Galapagos and the Amazon Jungle

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival into Quito

Arrival into Quito international airport where you are met and taken by private transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Casona del Ronda. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 2

Quito city tour with Mitad del Mundo

Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 25 Kms. (16 miles) north of Quito, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere.

Overnight at Casona del Ronda. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 3

Quito - Amazon Jungle

Depart Quito´s airport for a 30 minute flight over the Andes mountains leads you to a bustling oil town called Coca located in the Amazon Basin. A quick lunch in Sacha´s private house and then you will board Sacha´s private canoes for the 2 hour journey down river to Sacha´s Lodge. After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view the hundreds of different species of animals that can only be found at night.

Overnight at Sacha Lodge. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Amazon Jungle

Begin the day walking on trail Liana Chica and arrive at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and the many different species of vibrantly coloured birds. Located within Sacha´s private reserve, 2 miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and 1 mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives guests the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the rainforest canopy. After the canopy walk, hike trail Liana Grande through terra firma and igapo forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been being used in their culture for hundreds of years. After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the trail Leoncillo to try and spot the elusive dusky titi monkey.

Overnight at Sacha Lodge. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Amazon Jungle

Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you begin your hike on trail Lagartococha. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is the home of anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. Around 15:30 you will begin what many think is the best trail at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest. Where you have a good chance of being surrounded by troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth!

Overnight at Sacha Lodge. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Amazon Jungle - Quito

Breakfast and a departure from the lodge at 07:30am. One last walk on the boardwalk to the river, and from there a 2 hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35 minute flight back to Quito. Arrive Quito at 12:30pm and then private transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at Casona de la Ronda. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 7

Otavalo excursion

This excursion goes north, to the land of the Otavalos and South America’s most famous Indian fair along the Panamerican Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area.

Overnight at Casona de la Ronda. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

Quito - Galapagos Islands

Baltra Airport - Following our morning arrival at Baltra Airport, we transfer to the Itabaca Channel, which we cross by small ferry to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We board our bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where we'll learn about the unique montane ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Highlands (Santa Cruz Island) - After lunch, we travel by bus to El Chato Reserve, one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools. There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.

Overnight on the Galapagos La Pinta. Luxury Cabin.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Galapagos Island excursions

Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island) - After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, marine iguanas, pelicans and, with some luck, even reef sharks. There's a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, ride in the glass-bottom boat.

Chinese Hat Islet - Tiny Chinese Hat Islet, locally known as Sombrero Chino, gets its name from its appearance: it looks just like a Chinese hat. This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes for a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its 400 m (1,312 ft) long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities with white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.

Overnight on the Galapagos La Pinta. Luxury Cabin.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Galapagos Island excursions

Bartolome Island - This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits: Bartolome Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we take to the pangas for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to enjoy the beach and some snorkelling. We can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.

Sullivan Bay (James Island) - After lunch, we board the pangas to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago. This white coral sand beach is great for swimming and snorkelling and offers a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.

Overnight on the Galapagos La Pinta. Luxury Cabin.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Galapagos Island excursions

Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island) - In the morning, we begin our exploration of this island with an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds. There is an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else we can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks.

Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island) - The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs before we disembark for a steep climb up some stairs, leading to a flat land area that offers a captivating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island. We will have the chance to observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl.

Overnight on the Galapagos La Pinta. Luxury Cabin.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil

Baltra Island - Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. On arrival into Guayaquil you are met and taken by private transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Oro Verde. Standard room.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 13

Departure for the UK

Departure to the airport for your flight back to the UK. If you wanted to extend your time in South America then why not include a few nights in Peru and visit Machu Picchu.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Galapagos and the Amazon Jungle

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Hotels

La Pinta

Casona de la Ronda

Sacha Lodge

Oro Verde

Pricing

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