Andes – Amazon – Galapagos Islands

Welcome to Ecuador! Arrival in Quito and transfer to our hotel. Quito (2788 m/9,200 feet) is Ecuador's lovely capital city, nestled against Pichincha Volcano high in the Andes.

Accommondation: Quito

Meal Plan: - / - / D

Situated in the Andes Mountain range, Quito is the world's second-highest capital city, with a climate that has been described as ‘perpetual spring’. The city's old town is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site and filled with colorful, cobbled streets, busy with street vendors. Join a guided tour of Quito’s colonial centre this morning. See the neoGothic Basilica del Voto Nacional, Independence Square lined with the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral of Quito, Compañia Church, and Plaza de San Francisco. Finally drive to the top of El Panecillo hill for panoramic views over the city.

Next, experience a chocolate tasting session in Quito’s creative La Floresta neighborhood. Learn the history of Ecuadorian cacao, focusing on chocolate cultivation, production and finally enjoying a tasting of the award-winning Pacari chocolate. Later in the afternoon, we go to the market town of Otavalo (56 miles, two hours). We will stay two nights in these peaceful grounds.

Accommondation: Otavalo

Meal Plan: B / - / D

The small town of Otavalo in the Andes is known for its indigenous market, which you’ll visit this morning. Spread over three main squares, the stalls sell a variety of colorful textiles and handmade artisanal products, such as ponchos, scarves, jewellery, spices, dreamcatchers, and musical instruments. Next, head to the town of Cotacachi, the centre of Ecuador’s leather industry where you can meet the local traders and browse the stalls of leather goods.

For lunch, join a Pachamanka cookery class. This ancestral cooking method is used for special occasions and involves heating the pot with volcanic stones and then burying it in the ground to cook. The site is then adorned with flowers and transformed into an Andean altar where thanks are given to the Earth Gods.

This afternoon visit Cuichoca Lake. The lake lies in an ecological reserve and is a great opportunity to see the endemic flora of the region, as well as taking in the views – on a clear day you can see the Imbabura and Cayambe volcanoes in the distance.

Accommondation: Otavalo

Meal Plan: B / L / -

After breakfast, visit the workshop of a local family, specializing in the production of musical instruments, such as panpipes, and charangos – a small, stringed instrument in the lute family. Continue past the picturesque San Pablo Lake to Condor Park, a bird of prey rehabilitation sanctuary. Here you’ll get close-up views of owls, eagles, hawks and the Andean condor. In route back to Quito, stop at the Quistato Equator Monument, a 100-foot monument marking the equatorial line. Continue to Quito for overnight.

Accommondation: Quito

Meal Plan: B / - / D

Transfer to the airport and take an internal flight to Coca (45 minutes), the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Continue to the Yasuni National Park by boat (90 minutes), where we will stay at the Napo Cultural Center Lodge that is located on the south bank of the Napo River, the largest river of the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Yasuni National Park. The trip starts from the town of Coca in comfortable ecological roof canoes, outboard motor-operated (as we use three different lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the actual lodge used for your departure may vary).

The canoe trip down the river takes about two hours; box lunch will be provided to passengers. During the navigation you will see birds such as herons, kingfishers, terns and other shore birds species and beautiful landscapes. Arriving at Napo Cultural Centre Kichwa Ecolodge, visitors are warmly welcome with a traditional drink, lunch at the lodge and immediately taken to their cabins amidst the teeming wilderness found on one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. In the afternoon, a short walk down to the banks of the Napo River to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beaches and islands. Return for dinner and rest.

Please note that the itinerary description for the next few days in the Amazon is subject to change by lodge staff and is indicative only. We routinely alternate between three similar properties for the Amazon depending on availability and other logistical considerations. We will update your itinerary if necessary for your chosen date. NOTE: As this is an early morning flight, passengers with flight routings that land in Quito late on Day 1 might consider arriving a day earlier in order to rest up and avoid a "painfully early" start on this day

Accommondation: The Amazon

Meal Plan: B / L / D

Breakfast and early departure on board the boat to visit an amazing parrot clay lick that with an easy access brings visitors face to face with approximately 11 species of parrots (including parrotlets and macaws) depending on the season, weather conditions and general good fortune (this activity is usually successful).

We end this morning with a visit to the Interpretation Center "Kuri Muyu," handled by the women of the community here learn about the Kichwa culture, crafts, traditions and traditional use of natural resources directly to people in the community. We return for lunch and take a break at the lodge. Walk of one hour to climb up the observation tower of 35 meters, likely to see a variety of birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots, and sloths. Return to the hotel in a motorized canoe, traditional typical dinner.

Accommondation: The Amazon

Meal Plan: B / L / D

Visit around the community projects, talk about the Kichwa world view. Excellent opportunity to see more wildlife, ceiba trees, bamboo cane, vines and shrubs endemic from Yasuní. We return for lunch and rest at the lodge. Once at Añangu stream, you will board a small canoe and head down the river in a spectacular adventure through the forest with opportunities to see nightlife alligators and to listen to the sounds of nature at its purest. Return to hotel in motorized canoes, traditional typical dinner.

Accommondation: The Amazon

Meal Plan: B / L / D

We get up at 4:30 am to share one of the ancient customs of the Kichwa culture -- making wayusa to energize the body, and listen to the Kichwa songs. We then return for breakfast before taking a motorized canoe back to the city of Coca. You can also practice water sports such as tubing or regatta on the Napo River or simply relax and unwind. Fly back to Quito.

Accommondation: Quito

Meal Plan: B / - / D

After an early breakfast, begins your journey to the Galapagos Islands, 620 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador. This volcanic archipelago has a unique ecosystem, and is home to an array of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Transfer to the airport to take our fly to the Islands. Once there we will make a visit on route to your hotel.

Start at Los Gemelos, the Twin Craters, created by the collapse of empty magma chambers, then head into the highlands to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. These enigmatic creatures are the islands’ most famous resident and are threatened by introduced species and changes to land use. Finally, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Founded in 1959, the centre focuses on the conservation and restoration of the islands. We will continue to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Accommondation: Santa Cruz

Meal Plan: B / L / D

Today, rise early to tour the islands of Bartolomé by boat. Despite its size, Bartolomé is the most visited and photographed island in Galapagos. Follow the boardwalk to the highest point for panoramic views of the island and Pinnacle Rock. Along the coastline, you’ll have the opportunity to see Galapagos penguins and sea lions, and depending on timings, there may be time to snorkel.

Accommondation: Santa Cruz

Meal Plan: B / BL / D

Today we will travel by boat to Isabela Island, Puerto Villamil, is the only settlement on the island. The local wildlife, includes marine iguanas and sea lions. This afternoon we will visit Tintoreras, an islet off the coast, whose calm waters are inhabited by turtles, marine iguanas, sharks, rays and sea lions. On land you may spot blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs, pelicans and Galapagos penguins.

Please note: Occasionally your tour group may be divided between two hotels, however you will always dine together, either in a local restaurant, or at one of the hotels

Accommondation: Isabela

Meal Plan: B / L / D

Embark on a three-hour hike to the Sierra Negra volcano. One of the most impressive volcanoes in the archipelago, its caldera is the second largest in the world, measuring six miles in diameter. As you walk, admire the colorful landscapes, look out for native flora and fauna, then head into the fresh lava fields. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with views across the island to Elizabeth Bay. Please note: today’s hike is seven miles, but inclines and declines are gradual.

Accommondation: Isabela

Meal Plan: B / L / D

This morning, visit the wetlands located just outside of Puerto Villamil. These brackish lagoons are one of the best sites in the archipelago to view migratory birds, such as whimbrels and pintails. It’s also home to the largest concentration of flamingos in Galapagos.

Continue to the Wall of Tears. The wall was constructed as punishment in the 1940s and 50s by prisoners held in a penal colony on the island. Standing at 65 feet tall and 300 feet long, the construction of this pointless barrier took the lives of thousands of prisoners, and is a reminder of the cruelty that took place here.

On the way back to Puerto Villamil, visit the Tortoise Breeding Station. The centre opened in 1994 to protect the giant tortoise populations of Isabela from the threats of invasive species. Here you’ll be able to see hatchlings and older breeding tortoises. This afternoon, return to Santa Cruz by boat.

Accommondation: Santa Cruz

Meal Plan: B / L / D

Today is free to spend at leisure in Puerto Ayora, or you could join an optional excursion visiting another of the archipelago’s islands. The town is easy to explore on foot, perhaps head down to the fish market to see the sea lions impatiently waiting for scraps.

Accommondation: Santa Cruz

Meal Plan: B / - / -

After breakfast we will take our fly back to mainland to Guayaquil or Quito. Arrival and transfer to our hotel. Free time for resting and prepare to fly back home or international connections.

Accommondation: Quito/Guayaquil

Meal Plan: B / - / -

After our breakfast and depending of time we will be transferred to the airport for our international flights or connections

Meal Plan: B / - / -