Galapagos and the Amazon

We travel to Ecuador's capital, Quito. The departure from Oslo is early in the morning, and we arrive in the afternoon local time. 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.

Today we are going on a trip to the islands of Bartolomé and Sullivan Bay. This trip takes you through volcanic landscapes and pristine beaches. Today as well, we will take a boat from the pier in Puerto Ayora. We sail north today and can enjoy the views along the way. We will see the iconic "Pinnacle Rock," snorkel with playful sea lions, and meet the diverse wildlife that thrives in this unique ecosystem. Lunch will be served on board. After lunch, we can cool off with a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear water of Sullivan Bay, where we can swim alongside sea turtles, colorful fish, and even penguins! After the trip, we have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the town at our own pace or relax at the hotel.

Then it's time to board a public speedboat to Isabela Island. The crossing between the islands takes about two hours. We will bring a packed lunch along for the trip. Upon arrival, we'll head to the hotel to drop off our belongings and then go to Concha Perla, which is a beautiful bay perfect for snorkeling and observing the marine life here.

Today we are going on another boat trip from the harbor in Puerto Villamil. We will ride for about an hour to Los Tuneles, a fascinating geological formation created by ancient volcanic activity. These natural tunnels, formed by lava flows beneath the earth's surface, create a surreal landscape. When we go ashore, our guide will take us on a hike through the area, where we will pass lava formations and tunnels. Along the way, we'll learn about the island's volcanic history and the unique ecosystem found here. Isabela Island is known for its rich wildlife, and Los Tuneles is no exception. Keep an eye out for colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and maybe even Galápagos penguins along the rocky shorelines. After the hike, we can cool off with a snorkeling trip in the crystal-clear water, where we can explore the diverse marine life, including sea lions, rays, and coral reefs.

Today we start the day with a short hike up to Sierra Negra, the volcano with the second-largest crater in the world. We will be driven up to the starting point and will spend 2–3 hours on the trip. Back in Puerto Villamil, we will have lunch together before it is time for a trip to Concha Perla, a mangrove bay where we will snorkel and get up close to the marine wildlife. Here, you might be surprised by a sea lion or a swimming iguana. You can also choose a quiet afternoon instead, with a swim or a stroll on the beach.

The adventure on Isabela is over and we take the speedboat back to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival and after checking in at the hotel, we can take a walk to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we can see the preserved body of the world-famous tortoise "Lonesome George." In the afternoon, we take a 45-minute walk to Tortuga Bay, known for its pristine beach. The first part of the beach is not ideal for swimming due to strong currents. However, we will find a small bay a little further down where we can relax and swim. Along the way, there are marine iguanas, and there may be chances to see pelicans hunting for fish in the unique mangrove forest.

After breakfast, we will be driven to the airport on the island of Baltra. Upon arrival at the airport, we say goodbye to our guide and take with us unforgettable memories of this rich and unique archipelago. We fly back to Guayaquil, where you can fly home the same day or the following day.

The Galápagos and Amazon adventure is over, and we return home with great experiences, beautiful pictures, and many memories. Or do you want to see more of Ecuador? Climb Cotopaxi, or explore the jungle in the Amazon? Or maybe experience Machu Picchu since you are already on that side of the world? We are happy to help you tailor a program.