor, largest of the Aran Islands. Rent a bicycle, take a van, or hire a horse and carriage to see the island, spectacular cliffs, Dun Aengus fort, and ancient churches. Monday July 6 Doolin to Westport Travel through Connemara with its wild nature. See beautiful Kylemore Abbey on a rugged lakeshore. Opt to hike Croagh Patrick (“St. Patrick’s Mountain”) with outstanding views. Tuesday July 7 — Westport to Northern Ireland Cross into Northern Ireland and see the excellent museum and colorful murals in Derry. Walk atop the city walls. Continue to Portrush for two nights, stay- Thursday July 9 - Northern Ireland to Dublin Return to Dublin via Belfast, where we stop to see the docks where Titanic was built. See the fascinating political murals in Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. One last night in Dublin. Friday July 10 – Depart Ireland Depart from Dublin and arrive in the USA the same day, or continue your travels in Europe on your own. PERU - JULY 19 - JULY 27, 2015 - WWW.GEOTOURS.US LAND COST = $1190 (HOTELS, TRANSPORT, ENTRIES/ACTIVITIES; AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED) Optional extension to Amazon Rainforest (July 14-19 or July 27-Aug 1) costs $590; round-trip airfare Lima to Iquitos is extra (about $200) Tuesday July 14 Pre-trip extension to the Amazon Rainforest Depart LAX, arrive in Lima. One night in Lima. Wednesday July15 Lima to Iquitos Free morning in Lima. Afternoon flight to Iquitos. One night in Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon. Thursday July 16 Amazon Rainforest Leave Iquitos by boat down the Amazon River. Stay in a jungle lodge for 3 days/2 nights (all-inclusive: lodging, 3 meals/day, transport, activities). Visit an animal reserve with opportunities to see (and hold) rainforest wildlife up close. At night explore the rainforest by canoe (with guide). Friday July 17- Amazon Rainforest Canoe ride at dawn to see birdlife. Afternoon jungle hike with a guide. Visit a village of Yagua Indians. Boat ride on the Amazon River to see pink dolphins. Swim in the Amazon. A colorful Amazon sunset completes an amazing day. Saturday July18- Amazon Rainforest Go fishing in the Amazon for piranhas and catfish. Return by boat to Iquitos. One night in Iquitos. Sunday July 19 Depart USA to Peru or fly Iquitos to Arequipa If doing the Amazon extension fly Iquitos to Lima and then to Arequipa. If not doing the Amazon, depart LAX in the morning (or in the evening of July 18), arrive in Lima, and connect to afternoon flight to Arequipa, beautifully located below towering Misti Volcano. Two nights in Arequipa. Monday July 20 – Arequipa Visit Arequipa’s historic center including Santa Catalina Monastery with beautiful architecture. Enjoy the restaurants and shopping. Afternoon is free to visit scenic viewpoints or the excellent Andinos Museum. Tuesday July 21 – Arequipa to Puno Go to Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca, 12,500’ elevation. Afternoon tour of the pre-Inca tower tombs at Sillustani followed by a rural home visit to learn about traditional culture. Two nights in Puno. Wednesday July 22 – Lake Titicaca Take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca, first to the floating Uros Islands. Continue to Taquile Island where you’ll enjoy traditional music, dancing, and lunch. Hike to a white sand beach and consider taking a swim in the cool waters of the lake. Thursday July 23 - Puno to Cusco Drive to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire 500 years ago. Afternoon orientation walk in Cusco’s beautiful historic center. Two nights in Cusco. Friday July 24 - Cusco & Pisac Morning tour of Cusco. Afternoon visit to Pisac, with outstanding souvenir shopping opportunities. Saturday July 25 Cusco-Salineras-Sacred Valley-Aguas Calientes Visit the ancient salt mines at Salineras. Afternoon train ride along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes for one night at the foot of Machu Picchu. Sunday July 26 – Machu Picchu Visit Machu Picchu, the greatest archeological site of the Americas. Guided tour of Machu Picchu with an option to explore on your own for additional views of the ruins and mountains. Afternoon train and bus to Cusco. Farewell dinner. One night in Cusco. Monday July 27 Cusco - USA Morning flight from Cusco to Lima. Fly home to the USA or continue your travels in Peru on your own, or join the Ecuador/Galapagos tour which starts on July 27. It is also possible to do the Amazon excursion July 27 – August 1 (itinerary as above, July 14 – 19). ECUADOR-GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - JULY — AUGUST, 2015 - WWW.GEOTOURS.US TOUR 1 - JULY 27 - AUGUST 7, 2015 - $3345 (STANDARD CLASS BOAT FOR GALAPAGOS CRUISE) TOUR 2 – AUGUST 1 — 12, 2015- $3745 (COMFORT CLASS BOAT FOR GALAPAGOS CRUISE) (lodging, transportation, Quito-Galapagos-Quito flight , activities, guide, breakfasts, all meals during cruise; airfare from USA extra) GeoTours Peru trip (July 19-27) can be done prior to the Ecuador/Galapagos tour of July 27-Aug 7 —the itineraries are coordinated to do both ECUADOR/GALAPAGOS TOUR #1 JULY 27—AUGUST 7 = $3345 Monday July 27 - Arrival Quito Arrive in Ecuador. Stay 2 nights in the historical colonial center of Quito. Tuesday July 28 - Quito Monday, August 3 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #2 Enjoy the wildlife with expert explanations from an English-speaking naturalist who accompanies us the entire cruise. Spend the day visiting San Cristobal Island: Leon Dormido, Cerro Brujo, Isla Lobos. trip to Quilotoa Lake, located inside the crater of an extinct volcano. It is possible to trek into the crater to the lake shore (with optional mule ride). Return to Quito for one final night. Friday, August 7 – Start Galapagos 5-day cruise Fly from Quito to the Galapagos and start 5-day cruise on Fragata yacht. There are spaces for 16 Tuesday, August 4 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #3 Explore Española Island: Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez, Islets Osborn & Gardner Wednesday, August 5 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #4 Visit Santa Fe Island to see more wildlife. Enjoy the Old Town of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit La Mitad del Mundo, the grand monument marking the Equator. Night #2 in Quito. Wednesday July 29 - Otavalo Visit Otavalo with its famous handicrafts market. One night in Otavalo. Thursday, August 6 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #5 Visit Santa Cruz Island, including Charles Darwin Station with giant tortoises, and take flight back to Quito. Final night in Ecuador. Friday, August 7 – Return to USA Fly Quito to USA. persons (+ crew). All meals are included during the cruise, but there is $100 per person entry fee to the Galapagos which must be paid individually. We visit 2 islands this day: Baltra and Mosquera Thursday July 30 - Otavalo Area Visit some of the indigenous villages around Otavalo. See locals making handicrafts, playing Andean musical instruments, and weaving traditional shawls. Visit Peguche Waterfall and Cuicocha Lake. Friday July 31 - Cotopaxi Nat’l Park Travel to Cotopaxi National Park to see the 19,347’ Cotopaxi volcano. Option to hike up to the snowline. Visit the national park museum and Limpiopungo Lake. One night at a colonial hacienda. Saturday August 1 - Quilotoa Lake Saturday, August 8 - Galapagos Cruise, Day #2 Enjoy the wildlife with expert explanations from an English-speaking naturalist who accompanies us the entire cruise. Spend the day visiting Isabela and Fernandina Islands. ————————————–————————ECUADOR/GALAPAGOS TOUR #2 AUGUST 1—12, 2015 = $3745 Saturday August 1 - Arrival Quito Arrive in Ecuador. Stay 2 nights in the historical colonial center of Quito. Sunday, August 2 - Quito Enjoy the Old Town of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit La Mitad del Mundo, the grand monument marking the equator. Night #2 in Quito. Monday, August 3 - Otavalo Visit Otavalo with its famous handicrafts market. Visit the indigenous market of Zumbahua followed by a trip to Quilotoa Lake, located inside the crater of an extinct volcano. It is possible to trek into the crater to the lake shore (with optional mule ride). Return to Quito for one final night. Tuesday, August 4 - Otavalo Area Visit some of the indigenous villages around Otavalo. See locals making handicrafts, playing Andean musical instruments, and weaving traditional shawls. Visit Peguche Waterfall and Cuicocha Lake. Sunday, August 2 – Start Galapagos 5-day cruise Fly from Quito to the Galapagos and start 5-day cruise on Guantanamera yacht. There are spaces for 16 persons (+ crew). All meals are included during the cruise, but there is $100 per person entry fee to the Galapagos which must be paid individually. We visit 2 islands this day: Baltra and North Seymour. Wednesday, August 5 - Cotopaxi Nat’l Park Travel to Cotopaxi National Park to see the 19,347’ Cotopaxi volcano. Option to hike up to the snowline. Visit the national park museum and Limpiopungo Lake. One night at a colonial hacienda. Thursday, August 6 - Quilotoa Lake Visit the indigenous market of Saquisili followed by a Sunday, August 9 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #3 Explore Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove. Monday, August 10 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #4 Visit Santiago Island to see more wildlife. Tuesday, August 11 – Galapagos Cruise, Day #5 Visit Santa Cruz Island, including Charles Darwin Station with giant tortoises, and take flight back to Quito. Final night in Ecuador. Wednesday, August 12 – Return to USA Fly Quito to USA or continue on your own to explore more of Ecuador and South America. Important Info GeoTours LLC strongly recommends that program participants purchase travel insurance to cover losses of property, injuries, sicknesses or trip interruptions. GeoTours LLC recommends CSA Travel Protection (www.csatravelpro.com, producer code 20100507). GeoTours LLC is registered as a California Seller of Travel, CST #2099683. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. GeoTours LLC of Covina, California, acts only in the capacity as agent for suppliers of services providing arrangements. GeoTours LLC does not own or operate any of the suppliers of services such as airlines, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, and other suppliers. GeoTours LLC is not liable for the failure for any such supplier to render transportation, accommodation and other services that are considered part of the travel arrangements privately or by GeoTours LLC. GeoTours LLC assumes no liability whatsoever for loss of property, injury, accident, illness, death, irregularity and delays during the duration of the tour. In addition, the program participant agrees to hold GeoTours LLC harmless for damage and delay due to equipment problems, quarantine, declared or undeclared war and insurrection, terrorist and criminal activity, revolt, civil disturbance, hostility, military action, strikes, labor unrest, any “act of God” or nature and for any act of any third party. The participant, by registering for this tour, agrees that GeoTours LLC is not responsible for delay, rerouting, omission and additional expense resulting from the passenger’s improper travel documents such as passport, visa and health document. Any losses and expenses related to such circumstances are within the responsibility of the program participants and not of GeoTours LLC. GeoTours LLC is not responsible for acts of any government authority. GeoTours LLC reserves the right to adjust itinerary and contents and to substitute accommodation providers as deemed necessary. GeoTours LLC reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a program participant. GO TO WWW.GEOTOURS.US FOR REGISTRATION AND MORE DETAILS ON 2015 & 2016 TRIPS [email protected] - 310-686-8171 - CST # 2099683
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