Our representative will drive to your hotel. (Swissotel)
*You will receive an envelope with all of the information about the services you booked.

We drive into the heart of colonial Quito and experience the charm of Independence Square with its awe-inspiring Cathedral, Presidential Palace and Archbishop’s Palace. Admire the church of La Compañia (1605); considered to be the finest example of baroque architecture in America. Not to be forgotten, we will also be visiting the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). Our tour then takes you to Panecillo Hill, an ideal location for a panoramic view of this historic capital. Accommodations at Swissotel.

Transfer to Galapagos flight. You guide will you inform you of pickup time the day before. FLIGHT (Subject to change).

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISES

Assistance at the airport by our representative for your Galapagos flight.

You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim you will be met by Ocean Spray staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

The afternoon visit to Rabida Island (or Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rabida's famous maroon sandy beach and after an easy hike will arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes.

Isabela Island: The largest in the archipelago, this seahorse-shaped island is also one of the youngest and most volcanically active.

The morning visit is to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular marine life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (or sunfish).

Fernandina Island: No foreign species have ever invaded this island and therefore it is one of the world's most pristine island ecosystems. Fernandina is the youngest island in Galapagos. Access to this site is extremely restricted by the Galapagos National Park and you will be one of those very lucky visitors. The volcano “La Cumbra” dominates the landscape with lava fields reaching the ocean.

Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands we will land at Espinosa Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, we will reach the island's highlight: the Flightless Cormorant nesting site.  This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos Hawk.

ISABELA ISLAND –TAGUS COVE & URBINA BAY

The morning visit, including Tagus Cove's 'cliff-side gallery,' provides a clear view of pirate graffiti dating back to 1836. The contrast between vandalism and the pristine environment is thought provoking. On the (1.2 mi / 2 km) hike through lava formations, we will see stunning views of the surrounding slopes and volcanoes, making our way to Darwin Lake.  This salt-water crater-lake may have been filled with a tidal waves brought on by a volcanic eruption.

In the afternoon, we will land at Urbina Bay which presents some fascinating geological formations. In 1954, an uplift from the sea formed the bay; which has been characterized by the resulting terrestrial coral reef ever since. Expect to see stingrays and sea turtles swimming near the surface of the water, along with Flightless Cormorants, pelicans, and marine iguanas. You will be dazzled by the breathtaking view of the Alcedo Volcano.

The morning visit will take us to Elizabeth Bay, a secluded space without any landing sites. We will take a traditional 'panga' ride, passing the red mangroves and among the wildlife of the lively bay. Elizabeth is known for its marine life; you will probably see sea turtles and rays skimming the surface of the water. You may also see the Brown Pelicans diving for fish, penguins, Blue-footed Boobies & possibly spot humpback whales.

In the afternoon we will visit Moreno Point, located southwest of Elizabeth Bay. Here, a dry landing onto what was once flowing lava is possible. The lava has left craters in its wake, which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into the pools, you can peer into another world, as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink flamingos, White-Cheeked Pintails, and Common Gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools you may see whitetip reef sharks and some sea turtles.

SANTA CRUZ CHARLES DARWIN & HIGHLANDS

In the morning we start at the Charles Darwin Station- Breeding Center "Fausto Llerena" home to giant Galapagos tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Here you will observe the various sub-species of tortoises interacting with each other, and possibly with you. Many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans, and will stretch out their heads to be pet. The babies are only kept until they are about four years old or large enough to survive in the wild. These conservation efforts continue to be extremely successful.

In the afternoon we will visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz where you will walk along a path, observing the hills, ferns, volcanoes, and rich wildlife. This area is home to giant tortoises in their natural state, the exclusive Galapagos Rail, the Paint-billed Crane and many other species.

NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND & SANTA FE

In the morning we will head to North Seymour Island. Here you will be able to see Galapagos sea lions, blue footed-boobies and magnificent frigate birds.

Our afternoon visit is to Santa Fe Island. Santa Fe (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.

Española Island

Española Island is the southernmost island of the Galapagos and is the breeding site of nearly all of the Waved Albatrosses in the entire world. Española is densely populated with mockingbirds, Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, Darwin finches, Galapagos Doves, hawks, red and green marine iguanas, and masses of sea lions.

In the morning, we will start at Suarez Point on a trail where you will have the chance to see Blue-footed Boobie, albatrosses and Nazca Boobies. We will also visit a beautiful site on the ocean front where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You’ll have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.

In the afternoon, we will visit the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white sand beach among a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. It is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of Waved Albatrosses.

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND:
INTERPRETATION CENTER  GALAPAGUERA  DEPARTURE

In the morning we will visit the Galapaguera OR the Interpretation center on San Cristobal Island.
The Interpretation Center was donated by the Spanish government and inaugurated by the Prince of Spain in 1998.

This center focuses on the interaction between humans and the process of the "natural history laboratory", demonstrating that a harmonious relation between human beings and nature is possible.

Cerro Colorado (Galapaguera)  is a new visitor site in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island and can now be reached in roughly one hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. On the trees and shrubs surrounding the site, you may see land birds like warbler, finches and mockingbirds, and giant tortoises can be observed on the trails. They live wild but in a protected area to assure their survival by sealing them off from introduced predators like pigs and goats. Once the tortoise perceives danger, it goes into its defensive stance, retreating into its hard shell.

After this final visit, you will be transferred to San Cristobal's airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland.

Galapagos Islands domestic flight to Quito

Our guide will pick up you at the Airport Mariscal Sucre and then drive you to your hotel. Accommodation at Swissotel.

A transfer from your hotel to the international airport of Quito will be followed by the assistance of our representative in the National departure´s area.

Amazon Rainforest at La Selva Amazon Ecolodge& Spa

After a  30 minute commercial flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca”. Transfer by private transportation (10 minute) will set you up on the dock of the La Mision Hotel on the shore of the
Napo River. Our representative will take care of your luggage and will provide you with life vests and water bottles.

An amazing fluvial journey of two and a half hours in a motorized canoe with the assistance of a high quality English speaking naturalist guide will be the beginning of a great experience in the tropical rainforest. A delicious boxed lunch will be included.

At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped on the main river port of La Selva Lodge. After using the facilities and putting mosquito repellent on, a short 15 minutes jungle walk  will lead you to a creek where small fiber glass canoes will be taken to enjoy an unforgettable 20 minutes paddle canoe ride across “Garzacocha” (the heron´s lagoon) in order to reach the lodge area. 

Do not forget that the only thing you must take care of is your carry on. Your checked luggage will be transported by our lodge´s staff.

Once you arrive at the lodge, our resident manager will welcome you with a refreshing drink and snacks. A short briefing with information about the lodge and your schedule of activities will be provided by a naturalist guide. Rubber boots will be provided and accommodations assigned.

16H00 - MATAPALO TRAIL: This trail was named with the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (Ficus sp) one of many remarkable trees that you will find during this short introductory walk where your native and naturalist guides will start to share with you part of their knowledge about flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest.

20H00 - NIGHT WALK:  A flashlight and a camera will be the most important tools you will need to enjoy all of the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals that you might see during an hour walk in the darkness of the forest.

05H30 - WAKE UP CALL

06H00 – BREAKFAST

06H30 – OBSERVATION TOWER: To reach this place you will need to leave the lodge and follow a trail for 20 approximately minutes. A platform located at 135 ft. on the top of a kapok tree will let you enjoy the enchanting view of the rainforest canopy. Several different species of birds with bright colors and symphonic calls, besides canopy mammals like red howler monkeys, white fronted capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, might be part of this approximately 2 hour experience.

Then it will be time to continue with a walk in the forest. A visit to the TUCANETA TRAIL will let your guides share with you more information about flora and fauna. The main characteristics of the tropical rainforest and the behavior of insects, frogs, toads, reptiles, birds and mammals might also be a part of this walk.

12H30 – LUNCH

16H00: GARZACOCHA LAKE: A two hour canoe ride around Garzacocha Lake, looking for the chance to spot herons, flycatchers, birds of prey, the iconic Hoatzin, troops of squirrel monkeys, red howler monkeys perched on the top of some of the tallest trees, are among some of the interesting species you might see during your Lake trip. Do not forget your binoculars and your camera!

20H00 – NIGHT CANOE RIDE:  With the help of a spotlight, your guides will take you in a paddle canoe around the lagoon looking for caimans, boas, bats, owls, night mammals and other nocturnal wildlife. If it’s a clear night, stargazing could be included.

06H00 - WAKE UP CALL

06H30 – BREAKFAST

07H00 -  MANDICOCHA LAKE:  A 1 ½ hour walk will lead you to Mandicocha , a smaller lagoon surrounded by an Igapo forest. Here you will find an interesting ecosystem where your photography skills of photography will shine. A canoe ride (1 ½ hours) around the lake and along its creek will let you learn about important species of flora and fauna that you find only in this type of forest. You might see sloths, caiman lizards, fruit bats, jacanas, among others. A one hour walk by a different trail will lead you back to the lodge.

16H00 – CHAGUAMANGO HERMANO TRAIL: This trail begins behind the lodge and finishes on the edge of the lagoon. During the walk your guides will talk about the neo-tropical pharmacy that characterizes the rainforest. Many plants have been used by the indigenous groups of the Amazon to cure different ills. Some of them will be spotted on the way. At the end of the walk, a canoe will be waiting for you to take you back to the lodge. If you’re lucky you might see big troops of squirrel monkeys approaching to the water, letting you take the best, most up-close wildlife pictures imaginable.

20H00: DEPARTURE BRIEFING: Your naturalist guide will provide all the necessary information for your departure to Coca and flight back to Quito.

According to your night briefing, you will have an early wake up call, breakfast and departure from the lodge.

The staff of the lodge will assist you with your checked luggage, a motorized canoe ride upstream will take you back to Coca, where our representative will take you to the airport to help you with your checked luggage and boarding passes.

You will take a domestic flight from Coca to Quito

Our guide will pick up you at the Airport Mariscal Sucre and then driving you to your hotel. Accommodation at Swissotel.

Transfer Out

After breakfast, our guide will transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your International flight home.