8-day Galapagos Island Hopping Including Hacienda La Danesa

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1. - Transfer to your hotel in Guayaquil

Pass By: Quito, Quito, Pichincha Province
Reception at the airport and transfer to hotel by private transportation. Overnight in Guayaquil.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Exe Galeria Mang Ging Hotel in Guayaquil

Day 2: Day 2. - City tour in Guayaquil + transfer to La Danesa Hacienda

Stop At: Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Guayas Province
Take a tour of the largest city in Ecuador and explore the streets and avenues of this historic place. During the tour of the main streets and avenues of the city, you will visit Simón Bolívar Park (PARQUE DE LAS IGUANAS), which is named after the second president of Venezuela, who led the fight against the Spanish for the independence of South America, and the catedral. Then, we will visit the municipality and the government square where you can admire its architecture. Continue with the Malecon of Guayaquil and La Rotonda to contemplate the statues of Bolívar and San Martín. Continuing to La Danesa Hacienda. The host will greet you and give you a warm welcome to the farm and tell you about La Danesa's rich history. You will have time at leisure to explore the gardens and property, enjoy refreshing cold-infused drinks and a traditional snack courtesy of the hacienda before starting with the experiences planned for the day. Overnight in Guayaquil.


Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: La Danesa Hacienda in Guayaquil

Day 3: Day 3.- Local Hacienda experience in La Danesa

Stop At: Hacienda La Danesa Lodge, Autopista Naranjito Bucay km 67, Guayaquil 090150 Ecuador
Hacienda La Danesa, a century-old working dairy, cacao, and teak farm, sits an hour outside of Guayaquil. With this tour, escape the busy city for a day on this family-owned hacienda with a selection of activities tailored to visitors.
You can choose the activities you want to do in La Danesa Hacienda during the day and taking into account the schedule:

Options:

1.- Cacao & Chocolate Experience
You will walk through a picturesque teak avenue for about 10 minutes before arriving to the cacao plantation where you will learn the history and process of the cacao in Ecuador and walk through the cacao trail. Guests will then proceed to the workshop with our local chocolatier to make chocolate bars and taste Ecuadorean chocolate at its purest form. *Chocolate bars are not included for day visitors in this experience yet they may be bought by the client if they wish*
2.- Hacienda La Danesa's Product Tasting
The farm produces jams, 100% raw honey, chocolate, dulce de leche and others delicious hand-made products made by the local community. You may taste them all and you may shop your favorites at La Tienda with other hand-picked products from all over Ecuador.
3.- From Farm to Table Three Course Lunch
La Danesa offers a truly unique gastronomic experience inspired in a Farm-to-Table ethos. It grows and produces most of the ingredients at the farm, while buying the rest from the neighboring communities. The chef will offer a three-course meal with a few options for the main course for you to choose from. Vegan/vegetarian option will be available and upon request we are happy to suit other diets.
4.- Milking in the Gardens
La Danesa produces around 1,200 liters of milk every day and had won for 20 years in a row the best dairy cattle in coastal Ecuador. One of our loving cows will visit us in the gardens and share some of her milk with us. If you want a Café au Lait you will have to take the espresso straight to the cow's udder for fresh warm milk!
5.- Time at Leisure: Tubing, Biking, Horse Riding
At this time, you may explore the property by bike, float down the lazy rivers surrounded by trees and birds or just sit back and relax. For those who would prefer to relax they may enjoy a glass of ecuadorean wine or gin at the Teak terrace or gardens with jazz music before returning to Guayaquil.


Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: La Danesa Hacienda in Guayaquil

Day 4: Day 4.- Flight to Galapagos Islands + Transfer + El Chato (Giant Tortoises) + Twin Craters

Stop At: Reserva El Chato, Isla Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
You will be picked-up at the airport by your private certified guide. Then, you will take the public bus to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. Subsequently you will go with the taxi to a ranch (El Chato) in the highlands to see giant tortoises in free environment.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Los Gemelos, Ecuador
Then, we will visit the Twin Craters which are located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and are surrounded by lush and green forests, dominated by the endemic Scalesia plants. It is possible to walk along the rim of the craters to better appreciate the magnitude of the holes as well as the local flora and fauna. This site is also one of the most likely places to observe the endemic short-ear owl of the Galapagos. In the evening, you can choose among a lot of restaurants close to the pier for dinner. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Galápagos Habitat in Santa Cruz

Day 5: Day 5.- Uninhabited Island (Pinzon Island)

Stop At: Pinzon, Pinzon, Galapagos Islands
The tour to Pinzon is a really adventure!! Once we get there you will enjoy a great volcanic landscape of Pinzón Island, we will anker in the bay and from the boat we will swimm and snorkel in a pristine environment, sea turtles LOTS of white tip reef sharks, sea lions, big parrot fishes, more than 45 minutes snorkeling to an hour enjoying it, then back on board and box lunch. Meals: Breakfast and box lunch
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Galápagos Habitat in Santa Cruz

Day 6: Day 6.- Charles Darwin Station + Tortuga Bay beach

Stop At: Charles Darwin Research Station, Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
You will visit the Charles Darwin Station that is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay, South-West of the town of Puerto Ayora, 200350 Ecuador
We will also have the opportunity to hike to Tortuga Bay to observe the magnificient wildlife and before arriving into a beautiful beach.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Galápagos Habitat in Santa Cruz

Day 7: Day 7.- Santa Fe or North Seymour (uninhabited Island)

Stop At: Santa Fe Island, Santa Fe Island, Galapagos Islands
Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago with some volcanic rocks over 4 million years old. It is also home to the Barrington Land Iguana, a unique species endemic only to this island. Wander the beach with countless sea lions and hike through Opuntia Cactus trees looking for the Barrington Iguana (wildlife spotting’s not guaranteed). Santa Fe is also home to a large Sea Lion nursery so it is understandable that the best highlight for most that visit this island is snorkeling with the Sea Lions.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Galápagos Habitat in Santa Cruz

Day 8: Day 8.- Santa Cruz Island / Transfer to Baltra

Pass By: Baltra, Baltra, Galapagos Islands
After breakfast, your driver will bring you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you will take the public bus. Your driver will accompany you to the check-in at the airport, where your programs ends with the flight back to the mainland. Flight from Baltra to Quito.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.