Monday 30th October Depart from London Heathrow via Miami to Quito.
On arrival this evening transfer to your city centre hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to recover after your flight.
Overnight: QUITO
Tuesday 31st October
After breakfast this morning there will be a guided tour of Quito. First stop is at the Parliament Building, whose stone mural records Ecuador’s history. Then stroll downtown and visit the many colonial buildings and churches of this urban jewel, designated by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Visit the Church of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium lead to its richly ornate baroque interior. Then continue to the Equatorial Monument, 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: QUITO (BD)
Wednesday 1st November
Transfer to the airport this morning for the 30-minute flight to the Amazon Jungle for a 3-night stay at Tapir Lodge. This lodge, located in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon region, within the Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve, offers excellent standards of accommodation and facilities, while at the same time adhering to strict ecological standards in order to reduce to a minimum the human impact on this unique and delicate ecosystem.
On arrival at the entrance of the reserve, there will be a canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River with the opportunity to admire the varied jungle flora and fauna en route.
Overnight: TAPIR LODGE (BLD)
Thursday 2nd November
After breakfast explore the primary forest to learn about the local flora and fauna. Our first excursion will be a 3 hour walk in the primary forest and the nearby lake of “Laguna Grande” where you can admire a wide variety of ancient trees including long lianas and giant palms, rare flowers such as bromelias and orchids and colourful birds such as woodpeckers, macaws and toucans; and also with some luck two or three species of monkeys. Back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon try your hand at piranha fishing followed by a refreshing dip into the Cuyabeno lagoon.
Overnight: TAPIR LODGE (BLD)
Friday 3rd November
After an early breakfast this morning enjoy a 2-hour boat trip along the Cuyabeno River. Visit a Cofan Shaman and his family, where you will be able to learn about local rituals and natural medicines. Continue upstream to the small settlement of Puerto Bolívar where you find out more about the local Indians way of life. Following lunch there will be more opportunities for some bird and butterfly watching, then continue by canoe to the Main Lake, where there will be an opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary view of the sunset. At night, look for caimans and experience the nocturnal wildlife along the river.
Overnight: TAPIR LODGE (BLD)
Saturday 4th November
After some final opportunities for bird watching or just enjoying the surrounding nature, return this morning to the airport for the return flight to Quito.
The rest of the day will be at leisure in Quito
Overnight: QUITO (B)
Sunday 5th November
After breakfast this morning depart by coach for a two-day tour of the Otavalo region
This region is characterized by spectacular scenery and traditional artisan villages like Calderón, where bread dough figurines are made in many shapes and sizes. Continue along the valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and rose plantations. Arrive at lunchtime at one of the region’s charming colonial haciendas where you will spend the night. In the afternoon visit the towns of San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its woodcarvings, Cotacachi, an entire town dedicated to selling leather products and Peguche where textiles are woven on old-fashioned shuttle looms.
Overnight: OTAVALO (BLD)
Monday 6th November
After a hearty country breakfast, visit the famous market of Otavalo, piled high with ponchos, woolen goods, tapestries, the original “Panama” hat, sweaters, Indian jewelry as well as many other handicrafts.
In the afternoon return from Otavalo to Quito.
Overnight: QUITO (BL)
Tuesday 7th November
Today will be a free day in Quito for individual sightseeing and shopping.
Overnight: QUITO (B)
Wednesday 8th November
Early morning departure from Quito to Baltra airport in Galapagos (aprox. 2 ½ hour flight). On arrival you are welcomed by guides at the airport and transferred to your vessel for the start of your deluxe 4-night cruise of the islands. First stop is the island of Santa Cruz and an excursion to Dragon Hill.
After a wet landing walk the short distance to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach, here it is possible to see high numbers of Pink Flamingos. The trail then leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. This area is a nesting site for a big number of reintroduced Land Iguanas. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.
Overnight: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS(CORAL I) (BLD)
Thursday 9th November
This morning there will be a dry landing on the dark red coloured beach of Rabida island, often frequented by sea lions. This is often considered the geographic centre of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rock formations of all the Islands. Here a short trail leads to a salt-water lagoon, where you can find small feeding colonies of Flamingos. The brown pelican also nests here in the mangroves at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and nine species of Darwin 's finches.
Continue afterwards to visit Santiago Island. There will be a wet landing on the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas. The volcanic rock formations here are prime locations for spotting a variety of native birds including Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron.
You will also be able to experience the sight of Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide and sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. A colony of Fur Seals can also be observed swimming in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”.
This is also an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in search of marine life. This evening enjoy a cocktail on the Sun Deck followed by a briefing by guides on the next day’s activities.
Overnight: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS(CORAL I) (BLD)
Friday 10th November
Today there will be an excursion to Fernandina Island. After a dry landing at Espinosa Point see one of the islands’ largest colonies of Marine Iguanas. You will also be able to find here nesting sites for Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Sea lions. The island also has a range of unusual lava formations some of which are only recently formed.
Another possible excursion today is at Point Vicente Roca, on Isabela Island . There are no landings for this excursion as the island is only open for dinghy sightseeing and snorkeling. The island’s high volcanic cliffs provide an excellent habitat for nesting Brown Noddies and Blue Footed Boobies. Relax this evening with cocktails on the sun deck and the occasional up close encounter with passing dolphins, followed by a briefing on the next day’s activities.
Overnight: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS(CORAL I) (BLD)
Saturday 11th November
Our first visit today is to Bartolomé Island. Following a dry landing visitors will see various unusual volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a walk to the island’s summit visitors will have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded volcanic cone of Pinnacle Rock.
During the climb you will also see large colonies of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti all add to the experience. Afterwards visitors can enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling.
Later today visit Santa Cruz Island for a landing at Black Turtle Cove in north of the Island. Travel by “panga” though the mangroves, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows the close observation of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays.
Overnight: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS(CORAL I) (BLD)
Sunday 12th November
Return to Santa Cruz Island today for an opportunity to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed by international scientists who conduct biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire the Giant Tortoises that are part of a breeding program and the impressive Giant Prickly-Pear Cactus forest.
After the visit passengers have some free time to walk around the town and shop for souvenirs. Afterwards return to Baltra Island for the flight to Guayaquil in order to connect with your return flight home.
Monday 13th November
Arrive back at London Heathrow Airport.
Tour Cost | Price per person |
Twin/Double | £3,250.00 |
Single Supplement (Land portion only) | £220.00 |
Single Supplement (Land & Cruise) | £1150.00 |
