Ecuador - Galapagos & Amazon

Arrive in Quito.

Transfer from the airport to the hotel. A bilingual guide will pick you up from the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. The guide will be able to assist you in anything you may need.

Today enjoy a city tour of Quito.

The tour begins visiting the Quito`s downtown, one of the biggest in South America, our first point is the oldest street of the city, La Ronda, that used to be the home of musicians, poets, and politics back in time. Here we will encounter with the traditions of the city first by stopping in the gastronomic capsule, to have an explanation of the different local spices that are used for the typical Ecuadorian gastronomy. Continuing we will visit the house of handicrafts made of metal and wood most of them designed for the traditional churches and made by hand for furniture decoration. After we are done with la Ronda we will visit Independence Square, surrounded by important historical buildings. Visit the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century), one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, Not to be missed are the Church of San Francisco and Monastery, built a few months after the arrival of the Spaniards (XVI Century). Finally, we will drive to the viewpoint at the Panecillo hill, where is located the virgin of Quito, the unique winged Virgin of the world. You will have a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding mountains and volcanos.

Afterward, we will drive 30 km (18.6 mi) to the north side of Quito, toward to the Middle of the World where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Firstly, we will visit the main monument built in honor of the French scientific expedition that arrived in Ecuador in the XVIII century. Nonetheless, after taking some pictures with the monument, we will visit the correct location of the equator line at the Inti Ñan Museum, where we will have the opportunity to learn in a playful way more about the Middle of the World, scientifically and culturally. Later, we will go to an artisanal chocolate factory, where we can learn more about the Ecuadorian fine aroma cocoa and also about the chocolate process. In the end, we will be able to taste the chocolate processed while we sweet our day.

After all, we will return to Quito.

Today, fly to Galapagos Island.

After our arrival at Baltra Airport, we will take the shuttle to Santa Cruz Island, journeying across the island into the highlands, where we will be amazed by the island’s variety of wildlife and geology. Beginning at the coast and traveling south along the road to Puerto Ayora, the road climbs through the agricultural zone and into the mist-covered forests of the highlands.

Continuing with our journey, we will stop at one of the ranches where, we will have the chance to lunch surrounded by the iconic tortoise species, which we will be able to watch it close. After a walk along the trail that surrounded by the Giant Tortoises, we will have the opportunity to visit a tunnel formed by lava after an eruption of the volcano, now extinct. Later on, we will have time to visit Santa Cruz Brewery, entrepreneurship that produces one of the local artisanal draft beers. After all, there is time for tasting some of the beers before continuing the journey to Puerto Ayora, where we will have the rest of the day for leisure. 

This morning, after breakfast, we will head to Puerto Ayora´s pier where we will take our private speed boat to Floreana Island; this ride will take 2h30 minutes approx.

Arriving on the island, we will visit a local farm that will allow us to learn more about people’s way of life on Floreana. This island, which exists far from technology and development, has inhabitants who wish to generate production and optimization of their resources to achieve a very interesting lifestyle. During this visit, we will visit a lagoon where it is possible to observe frigates and will have the opportunity to feed the farm animals and harvest vegetables.

We will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with the foods harvested from the farm. After lunch, we will continue with our next visit, Asilo de la Paz. It is primarily a historical site where visitors can view a pirates’ cave and the freshwater spring, which is the main source of water for the population.  Along with this path, we will also see Giant tortoise’s species from this island that have been recently re-introduced, since they were considered extinct.

In the evening, we will have a barbecue, and, with luck, we may be able to taste one of the fruity wine prepared by the local family. Here, we can enjoy the Floreana’s peace and taste the foods harvested by the island's inhabitants.

Today, after breakfast, we will begin our excursion to “La Loberia”, a sea Lion breeding area. For reaching the place, we will take a short walk along the shore for approximately 30 minutes. After the interpretation and some time to admire the landscape of this visitor’s site, we will start our first marine excursion in the bright turquoise water where we might be able to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays and a variety of colorful coral fish.

We will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with the foods harvested from the farm. After all, we will head to take our speed boat to Isabela Island; this ride will take us 2h 30 minutes approx.

Arriving at Isabela, we will be able to enjoy the Island on our own.

After having breakfast, we will have a short ride to the Isabela Breeding Center. Here, we will learn more about the efforts that the Galapagos National Park and the local and international foundations are doing to preserve and promote the reproduction of some of the Giant Tortoises species found in Galapagos. Later on, we will continue through a mangrove path that connects with a series of lagoons where the flamingos rest and feed. This walk is ideal for understanding the Galapagos biodiversity, and how the species have adapted to the harsh conditions that the Enchanted Islands have. Today, lunch will be on our own.

In the afternoon, we will visit Tintoreras Islets located a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. The turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by the 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. Once we reach the Isle of Tintoreras, we will get to know a lot of these species. Most of the part of this island is formed by AA lava.

Today we will visit the iconic Sierra Negra Volcano with the second widest crater of an active volcano (10 km – 6.21 mi approx.); but first, we will be driven along the highland of Isabela up to reach the checking control point.

The hike is approximately 2 km (1.24 mi) up to the first lookout point of the volcano, where we will have time to enjoy a snack while we recover the strength and let the amazing view amaze us. Later on, we will return to Puerto Villamil, for having lunch and then board the private speedboat, and continue our journey back to Santa Cruz Island.

Once we arrive at Puerto Ayora, we will be free to enjoy and explore this iconic town for the last night in the Enchanted Islands.

After breakfast, we will have a short visit to the Charles Darwin Station. The center is a reservoir of information on habitats and local conservation as well as other fascinating relevant statistics. The most striking attraction of this station is certainly the Tortoise Breeding Center, where it is possible to view tortoises of different shapes and sizes. Additionally, in order to fully take advantage of our visit to the Galapagos Islands, we will be able to visit the station where legendary “Lonesome George” is exhibited as the last of his species. In 2012, after his death, he was shipped to New York to the American Museum of Natural History in order to start an embalming process for his conservation. Lonesome George was exhibited in the museum for one year. Now Lonesome George is back in the Charles Darwin research station, as a "symbol" of conservation. Afterward, transfer to the airport to take your fight back to Quito.

Arrive in Quito and transfer to your Airport Hotel.

End of the day at leisure.

Depart Quito's airport at 11:00am (subject to change). 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 its off to the town docks where you will board Sacha's private canoes for the 2 hour journey down river to Sacha's Lodges property.

A 30 minute hike through the rainforest leads you to lake Pilchicocha. Here, you are met by native workers to paddle you across the lake to your final destination. Arrive at Sacha Lodge around 15:30 or 16:00 pm (subject to change).

Swim in the Pilchicocha lake pool, which is a black water lake home to many species of fish and animals. A refreshing swim after arriving may be just what you need after being in the equatorial heat all day. Bird observing from the mini tower offers guests an excellent opportunity to view several species of birds common around the lodge. Also a great place to watch the sunset.

Visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide to view the beautiful colors of many different species of butterflies.

Begin morning activity between 6:00 and 7:00. Begin 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 colored birds. 

After the canopy walk, trek to 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.

Liana Grande will turn into the trail Higueron, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head.

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. Either way the trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.

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. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees. Return from  the walk or canoe  ride and head back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony.

After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person !

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. After your eye-popping ride through the flooded forest,you will arrive at Sacha 's 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. Get close up views of vibrantly colored birds through Sacha's powerful scopes, and watch the sun set with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano,and possibly a view of the snow-covered caps of the Andes!

Leaving the tower just before or after sunset will give you an experience not soon forgotten.  A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night will be an awe-inspiring experience. 

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 in Quito at 12.30pm (subject to change) and connect to your international flight back home.