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CULINARY ECUADOR Highlighting Culinary Experiences Gourmet cooking tours & workshops in Quito and at Relais & Chateaux La Mirage along with nature's greatest show on earth The Enchanted Isles of Galapagos 14 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Tuesday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Tuesday - Miami - Quito: Afternoon flight south to Quito. Upon arrival, meeting and transfer to the charming boutique hotel Plaza Grande located in the heart of the historic district of the city for two night stay.

Wednesday - Quito: ECUADORIAN GOURMET CUISINE EXPERIENCE
Today begins with a visit to the city of Quito, one of South America's most charming cities and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Highlights include the Jesuit gold church, St. Francisco Monastery, the San Juan overlook, Benalcázar Square and the Mena Caamaño Museum. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you will enjoy lunch at the Hotel Plaza Grande, Quito’s newest and most exclusive hotel and restaurant. Time to relax after lunch, and then you’re off to enjoy dinner at Rumiloma. A converted ranch on the slopes of Pichincha Mountain, Rumiloma features delicious food in a unique, rustic setting with a breathtaking view of the city. You’re sure to enjoy this great gastronomic experience with a tasting menu, prepared by one of Ecuador’s finest chefs. (B/L/D)

Thursday - Quito: A TRADITIONAL MEAL START TO FINISH
Get ready for a "hands-on" culinary experience Ecuadorian style.  Ecuador's varied geography has produced an equally varied cuisine.  A dazzling range of potatoes and corn from the highlands; bananas and tropical fruits from the coast, together with the bounty of the waters of the pacific, [articularly shrimp, makes dining in Ecuador a remarkable experience.  Ecuador has one of the tastiest cruisines in South America, with a great variety of fruits and vegetables, where the country's biodiversity is reflected.

Start this morning with a visit to one of Quito’s main local food markets, a colorful, bustling maze of people, sounds and aromas. You’ll be introduced to Ecuador’s produce, some of which you may never have seen before, as explained by your guide. You’ll shop alongside the locals and learn how to pick out the best produce. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, continue on to a well-appointed kitchen, where the chef will be waiting to walk you through the preparation of a tasty, traditional Ecuadorian meal. Everyone knows that food tastes best when you’ve worked hard to prepare it yourself, and once your Ecuadorian lunch is ready, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious, traditional lunch accompanied, of course, by a glass of wine.

Afternoon at leisure tp relax or explore at your own pace. (B/L)

Friday - Quito - Galapagos: Morning transfer for flight via Guayaquil to Baltra Island in the Galapagos Islands and transfer to the new Yacht La Pinta for a 7-night cruise of these Enchanted Isles. Once aboard, briefing on the islands and the upcoming itinerary.
North Seymour Island: Afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner.

ABOUT GOING ASHORE: Excursions ashore take place each morning and afternoon, with staggered debarking in groups of 20 based on language. Landings are "wet" (step out of the boat & walk ashore in the surf) or "dry" (using natural promontories as make-shift piers). Walks are generally not difficult though some sites, such as Hood can be challenging but not impossible for the average person. Essential gear for shore visits include hat with brim or bill, plenty of sun protection, insect repellent, good walking shoes (but not overkill mountain trekkers!) and plenty of films. Click here for Island map and additional information.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't like animals and you don't like being an active ingredient in the wildlife experience, don't visit the Galapagos. The sole reason to go to the islands is the flora and fauna, and you have to go ashore and exert energy to experience it. The guides teach you a motto the first day you arrive: "Take nothing from the islands but memories and leave nothing behind but footprints."

Saturday - Galapagos:
    Morning - Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island): This morning brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina.  Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk.   Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife.   Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant.  Lunch on board.
    Afternoon - Punta Moreno (Isabela Island): Punta Moreno has a low-lying rocky shoreline surrounded by black and red mangrove lagoons, and abundant shore birds.   It offers close views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. It has a desolate and pristine landscape of impressively immense black lava flows and an extraordinary and unusual arid-zone vegetation.   Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, penguins, cormorants, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies can be seen.
Next day’s expedition plan and dinner.

Sunday - Galapagos:
    Morning - Post Office Bay,  Champion Islet (Floreana Island): Possibility to snorkel from the pangas around Champion Islet or a ride on the glass-bottom boat.   Return on board and navigate to Post Office Bay.  Wet landing at the historic barrel that served as a post office, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers.  Lunch on board.
    Afternoon - Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island): Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc.  Return to the beach and possibility to swim; there is great snorkeling at this site or kayak from the beach. 
Next day’s expedition plan and dinner

Monday - Galapagos:
    Morning - Rabida Island (Jervis): Morning disembarkation at Rabida Island (wet landing) on a red-colored beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material.  A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.)   allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s Finches.  Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times Greater Flamingos migrate to.  This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to our next island, we will keep our eyes open for dolphins.  Lunch on board.
    Afternoon - Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island): The sand at Las Bachas is made of powdered coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles.  The Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant on the lava rocks along the water's edge.  Flamingoes, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels can be observed.
Next day’s expedition plan and Welcome cocktail.

Tuesday - Galapagos:
    Morning - Highlands of Santa Cruz Island: After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, Los Gemelos.  From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good.    Lunch at one of the farms in the highlands.
    Afternoon - Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station: Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds.  Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on Yacht LA PINTA. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner. 

Wednesday - Galapagos Islands:
    Morning - Sullivan Bay (James Island): Sullivan Bay is on the east coast of Santiago just across Bartolome Island. We land on a white coral sand beach and begin our walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos. This site is most interesting for the geography of the lava flows, the intricate squiggles, cracks, and designs of the liquid lava as it solidified. After 110 years, life is starting to return to the flows, with occasional tufts of grass and cactus growing in the cracks. Optional panga ride, Glass-bottom boat or snorkeling is possible.  Lunch on board.
    Afternoon - Puerto Egas (James Island): Wet landing for a mid-length walk.  Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds.  At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of Galápagos fur seals.  Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach.
Next day’s expedition plan and dinner.

Thursday - Galapagos Islands:
    Morning - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island): Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting, where  visitors can obtain information that will help them understand more the natural history of the Galápagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. Later this morning visit the breeding center for tortoises (La Galapaguera) at Cerro Colorado, including a 45-minute bus ride. Seeing the semi-saddle back shape of the tortoises can be a great way to understand adaptation to dry-tropical environments.  The rewarding fauna of this island may not only be the giant tortoises, since many island-specific endemics are found here.  It includes mockingbirds, lava lizards, and the vermilion flycatchers.   Return to Yacht LA PINTA for lunch.
    Afternoon - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island): In the afternoon, A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers will bring us to Cerro Brujo for a wet landing at a white coraline beach .  The beach is a great open walking area, with rewarding birdwatching.  There are seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and some shore birds. Also, look for Galapagos sea lions. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers.These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos. 
Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.

Friday - Galapagos-Quito-Otavalo: After breakfast transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Quito where you are met upon arrival and depart immediately in your private vehicle for the scenic two hour drive north to the Otavalo area and the lovely  La Mirage Garden Hotel and Spa, Relais & Chateaux, a member of Relais & Chateaux, for two night stay. Perched on an Andean hillside, La Mirage was built on the grounds of a 200 year old hacienda. Fragrant hummingbird-filled gardens, just 23 exquisitely furnished rooms and suites, impeccable service and gourmet cuisine combine to make La Mirage an unforgettable experience. (B)

Saturday - Otavalo: This morning visit to the nearby Otavalo Indian market. The Otavalenos are excellent weavers and salesmen, traveling the world selling their wares. They have a distinctive dress that can be recognized anywhere. You'll have plenty of time to explore the market and bargain for handicrafts. Ponchos, bags, sweaters, rugs, tapestries and the famed Panama Hat (actually made in Ecuador) are good buys. In the afternoon you will have the services of a car with driver and local interpreter to visit some of the important places in and around Hosteria La Mirage, such as the leather center Cotacachi and wood carving center San Antonio de Ibarra. Your local interpreter-guide will help you design the visits of the afternoon. (B/D)

Sunday  - Otavalo-Quito: MORNING CULINARY CLASS AT LA MIRAGE - This morning brings the opportunity to learn more about Ecuadorian cuisine and preparation by actively participating in a hands-on cooking class. Under the leadership of one of La Mirage’s professional chefs, you will assist in preparing a 3-course lunch consisting of an appetizer or soup, a main dish and a dessert. Then enjoy the delicacies you have prepared in the hotel’s glass pavilions on the lawn while watching peacocks strolling and hummingbirds flying by.   In the afternoon, return transfer to Quito for overnight at the lovely Plaza Grande. (B/L)

Monday - Quito-USA: Morning check-out and transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the US. (B)

RATES and DETAILS: