Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands SPRING BREAK 2015

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos  Ms. Drawdy is planning a student tour to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in South America during Spring Break of 2015 with Mrs. Morrow.  You don’t have to be a Spanish student to go…everyone is welcome!  If you are interested in more details about the trip, please fill out the contact information on the form given to your teacher and/or see Ms. Drawdy in room E-1.  Register online early and lock in your tour price and have lower monthly payments. The sooner, the better and the cheaper it will be!

Where is Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands?

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos Islands Ecuador is located in South America, bordered by Colombia and Peru and the Southern Pacific Ocean. The smallest country in the Andean highlands, Ecuador has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes, dense rainforest and sublime islands – all in a nation no bigger than Nevada.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands, located on either side of the equator, directly west of the country they belong to, Ecuador. They consist of 13 main islands and 3 smaller islands formed from the melting of the earth’s crust some 8 to 90 million years ago! The Galapagos Islands are well known for the research of Charles Darwin, but on this tour you will experience many of the amazing geographical sites, unique plants and animals and the indigenous Ecuadorian culture – with your own eyes!

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos The Itinerary – 8 days  Day 1: Leave from Charlotte, NC and arrive in Quito, Ecuador -Check into the hotel and enjoy free time to explore the shops, restaurants and plazas in the city.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos  Day 2: Take a tour of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, visit Santo Domingo Church, take an excursion to the equatorial line and visit the Intinan Museum.  Day 3: Fly to Baltra, continue on to Santa Cruz Island and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos  Day 4: Enjoy a boat excursion to Bartolome Island or Isabela Island and see animals in their natural habitat that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet!  Day 5: Enjoy a boat excursion to North Seymour or Floreana Island.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos  Day 6: Visit the Twin Craters and fly to Quito.  Day 7: Visit Cotopaxi National Park  Day 8: Depart for home!

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos  WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR? -ROUND TRIP AIRFARE -7 OVERNIGHT STAYS IN COMFORTABLE HOTELS WITH PRIVATE BATHROOMS -COMFORTABLE MOTORCOACH -3 SQUARE MEALS A DAY: BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER WILL BE PROVDED DAILY. -FULL-TIME BILINGUAL EF TOUR DIRECTOR -8 SIGHT SEEING TOURS LED BY LISCENCED LOCAL TOUR GUIDES -5 VISITS TO SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS – such as Santo Domingo Church, Intinan Museum, Charles Darwin Research Station, Twin Craters, Cotopaxi National Museum.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos Islands Are you interested? -Fill out your name, grade and parent contact information on the form that I ed to your teacher. Please write legibly! Get the following documents from your teacher, Ms. Drawdy or Mrs. Morrow: -The parent letter about the trip -A copy of the daily itinerary of the tour -The flyer about the parent meeting: Wednesday, February 20 th, from 6-7pm at the BS PUBLIC Library

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos Islands Informational Parent Meeting Agenda: -Information about the tour company – EF Tours -A short video about student travel and its benefits -A presentation of the tour and the daily itinerary -Enrollment brochures, insurance information, price quote, all-inclusive details, etc. -Explanation of monthly payment plans -How to get a passport -How to enroll online -Answer any questions or discuss concerns

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos Islands Can’t come to the meeting on Feb. 20 th ? If your parent(s) are unable to make it to the informational meeting, please come by room E-1 after Feb. 20 th for copies of the tour material, Power Point presentation, brochures, etc.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos Islands You can also check out EF Tour’s website at: Use the tour number: You can view the daily itinerary, destination descriptions, the price quote/payment plan information, the all-inclusive tour package details, directions for how to enroll online, contact information, etc.

Ecuador: Charting the Galapagos Islands See Ms. Drawdy in E-1 if you would like: 1.To ask questions about the tour 2.A copy of the itinerary 3.A parent meeting flyer 4.A letter to parents 5.A copy of this Power Point Presentation 6.Information about getting your passport