Galapagos and the Amazon

Airfare is not included on this trip, so you are responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from Quito, Ecuador. There is no program scheduled for the first day, allowing you to arrive in Quito at your convenience. Upon arrival, you will be driven to our hotel located in the heart of Quito, the worlds first ever UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. After checking into the hotel you are free to explore the city on our own. In the evening, we meet for a joint welcome dinner and go through the program for the next days.

After breakfast, we will begin our first Ecuadorian adventure: exploring the highlights of Quito’s Old Town. We’ll start at Independence Square, home to the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and El Sagrario Church. Next, we’ll visit the Church of La Compañía, (built in 1605), renowned for its stunning gilded altars, and the church and monastery of San Francisco, the oldest church in Ecuador (dating back to 1535). To conclude the morning, we’ll head up to “El Panecillo,” the city’s highest viewpoint, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Quito. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Middle of the World monument, marking the equatorial line that divides the Earth into two hemispheres - a must-see attraction in Quito. Here, we’ll also explore the Intiñan Museum, which showcases handicrafts and cultural artifacts from Ecuador’s diverse ethnic groups.

Today, we’re heading to the heart of Andean traditional culture: Otavalo. Our journey begins with a stop at the San Pablo Viewpoint. From this elevated location, you’ll be treated to a panoramic views of Lake San Pablo and the surrounding Andean landscape. Next, we’ll visit the Otavalo Market, one of South America’s largest and most renowned indigenous markets. Engage with local artisans and vendors, learn about the cultural significance of their crafts, and perhaps pick up a souvenir to remember your visit. In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to Cuicocha, a stunning crater lake at the base of Cotacachi Volcano. Upon arrival, you’ll embark on a scenic hike around the lake’s rim, surrounded by lush Andean vegetation and offering panoramic views of the deep-blue waters below. Learn about the geological history of the area and spot local wildlife that inhabits this picturesque volcanic landscape. To wrap up our day, we’ll visit the charming town of Cotacachi, famous for its skilled leather artisans. Discover the intricate craftsmanship behind items such as handbags, belts, and jackets, and learn about the traditional techniques passed down through generations. Finally, we’ll transfer you back to the Ikala Hotel in Quito at the end of the tour.

Jungle Adventure Begins! After breakfast, our guide and private transportation will take us on a 5-6 hour journey into the heart of Ecuador’s jungle. Along the way, we'll stop at one of the most bio-diverse reserves for bird watching, where we'll have the chance to observe rare species found nowhere else in the world. We then continue our journey towards the Amazon, arriving in Tena for lunch at a local restaurant, allowing us to acclimate to the jungle’s warm and humid climate. After lunch, we drive to Santa Rosa, where we board a motorized canoe for a 20-minute river journey to our final destination: Yacuma Ecolodge. After a warm welcome at the lodge, there may be time for a fishing trip in search of piranhas. If we’re lucky enough to catch one, it can be prepared for dinner that evening for the successful fisherman. If we arrive late, there will be other opportunities to try our luck on another day in the jungle. After dinner, we embark on an exciting night walk with flashlights around the camp. It’s incredible to see the creatures that come alive in the darkness, making it even more thrilling to settle into our comfortable, traditional bungalows and fall asleep to the mesmerizing sounds of the jungle outside.

Waking up in a bungalow deep in the Amazon jungle is a truly special experience. Here, a whole new world awakens alongside you. After a hearty breakfast, we set off on a two-hour jungle hike with our native guide, who will introduce us to exotic bird species, fascinating insects, and medicinal plants used in traditional healing rituals. If we're lucky, we might even spot the poisonous dart frog! Back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local specialties. In the afternoon, it's time for fun water activities, as we float down the Napo River on inner tubes. And if you have a hidden gold prospector hidden inside yourself, you can also learn the traditional art of gold panning!

The small river by the lodge is called Chontayacu, which has given its name to the indigenous Kichwa community that works at our lodge. After breakfast, we will visit a Kichwa family and experience their simple and peaceful way of life. They cultivate everything from coffee, bananas, cocoa, cassava, papaya, pineapple, and oranges. They will show us traditional pottery painting and local specialties, and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase locally made crafts such as small pots, bowls, necklaces, and bracelets. We will also get an introduction to using a blowgun, a weapon traditionally used by the indigenous people. It looks easier than it is, and you may not win the competition! We will walk back to the lodge for lunch, and after a short siesta, we will have the chance to make chocolate from locally grown cacao beans. In the evening, we will enjoy a lovely farewell dinner and the cozy atmosphere around the campfire before heading to bed, listening to the jungle sounds one last time on this trip. Please note that Day 4 and Day 5 may be switched.

At dusk, we will hike up to the viewpoint above our lodge to experience the jungle coming to life with all its sounds. From here, we may spot birds—be sure to bring your binoculars for a better view. After breakfast at the lodge, we will say goodbye to our friends in the Amazon and board our canoe to travel back to civilization. Once back on the bus, we will head to the famous Papallacta hot springs, where we can enjoy a relaxing bath in naturally heated waters after our days of jungle adventures. We will stay overnight at this unique lodge located in the right intersection between the jungle and the city, offering an unparalleled opportunity for relaxation.

Early morning, we will be driven to Quito airport, where we will fly out to the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific. The archipelago is on UNESCO's World Heritage list, largely due to its unique flora and fauna that evolved as a result of their complete isolation from the mainland. Our local guide will meet us at the airport and accompany us via "airport bus" and ferry to our transport on the other side of the Itabaca Channel. On our way to Puerto Ayora, we will make a short excursion to a local giant tortoise farm in the highlands. Here, we will have lunch and get the chance to experience the giant tortoises in their natural environment. We will also visit a lava tunnel, which are common on this volcanic archipelago, before we arrive in Puerto Ayora and our hotel for the night.

Floreana Island, also known as Santa Maria, is one of the southernmost islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. Historically, Floreana was the first island to be colonized by Ecuadorians in the early 1800s. Initially established as a penal colony, the settlement was short-lived due to a lack of fresh water. The island has a rich history of visits from sailors, whalers, and adventurers seeking water, tortoises, and isolation. Our day begins early as we board a yacht to Floreana Island. A local water taxi will transport us to the yacht, from where we'll set sail towards the small town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra on Floreana. During the journey, with some luck, we may spot marine turtles, manta rays, various seabird species, and possibly even whales. Upon arrival at Puerto Velasco Ibarra, a local water taxi will take us from the yacht to the town's pier, providing an excellent opportunity to observe sea lions and marine iguanas basking in the morning sun. Next, we'll embark on a 30-minute ride to Floreana's highlands in a local vehicle known as a "Chiva." Here, we'll take a walk to observe the area's typical flora and encounter some of the famous Galápagos tortoises. After lunch, we'll enjoy another short hike to the bay known as "La Loberia." This bay is home to a small colony of sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki), and there are also good opportunities to see marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) resting on the rocks. We'll return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure to the breathtaking islands of Bartolomé and Sullivan Bay in the Galápagos! This exclusive tour takes you through stunning volcanic landscapes and pristine beaches, offering a true taste of paradise. Our guide will be at Puerto Ayora’s dock and welcome us and assist with boarding onto our yacht. As we sail toward Bartolomé, take in the striking scenery and prepare for an incredible experience. Marvel at the iconic Pinnacle Rock, snorkel with playful sea lions, and encounter the diverse wildlife that thrives in this unique ecosystem. Lunch will be served on board. Next, cool off with a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of Sullivan Bay, where we can swim alongside sea turtles, vibrant fish, and even penguins! After the tour, we'll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the town at our own pace or unwind at the hotel.

Early in the morning, we’ll take a walk to the Santa Cruz pier to board our public speedboat to Isabela Island. The inter-island transfer takes approximately two hours. Upon arrival, we'll head to our hotel to drop off our belongings before embarking on one of the most memorable tours on Isabela Island. Our adventure begins with a scenic boat ride from Puerto Villamil, the island’s main port. After about an hour of sailing, we’ll reach Los Tuneles, a captivating geological formation sculpted by ancient volcanic activity. These natural tunnels, created by lava flows beneath the Earth's surface, form a surreal landscape unlike anything you've ever seen. Once ashore, our guide will take us on a hike through the area, passing lava formations and tunnels. Along the way, we’ll learn about the island's volcanic history and the special ecosystem found here. Isabela Island is known for its rich wildlife, and Los Tuneles is no exception. Be on the lookout for colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and possibly even Galápagos penguins along the rocky shores. After the hike, we’ll cool off with a snorkeling adventure. We’ll swim in the clear waters, exploring the vibrant marine life, including playful sea lions, eagle rays, and beautiful coral gardens.

Today, we’ll explore the main highlights of Isabela Island. Depending on the weather, our private transport will take us early in the morning to the highlands, where we’ll reach the National Park checkpoint. From here, we begin a scenic hike to the rim of Sierra Negra, home to the world's second-largest volcanic crater. The stunning views make this trek unforgettable. After our hike, we return to Puerto Villamil for lunch (on your own). In the afternoon, we set out on a navigable tour to the islets known as Tintoreras. This guided excursion includes a scenic walk where we can observe Tintoreras sharks, marine iguana colonies, sea lions, penguins, and a variety of Galápagos bird species.

We’ll transfer to Isabela’s dock for our 06:00 departure on the speedboat (approximately 2.5 hours) to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival and after checking into our hotel, we’ll take a walking tour to visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center, where we can see the preserved body of the world-renowned turtle, “Lonesome George.” In the afternoon, we’ll take a 45-minute walk to the stunning Tortuga Bay known for its pristine beauty. The beach, with its fine white sand, is bordered by expansive sand dunes. The first part of the beach is not ideal for swimming due to strong currents, but as we continue our walk, we’ll reach a more protected area where we can observe a colony of marine iguanas and various seabirds, including pelicans, finches, and seagulls. We’ll also see the iconic red mangroves of the Galapagos and a unique cactus forest. This is a great time to relax and enjoy the beach. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.

On the way to Baltra Airport, we’ll stop to visit the Twin Craters, a interesting geological formation created by lava. Afterward, we’ll continue our transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, where you will either catch your return flight home or continue your journey.