DAYS
16
Style
Accommodated
EX
Quito – Quito
From
USD $9,550.00
OVERVIEW
Next Tour: 3rd - 18th October 2024
A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TOUR IN ECUADOR
This tour to the South American country of Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest, will undoubtedly be a trip of a lifetime as you take part in one of the most exciting natural history expeditions in the world. It is hard to imagine the vast array of unique birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, and geological and photographic opportunities you will experience while exploring the varied and glorious scenic habitats and unique culture of this remarkable wilderness area.
Your tour begins in the city of Quito. After visiting some of this city’s many highlights, you will fly to the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. Experience rich greenery, prolific bird and animal life and unique culture from a well-appointed lodge deep in the jungle. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador. Flocks of colourful tanagers pass right through the canopy, Blue-and-yellow Macaws fly past in nearby trees, Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest opens before you.
JOURNEY TO A UNIQUE LANDSCAPE OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
After spending time in the jungle, you will fly to the Galapagos Islands to undertake a private charter seven- night cruise on board the luxury Archipell. The islands of the Galapagos vary from stark, volcanic islands with immense lava fields to islands rich with vegetation and rimmed with sandy beaches. In 1835 Charles Darwin arrived in the Galapagos and decided that “the natural history of these islands is eminently curious and well deserves attention”.
While visiting many of the islands, you will learn about and view much of the wildlife, including masked and blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, giant tortoises and prehistoric-looking marine iguanas. With this relaxed itinerary and comfortable accommodations, this will be an unforgettable tour.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito | Arrive in Quito, where your guide will meet you after clearing the customs area and transfer you to your boutique hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz |
| Day 2 | Quito Full-Day Tour | This fascinating and renovated city tour starts with a visit to the Itchimbia neighbourhood for spectacular views of the old and new city. Then you will visit the old colonial Quito starting in Santo Domingo Plaza, walking through one of the oldest streets in the town, “La Ronda Street,” where you will see how the colonial houses were built and how the Quiteños lived in the sixteen hundreds. Your walk takes you through the city museum to San Francisco Plaza, making a quick stop to try the typical sweets of Quito. San Francisco is the oldest church in Quito, full of history and legends. Next, visit La Merced church to see the arabesque and baroque styles used to decorate this church. Finally, you will visit the main square to see the Presidential Palace, the main cathedral and other important buildings. The last stop before your guide takes you to the Equator is the La Compañía de Jesus church, one of the most beautiful churches in South America or perhaps the world. Dinner tonight will be a Welcome to Ecuador experience at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz BLD |
| Day 3 | Quito - Coca | Your guide will take you from Papallacta to the airport in time to take a 30-minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range. Upon arrival, you will take a 5-minute drive in a local chiva (hired bus) or local taxi from the airport to Port Francisco de Orellana to embark onto a comfortable covered motor boat. We begin a canoe ride along the Napo River for about 2 1⁄2 hours. You will have a boxed lunch en route. Birds such as herons, kingfishers and others can be spotted along the way. After arriving at the Napo Wildlife Center (NWC) entry dock, we disembark and then take a majestic and peaceful 1 1⁄2 hours dugout canoe ride to where the lodge is located. There is a good possibility of sighting various species of monkeys and large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to the NWC lodge at Añangu Lake, enjoy a welcome drink and facilities. After dinner: optional caiman observation around the lake and natural sounds of the night. Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre Lodge BLD |
| Day 4 | Amazon Adventure | Early wake up to reach Ecuador's best and most easily accessed parrot clay licks, about 1 hour away from the lodge. We arrive just before the parrot activity starts at the clay lick from 7:30 - 8:30 am. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. A visit depends on weather conditions but is usually successful. Later, hike along a forest trail to visit the Quichua community of Añangu and share time with a family on their activities. Return to the creek and walk through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive at the second parrot clay lick, where, if the weather permits, we can find different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws. We will have a boxed lunch at the parrot clay lick observatory. Late afternoon arrival back at the lodge. Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre Lodge BLD |
| Day 5 | Amazon Adventure | After breakfast, we leave the lodge and drive to a 36m canopy tower on the Napo, a great way to experience life above the forest floor. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center (the first is attached to the dining hall and allows excellent lake views). The canopy tower is about 20 minutes from the lodge, deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds. The metal tower was constructed to the highest standards, galvanised, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists brought from Eco-Ecuador's Peruvian partner organisation Perú Verde. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador. Flocks of colourful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and-yellow Macaws fly past in nearby trees, Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you. Birds virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly beside you, oblivious to your presence. Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre Lodge BLD |
| Day 6 | Amazon Adventure | This morning we will have an early departure to return to Coca and then fly back to Quito. The trip back to Coca will again be an excellent opportunity to see Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds as we cruise along the river. After arriving in Coca, we will take our flight to Quito airport. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the valley of Guayllabamba, only 30 minutes away, where you can enjoy a BBQ, use the facilities, relax and learn about our local plantations. We will transfer back to Quito and check in to our hotel. Accommodation: Dann Carlton Hotel B |
| Day 7 | Otavalo Full-Day Tour | This land is rich with friendly and colourfully attired indigenous people, historic working haciendas, and towering volcanoes with verdant slopes. Our destination is the Otavalo Indian craft market. As we pass the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping view of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo Lake. The Otavalo market dates back thousands of years and is famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries. Today lunch will be served at one of the local haciendas built between the 17th and 18th centuries with a typical Andean ambience. After lunch, we’ll visit the village of Peguche, where native weavers demonstrate their craft as they have for centuries. We will return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight has not been included to enable us to visit a local restaurant of our own choice. (at own expense). Accommodation: Dann Carlton Hotel BL |
| Day 8 | Fly to Galapagos & Board the M/C Archipell | Today marks the start of our Galapagos Adventure. AM: Transfer to Quito airport in time for the 07:50 am departure to Baltra Island at 09:50 am. We will then transfer to the catamaran M/C Archipell. Begin your 7-night cruise through Darwin’s “Enchanted Islands”. All cabins are spacious, featuring outside views, bath/shower and air-conditioning. All meals, lectures and shore excursions are included. A Category “3” naturalist leads the excursions and cultural programs with years of experience guiding the Galapagos Islands. PM: Isla Lobos, San Cristobal Island. The Lobos Islets beach harbours a colony of Galapagos sea lions. As in other colonies in the archipelago, you can approach nurturing females within a few metres. In the breeding season, territorial males also visit this colony, defending and mating the harem on their part of the beach. This low islet is home to more than just Galapagos sea lions. Two other emblematic species breed here: male blue-footed boobies and great frigate birds who try to impress the females (and tourists) with clumsy dances, heaving their striking blue feet or blowing up their balloon-sized scarlet pouches. BLD |
| Day 9 | Cruising the Galapagos Islands | AM: South Plazas Island South Plaza is located east of Santa Cruz Island, forming part of a pair of islands called “Islas Plazas”. Despite its small size, some of the Galapagos’ most interesting and outstanding species are found here. The Plaza's land iguanas are smaller than their relatives on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas throughout the island due to crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana. They are unique and can be recognised at a glance by their black/grey colour, with a land iguana’s crest but the face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favourite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropic-birds, frigate birds and brown pelicans. PM: Santa Fe Island From here, passengers follow a rocky, 300-meter circuit, which passes through one of the tallest stands of opuntia cactus in the archipelago, some reaching heights of over ten meters. There is a longer, more rigorous trail through the island's Palo Santo forest. Still, it is less frequented by visitors since it requires a medium-level hike along rocky stretches and slippery slopes, which are easily eroded. The forest is home to various land birds, including the impressive Galapagos hawk. BLD |
| Day 10 | Cruising the Galapagos Islands | AM: Chinese Hat Sombrero Chino-a small island just off the southeastern tip of Santiago -is a relatively recent volcanic cone with a few intact lava tunnels. Although the island is small, it has a beautifully understated panorama: the ambience created by the volcanic cone background, crashing waves, and nearby islets make Sombrero Chino an especially pleasant stop. The 400-meter trail begins on a small, white-sand beach nestled discreetly in the sheltered cove between Sombrero Chino and Santiago. Sea lions and American oystercatchers often frequent this beach. The trail continues along the coastline of the cove, passing beside the island's characteristic lava terrain and colourful pioneer vegetation and offering glimpses of lava lizards, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs battling the changing tides. The trail ends at the island's rocky shore, which is spattered with scenic tide pools lined with green algae and marine iguana passersby during the cool season. PM: Dragon Hill – Santa Cruz Island Dragon Hill, named after the giant land iguanas that once thrived here, is home to a brackish lagoon where the greater flamingo sometimes appears. The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open to visitors since 1993. This site is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail leading to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequently visited by flamingos, pintail ducks and other birds. This site has been re-populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands. There is a short walk to the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. BLD |
| Day 11 | Cruising the Galapagos Islands | AM: Charles Darwin Station and Puerto Ayora – Santa Cruz Island. Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn about how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. The main attractions include the National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, and the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. PM: The Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz has all the vegetation zones. You can see the contrast between the arid coastal zone and the remarkably refreshing highlands. The humid zones provided some of the drinking water consumed in town. The highlands house unusual trees and ferns, colourful land birds, and a healthy population of giant tortoises. Sudden rains are common, so bring a light jacket and a plastic bag for your camera. BLD |
| Day 12 | Cruising the Galapagos Islands | AM: Tintoreras - Isabela Island. “Tintoreras” are small islands in front of the Puerto Villamil coast. Here you can find herons on the lookout on mangrove branches, Galapagos Penguins and sea lions that often pop out onto the shore. White-tipped reef sharks (in Spanish: Tintoreras) are common in the archipelago and are found in shallow waters. PM: Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center – Isabela Island The Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela is located 1.5 km from Puerto Villamil. You can walk or drive. In the Center, populations from South Isabela (Sierra Negra Volcano, Cerro Azul): Cazuela, Cinco Cerros, Roca Union, San Pedro, Tables and Cerro Paloma have been reproduced in captivity. In total, there are 330 juvenile and adult tortoises. From the population of Cerro Paloma, there are four males and two female Galapagos, which, so far, are the only survivors. Raising this breed of tortoise is of particular interest since genetic analysis performed in 1994 based on blood samples has determined that tortoises from this Galapaguera are different from the others. This is compounded by one of these two females being infertile, as shown by the analysis of absent follicles. However, in 1998, the second female nested and now has 9 Galapaguitos of Cerro Paloma. BLD |
| Day 13 | Cruising the Galapagos Islands | AM: Punta Moreno – Isabela Island Punta Moreno on the western coast of Isabela Island offers a nice view of the three most active volcanoes in the Galapagos: Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul on Isabela Island and La Cumbre on Fernandina Island. The vast lava flows are the first thing that catches your eye when you arrive at Moreno Point. The only vegetations seen at first sight are the mangroves at the shore and some cacti. However, during a hike, you reach some beautiful oasis-like lagoons surrounded by lush green amidst the black lava flows. Abundant wildlife, including flamingos, can be seen in these lagoons. You will hopefully see blue- footed boobies, penguins, and flightless cormorants during a dinghy ride along the rocky shores. PM: Elizabeth Bay – Isabela Island Elizabeth Bay is located on the east coast of Isabela Island. The bay contains many islets, which can be visited by dinghy or panga rides. Penguins and Blue-footed Boobies can be spotted on the rocky islets. With abundant marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkelling and viewing schools of colourful fish, sea lions, and perhaps sharks or whales. BLD |
| Day 14 | Cruising the Galapagos Islands | AM: Tagus Cove – Isabela Island Tagus Cove is located on Isabela Island across from Fernandina Island, next to the Bolivar Channel that divides the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s that used the area as anchorage. Trails lead from the cove past Lake Darwin to a ridge displaying beautiful views. Another area of interest is Punta Tortuga. Located north of Tagus Cove, also across from Fernandina Island, this beach is surrounded by mangroves. PM: Espinoza Point – Fernandina Island No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island; it is one of the world's most pristine island ecosystems. The volcano "La Cumbre" dominates the land, with lava fields reaching the ocean. The island's highlight features the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area provides an excellent opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk. BLD |
| Day 15 | Cruising the Galapagos Island - Quito | AM: Bachas Beach – Santa Cruz Island. Las Bachas is a swimming beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach. PM: Transfer to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to the Eurbuilding airport hotel. Tonight we gather in the hotel’s restaurant for our farewell dinner. BD |
| Day 16 | Quito - Home | Today you have free time to relax before your flight home. The hotel's complimentary shuttle between the hotel and the airport will transfer you from the hotel in time for your flight back home. Remember to be at the airline's front desk at least 2 1/2 hours before departure. B |
availability
Please contact us
Inclusions
- Internal flights and transfers
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Tea and coffee during voyage
- All Shore excursions per the itinerary
- Use of snorkel gear and kayaks
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
- English speaking naturalist guide
- Australian tour escort from Coates
- Gratuities during the cruise and at the Jungle lodge plus local guides.
- Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Galapagos National Park Fee
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