GALAPAGOS & AMAZON WONDERS 13 DAYS

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species.

We will board a morning flight from Guayaquil to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago and where the most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. During our island crossing, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October).

The Galapagos Islands is located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador, it is really important to understand that you will have to take air, road and sea transportation to get there.

Flying time: 3 hours (including the stop at Guayaquil city on the way to Baltra airport)

Speed boat time from Santa Cruz to Isabela: 2 hours (If you normally get seasick is very important to take medication before getting on the boat)

What to wear today: Light pants, t-shirt, fleece top, tennis shoes, hat, sun cream.

Accommodation: Cormorant Beach House or similar 

SNORKEL AT LAVA TUNNELSExplore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal-clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil to go kayaking in Tintoreras to observe sea lions, penguins, turtles and marine iguanas.

This will be the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin playing around. Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla”, taking surfing lessons, biking or just relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located walking distance from the hotel.

Boat ride to the Lava Tunnels time: 1 hour each way 

Snorkeling time: 2 times of 1 hour each.

What to wear today: shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or baseball cap, sun cream, mosquito repellent, buff.

Accommodation: Cormorant Beach House or similar

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005.

Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Hiking time: 4 hours both ways

Hiking distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) (10 miles -16 km- optional to Volcan Chico)

Hiking elevation gain: 950 feet (289.5 meters) 

Maximum elevation while hiking: 3687 feet (1124 meters) 

Kayaking time: 2 hours

Snorkeling   time:  1 hour

In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. During our island crossing, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to Learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a fresh water lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

What to wear today: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes or sandals, hat, rain jacket (for the boat ride), sun cream.

Accommodation: Hotel Silberstein or similar 

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

What to wear today: Pants, t-shirt, fleece top, tennis shoes, hat.

Accommodation: Swissotel Quito 

This morning we cross country mountain bike from the Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, enjoying the beauty of the special cloud rain forest climate. The road brings us through some Andean farms and a great canyon with many waterfalls, while descending into the jungle, we will have a breath-taking view of Baños, a town well known for its spectacular location right at the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. The volcano is the main attraction of this region. In the afternoon we will have some time to explore the town and also go to The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar

Today, we will visit the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where pounding water cascades on the rocks and mesmerizes you as you watch from a suspension bridge. You may also take an optional hike behind the falls. After another quick drive, we will arrive at another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car traversing the canyon of the Pastaza River.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar 

This day we will appreciate the magic and beauty of the Amazon rainforest traveling along a zig-Zag river in the jungle like a giant snake, considered the main system of the Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). Once we get to the lodge area, our staff will welcome you. From there we will continue to relax in the lounge with a fresh tropical snack, and a brief briefing that will contain the general information about the accommodation and activities, provided by one of our naturalist guides, and thus proceed to Lunch.

18:30(night walk)

A flashlight and camera are the most important tools on this night excursion, which allows guests to listen to and capture the nocturnal sounds of fishermen bats, owls, some insects, tarantulas, toads, frogs and possibly Snakes. If the sky is clear, we might have the opportunity to observe a lot of stars.

Accommodation: Amazon Eco Lodge 

On this day it is time to enjoy a cultural activity. An Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us and learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the Forest. This meeting will show that part of the Amazon that is not in the maps: the Amazonian peoples in their daily lives. Part of our visit to the community is to share the famous "chicha", a fermented cassava beverage that has become part of their holiday and daily Consumption. We will participate in the preparation of this drink and try some of the traditional dishes. We will finish the visit with a traditional dance made by the children of the community and also have time to buy some handicrafts made by the natives of the Area. This small business is very helpful in supporting the daily life of the indigenous peoples of the AREA.

Accommodation: Amazon Eco Lodge

We take the canoe for about 40 minutes to visit the "Anaconda island". We can observe the prehistoric bird "Hoatzin", the woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys, just to mention a few. We also visit a family in one of the indigenous communities to know their cultivation habits, medicinal plants, as well as the ancestral form of hunting with blowguns and handmade traps in the Forest.

A delicious box lunch is provided on this trip.

After lunch we will head to the Amazoonico, which is protecting a number of different animals, some in danger of Extinction. Amazonian is not a zoo, but a rescue center of Amazon Animals in Ecuador. We can observe some animals in their natural environment at short Distance.

Accommodation: Amazon Eco Lodge

After breakfast, we will reach to Guango Lodge, located near the paramo and hot springs of Papallacta, a paradise for hummingbird lovers. Seeing 14 species of hummingbirds within an hour is not uncommon, and the Sword-billed hummingbird with it's unique, long bill is sure to amaze you. This scenic vista and variety of trails will offer us great opportunities to hike in a beautiful setting surrounded by forest-covered mountains. 

In the afternoon we will go back to Quito to relax and enjoy the city.

Accommodation: Swissotel Quito 

International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you! buen viaje!