Quito & Galapagos Island Hopping inkl. Ausflügen

About the destination: Quito, officially known as San Francisco de Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador. Quito is beautifully located in a valley on the eastern slopes of the Pichincha Volcano. Positioned at an altitude of 2850 meters above sea level, Quito holds the title for the highest capital in the world. Quito's Historic Center is a charming area filled with colonial architecture, cobblestone squares, grand churches, and numerous intriguing museums. The Historic Center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most picturesque locations in Quito's old center is the Plaza de la Independencia, which is beautifully adorned with flowers and trees. The buildings surrounding the plaza include the pink delight that is the Hotel Plaza Grande, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, and the Presidential Palace. In the center of the plaza stands a memorial to independence. Plaza San Francisco is one of the most stunning places in Quito. It is a cobblestone square with the whitewashed church and monastery of San Francisco along its northwestern side. The Monastery of San Diego, located southwest of the Historic Center, is a beautiful 17th-century monastery filled with exceptional colonial religious art. It is definitely worth a visit, even if it is a bit further from the Historic Center. North of the Historic Center is the vibrant Mariscal neighborhood, home to many hotels, international restaurants, bars, and trendy cafes. Quito is a friendly and fun city. With an impressive Old Quarter and a dramatic setting, Quito is a city that leaves a lasting impression on anyone.

About the destination: San Cristobal (Chatham) is the furthest east island in the Galápagos chain, as well as one of the oldest in terms of geology. It is administratively a part of San Cristobal Canton, Ecuador. Its Spanish (and official Ecuadorian) name "San Cristobal" is derived from the patron saint of sailors, St. Christopher. English speakers are increasingly using this name instead of the traditional English name of Chatham Island, which comes from William Pitt, the 1st Earl of Chatham. San Cristobal Island is made up of three or four merged volcanoes, all of which are extinct. It is home to the oldest permanent settlement of the islands and is the island where Darwin first landed in 1835. A small lake named El Junco is the only source of fresh water on the islands. The presence of fresh water is what led to the early settlement of San Cristobal. A prison colony was established on San Cristobal Island in 1880 for prisoners from mainland Ecuador. This later became a military base for Ecuador and a export hub for the island's products including sugar, coffee, cassava, cattle, fish and lime.

About the destination: Isabela Island is the biggest island in the Galápagos, covering an area of 4,640 square kilometers (1,790 square miles) and stretching 100 kilometers (62 miles) in length. It's nearly four times the size of Santa Cruz, the archipelago's second largest island. The island was named in honor of Queen Isabella I of Castile. It is situated on the equator. Originally, this island was named Albemarle Island after the Duke of Albemarle by Ambrose Cowley, one of the first individuals to ever step foot on the islands, in 1684.