Galapagos

PLEASE NOTE:

This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis.

DAY 1 | QUITO

Arrive to Quito and check into your accommodation, Casa Gangotena. Freshen up and head out with your guide to walk about the Old Quito. Return to your accommodation late afternoon for high tea and to relax.

DAY 2 | QUITO

Your guide will pick you up after breakfast this morning and take you to Otavalo to explore its colourful markets, to see the local people and to experience their history, customs, handicrafts and music. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local’s home before returning to Quito.

DAY 3 | AMAZON

Fly from Quito to Coca, before a 5 minute transfer to the port to start a motorized boat journey towards Napo Wildlife Centre. After approximately 2.5 hours on the boat and with your packed lunch which you eat along the way, transfer into dugout canoes for the remainder 1-1.5 hours to travel through small inlets to arrive to the lodge. Check in and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

DAY 4 | AMAZON

After breakfast, experience life above the forest floor by visiting the 36 metre canopy tower where you can look out for over 600 species of bird such as macaws, toucans, flycatchers or even spider or howler monkeys. After an Ecuadorian lunch back at the lodge, you can choose to hike through Terra Firme forest to explore its complex eco-system. After the hike, explore the surrounding lake and creeks, perhaps running into a giant otter family.

DAY 5 | AMAZON

This morning with an early start, take a short boat ride and visit the parrot clay licks. Return to the land area and take a short hike to the parakeet’s clay lick. Have lunch at Napo cultural centre and in the afternoon visit the interpretation centre to learn about the traditions of the ancestral Kichwa community of Anangu.

DAY 6 | AMAZON

This morning hike along the Tiputini trail, enjoying the mixture of terra-firma and swamp forests while searching for wildlife such as white-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths, pigmy squirrels and more. Return to the lodge for lunch and for some down-time. Later in the afternoon take a paddle canoe deeper into the areas of the surrounding creeks to see more wildlife such as the hoatzin and caiman.

DAY 7 | QUITO

After a VERY early breakfast, leave the lodge and return back to Quito the same way that you arrived. Check back into Casa Gangotena, and the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

DAY 8 | GALAPAGOS

Fly to San Cristobal in the Galapagos and take a bus and zodiac to board the MV Origin. After a briefing and safety drill enjoy lunch, then set off to Cerro Colorado to visit Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo to learn about giant tortoises. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception this evening with a multi course dinner.

DAY 9 | GALAPAGOS

This morning arrive to Genova Island, one of the best places for bird watching given its variety of species. Guides will point out red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and storm petrels on an open lava field. After a bbq lunch on the yacht and a demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche, explore the cliffs up close either by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or perhaps snorkelling. Later this afternoon, arrive to Darwin Bay beach and explore the fauna and fauna, along with a swim with friendly sea lions. Dinner is back on board the boat.